Ok, that title sounds boring, maybe I'll change it later. But for now, if you know me, I love geeking out and when there is research to check out and learn about, I am in!
About 10 years ago, I had a friend who mentioned that there was a research project down in the US that was studying the effects of psychedelics... Now, if you know, you know. But if you don't, this is worth the read. At that time, I didn't think much about it, it was way out there on the edge, even for me.
Fast forward about 7 years, before Covid closed things down, I was talking with another friend who introduced the topic of microdosing psilocybin. So I started doing more research and down the rabbit hole I went.
Stay with me, this is just so fascinating...
The majority of us know psychedelics as magic mushrooms, LSD, Ecstasy (MDMA)... all things we were warned about... between ending up on a bad trip or ending up with an addiction. These substances were given very negative, scary stories (FYI... bad trips are real, there is no denying that, but there is solid research showing that the majority of psychedelics are not addictive).
Now, let's skip ahead. Today MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) is finishing up 30 years of research and working with the FDA to legalize psychedelics for use with therapy. Mainly focusing on treatment of depression, addictions, PTSD, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, end of life anxiety, and more... and the results are very promising.
Think of being treated for depression for years, taking pills & going to therapy... In the studies MAPS has been running, you work with a therapist for typically 3 90 min sessions then your set and setting are created. You go in for an 8 hour session where you take a dose of a specific psychedelic... 2 people (trained therapists or assistants) sit with you and assist you when needed. Afterward you work with your therapist to integrate the knowledge you experienced in your session.
You experience long lasting effects (not just months) that are similar to a miracle in relation to what you've been through previously. These effects, this response occurs in approx. 2/3rds of subjects. And, they are finding there are no addictive properties to this treatment.
Now, I simplified the process, but that is the basics.
To be clear: This is NOT getting drugs from the street and sitting around with your friends and taking them. This is so much more. Therapists are trained, there is a set & setting and a ceremony that is highly important in the process. But the effect... on depression, addictions, PTSD. This could change millions of people's lives, not just those with disorders but their family and friends as well. With the research that has happened, the staggering costs of anxiety, PTSD, addiction and depression on society and the healthcare industry, this realm of treatment is something we can not overlook. Research needs to continue.
So why am I telling you this... because I think it is very important that we remove the stigma of psychedelics that the 'War on Drugs' created. There was some serious research in this direction going on in the 50's and 60's and it was all stopped. If you would like to learn more about the history of the 4 main psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, Ayahuasca and 5-MeO-DMT) , check out Netflix and the documentary series by Michael Pollan: How to Change Your Mind. Or get the book!
So for me... it has been over three years since I started researching microdosing psilocybin. Since then, I have read books by James Fadiman (loved Your Symphony of Selves that he co-wrote with Jordan Gruber), Michael Pollan, Ayelet Waldman, Gabor Mate, and Richard Louis Miller. I also dove into many websites and in 2021 did a microdose coaching program with Third Wave which was amazing and very trans-formative for me in many ways.
Why am I writing this now? Well with Alberta being the first to begin the regulatory process in Canada, and the recent Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Global Summit, I am continuing to learn more and always want to share my learning with you!
Now what? Well, if you would like to talk more about this topic, as always I am open to it!