Written by Alicia Cadiz, Licensed Psychotherapist, LMHC
Alicia Cadiz is well-known when it comes to relationships and breakups. She is a Licensed Psychotherapist, CEO, and Founder of Healing With Alicia, a mental health counseling private practice. Alicia helps clients holistically connect the mind, body, and soul as one, most importantly, in a safe space where you can fully trust your therapist.
The mental health landscape is undergoing a significant shift. Traditional therapeutic approaches, while effective for many, often don't provide immediate relief for those suffering from chronic depression, anxiety, and trauma. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in alternative treatments, particularly the use of psychoactive substances like psilocybin (the active compound in mushrooms) and ketamine, both of which are showing promise in revolutionizing mental health care.
As a licensed psychotherapist with a passion for holistic mental health approaches, I’ve seen firsthand the profound effects that unconventional treatments can have on individuals, especially those in high-stress professions like first responders and veterans, who often face mental health challenges due to the trauma and pressure inherent in their roles. This article explores the rise of psilocybin and ketamine-assisted therapy and how these substances are helping individuals manage depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma in groundbreaking ways.
The crisis of mental health: The need for alternative solutions
Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are on the rise, especially among first responders and veterans. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 7.1% of U.S. adults experience major depression each year, while the numbers for anxiety and PTSD are similarly alarming. However, for individuals who work in high-stress environments, such as firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and military veterans, these mental health conditions are often exacerbated by the daily trauma they experience.
Traditional methods of treatment, such as talk therapy and pharmaceuticals, are invaluable for many, but they often fail to provide the rapid relief needed by those with severe mental health struggles. More importantly, first responders and veterans may face specific barriers to care, including stigma, limited access, and the inability of conventional treatments to address the deep-rooted emotional pain caused by their traumatic experiences.
As a result, there is growing interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy as a potential breakthrough in addressing mental health conditions for these individuals. Psilocybin and ketamine, once associated with recreational drug use, are now being studied and used in controlled, therapeutic settings to help people reclaim their mental health.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy: Opening the mind to healing
Psilocybin, the active compound in certain types of mushrooms, is gaining increasing attention in clinical research for its potential to help individuals suffering from depression and anxiety. In 2020, Johns Hopkins University established the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, marking a significant step forward in psilocybin research. The center’s studies have shown promising results for treating treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Psilocybin is believed to work by enhancing neural plasticity, essentially rewiring the brain’s response to stress and trauma. This allows patients to break free from the negative thought loops that characterize mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. During therapy sessions, when psilocybin is administered in a controlled and supportive setting, patients often experience a heightened sense of emotional insight, greater self-awareness, and a renewed sense of connection to themselves and others.
For first responders and veterans, these qualities are especially significant. Many individuals in these professions carry emotional scars from trauma that are often buried deep within their unconscious minds. Psilocybin therapy offers the opportunity to access these hidden emotional wounds, confront them with a new perspective, and process trauma in a way that was previously inaccessible with traditional therapy.
Ketamine-assisted therapy: A rapid approach to relief
Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic, has recently gained recognition as an effective treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Unlike psilocybin, ketamine works by blocking a neurotransmitter called glutamate, which plays a key role in mood regulation. This action leads to rapid antidepressant effects that can be felt within hours after a session, making ketamine-assisted therapy an incredibly promising option for individuals who need immediate relief.
Studies on ketamine have shown its ability to help patients with treatment-resistant depression and severe anxiety. One of the most important factors for veterans and first responders is the speed at which relief can occur. Traditional antidepressants can take weeks or even months to show effectiveness, while ketamine’s effects are often felt after just one session.
In ketamine therapy, patients typically receive the drug through an IV, and the experience is often accompanied by guided psychotherapy. Ketamine has been shown to dissociate patients from their immediate emotional state, allowing them to view their trauma and pain from a distance, which can lead to profound breakthroughs in therapy.
For veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD, ketamine’s ability to disrupt entrenched negative thought patterns and offer immediate emotional relief can be life-changing. By addressing these deep emotional wounds with the assistance of ketamine, individuals have the opportunity to move forward in their recovery rather than remaining trapped in the cycle of trauma.
The role of holistic therapy in psychedelic-assisted treatments
As a psychotherapist, I’ve seen firsthand how holistic approaches to therapy, those that treat the mind, body, and soul, can lead to more sustainable healing. Psilocybin and ketamine-assisted therapies align with this model by emphasizing the importance of a safe, supportive therapeutic environment in which patients can feel comfortable confronting their deepest emotional wounds.
A crucial aspect of both psilocybin and ketamine therapy is the integration phase, where patients work with a therapist to process the insights and emotional shifts experienced during the sessions. This is where mindfulness, breathwork, and body-centered techniques play a significant role in enhancing the healing process. The body-mind connection is especially important for individuals dealing with trauma, as trauma often manifests in physical sensations and symptoms. Integrating these experiences helps patients regain control over their emotional responses and re-establish a sense of balance.
In holistic therapy, there is a focus on personal empowerment encouraging patients to take an active role in their healing journey. With the support of both psilocybin or ketamine-assisted therapy and a holistic therapeutic approach, patients can develop new coping skills, learn to manage their emotional states, and find meaning in their recovery.
The importance of access and safety
Despite the promising potential of psilocybin and ketamine-assisted therapies, it’s essential that these treatments be administered under strict medical supervision. Both substances carry potential risks if not used appropriately. For instance, in a clinical setting, dosing, screening, and aftercare are critical components in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.
As demand for these treatments grows, it’s important for mental health professionals to stay informed and prepared to offer these services ethically and responsibly. It’s equally important to advocate for expanded access to these treatments, especially for high-risk populations such as veterans and first responders who may have difficulty accessing traditional therapy.
A new era of healing
The rise of psilocybin and ketamine-assisted therapies marks a hopeful shift in the way we approach mental health care. These treatments offer the possibility of rapid relief and deep emotional healing, particularly for those who have not found success with traditional therapies. For first responders and veterans, these therapies offer a chance to heal from the invisible wounds of trauma in a safe, supportive, and effective manner.
As more research continues to shed light on the benefits of psilocybin and ketamine in treating depression, anxiety, and PTSD, we can expect these therapies to play an increasingly central role in mental health care. By combining these innovative treatments with a holistic approach to therapy, we are on the cusp of a new era in mental health care, one that honors the complexity of the human experience and provides much-needed hope for those who have long struggled with the weight of trauma.
Read more from Alicia Cadiz
Alicia Cadiz, Licensed Psychotherapist, LMHC
Alicia Cadiz is a leader, breaking barriers, in the world of mental health. Alicia always knew she wanted to dedicate her life to holistically helping others reach their highest potential. She studied the work of Carl Jung at a young age and bases her therapeutic approach on his teachings. She explores every category of a client, mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual, as she helps uncover your shadows and unconscious self, bringing light and awareness to the parts of ourselves we want to hide. Energy does not lie and neither does the power of the universe.
