THE BENEFITS OF PSYCHEDELIC THERAPY FOR MENTAL HEALTH: EXPLORING PSYCHEDELICS

This project is a systematic review that highlights how beneficial psychedelic psychotherapy can be to those suffering with mental illness. The three mental illnesses chosen to be analyzed in the literature were depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety. The drugs used in the specific articles included Psilocybin, Ayahuasca(DMT), and MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; ecstasy or molly). The analyzed literature discussed trials regarding psychotherapy and how these specific psychedelics affected specific mood disorders, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Significant data showed positive effects of these psychedelics with specific mood disorders. Psilocybin and DMT were seen to be helpful with anxiety and depression, and those levels were decreased when these two psychedelics were administered in specific doses. MDMA was seen to have positive effects on PTSD by decreasing the symptoms of the disorder. Although research is limited and more studies on the topic must be conducted, the published research show promising results, and it is important to further research the impact of psychedelic psychotherapy.