Psychedelic science: spirituality of medicine
Are psychedelic users happier than the rest of us? According to a recent study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, the answer is yes.
Breaking harmful neural patterns and allowing the brain to make new connections is one of the mechanisms by which psychedelics improve mental health … The pharmaceutical therapies currently used in the treatment of depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD typically include serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines, and substances that mimic drugs of abuse (such as nicotine replacement for smokers). Serotonin reuptake inhibitors often take 4–6 weeks to deliver noticeable benefit, can be difficult to discontinue, require daily dosing, and can increase suicidality in some. The link between low serotonin and depression has come under recent scrutiny, challenging the rationale for the use of SSRIs Benzodiazepines offer faster-acting relief of symptoms, but can quickly become addictive. Nicotine gums and patches ease withdrawal symptoms by stimulating nicotine receptors, but require daily use over weeks, months, or years. A recent review of nicotine replacement therapy revealed an underwhelming 6-month success rate of 6.75%, versus a 3.28% success rate with placebo.
Original Article (Naturopathic Doctor News and Review):
Psychedelic science: spirituality of medicine
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