A new wave of psychedelic research has been making some amazing discoveries.
Since the early 2000’s, studies into substances such as Psilocybin and LSD have all agreed that psychedelics are safe, and highly effective mental health treatments.
Some of the findings are so significant that they’re hard to believe. We put together this list of 10 incredible findings to highlight the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies.
These findings are cited from original research articles, and all sources are listed below.
10 Incredible Findings
- According to one study, 94% of volunteers indicated that their psychedelic experiences increased their well-being or life satisfaction.1
- A remarkable 61% of research participants considered their psilocybin experience to be the single most spiritually significant of their lives, with 83% rating it in their top five.1
- Psilocybin-assisted therapy is 4x more effective than pharmaceutical antidepressants in treating Major Depressive Disorder – after only one or two doses.2
- After 2 doses of psilocybin, around 80% of participants showed clinically significant decreases in depression and anxiety. At a 6-month follow-up, 60% were depression free3.
- In the treatment of addiction, one clinical trial found that after one or two doses of psilocybin, 80% quit smoking, with 67% still smoke free-after a year.4
- A single inhale of 5meo-DMT has been found to lead to significant and lasting reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress.5
- One study of creativity and problem-solving found that after a single dose of LSD, over 90% of a 27 person sample reported creative breakthroughs on a problem central to their work.6
- In a study of psilocybin, more than 60% of participants met the criteria for having a mystical experience, defined by feelings of unity, oneness, and transcendence of space and time.7
- Psychedelic experiences can lead to lasting and significant increases in peoples’ “openness” which includes sensitivity, imagination, empathy, and broad-minded tolerance of others’ viewpoints and values.8
- Microdosing psychedelics (taking small, subperceptible doses) can lead to improved mood, focus, creativity, self-efficacy, energy, and social engagement.9
Conclusion
Could psychedelics revolutionize the future for mental healthcare? The data itself certainly seems to suggest as much. In a safe and supportive context, psychedelics have massive potential to address depression, anxiety, trauma, and even addiction.
Like all psychiatric medications, psychedelics are not without risks- however these risks are minimal given the proper set, setting, and support.
To learn more about using psychedelics safely, and effectively, book a session with us here.
Sources:
1Griffiths, R., Johnson, M., Richards, W., Richards, B., McCann, U., & Jesse, R. (2011). Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects. Psychopharmacology, 218(4), 649–665.
2Davis, A. K., Barrett, F. S., May, D. G., et al. (2020). Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry.
3Griffiths, R., Johnson, M. W., Carducci, M. A., et al. (2016). Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial. Journal Of Psychopharmacology, 30(12), 1181–1197.
4Johnson, M. W., Garcia-Romeu, A., & Griffiths, R. R. (2017). Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation. American Journal of Drug & Alcohol Abuse, 43(1), 55–60.
5Uthaug, M. , Lancelotta, R., van Oorsouw, K., et al. (2019). A single inhalation of vapor from dried toad secretion containing 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) in a naturalistic setting is related to sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life, mindfulness-related capacities, and a decrement of psychopathological symptoms. Psychopharmacology, 236(9), 2653–2666.
6Harman, W. W., McKim, R. H., Mogar, R. E., et al. (1966). Psychedelic agents in creative problem-solving: a pilot study. Psychological Reports, 19(1), 211–227.
7Griffiths, R., Richards, W., McCann, U., & Jesse, R. (2006). Psilocybin can occasion mystical- type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance. Psychopharmacology, 187(3), 268–283.
8MacLean, K. A., Johnson, M. W., & Griffiths, R. R. (2011). Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 25(11), 1453–1461.
9Anderson, T., Petranker, R., Christopher, A., et al. (2019). Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges: an empirical codebook. Harm Reduction Journal, 16(1), 43.
