Basics of Psychedelic Healing in a Western Society

Unresolved Emotional Trauma and Conventional Therapy Limits

Unfortunately, we exist in a world riddled with stress, anxiety, and a multitude of mental health challenges. We were not designed to function the way society insists that we function in order to fit comfortably within its system. Traditional therapy methods offer refuge but are not without shortcomings – some issues simply resist conventional means. More and more people are finding themselves in a seemingly endless cycle of therapy sessions, struggling with issues that refuse to be tamed. So what can we do?

The Challenges and Questions Raised by The Nature of Mental Healing

This undesirable cycle exposes the complexity of mental health problems. These issues, often rooted in deep-seated, unaddressed emotional traumas, demand more than surface-level solutions. This is not to imply that therapy is a surface-level approach, only that traditional therapy takes lots of time and money. How then, do we approach this labyrinth of unresolved emotions? How do we reach into the mysterious depths of our minds and initiate a healing process that can be sustained independently?

Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

Enter the unique realm of Psychiatric therapy: Psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA, among others, being used in a controlled and supportive environment. Please note, that we are using the term psychedelic therapy here to describe a wide range of psychedelic approaches, not of all which would be considered therapeutic in their approach, but are oftentimes viewed as therapeutic by the participant after the experience has taken place. This is not a venture for the uninitiated or reckless, but rather a methodical, intentional therapeutic tout, led by a qualified guide.

Set, Setting, and Matrix

The success rate of these experiences hinges significantly on a few key aspects. The participant’s mindset (“set”). How have they prepared for the experience mentally? Are they ready to possibly face uncomfortable or difficult experiences in order to find the beauty and growth they are looking for? Are they focused on the present or are there exterior stressors that distract the mind elsewhere?  

The environment in which the therapy takes place (“setting”), Does the the person feel safe in this space they are in, safe enough to be vulnerable? Do they trust the people they are with? Is the space conducive to peace, focus, and healing? A soundproofed room with dimmable lighting, tranquil artwork, and proximity to a private washroom are crucial requirements. The “setting” needs to invoke a sense of safety and calm. Lastly, the home environment (“matrix”). To quote a publication from a publication in the National Library of Medicine, “[The Matrix] includes consideration of the environment (1) from which an individual comes, (2) in which the individual lives during the time of the sessions, and (3) to which the individual returns after successful therapy”. While the headspace and physical environment of the participant during the psychedelic session is of great importance, we must also consider the landing. This person will need to return home and interact with their friends and family again. Do they have people in their life that they can talk to openly about this possibly life-changing experience? Or is their partner abusive? Is their home and workspace a safe place for them? Or is that part of the reason why they have sought out psychedelic therapy in the first place? These things must be considered.

The Importance of Music and Ritual in the Psychedelic Experience

Rituals add another layer of reassurance, safety, and general importance to the experience. Personalized altars are made from the participant’s personal belongings that they find important. Photos, crystals, religious figures, etc… can help bring personalized meaning. 

Music can also provide support in this same regard. It can add structure to the experience, allowing the mind to float on its rhythm. The type of music should be catered to the individual, and avoid religious overtones at all times if not specifically asked for by the participant. The music should have a general arc, paralleling the curve of the experience and the intensity of the psychedelic medicine being used. During the peak of the experience, it’s best to use music void of vocals so as to not distract the mind from its journey. As the participant starts to “come down”, it’s okay to introduce vocals to help them ground back into reality. This isn’t to say music should be on at all times, sometimes, a few minutes of quiet can go a long way, plan to allow for some quiet time. MAPS has some great starter playlists for this.

The Inner Healing Intelligence, Principles of Psychedelic Healing

Psychedelic therapy leans heavily on rekindling the participant’s “internal healing intelligence” – the belief that every person has an innate understanding of their needs for healing, this authority is often overlooked in conventional therapy, but is vital for the efficacy of a psychedelic experience. Indeed, the hardest part about being a psychedelic facilitator is sitting back during the session and allowing the preparation and inner healing intelligence to take over from there. Interfering, redirecting, or interrupting for any reason other than safety concerns is counterproductive to the purpose of the psychedelic aspect of the therapy. Let the participant go deep into their own mind, and find the problems and solutions for themselves. 

Role and Qualities of a Psychedelic Guide or Facilitator

The guide’s role is to provide stability, compassion, and safety while adhering to key professional boundaries. A good guide displays calmness, understanding the pharmacology of the medicine, and exhibits trust in the process and the participant’s healing abilities. To be a capable guide, one must be willing to commit to lifelong learning and ongoing training. It also requires dealing efficiently with challenges that emerge midway and ensuring that the therapy session concludes on a positive note, setting up the participant for better integration. There is so much more to it than this, but these are topics covered in other blogs.

Therapeutic Techniques and Strategies for Psychedelic Facilitators

Psychedelic-assisted therapy involves various strategies such as empathetic presence, trust enhancement, spiritual intelligence, self-awareness, ethical integrity, knowledge, and proficiency in complementary techniques. 

Preparation Sessions

Before embarking on the therapy journey, several steps need to be taken. Intentions should be clear; rules should be agreed upon, including the boundaries of non-sexual touch. Physical touch is often part of the process as a form of support, always having obtained prior written consent. 

Journey tools like a fruitful understanding of the healing process, resistance and acceptance strategies, and fear management can greatly enhance the experience. There is a need for proper guidance in preparation for the session to deal with behaviors and specific situations that may arise.

The therapy begins with the guide being present, creating a personal “altar”, and starting on a mostly empty, or at least healthy, stomach. The participant must understand the importance of no sudden major changes immediately post-session.

Integration and the Future of Psychedelics

Integration sessions help reduce negative feelings post-therapy, allowing for refining insights gained and implementing subsequent positive changes. 

The future of psychedelics holds promising prospects. With its potential to treat addictions, mental health concerns, integration into religious traditions, conflict resolution, and enhancing connections, psychedelic-assisted therapy is making big strides toward altering how we perceive and act toward mental health. 

Harnessing the healing power of psychedelics is about using these substances as tools for transformation and real healing. But this process begins with understanding the intricacies of the human mind and the potential that psychedelics have for therapy. From their history of use to current research findings, we have much to learn and many psychological frontiers to explore.

As we continue to observe and learn, the uncharted depths of the mind become a little less mysterious, and the power of psychedelics becomes all the more tangible.