psychedelics

Question 1

what is a psychedelic

Answer 1

hallucinogenic class of psychoactive drug whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of conciousness

Question 2

what do psychedelics do

Answer 2

serotonin receptor (5HT-2A) agonism causing

• increased plasticity
• decreased activity in default mode network (dmn)
• increased cortical activity

Question 3

describe increased plasticity

Answer 3

• neuroplasticity
• brain development
• learning/unlearning
• cognitive/psychological flexibility

Question 4

what is the effect of psychedelics

Answer 4

huge range of subjective experiences
- somatic, mind/emotion, spiritual/mystical, relational insights

negative experiences
- fear/terror, depression, PTSD, nightmares, social isolation

Question 5

what have psychedelics been observed to improve:

Answer 5

• well being
• ocd
• end of life distress
• addiction
• depression

Question 6

what is the new theory of mental illness

Answer 6

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

Question 7

how could psychedelics be used to treat mental illness

Answer 7

psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy

• single/repeat sessions in clinical context
• daily administration
• day hospital
• community administration

Question 8

what artificially triggers the pivotal mental state

Answer 8

psychedelics