Psychedelics

Question 1

What is a psychedelic?

Answer 1

Hallucinogenic class of (illicit) psychoactive drug whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of consciousness (known as psychedelic experiences or “trips”)”

Question 2

What is psilocybin?

Answer 2

Magic msuhrooms to treat depression

Question 3

What are some examples of psychedelics?

Answer 3

Psilocybin

LSD

DMT

Ibogaine

Question 4

What do psychedelics do?

Answer 4

Serotonin receptor (5HT-2A) agonism

Question 5

What do psychedelics cause?

Answer 5

Increased plasticity

–Neuroplasticity (neuronal growth)

–Brain development

–Learning/unlearning

–Cognitive and psychological flexibility

•Decreased activity in

Default Mode Network

•Increased cortical activity

Question 6

What is DMN?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Whare are the positive effects of psychedelics?

Answer 7

•Huge range of subjective experiences…

–Somatic experiences

–Mind/emotion centred experience

–Spiritual/mystical experience

–Relational insights

–Ego dissolution

–Nothing, the “nada” experience

–The indescribable

Question 8

What are the negative effects of psychedelics?

Answer 8

•Negative experiences

–Fear and terror

–Depression

–PTSD

–Nightmares

–Social isolation

–Anger and frustration

•Set and setting are extremely important

Question 9

What has been observed with psychedelics clinically?

Answer 9

Well being

OCD

End of life distress

Addiction

Depression

Question 10

How do psychedelics impact mood?

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

What is the flow chart that theroeticlaly happens when psychodellics are used?

Answer 11

Question 12

How could we use psychedelics to treat mental illness?

Answer 12

New models:

-Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (individual or group)

Existing models:

• Single/repeat sessions in clinical context (like ECT)
• Daily administration
• Day hospital
• Community administration

Question 13

What do we not know about using psychedelics to treat mental illness?- patient factors

Answer 13

• Weighting of risk factors
• Impact of co-morbidity
• Genetic variability
• Is a “trip” necessary?

Question 14

What do we not know about using psychedelics to treat mental illness?- practicioner factors

Answer 14

• Who should provide?
• Who should not?
• How do we train practitioners?

Question 15

What do we not know about using psychedelics to treat mental illness?- medication factors?

Answer 15

• Which is best for each ailment?
• How much?
• How often?
• Oral, IM, IV, inhaled?
• Cost-efficacy

Question 16

What do we not know about using psychedelics to treat mental illness?- current contraindications

Answer 16

• Psychosis
• Mania (inc BPAD)
• Drug induced psychosis
• FHx of above disorders
• ?Medication