Exploring Psychotherapeutic Benefits of Psilocybin and Psychedelics In Controlled Medical Settings

Abstract

Psychedelics are emerging as an effective way to combat mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance abuse. Psychedelics such as psilocybin can decrease overactivity in regions of the brain that are associated with anxiety and depression; for instance, psilocybin acts as an agonist on brain receptors to induce consciousness-altering neural responses. Compared to other drugs, psilocybin’s effects are noticeable with fewer dosages and last longer than current pharmaceutical drugs used in the mental health industry. When implemented in conjunction with medical therapy, psilocybin psychotherapy has been proven to reduce depressive symptoms, aid cases of addiction by increasing sobriety, and relieve symptoms of PTSD by cultivating trust and reducing fear. By ensuring that psilocybin psychotherapy is regulated and only implemented with federal consent, medical care providers can provide the best quality of care to patients and strive to improve mental health outcomes in the United States. Therefore, the case for implementing psychedelics in the healthcare industry to combat the ramifications of mental health disorders is strong and should be welcomed and integrated into medical practice with federal regulations.