FAQS – Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

🌿 Frequently Asked Questions: Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

What is psychedelic-assisted therapy?

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a healing approach that combines guided talk therapy with the controlled use of psychedelic substances such as psilocybin (from “magic mushrooms”), MDMA, or ketamine. These therapies aim to help people explore deep emotional issues, heal from trauma, and find relief from conditions like depression, PTSD, and anxiety.

What substances are used in this kind of therapy?

In clinical settings, the most commonly used psychedelics are:

Psilocybin – used for depression, anxiety, and end-of-life distress
MDMA – especially effective for PTSD and trauma
Ketamine – approved for treatment-resistant depression and suicidal thoughts

These medicines are used in a safe, supportive setting with trained professionals.

What mental health conditions can it help treat?

Psychedelic therapy is being used or researched for:

Major Depression
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
End-of-life anxiety
Addiction (alcohol, nicotine)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Eating disorders (ongoing research)

Is this therapy legal?

Ketamine-assisted therapy is currently legal and available in many clinics.
MDMA and psilocybin have been approved in Australia under certain conditions and more research is currently being conducted.
MDMA and psilocybin are in the final stages of clinical trials in the U.S. and may soon be approved by the FDA.
In some regions (like Oregon, Colorado, and parts of Canada), psilocybin is being offered under medical or compassionate-use exemptions.

Always check with your healthcare provider or local laws for current availability.

What happens in a psychedelic therapy session?

There are three key phases:

Preparation: You meet with a therapist to discuss your history, set intentions, and prepare emotionally.
Medicine Session: You take the psychedelic under supervision in a calm, private setting. The experience lasts several hours, and your therapist is with you the entire time.
Integration: In the days that follow, you meet again to talk about your experience and how it relates to your healing goals.

Is it safe?

When done in a clinical setting with trained professionals, psychedelic therapy has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated. However, it may not be appropriate for everyone, especially those with a personal or family history of psychosis or certain medical conditions, such as heart diease.

How is this different from recreational use?

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is:

Supervised by professionals
Medically screened for safety
Intentionally guided to support healing
Followed by integration therapy to help you make sense of the experience and integrate its benefits into your daily life.

This is very different from taking psychedelics on your own.

Can I get this therapy now?

Depending on where you live:

Ketamine therapy may be available today.
Psilocybin and MDMA therapies may be offered through clinical trials or special exemptions.
Wider access is expected soon, once approvals are finalized.

Ask your healthcare provider or contact our clinic to learn about current options.

How effective is it?

Although it is NOT a silver bullet, and it doesn’t work for everyone, studies have shown strong results, especially for people who haven’t found relief through other treatments. Many patients report:

A major reduction in symptoms
Greater emotional insight
Improved quality of life
Depending on the severity and complexity of what is being treated, benefits often last for months, or even permanently, after just one or two sessions.

Studies have shown remarkably high response rates, especially for treatment-resistant conditions:

Psilocybin and MDMA often show 60–80% symptom reduction
Some participants report sustained improvements months after treatment

What’s next for psychedelic therapy?

The future looks promising. It will take a while for it to be accepted by mainstream medicine and society. More research, growing access, and changing laws mean psychedelic therapy may become a mainstream option for healing trauma, depression, and more.

Want to learn more?