psychedelics Flashcards
what is a psychedelic
hallucinogenic class of psychoactive drug whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of conciousness
what do psychedelics do
serotonin receptor (5HT-2A) agonism causing
- increased plasticity
- decreased activity in default mode network (dmn)
- increased cortical activity
describe increased plasticity
- neuroplasticity
- brain development
- learning/unlearning
- cognitive/psychological flexibility
what is the effect of psychedelics
huge range of subjective experiences
- somatic, mind/emotion, spiritual/mystical, relational insights
negative experiences
- fear/terror, depression, PTSD, nightmares, social isolation
what have psychedelics been observed to improve:
- well being
- ocd
- end of life distress
- addiction
- depression
what is the new theory of mental illness
chronic stress: primes 5HT-2A receptor
acute stress: activates the 5HT-2A receptor (due to seratonin boost)
- > increasing plasticity
- > activates “Pivotal Mental State”
- > positive set & setting / negative set and setting
- > positive outcomes / negative outcomes
how could psychedelics be used to treat mental illness
psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
- single/repeat sessions in clinical context
- daily administration
- day hospital
- community administration
what artificially triggers the pivotal mental state
psychedelics
