Psychedelic Ketamine Assisted Therapy with Holistic Psychiatrist in South Bay of Los Angeles

 Is Psychedelic Ketamine Therapy Effective?

Clinical trials have also shown that ketamine provides substantial relief for patients suffering from conditions ranging from treatment-resistant depression to anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. Ketamine is also being studied to assess its treatment viability for other conditions such as addictions and eating disorders.

The extraordinary breakthroughs patients have had with KAP is the reason why holistic mental healthcare providers like myself have embraced this innovative treatment approach. While carefully examining the risks for each patient, I believe KAP has the potential to transform lives.

To find out more you may also read the LA Times article on psychedelic Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy linked here.

To read more about benefits of psychedelics see article in the journal Science linked here.

What about other psychedelics? 

Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy was legalized in Oregon state in Jan 2023, as it has been shown to lead to great outcomes in research trials. However, widespread use and even more research is hampered by the US federal govt listing Psilocybin as illegal. As noted for ketamine above, it is not the biological effect of psilocybin alone that leads to transformation, rather the “set and setting” combined with psychotherapy are what leads to therapeutic benefit. I strongly discourage using Psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms) recreationally as that can lead to vastly different outcomes as opposed to their therapeutic use. For more info you may read LA Times article on Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy linked here.

MDMA-Asssisted Psychotherapy has been allocated “breakthrough therapy” status by the FDA because of its marked efficacy for treatment of PTSD in research sponsored by MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies). It is not widely available clinically as MDMA (Methylene Dioxy Meth Amphetamine) is listed as illegal by the US federal govt, same as Psilocybin. As noted above for other psychedelics, it is not the biological effect of MDMA alone that leads to transformation, rather the “set and setting” combined with psychotherapy are what leads to therapeutic benefit. I strongly discourage using MDMA (Molly, Ecstasy) recreationally as that can lead to vastly different outcomes as opposed to its therapeutic use. For more info you may read LA Times article on MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy linked here.

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) was the first psychedelic prescribed by psychiatrists, until its use became illegal in 1968. One of the most severely psychotic patient I ever treated while training at UCLA had halllucinogen persisting perception disorder after past recreational use of LSD (“dropping acid”) in his teens. I strongly discourage recreational use of LSD.

THC (Tetra Hydro Cannabinolin) contained in Cannabis (Marijuana, Weed) plants can have psychedelic effects in certain doses, especially when combined with other psychedelics such as those listed above. As noted above for other plant medicines, the “set and setting” combined with psychotherapy are what leads to therapeutic benefit. I strongly discourage recreational smoking and/or ingesting edible THC-containing Cannabis products, especially for teens and young adults, whose brain has not yet matured fully, and is more prone to developing long-term adverse outcomes such as persisting paranoia/psychosis in susceptible individuals.

Ayahuasca is used ceremonially in certain parts of the world for its psychedelic effects, and it cannot be combined with most psychiatric medications. This is because Ayahuasca contains MAOI (Mono-Amine Oxidase Inhibitor) that prolongs the half-life of the psychedelic DMT by inhibiting the breakdown/metabolism of DMT, and MAOIs can likewise inhibit breakdown of certain medications, causing their blood levels to rise to potentially dangerous levels.