Psychedelics Flashcards
What is a psychedelic?
Hallucinogenic class of (illicit) psychoactive drug whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of consciousness (known as psychedelic experiences or “trips”)”
What is psilocybin?
Magic msuhrooms to treat depression
What are some examples of psychedelics?
Psilocybin
LSD
DMT
Ibogaine
What do psychedelics do?
Serotonin receptor (5HT-2A) agonism
What do psychedelics cause?
Increased plasticity
–Neuroplasticity (neuronal growth)
–Brain development
–Learning/unlearning
–Cognitive and psychological flexibility
•Decreased activity in
Default Mode Network
•Increased cortical activity
What is DMN?
DMN- Pattern of electoral activiry in the brain we operate with most of the time. Recipt of the narrative self
Decrease DNM activity with psychedelics and meditation
Whare are the positive effects of psychedelics?
•Huge range of subjective experiences…
–Somatic experiences
–Mind/emotion centred experience
–Spiritual/mystical experience
–Relational insights
–Ego dissolution
–Nothing, the “nada” experience
–The indescribable
What are the negative effects of psychedelics?
•Negative experiences
–Fear and terror
–Depression
–PTSD
–Nightmares
–Social isolation
–Anger and frustration
•Set and setting are extremely important
What has been observed with psychedelics clinically?
Well being
OCD
End of life distress
Addiction
Depression
How do psychedelics impact mood?
- Psychedelic experiences boost plasticity and adaptability
- Psychedelics treat various disorders
- This suggests these mental disorders have a common cause rooted in learned patterns of thought and behaviour
What is the flow chart that theroeticlaly happens when psychodellics are used?
How could we use psychedelics to treat mental illness?
New models:
-Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (individual or group)
Existing models:
- Single/repeat sessions in clinical context (like ECT)
- Daily administration
- Day hospital
- Community administration
What do we not know about using psychedelics to treat mental illness?- patient factors
- Weighting of risk factors
- Impact of co-morbidity
- Genetic variability
- Is a “trip” necessary?
What do we not know about using psychedelics to treat mental illness?- practicioner factors
- Who should provide?
- Who should not?
- How do we train practitioners?
What do we not know about using psychedelics to treat mental illness?- medication factors?
- Which is best for each ailment?
- How much?
- How often?
- Oral, IM, IV, inhaled?
- Cost-efficacy
