Written by: Cheri L McDonald PhD LMFT, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
There has recently been a resurgence of curiosity about the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for our mental health and general well-being. These substances, which are frequently misunderstood and unfairly demonized, are now acknowledged as potent aids in holistic treatment. My goal is to introduce you to a fresh understanding of how these medications promote healing and health. I provide a thorough exploration of the holistic advantages of psychedelics, emphasizing their ability to promote personal development, boost mental health, and improve general well-being.
The road to recovery from trauma, particularly from Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), can be long and difficult. Once vilified and clouded in debate, psychedelics are now emerging as a revolutionary instrument for transformational recovery in CPTSD and trauma. The study of how psychedelics provide a route to profound and long-lasting healing gives people fresh hope for recovering from the worst pain and loss.
We must first comprehend the situation before exploring the psychedelics' potential for transformation. The conditions known as complex trauma and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) are brought on by continuous exposure to stressful events, frequently throughout childhood or over an extended period.
Psychedelics are a special class of drugs that alter human perception, emotion, and cognitive functions when ingested. They allow for significant shifts in our awareness and are frequently accompanied by vivid hallucinations, in-depth reflection, and a profound sensation of oneness with the cosmos.
The most current studies and research are revealing the impact of the developmental conditioning life hands us from the beginning to the end of our lifelong journey is being revealed by the most recent research and studies. Life's complexity always changes and has a much bigger impact than previously thought.
A variety of symptoms, such as flashbacks, emotional dysregulation, dissociation, and challenges building healthy relationships, are frequently experienced by people with CPTSD. Despite their value, traditional treatment approaches don't always completely relieve and heal CPTSD patients.
We are discovering that conventional medicine and conversation therapy are insufficient as we become more aware of the pervasive infestation of trauma and the growing desire for spiritual awakening.
Clinical research and studies have been carried out recently by scientists and therapists to better comprehend how psychedelics can be used to treat a range of mental health conditions. Leading the charge have been groups like MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), which has shown promising results in treating diseases including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Metaphorical story
The potential of psychedelics to transform
Once upon a time, a woman by the name of Elara lived in a quaint small village hidden between swaying trees and rolling hills. She had carried the burden of a significant trauma that had become ingrained in her heart for most of her life. She carried the scars of her past with her every day, which made her feel disjointed and cut off from the world.
Within Elara, there were rumors of a mysterious location where healing through metamorphosis was possible. It was a small community hidden away in the woods that was renowned for its distinctive use of rituals and symbols to promote healing. Here, they used psychedelic treatment under the direction of knowledgeable leaders who could help heal the scars of trauma and direct searchers to a state of wholeness.
With a sad heart and a glimpse of hope, Elara decided to travel to this precious village one clear fall morning. She gathered her sparse possessions and started down a path that would soon take her into an unknown country.
The trees appeared to be whispering age-old stories as she moved deeper into the forest, and the wind was carrying tales of valor and transformation. Days went by while she wandered, only the hazy aroma of herbs and the faint sound of a brook bubbling. She eventually made it to the neighborhood she had heard so much about.
The villagers greeted Elara with open arms because they could feel the burden she was carrying. They were willing to support her on her way to recovery even though they were aware that her trip would not be simple. The rituals and symbols that were woven into the fabric of their community formed the basis of their strategy.
Elara took part in rituals that challenged her to face her deepest insecurities and fears. She freely sang and danced, letting go of the emotions she had been holding in for so long. The symbolic objects she had gathered were memories of her healing journey and a link between her conscious and unconscious minds. They led her to the locations where her trauma had been ingrained.
The psychedelic-assisted treatment, however, was the most significant aspect of Elara's journey. She ingested her medication, a concoction of sacred plants that might open the gates of perception, with the aid of her guide. She relaxed and closed her eyes as she entered the maze of her thoughts. Elara faced the horrific memories that had plagued her for so long in the depths of her mind. She experienced the terror and suffering, but she also detected hints of fortitude and might. With the aid of her guide, she made her way through the maze and discovered areas of her soul where she had tucked away pieces of herself.
Weeks slipped into days, and Elara's transformation became apparent to the community, her guide, and herself. Her soul grew lighter, and her broken heart started to repair. She began to accept the wholeness that had long eluded her as the heavy weight of her history was gradually lifted.
Elara's journey was not without difficulties, but she overcame them with the help of her tribe, her trust in her guidance, and the potent rites and symbols. She came to see that transformation was a group effort rather than an individual one. She would now be a source of strength and knowledge for others who sought recovery from their own experiences.
And thus, Elara discovered her way back to herself in this ethereal village surrounded by the splendor of nature. Her extensive trauma no longer defined her, and she was confident that she had the bravery and fortitude to confront whatever difficulties lay ahead. Elara had finally returned home thanks to the help of her friends and the healing effects of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
According to what is revealed in the story, these drugs unlock the door for inside-out healing to take place by doing the following:
1. Getting to buried trauma
The vaults of the mind can be opened by psychedelics, allowing access to deeply buried unpleasant memories and emotions. In contrast to psychedelics, traditional talk treatments can require years of arduous investigation to reach these secret areas of the psyche. Those who have struggled may find a breakthrough thanks to this quick access to uncover and deal with their trauma.
2. Ego destruction
People may experience "ego dissolution," or a brief loss of self, during a psychedelic experience. A fundamental shift in viewpoint may result from this ego breakdown, enabling people to view their traumatic events objectively. This new perspective might lessen the shame, remorse, and self-blame that frequently follow trauma.
3. Reconnection and reintegration
Psychedelics can help one feel connected to the cosmos and at one with it. This sense of camaraderie helps counteract the alienation and detachment that CPTSD sufferers frequently feel. Reuniting a dispersed self and rekindling a connection with the outside world can be transformative, fostering sentiments of belonging and wholeness.
4. Emotional management
There can be a legacy of trauma effectiveness in helping people process and let go of these suppressed emotions. The symptoms of CPTSD, such as hyperarousal and emotional numbness, can be significantly reduced by this emotional processing.
Psychedelic drugs can cause altered states of consciousness that can result in deep discoveries and personal development. These drugs let us explore our inner worlds, face repressed feelings, and learn more about who we are. Many people claim to have had very sublime or spiritual experiences when using psychedelics. These encounters can deepen our sense of belonging to something greater than ourselves and reveal the true nature of existence.
5. Strengthen therapeutic alliance
Psychedelics can strengthen the therapeutic bond between a client and therapist when used in a therapeutic setting. A psychedelic-assisted session's rapport-building opportunities can lead to more successful and long-lasting rehabilitation.
It's important to stress that using psychedelics for therapeutic purposes requires responsibility and prudence. Only skilled experts using these drugs in a secure setting should administer them. Integral to the healing process is integration, which entails processing the psychedelic experience and implementing the lessons learned in daily life.
Numerous people who have been burdened by the weight of their history can find hope in the transformative therapeutic potential of psychedelics for trauma and CPTSD. Even though additional research is required, the preliminary data is encouraging and indicates that psychedelics may completely change the way trauma therapy is practiced.
It is imperative to stress that using psychedelics therapeutically is necessary to approach these substances with the utmost care, respect, and direction. As the psychedelic renaissance progresses, we may be witnessing a dramatic change in how we view mental health and recovery, opening up fresh options for people looking for long-lasting relief from the impacts of trauma.
Cheri L McDonald PhD LMFT, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
As the founder and Clinical Director of A Place to Turn, Dr. Cheri McDonald, PhD, LMFT, PATP, shines as a light of hope, providing a lifeline for individuals looking for change. Dr. Cheri is a trauma specialist with more than 35 years of experience in psychotherapy and hypnotherapy. She is unwavering in her commitment to helping clients overcome the complex web of losses and difficulties that stand in the way of their genuine wholeness and pleasure in life.
Her breakthrough Holistic Integral Therapy (HIT), which she invented to help clients access their inner healing knowledge, is at the core of her purpose. She sets out on a trip with you using HIT, fusing your mind, body, and spirit to advance your total progress and true wholeness.
Dr. Cheri's vision also encompasses DrCheriBreakFreeTM, a consulting program painstakingly created to guarantee that radical changes spread throughout families and communities, paving the road for achievement and an unbroken chain of integration work. Her most recent achievement is her certification in psychedelic-assisted therapy, which she smoothly integrates with the other tools in her toolbox, such as hypnotherapy, EMDR, energy work, trauma-informed yoga, and IFS, to speed up and elevate the healing process.
Dr. Cheri is an author of three Amazon number one selling books sharing her insights, tools and stories of success in the hope of spreading the power of everyone’s capacity to heal from the inside-out and assisting countless patients to overcome the avalanche of severe PTSD, her unwavering commitment for empowering people. Her transformative approach has sparked long-lasting rehabilitation and nurtured her clients' development into their best selves.
