Psychedelics in Mental Health: Let’s Talk about It

When used as part of an approved clinical protocol in the treatment of a specific condition, certain psychedelics have emerged as an increasingly common and viable means of managing mental health. As the evidence piles up and the stigma erodes, the case for safe, responsible, and clinically supervised use of psychedelics becomes stronger and stronger. 

However, you’re almost definitely reading this on the internet, where everyone has an opinion about everything and is all too happy to share it; we thought it best to discuss the current picture of psychedelics in treatment, what the evidence shows, and what it does not. Understanding the benefits, risks, capabilities, and limitations of these drugs can help you decide if they’re right for you or your loved one. 

The Unusual Suspects: What Psychedelics Are Currently Approved for Mental Health Treatment?

To date, there are two psychedelic medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression: ketamine and esketamine (ketamine’s derivative). These drugs work by targeting different systems in the brain than traditional antidepressants, and there is significant evidence to indicate that they can improve neuroplasticity. They are generally used when other conventional medications or treatments show little results. 

Ketamine has been proven to help the brain form new connections, decrease suicidal thoughts, and offer quicker relief from depression symptoms. It’s generally administered in the form of a nasal spray. 

Risks of Ketamine Therapy

While ketamine therapy is an approved, evidence-based treatment approach, it has certain long-term and short-term risks of which you or your loved one should be mindful. These include, but may not be limited to, dizziness, nausea, elevated blood pressure, dissociation, disorientation, and more. Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing these or any other symptoms associated with use for a prolonged period.

Ketamine therapy should be administered by an experienced and qualified clinician. It can be done at home or in your provider’s office, but it should be done according to your doctor’s orders and dosage recommendations. 

Additional Psychedelics Currently Being Researched 

While ketamine and esketamine are the only two types of psychedelics currently approved by the FDA, research is ongoing regarding the efficacy and safety of other types, specifically: 

Psilocybin – Though it is currently a Schedule I controlled substance and has not been approved for medical use, a growing body of research suggests that psilocybin can help with depression where conventional antidepressants fall short and a variety of other mental health conditions. It’s also shown promise in helping people quit smoking. 

MDMA – It’s important, first and foremost, to realize that the FDA has rejected the use of MDMA in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, delivering a significant setback for the psychedelics-assisted treatment movement across the board as it was the farthest along in clinical trials. Psilocybin researchers hope to use learnings from the FDA’s rejection to avoid future roadblocks in approval. 

How Psychedelics Work in Treatment

Each psychedelic alters consciousness and cognition in different ways, but in the context of treatment potential, researchers have been working to understand how these compounds affect the brain and link them to areas that are damaged or impacted by mental health conditions. 

For example, PTSD, depression, chronic stress, and many other neurological conditions are connected to the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for regulating mood, fear, and the brain’s reward system. The idea of treatment with psychedelics is to harness these compounds to help repair damaged circuits in this area of the brain. 

Part of An Overall Mental Health Treatment Plan

Every type of medication for mental health treatment should be integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that includes talk therapy and whatever other approach is deemed clinically appropriate by your or your loved one’s care team. Neither psychedelics nor antidepressants nor antianxiety medications are meant to be a substitute for therapy but rather an additional pillar of treatment. 

If you or your loved one are considering psychedelics for mental health management, be sure to talk to your doctor about your eligibility, the risks, how they will impact your overall health, and other critical factors before taking your first dose. 

Ketamine Therapy at Recovery Unplugged 

Recovery Unplugged currently offers ketamine for depression at our inpatient mental health center in Fort Lauderdale. Our experienced and qualified clinicians provide expert, personalized guidance to ensure safe and effective care. Our treatment services help patients control the risks, keep their dosages in check, prepare for possible side effects, and more to help them get the most out of their treatment. 

If you feel you are a candidate for ketamine therapy, don’t travel this road alone. Let us help you navigate your treatment safely and responsibly. We’re standing by to help whenever you’re ready.