Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

[dollyvee]

I read a lot of anecdotes on r/microdosing before starting as well as some of the scientific studies etc. While sometimes they're good to take with a grain of salt, I also find it quite helpful to read peoples' experiences. You might be able to find some more information on someone in a similar situation to you as well on there.

[NarcKiddo]

I watched an episode of The Blacklist last night where a major character goes to see a therapist for a psychedelic infusion. The main point of the episode was to take us inside his head and see the "trip" he took. I thought that was reasonably well done in that he had a confrontation with someone who was obviously his inner critic. And a few other things. But I just wondered about the practicalities - if anyone who has had an infusion in a therapeutic setting is willing to respond. In the show the character lay on a bed under a blanket and the infusion was delivered via drip. What struck me as odd was that although the therapist was there with him the whole time (we are led to suppose, it is not shown) we were left with the impression that he went to sleep and had a dream. I thought these infusions were much more waking type experiences and the therapist is there to talk you through the experience if you need them to.

[GoSlash27]

 All,
 My son has recently suggested that I try small doses of psylocybin in conjunction with therapy; that he would provide it and support me personally during the 'trip'.

 Due to certain "triggering childhood incidents", I have always been averse to any medications, *especially* mind- altering narcotics.

 The consensus seems to be that this can be beneficial, so I've given him permission to try it, with the caveat that I may change my mind and if I do "no means no".

 Best,
-Slashy

[Armee]

I've considered it but haven't tried it. Do you have a therapist? Do you know the therapeutic dose? I don't know a lot but what I have been told is that the dose people take to "trip" is much higher than what is helpful for therapeutic use. The other question I have is: does it feel safe for you to experience traumatic memories or other disturbing things in the presence of your son? Is there a therapist you can seek support from before, during, or after? This may be just purely helpful or it might open a can of worms. I'd want to have help lined up to process these things, myself. My understanding is that at least what the clinical trials are saying and recommending are that the drugs alone aren't therapeutic...they call it drug-assisted psychotherapy, not drug therapy. Anyway lots to consider especially since ypu have some reservations from childhood experiences. Take your time deciding and researching for yourself. There's no rush.

[GoSlash27]

Armee,
 Thank you, and yes... I have a lot of things to research and sort out before that time comes. It will be some time before it will be available anyway.

Best,
-Slashy

[Dina]

Great discussion and resources on this thread.

I'd like to contribute saying that I highly recommend the Netflix series: How to change your mind. 4 episodes each dedicated to LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA and Mescaline, respectively, and their potential use in a therapeutic setting. The chapters are very well documented, covering the origins of the substance, history, controversies, benefits, risks. Each episode draws on the available research at the time. A good summary of most of the scattered information available online on the topic. Really informative.

[Kizzie]

Tks Dina!

[lisaME]

I'm new here. I mentioned in my intro about MDMA assisted therapy, and my psychiatrist brought it up. He seems to shoot from the hip, so that concerns me.

I don't believe it's given often? Just once or twice and then not for a year? I'm starting to open to the idea. I think it helps 70-75% of people?

[Blueberry]

I mentioned in my intro about MDMA assisted therapy, and my psychiatrist brought it up. He seems to shoot from the hip, so that concerns me.

I don't believe it's given often? Just once or twice and then not for a year? I'm starting to open to the idea. I think it helps 70-75% of people?

I don't know much about it myself. Coincidentally, I just saw somewhere that it does help a lot of people get over PTSD. But we have CPTSD so Idk how many of these cured people actually had that COMPLEX as part of the diagnosis. What helps ptsd doesn't necessarily help Cptsd.

Anyway tomorrow (Monday) a freebie online conference is taking place on this very topic. I linked it over on the Conferences/Courses board https://www.cptsd.org/forum/index.php?topic=16029.0
If you can't follow my link (some mbrs can't), then the path is Resources < General Resources < Conferences/Courses.  Note that freebie conferences are only free during the dates given.

I hope you can find some qualified and helpful information.

[Armee]

I think the studies did include people with severe and chronic trauma like child abuse as a substantial part of the cohort studied, not just 1 time trauma, MDMA studies at least. I think of that a bit as a marker of likely cptsd.

I've come to a point where I have tried nearly everything whole heartedly and for a long time...cbt, dbt, mindfulness, somatic, emdr, and ifs. I have 90 min sessions a week sometimes more when needed for 5.5 years, and added an additional therapist 50min a week for about a year. I still have extreme symptoms when triggered that I can't control.

I'm giving it another 6 months and if I'm still in the same boat I'm going to start the process of finding mdma assisted therapy. It won't be a silver bullet but I think it will help soften the barriers and make the emdr and ifs more effective and quicker.
 

[Blueberry]

I think the studies did include people with severe and chronic trauma like child abuse as a substantial part of the cohort studied, not just 1 time trauma, MDMA studies at least. I think of that a bit as a marker of likely cptsd.

Oh yes, that means cptsd as far as I'm concerned, so thanks for chiming in with more qualified information, Armee