#10 What is psychedelic-assisted therapy?

Welcome to the tenth edition of The Daily Concept - the newsletter that introduces you to a new idea every day.

🎂Today is my thirtieth birthday. I had the chance to celebrate this past weekend with friends and family, and I am grateful to all of you for taking the time to read this newsletter! I can’t wait to see what the next years have in store. 🎂 

Love, Dan

What is Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy?

Psychedelic-assisted therapy refers to the controlled and supervised use of psychedelics like psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms), ketamine, or MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) in combination with psychotherapy.

Unlike recreational drug use, psychedelic-assisted therapy is conducted in a clinical setting under the guidance of trained professionals. The goal of psychedelic-assisted therapy is harnessing the mind-altering effects of these substances to facilitate therapeutic breakthroughs and personal growth.

A 2016 study found that psilocybin helped improved the mood and well-being of cancer patients. Over 80% of participants who took psilocybin reported “moderately or greater increased well-being/life satisfaction.”

Notably, the study focused on the mystical nature of these experiences for participants. The patients who reported strongly mystical experiences during their psilocybin trips experienced greater "long-term positive changes in attitudes, mood, behavior, and spirituality."

Psychedelic History

Humans have been consuming psychedelic plants and substances for millennia. Some people argue that religions were invented by shamans or ancient priests who experimented with psychedelics and hallucinated encounters with angels or gods.

The mid-20th century was a significant period for psychedelics research, with the 1960s counterculture introducing millions around the world to LSD and other psychedelic drugs.

Researchers were experimenting with psychedelic therapy in the 1950s and 1960s, but the criminalization of LSD, psilocybin, and other psychedelics during the late 1960s and early 1970s ended formalized research into psychedelics for nearly half a century.

Psychedelic Research Today

In the last few years, studies conducted in the U.S. and Europe have shown that psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and MDMA can help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatment-resistant depression, alcohol use disorder, and other ailments.

It is worth noting that most psychedelic substances are still illegal under U.S. law and that significant risks come with taking psychedelics. 

Despite these risks and legal hurdles, a growing number of people around the world are taking an interest in psychedelics and their healing potential.

P.S. I wanted to experiment with a shorter newsletter length today. This newsletter is around 450 words, while most of the earlier Daily Concept newsletters were around 800 words. Let me know what you think!

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Yours,
Dan