There's much talk about psychedelic “drugs”, thanks to how it's been portrayed in different forms of media. However, psychedelic medicines are substances that can be used to enhance and change sensory perceptions, energy levels, and thought processes, which could also affect one's spiritual experience.
Initially, psychedelics were being researched as a means to mimic psychosis and better understand the pathology and to potentially trigger mind control, but the results weren’t effective. Research came to a halt in the 1960s due to political research, but in the last few years that has been an increase in psychedelic studies looking to utilize psychedelic medicine for treatment.
Now that psychedelics are becoming more mainstream it is important to know some of the different psychedelic medicines and terminology that is out there.
The Different Types of Psychedelic Drugs Used in Psychedelic Therapy
Acid or LSD
Acid or Lysergic Acid Diethylamide or LSD is a chemically synthesized hallucinogenic drug derived from ergot, a mold that grows in the rye grain. This psychedelic drug was widely used in the 1960s until it was made illegal. LSD was utilized in a number of research studies in both psycholytic and psychedelic therapy styles. In more recent years, LSD microdosing has become popular in the tech industries to boost creativity, mood, and other benefits.
DMT or Dimethyltryptamine
A naturally occurring plant-based psychedelic that is derived from the bark and nuts of specific trees in Central and South America, DMT has a much shorter effect compared to other hallucinogens. Of note, DMT is also the active ingredient in Ayahuasca a brewed substance with intense, longer acting effects.
A DMT trip often lasts for 20-60 minutes, getting the nickname, "businessman's trip" or "businessman's lunch". Although a short experience, it is a very powerful medicine and has a very rapid onset.
Ololiuqui or Morning Glory Seeds
Ololiuqui is also a naturally occurring psychedelic that is found in seeds of the morning glory flower. This type of hallucinogen has similar effects to LSD, but has more undesired side effects that include vomiting, headache, high blood pressure, drowsiness, and nausea. This medicine is not often used in a clinical setting.
Magic Mushrooms or Psilocybin
Another naturally occurring psychedelic that has psilocybin is magic mushrooms. These are found in a variety of fungal species. Because of this, their legal status is pretty vague since they're grown in different parts of the world.
Mushrooms can be appealing to those wanting to experiment with psychedelics and assume because it is a natural plant they are safe and easier to navigate. However, psilocybin can be quite potent in high doses and care should be taken to make sure the experience is safe.
Ecstasy
MDMA or ecstasy is not like the other hallucinogens since its effects are not as pronounced. Besides that, its stimulant and mood-enhancing effects are not as noticeable either, but it does trigger hallucinations and delusions.
With that being said, having a bad trip with ecstasy is quite easy and could put you at risk of different health problems, from overheating to dehydration.
Mescaline or Peyote
Another type of hallucinogen is mescaline, which is found in different cactus species, and the most popular type is peyote cactus. When you take this, the effects are quite similar to LSD. Peyote is used in ceremonial settings of Native Americans and has been protected for use in these groups.
The Bottom Line: Why Should I Try Psychedelic Therapy?
We're not all wired the same, and with that alone, there is some therapy methods that would work well with some people and not others. For this reason, if you're thinking of trying psychedelic therapy, it's best to work with an experienced and licensed physician in psychedelics to ensure a safe experience.
With trained practitioners, you'll get the support and understanding you need to know if psychedelic medicine is right for you, how to prepare for a journey, know what to expect during the experience, and how to integrate the meaning of the experience.
How Can We Help You?
We focus on mental health and psychedelic medicine to help treat burnout, depression, anxiety and various mental symptoms. I am a licensed physician trained in traditional western medicine culture who believes in following a holistic approach to health through ketamine therapy.
Want to learn more about psychedelic medicine and how it can help you? Book an appointment with us today!
