What is a Psychedelic?
You’re probably hearing lots of information about psychedelics—Mushrooms, LSD, Ibogaine, Ayahuasca, Ketamine, etc…but on a base level what is a psychedelic? What do they do to the brain and what are the differences between all of them?
If you’re curious, keep reading to learn a bit more!
The psychedelic word comes from the Greek words psyche (mind) and deloun (to make visible or reveal), meaning “mind-manifesting.” There are two main categories of psychedelics. The first are traditional psychedelics, which act on serotonin (5-HT2A) receptors to induce altered states of consciousness. These include LSD, Psilocyin, DMT (key ingredient of Ayahuasca), Mescaline (derived from peyote cactus), and 5-MeO-DMT (found in the Bufo alvarius toad and certain plants). There are also non-traditional psychedelics, like MDMA, Ketamine, Ibogaine, Salvia Divinorum (and more). Sometimes described as empathogens, enactogens, or dissociative anesthetics, these substances create altered states by acting on different neuroreceptors, like NMDA or dopamine. Let’s take a slightly deeper look at the traditional and non-traditional psychedelic compounds…
Stay Informed…
If psychedelics peak your interest and you’d like to further the conversation or stay informed as opportunities arise for individual or group therapeutic experiences, click the button below and drop me a line! You can also follow me on IG at The.Psychedelic_Psychologist!
Literary Resources
Hyde, Stephen J. (2015). Ketamine for Depression. XLibris.
Miller, R.L. (2017). Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca. Park Street Press.
WISE MIND REMINDER:
THIS INFORMATION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. DR. HARVEY DOES NOT CONDONE DANGEROUS OR ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR.
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**Dr. Rebecca Harvey as a facilitator in psychedelic assisted psychotherapy operates independently from Dr. Harvey as a traditional psychotherapy clinician with Total Wellness Consultants. Engaging Dr. Harvey as a psychedelic facilitator does not constitute an ongoing therapy relationship, beyond agreed upon engagement, unless otherwise clearly established and documented.