The war against depression is a long and challenging one. For years, researchers have attempted to alleviate the symptoms of depression and other mood disorders. They have introduced multiple orthodox and unconventional methods for treating this mental health disorder. One unconventional treatment for depression that has gained recognition in recent years is psilocybin consumption. With this psychedelic compound, researchers have seen some groundbreaking results. In this piece, you will learn some research-based benefits of using psilocybin to treat depression, specifically in a professional environment.
How Psilocybin Help Treatment of Depression?
The brain chemistry of people with depression differs from that of an average person. Whether you are considering a psilocybin retreat or solo treatment, learning how the drug affects the brain is an excellent first step.
Below, you will find details about how psilocybin works:
Serotonin Receptors Influence Your Mood
When you are depressed, there is usually an imbalance of serotonin in your system. Studies show that psilocybin interacts with your body’s serotonin reception. It activates the 5-HT2A receptor and leads to feelings of mental relaxation. The 5-HT2A receptors play a crucial role in regulating your mood, so activating it will help reduce the symptoms of depression.
Improving Confidence and Self-esteem
Depressive people often suffer from self-esteem issues. They also have difficulty opening up emotionally or accepting things beyond their control. During psychedelic treatment, these people become more emotionally aware. It helps reduce their mental burden, providing them with more insight. Simply put, people return from psychedelic retreats with renewed hope with a positive outlook.
Enhancing Neuroplasticity with Psychedelic Compounds
Neuroplasticity is your brain’s ability to organize itself and make meaningful connections. When a depressed person takes psilocybin, it improves neuroplasticity, making it easy for the brain to regulate emotions and promote self-reflection. This has a highly therapeutic effect that can benefit a person with depression.
Psychedelics vs Escitalopram
A study published by The New England Journal of Medicine in 2021 showed that combining pharmaceuticals with psychological treatment did more for treating depression than therapy or drugs alone. The researchers offered psilocybin to 30 patients and escitalopram to 29 patients. According to this study, psilocybin was just as good as escitalopram in treating symptoms of depression. Beyond that, the psilocybin group enjoyed the therapeutic benefits longer than the escitalopram group. Both groups got therapy during the study.
Taking Psilocybin in a Controlled Environment
While clinical studies show that psilocybin is safe for consumption, it may be more effective to use it in a controlled setting. In many countries, including the Netherlands, psychedelic retreats are an option for people with mood disorders. Anyone who requires large doses of the compound to treat mood disorders will benefit from such a retreat. Opting for Tangerine’s retreats for depression comes with the following benefits:
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy
The primary benefit of attending a retreat is accessing psilocybin-assisted therapy in a controlled setting. Organizers of these retreats don’t just give you psychedelic substances to consume. They also provide you with group and individual therapy sessions. The therapy is similar to what you get when you visit a psychologist and works effectively in tandem with the psychedelic experience. People who experience psilocybin-assisted therapy report a higher sense of confidence and improved emotional well-being.
It’s also a Holiday
One of the most effective ways to reduce the symptoms of depression is to change your environment. A trip to a new and serene environment will put you in the right frame of mind to receive treatment. Retreat centers are usually close to nature in peaceful environments with easy access to natural resources. During the retreat, you will receive an itinerary detailing all scheduled activities, not just the psychedelic experience.
Preparing for the Retreat
During psilocybin retreats, experts use a set-and-setting system to help people with depression. The set part refers to the mental preparations required, while the setting relates to the environment. If a person isn’t mentally prepared for the retreat, they may not enjoy all its therapeutic benefits. Depression must be treated in a safe environment where people feel the support of others.
The Future of Psychedelic Retreats
At the time of writing, access to psychedelic retreat centers was limited. Most people have to travel across countries or even continents to benefit from these retreats. Mainstream adoption is necessary if these retreats are to remain viable alternatives for the treatment of depressive disorders. If it becomes a norm in the mental health sector, people can participate in these retreats without traveling to remote locations.
For mainstream adoption to happen, there needs to be regulatory standards in different regions. This way, only licensed professionals working within a legal framework can offer the psychedelic experience.
It’s true that many studies prove the positive effects of psilocybin when used on depressive people but more research is required. Also, individual differences may influence how your body reacts to the treatment. So, before you book a retreat, consider talking to your current psychologist or psychiatrist first.
