Hey LTC Friends,
I've been doing a lot of research into
psychedelic therapies, namely Ketamine therapy and Psilocybin therapy (or more specifically microdosing psilocybin).
Seems a bit counter-intuitive to use recreational drugs to help treat an issue brought on by recreational drugs, but I have personally tried just about everything else aside from Benzodiazepines.
For context / My story:
I'm currently 3.5 years in to this mess, have definitely seen personal growth throughout the process, and have had better and worse times etc., but I don't feel as though I'm getting any closer to being free of this illness. Most of my symptoms would fall under GAD / Depression & DP/DR, cognitive slowing. As an A-Type naturally outgoing person, social anxiety is my least favourite symptom. If I could just cure one thing it would be that. I have tried most classes of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, CBD, Supplements of all kinds, meditation etc. For the last 2 years or so I've avoided alcohol with some small "relapses" if you will, do not consume caffeine, have a low sugar / high fat & protein diet, most of the past few years stress was low and exercise was frequent, although admittedly that hasn't been the case for a bit. I constantly challenging myself mentally, and am always learning new things - I essentially run two separate businesses which keeps me busy all the time. And no, just because I am "capable" of doing that doesn't mean I'm not terribly messed up in the head. Most days I feel rather incapable.
Also relevant: I had a similar experience a few years prior to the MDMA experience. I had an anxiety / panic disorder which was brought on by smoking weed. The first time it only lasted 6 months or so, then went away on its own. So anxiety as a response to psychoactive drugs is a recurring theme for me.
Now, back to the original topic which I'm more interested in debating:
Psychedelic Therapies / Microdosing.
It seems as though this has not been discussed at all in this group, and perhaps that's because it seems unconventional. Again, personally feeling like I've exhausted most other options, I'm willing to try a Hail Mary.
The idea behind psychedelic therapies in general is that they create plasticity in your brain, and generally boosting positive neurochemicals at the same time. At higher doses they can obviously create space for more "spiritual awakening" if you will, or even just create a self awareness in the user towards suppressed emotions and topics.
Is there a reason this hasn't been widely discussed here? Or am I one of the first to consider it as an option?
I want to believe that if a recreational drug could have such a massively negative impact on my brain, surely another drug could have a massively positive impact as well. I also am very curious to know what you guys think about the idea, I'm treading carefully on the idea.
Cheers,
Lostarchipelago