Psychedelics as a treatment for depression

[Japaholic]

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0063972

Abstract

Background

The classical serotonergic psychedelics LSD, psilocybin, mescaline are not known to cause brain damage and are regarded as non-addictive. Clinical studies do not suggest that psychedelics cause long-term mental health problems. Psychedelics have been used in the Americas for thousands of years. Over 30 million people currently living in the US have used LSD, psilocybin, or mescaline.

Objective

To evaluate the association between the lifetime use of psychedelics and current mental health in the adult population.

Method

Data drawn from years 2001 to 2004 of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health consisted of 130,152 respondents, randomly selected to be representative of the adult population in the United States. Standardized screening measures for past year mental health included serious psychological distress (K6 scale), mental health treatment (inpatient, outpatient, medication, needed but did not receive), symptoms of eight psychiatric disorders (panic disorder, major depressive episode, mania, social phobia, general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, and non-affective psychosis), and seven specific symptoms of non-affective psychosis. We calculated weighted odds ratios by multivariate logistic regression controlling for a range of sociodemographic variables, use of illicit drugs, risk taking behavior, and exposure to traumatic events.

 

[Japaholic]

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1) End of life anxiety
2) PTSD
3) Depression

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[winterheart]

****.... I have no words....

Well, I do, but none for describing how awful an idea it is to give a severely depressed person psychedelics in the hope of treating their depression. Based on many different things, you may as well give them a euthanasia vending machine.

Maybe it has worked, for some people, but for others, it may as well be an actual death sentence. I know two people, friends of family, who tried this and will never leave hospital. I have a brother who tried it and has never been the same since; more suicidal, in fact. Another friend who has HPPD and severe disassociation after the fact.

Did you ever read PiHKAL and TiKHAL in their entirety?

The problem with giving a depressed person psychedelics is how malleable and suggestible they become; if they have any inward-looking tendencies, even with a trained psychologist or counselor, I would say it is an awful, awful idea.

I'm not sure if you understand the results of Imperial College's research fully? Also, Professor Nutt has been a long-standing advocate of stepping down the UK's draconian drug laws, especially in terms of punishment and finding uses, but you're also misinterpreting what he's saying about the study. Easily done if you aren't used to reading scientific papers or are reading what is extracted by 'science journalists', in both respects.

I've posted studies in this same forum that have actually proven better efficacy with zero treatment at all... they're only monitoring 3 months after. What about 12 months and further? What about ego death, HPPD, induced disassociation or psychosis?

Anecdotal, but just as important; on my first ego death experience, I lost all sense of smell, taste, and colour was monochrome to me for well over a year. My depression worsened. One day, I woke up, everything was normal. I didn't even really realise until a few hours later these things had changed back. Do we know enough about it to use it right now as a treatment? **** no. Does it warrant further investigation? Yes, it does. Actually, everything that shows promise does; that's why ketamine treatment is in phase 3 clinical trials; it may have even advanced since last I checked.

I sound negative, I know, but I've seen way too many casualties up close and personal to say it is even remotely feasible at this point, and that is in the hands of trained professionals; let alone some depressed guy eating 3 tabs of acid or an 8th of shrooms and never coming back to reality. I know some haven't; I hold a little hope for others, but none whatsoever for others still.

No psychedelic is anything to be trifled with, because we just don't understand them properly - and we don't understand depression properly. To me, that sounds like a very bad recipe. Just my two cents, not trying to tear down a debate because that is always a useful thing, but as much as psychedelics can expand your consciousness and mind; they can rape, pillage and destroy them too.

 

[Big Dummy]

Hey @jaders , I was in the thread on psychedelics and saw you said something about a magic mushroom thread?

I cant find it and am definitely on this topic now...

 

[jaders]

Hey @jaders , I was in the thread on psychedelics and saw you said something about a magic mushroom thread?

I cant find it and am definitely on this topic now...

Lemme look around. I think it had to do with low dosing? If I find it I’ll link it here.

 

[roband11]

This is an excellent thread. There is certainly enough anecdotal evidence to warrant further research into these types of medications as a form of treatment. Unfortunately, their enormous recreational popularity has prevented much research in the past. However, it is possible that the tide is slowly turning on this. I believe that most individuals could consume LSD without incident if the set and environment were properly supervised. Even yet, I believe a small number of individuals would respond negatively to it. MDMA and other drugs with far more predictable effects may undoubtedly be utilised in psychotherapy.

 

[tirorin]

I'm positive about the future of psychedelics in the treatment of depression. I've seen so many people online raving about microdosing and it seems like it could be the way to go. After no success with antidepressants it's something I've been considering.

 

[DoctorStrange]

@roband11
What you say about set and setting is hallowed direction. But it differs for each person.
Between 1968 and 1978 I swallowed approx 500, 400 - 500 mg of LSD, largely orange sunshine but also quit a bit blotter and window pane.
I knew some of the movers and shakers back then. I became a minister in Art Klep's Neo-American Church in which marijuana and LSD were the primary sacraments. If you want to keep up with current research into using psychedelics for medical problems I'd suggest MAPS.ORG. I will be honest and say that while I admire the way they have slowly, carefully, maintained an upbeat manner in their efforts to get specific psychedelics to treat PTSD and both acute and chronic depression (as well as pain), I am jealous that they have access - seemingly to EVERYTHING! While all I have are fading memories of some of the best times of my life.
I saw David Bowie, Alice Cooper, The Rolling Stones Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, and a few other concerts while I was tripping.
I climbed Mount Washington and the other White Mountains in New Hampshire many times, some of them while I sang: "excuse me, while I kiss the sky!" I'm 70 years old now, and I am determined to indulge in one more very strong trip before I die.