Psychedelic
Integration
Disclaimer: We do not offer psychedelic assisted psychotherapy and we do not provide referrals to "underground" (illegal) psychedelic services. Visit maps.org for any inquiry surrounding research trials.
We do offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy.
What is Psychedelic Integration?
AYAHUASCA // DMT // LSD // PSYLOCYBIN // PEYOTE // MDMA // KETAMINE
Psychedelics and the Power of Going Within
Are you considering taking a hallucinogenic? Have you taken one and need assistance integrating your experience? The resurgence of classical psychedelics such as LSD or Psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) has recently been making headlines as a tool for self-discovery and those facing addiction, depression, anxiety, PTSD and other mental ailments. Other plant based psychoactive medicines such as ayahuasca, ibogaine, peyote and others have also been made popular through religious organizations, Amazonian retreats, and underground ceremonies all over the country.
There's a lot of new research coming out that supports how some of these medicines can be incredibly beneficial under the right conditions and setting. Many of the experiences can be profound and deeply meaningful. Psychedelics often provide alternative perspective, insight, empathy and a deep sense of oneness. However, while many of these substances can be life changing, they are not always for the better. Some users report depersonalization, increased anxiety and paranoia months after their experience. Shamans, Neo-Shamans and spiritual leaders often facilitate groups without the proper preparation or individual post-processing support. Many feel that integration takes place hours after a ceremony or perhaps on a particular day, but true integration can take months or years. The integration process is the most important part after having one of these powerful non-ordinary states of consciousness experiences in order to truly heal, evolve, and create your life.
While we're not here to discredit some of their methods, it is important to note that each individual seeking the therapeutic benefit of a hallucinogenic is uniquely different. Anyone who has gone through a self inquisition knows that a $20 self-help book can be informative, but it alone cannot help solve their unique problems. Similarly, a pill, root, or mushroom will not solve anything without a long-term commitment. It requires a new dynamic perspective, interpretations, relevance to our world, and lots of practice. Integration in general requires the user to not just gain insight, but work constructively on the practice of inquiry, self challenge, and alternative ways of thought that are specific to each individual's story.
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What Types of Psychedelic Treatments Are Available?
We do not offer any treatments in conjunction with the medicines or substances. We do not administer, promote, or make referrals to any of these substances. Our services are designed to help those prepare or integrate a psychedelic experience. Most clients need support with integration tools to help process their powerful non-ordinary experiences. We believe that although these medicinal plants are tools, what occurs after the experience is crucial. Some individuals seek just the experience of a psychedelic but fail to really understand how to connect the dots or make any sense of how this could benefit them. Those individuals that effectively sort through their new insights can make dramatic changes in their life. While insight alone could help users temporarily stop drinking, alter their eating habits, connect to love, or find new meaning, the work needs to be systematically planned and carefully implemented. Having a tool is not a substitute for the work that an individual must commit to. With this understanding, we encourage users take caution and navigate responsibly. We are well informed regarding the substances and the experiences that users may have.
Pre-Experience is designed to help those better understand their options and intentions.
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Psychoeducation.
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Exploration of ailments or stressors.
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Exploration of intention or purpose.
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Post-Experience which is also known as psychedelic integration is designed to help those process or consolidate their experience into functional next steps.
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Psychoeducation.
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Emotional and distress support.
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Sense-making support.
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Post therapy to process previously unconscious material.
Are There Any Other Treatments Available?
Ketamine Treatments have been useful for many individuals suffering from Treatment-Resistant Depression. Ketamine is considered a dissociative and not technically a psychedelic. However, it is sometimes placed it under the same umbrella since its promotes an alteration of conscious state and is often associated to hallucinations. The anti-depressive effects of ketamine itself is said to be temporary but the experience at the supportive elements can be lasting and change the way individuals connect or associate to their ailments.
For those interested in working with Ketamine to manage their depression, it is important to understand that the Love Discovery Institute implements an entire treatment protocol that combines a minimum of four psychotherapy sessions prior to any psychiatric referral to a ketamine treatments. We believe that Ketamine is simply tool but is certainly not appropriate for everyone. Because we prioritize your mental health first, we consider ketamine to be an adjunct to therapy, not the other way around. We strongly believe that any provider that offers you Ketamine as a first option is undervaluing the therapeutic process. In severe cases including suicide-ideation, a psychiatrist may find an immediate dose of ketamine appropriate. Psychiatrists may also prescribe ketamine to allow for the necessary time for standard anti-depressants begin to take effect.
What Does The Research Say?
With the exception of Ketamine, it is important to note that most of these substances are listed as Schedule 1 Drugs by the U.S. Federal Government, meaning that they are classified as highly addictive, illegal and of no medical value. With that said, there is a lot of data coming from users, therapist, psychiatrist, scientists, doctors and many top university studies indicating that these empatheogens and psychoactive substances can greatly benefit users even through a single experience. A number of studies suggest that these substances can be beneficial to treat depression, anxiety-related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, smoking-cessation, and other addictions. For the lates research, we suggest that individuals visit maps.org.
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MAPS.ORG
Founded in 1986, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana.
Now offering Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
A Brief History of the Psychedelic Movement
The resurgence of classical psychedelics such as LSD or Psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) has recently been making the headlines as an tool for self discovery and those facing addiction, depression, anxiety, PTSD and other mental ailments. Other plant based psychoactive medicines such as ayahuasca, peyote and others have also been active through religious organizations, exotic jungle retreats and via underground ceremonies all over the country. During the 1950’s and 60’s, hallucinogenic substances such as Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms), mescaline (the active ingredient in peyote cactus) as well other psychedelic drugs became popularized in both western culture and psychiatric fields. Since the discovery of LSD in 1938 by Albert Hoffman, researchers have had a long bout understanding the effects of hallucinogenic drugs, while navigating through regulation (Petechuk, 2004). The 1965 Drug Abuse Control amendments eventually led their ban in 1970 under the Controlled Substance Act. Several institutes, including the National Institute of Mental Health ceased funding for testing and research on humans in 1974. Nearly 30 years later, under strict guidelines, controlled research was reinstated. Since its reemergence, researchers have been finding unprecedented results in some of these substances to treat depression, PTSD, addiction, cluster headaches, and reduce terminal illness anxiety. They have also allowed users to access past memories, view other perspectives and become more open to spirituality and the human experience.
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Although some cultures have been using psychoactive substances for millennia, western science began discovering it’s mind-viewing effects in the 1930’s. Early research concentrated on the developing model of psychoses and accessing the “subconscious mind.” (Hart/Ksir, 2015). Further testing included administration to unsuspecting members of the military to see if perhaps these drugs could be used for mind-control. In the 1960’s, the U.S. faced a counter-culture where users were protesting the Vietnam war and societal structures that undermined the governmental agendas. Area hospitals also saw an increase of nearly 15%, concluding that these substances were making people psychotic. Coupled with the stigma of abuse, lack of understanding and increased pressure, research stopped. Advocates such as Harvard Professor Timothy Leary became a voice for the movement to protect the research and its use, but came into question when his research methods were criticized and found to be scientifically unsound. His approach to support anti-government demonstrations and bring on the often misunderstood “Turn On, Tune In and Drop Out” message, further created distance between research, government and the public.
The use of psychedelics subsequently went underground, with intellects such as Terrance Mckenna and spiritual leaders like Ram Dass continued to share and eloquently communicate experiences and interpersonal growth that some of these substances brought them. In 2010, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), surveyed 57,873 randomly selected Americans and found that 32 Million or 17% of the US population had tried psychedelic drugs.
Four decades after studies stopped, limited and very controlled research once again began to test the use of the these drugs. Today, research is now being conducted in universities across the country and now include other entheogens including MDMA, DMT and 2C-B. Primarily research is being conducted under drug-assisted psychotherapy to help clients cope and heal from a multitude of conditions and disorders. Additional research is now also helping scientists understand neurobiology, psychopharmacology and its future implications in psychotherapy.
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Interested? Contact Us!
If you are ready to get started with psychedelic integration or Ketamine treatment therapy, make an appointment with any of our integration coaches or therapists today. We are here to support you.
