While psychedelics are still listed as Schedule I substances, making them illegal under federal law, companies across North America are preparing to meet the needs of patients in the hopefully forthcoming psychedelics-assisted therapy (PAT) scenario.
Opening of a Ketamine Treatment Center in Missoula, MT
The Harvest Psychedelic Treatment & Wholeness Center is Missoula’s new wellness clinic offering Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAP) through oral or intramuscular administration.
Ketamine, commonly referred to as a psychedelic despite being a Schedule III substance is legal and therefore used in an increasing number of clinics as an effective treatment for mental health conditions such as anxiety, PTSD, OCD and addiction.
Importantly, while there can be side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and sensory changes or hallucinations, there have been no reports of addiction to ketamine treatment.
The Harvest model includes prep, KAP, and integration therapy sessions. Patients are invited to work with a team of licensed medical and therapeutic professionals to create a customized treatment plan that addresses their individual needs and sets goals to take full advantage of the neuroplasticity gained through the psychedelic journeys.
Co-founders Peterson and Burke explained that ketamine administration is not meant to be indefinite and that by combining it with therapy and other healing modalities such as Reiki, art healing sessions, massage therapy, yoga and breathwork, they aim to help patients find a new path for their lives.
Yampa Valley clinics are gearing up for psilocybin-assisted therapy
Education for psychedelics-assisted therapy is progressing at the Minds in Motion nursing clinic as voters in Colorado recently passed Prop. 122, which creates healing centers that offer psilocybin treatments and decriminalizes possession of natural psychedelics.
The facility at Steamboat Springs intends to complete its licensed psilocybin services by 2024 when the new legislation is expected to be implemented. To that end, and to have the right regulatory structure in place, prospective providers at Minds in Motion start their training at MAPS.
university Director of the Center for Novel Therapeutics at the Colorado School of Medicine Professor Scott Thompson who works on psychedelics research believes they hold incredible promise as medicines, especially psychedelic mushrooms, as research shows minimal side effects and a “remarkably” safe, non-addictive profile.
Thompson added that the “talk therapy” included in the new statewide legislation is beneficial and essential. Minds in Motion’s clinical mental health advisor, Cristen Malia, agrees.
Because psychedelic mushroom journeys involve traumatic, “hard things” to deal with, Malia believes that experiences can be effective when delivered appropriately and supportively. “There’s a lot of uncertainty now about how we’re going to offer it, but it’s moving in the right direction,” she said.
The Kingston Wellness Center prepares community psychedelic assisted programs
Neuma is the new Kingston, Ontario facility dedicated to bringing healing and growth through community and psychedelic medicine.
Treatment options include legal Psychedelic Sampler Classes that include mindfulness, music, and breathwork with medicinal cannabis. That is, through 3-hour classes, participants are introduced to a “psychedelic experience” in a safe and group environment.
Co-founder Cory Firth explained that Neuma’s focus is on integrating psychedelics into a community setting.
“We believe that psychedelics should be built into a container of group connection and community, not just one-on-one with a therapist. A lot of magic happens inside the group container, and there’s a lot of research showing that group therapy and group coaching can actually have benefits for the individual,” he said.
Neuma aims to blend into the Kingston community, particularly among college students who could end up being the first cohort of psychedelic practitioners. In addition, the center actively participates in providing model classes for different population groups, e.g. B. Frontline health workers.
“We believe this is a truly accessible alternative to this current experience for those on the front lines to help with much of the fatigue, stress and burnout that has been occurring throughout this healthcare system over the past two years,” added Firth.
Another key goal of Neuma is to help people better understand and manage emotions in order to increase their resilience and build skills for themselves to improve their mental health symptoms.
“Psychedelics have the potential to not be this constant pill we swallow, but a tool to teach people how to regain some sovereignty in their health and wellness practices,” said the co-founder.
Richard Tyo, Clinical Director of Neuma adding that “the psychedelic path to healing” involves moving towards the symptom and dealing with the causes.
Nevertheless, these substances should be understood as allies to get closer to one’s intention, and not as a final solution. “Without mitigating that, you’ll just have another sense of loss,” Tyo concluded.
Photo courtesy of Tim Swaan on Unsplash.