Psychedelic therapy for PTSD
Psychedelic therapy with psilocybin and MDMA is effective in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Psilocybin is the psychoactive substance in mushrooms and has a mind-altering effect on the brain. MDMA is a substance that activates the release of oxytocin and serotonin, which triggers positive emotions and feelings of safety and connection. Both substances can help reduce the anxiety and pain responses associated with PTSD. During the session, the participant can often enter a deep state of consciousness, allowing them to “let go” of the traumatic experience. The accompanying guidance can then help to process the trauma and guide the participant towards a state of emotional healing and growth.
Psilocybin or MDMA in PTSD
Most psychologists prefer MDMA over psilocybin for treating PTSD because it is easier to manage. MDMA acts on the reward system in the brain and primarily produces feelings of well-being, euphoria, and connectedness. Those who use MDMA remain positive and emotionally stable during the session and are easier for the therapist to deal with.
Guiding a psilocybin therapy to treat PTSD is more difficult for the beginning therapist because it is less predictable. Additionally, a psilocybin session requires more preparation, such as balancing neurotransmitters and providing informational preparation.
Because of the different effects of MDMA and psilocybin, they can also be used as needed. Some people with PTSD may benefit more from psilocybin, while others may benefit more from MDMA.
When do you choose MDMA or psilocybin?
Psilocybin therapy
Psilocybin therapy can offer benefits in the treatment of PTSD. Especially if depression is also involved, psilocybin can be more effective. Psilocybin therapy can help the patient re-interpret their emotions and thoughts and can facilitate the processing of traumatic experiences.
Psilocybin can help to release emotional blocks so that the session becomes a catharsis with strong emotions that create a state of contentment and connection that provides a sense of safety.
During psilocybin therapy, there is also space for an experience that cannot be expressed in words during the peak of the session. This is especially useful for people who are unable to move on with the processing of the trauma through thoughts and conversations.
Another benefit of psilocybin are the hallucinations. During some sessions, insights can arise by triggering the visual effects shown.
MDMA therapy
The choice to undergo MDMA therapy can be made if there is a feeling that there is a blockage preventing people from talking about and/or thinking about the trauma. Normally, people with PTSD have difficulty talking about traumatic experiences because they experience fear, stress, and anxiety. MDMA can reduce these symptoms, allowing them to be more emotionally open to discussing their experiences. It also ensures that the limbic system works better with the frontal part (responsible for language and logic). This makes it easier for patients to gain new insights and integrate emotional scars into their usual daily experiences. All of this can lead to more successful therapy and less psychological problems in people suffering from PTSD.
Another reason to choose an MDMA session is that people with PTSD are relatively more likely to be afraid of the visual effects of psilocybin. In some psilocybin sessions, there can be images of the trauma that are experienced as okay or unpleasant.