TED TALK – THE FUTURE OF PSYCHEDELIC-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
Could psychedelics help us heal from trauma and mental illnesses? Researcher Rick Doblin has spent the past three decades investigating this question, and the results are promising. In this fascinating dive into the science of psychedelics, he explains how drugs like LSD, psilocybin and MDMA affect your brain — and shows how, when paired with psychotherapy, they could change the way we treat PTSD, depression, substance abuse and more.
As the founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, Rick Doblin crusades for the safe and legal use of psychedelics in therapy.
ORIGINS
Humans have long consumed psychedelic substances derived from cacti, seeds, bark, and roots of various plants and fungi. Since ancient times, shamans and medicine men have used psychedelics as a way to gain access to the spirit world.
SAFE + MONITORED
In psychedelic therapy, in contrast to the use of conventional psychiatric medication which is taken by the patient regularly or as-needed, patients remain in an extended psychotherapy session during the acute activity of the drug and may spend the night at the facility.
TRANSFORMATIVE
During a session, therapists are nondirective and support the patient in exploring their inner experience. Patients participate in psychotherapy before the drug sessions to prepare them, and after the drug psychotherapy to help them integrate their experiences with the drug.