Psychedelics

What are psychedelics?

Psychedelics are drugs and naturally occurring substances that can help treat mental health disorders. Holistic medicine and spiritual practitioners have been using these hallucinogenic ingredients for thousands of years, but they've been illegal in the United States since the mid-1960s.

New research suggests psychedelics could treat a range of mental health conditions under expert supervision. Because they're not legal in Georgia (except for ketamine), and in the midst of clinical trials, Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions is positioning itself to offer these treatments as soon as they become available.

Psychedelics are potent substances that can have mind-altering effects. Research indicates that they affect the neural circuits in your brain that use the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is a messenger chemical that allows brain cells to communicate, and in people with depression these chemicals are typically significantly reduced.

An increase in serotonin produces feelings of relaxation, connectedness, and improved well-being. Psychedelics can also trigger spiritual experiences in some people.

As pleasant as these feelings are, psychedelics can also cause less desirable effects, such as:

• Altered perception of time
• Reality distortions
• Intense emotions
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations

In a therapeutic setting where Dr. Giles can help you understand and use these experiences, psychedelics could be of great benefit in treating depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction.

What psychedelics can treat mental health disorders?

Many different psychedelics could be effective in treating mental health conditions. Some of the most well-known ones include:

3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)

MDMA, also called ecstasy, isn't strictly a psychedelic, but it does produce psychedelic effects like euphoria, increased sociability, and altered perceptions. Research indicates MDMA could help people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Psilocybin

Psilocybin alters mood, perception, and consciousness, and it could be useful for depression, addiction, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a tropical vine found in South America. It could help treat addiction, depression, and anxiety.

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

LSD is famed as a recreational drug that alters mood, perception, and consciousness. It could help treat addiction and anxiety.

How are psychedelics administered?

Because these treatments are currently illegal, there are no standardized administration methods. However, your treatment would probably involve taking a low to moderate drug dose under Dr. Giles's supervision with the assistance of a trained therapist.

The environment in which you experience psychedelic therapy is critical to its success. Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions is creating a safe, comfortable environment for patients who would undergo psychedelic therapy.

Following your treatment, Dr. Giles and a trained therapist would work with you on integration — helping you make sense of the experience and processing it meaningfully.

To find out more about psychedelics and other innovative treatments for psychiatric disorders, call Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions today or request an appointment online.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When will psychedelics be approved for use?

There is no answer at this time, though MDMA has concluded two phase 3 clinical trials for PTSD and is in the process of being submitted for FDA-approval. Psilocybin recently completed a phase 2 clinical trial for treatment-resistant depression with positive results. There is optimism about FDA-approval for certain psychedelic drugs in the coming years.