Let’s get trippy
How psychedelic-assisted treatments are redefining the standard of care by Laura Santana
Life-changing retreats, VC-deals, clinical trials, mouth sprays, a Netflix 4-part documentary, a Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins…and so much more.
The psychedelics industry has been slowly but steadily gaining momentum during recent years and it’s on track to hit mainstream status — thanks in part both to the FDA granting breakthrough designations to specific treatments and to the current standard of care failing to meet the demands of the mental health crisis. This progress marks a significant shift in consumer attitude toward a set of substances that have been banned since the early 1970s when the war on drugs was first declared.
Year one of the pandemic saw a 25% global increase in anxiety and depression worldwide, leaving many people unable to receive treatment, yet creating a window of opportunity for proponents of alternative care treatments.
And it seems they’re following the money trail, since the market potential for psychedelic healthcare is projected to hit $10 billion by 2027.
A boom in the making
Researchers have been studying the impact of drugs like MDMA (Ecstasy/ Molly), LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide), Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and Ketamine for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, substance abuse, and anxiety. But for many of these drugs, the path from prohibition to being clinically researched in labs has been riddled with roadblocks.
While some of these substances such as Mescaline, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca, have a long standing history with ancient, spiritual practices and have been widely used in indigenous cultures — their 1970s designation as Schedule I drugs* under the United States Controlled Substances Act halted most of the work around their use for medical applications. It wasn’t until the early 2000s when research interest spiked again and a limited number of trials quietly resurfaced.
In 2019, the FDA approved Esketamine (an anesthetic derived from Ketamine) as a therapy for treatment-resistant depression — currently sold in the form of nasal spray under the brand name of Spravato. With the FDA granting “Breakthrough Therapy” status for research in this space, the path to approval has exponentially accelerated.
Fast forward to today, about 100 clinical trials focused on psychedelics are underway and racing towards approval. 400+ Ketamine clinics have opened in the U.S., and more than $200 million has been raised to fuel their expansion in the coming years.
By 2023, Oregon will become the first state with widely legalized psychedelics — as interpreted under Ballot Measure 109, which passed in November 2020 giving the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) the role of overseeing all activities related to Psilocybin products and services.
So, how is the rise of psychedelics shaping new consumer offerings?
Tap out to tap in: Ketamine Treatments
The biggest leap from research into wellness offerings comes in the shape of Ketamine-assisted therapy, administered at brick-and-mortar locations across the U.S. and Canada by Field Trip, or from the comfort of your home via telehealth through nue.life or Mindbloom.
These companies offer a holistic treatment approach for patients experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Their program offering includes an initial consultation to determine eligibility, support from their medical team, guided Ketamine experiences (in-person or remote), ongoing monitoring, health coaching and group integration sessions.
The process of integration has been identified as an integral component of psychedelic-assisted therapy. It refers to the process of leveraging the insights, emotions, and attitudes obtained during the experience — and applying them to the patient’s unique treatment goals and desired areas of their life.
Full immersions: Mushroom Powered Retreats
Another major trend we’re seeing are psychedelics retreats, hosted predominantly, outside of the United States.
Retreat offerings such as MycoMeditations are bringing together facilitators, therapists, and guests for week-long experiences centered around Psilocybin- assisted treatments.
Set in idyllic locations like Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Mexico — these new types of healing experiences are geared towards people struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, and trauma who are seeking deep transformation in a more immersive environment.
Retreat attendees participate in guided activities with facilitators sharing their individual experiences and work on integrating the insights of each Psilocybin-assisted session.
The admission criteria for attending seems to be less rigid than those in place for Ketamine-assisted therapy within the U.S., largely due to lack of coverage from insurance carriers and to Psilocybin’s classification as a Schedule I substance.
The placebo effect: VR Psychedelic Experiences
While the landscape of psychedelic-assisted treatments is rapidly changing, the hurdle of gaining public trust is a major challenge. Decades-long stigmas associated with the consumption of psychedelics and a lack of universal standards of care in this space, stand in the way.
In response, we have seen a couple of projects developed in Virtual Reality (VR) that seek to educate and offer a light taste of psychedelics, sans substances. Apps like TRIPP and Ayahuasca Kosmik Journey — mimic some of the elements common to psychedelic experiences in hopes of triggering states of awe and wonder for users.
By leveraging immersive natural environments, abstract visualizations and sensory soundscapes, these high-tech placebos aim to recreate the feelings one might encounter when under the influence, but in a controlled setting — and with the option to quit at any point of the journey.
Though novel, the efficacy of these VR-experiences still needs to be evaluated and researched to identify potential treatment overlaps with psychedelics. TRIPP is currently undergoing clinical trials to test the impact of the app as a therapeutic device.
The path forward: Establishing care standards
As investment pours into the psychedelics space, the urgency for universal guidelines and regulations will be key to protecting patients and providers. Organizations like MAPS (The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) have been working to raise awareness and understanding of these substances since the mid-1980s. In addition to conducting research and public advocacy, MAPS offers a clinical training program to mental health practitioners interested in leveraging MDMA-assisted therapy.
Additionally, leading institutions including the University of California, Berkeley, Yale, Mount Sinai, and John Hopkins have recently established psychedelic research divisions with the help of private donors.
Founded two years ago, The Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins received $17 million in private funding and is studying Psilocybin for smoking cessation and Alzheimer’s Disease, among others.
Industry newcomers are also striving to bring credibility and educate consumers through vetted information; projects like The New Health Club publish regular updates and host a podcast with KOLs.
Despite multiple efforts to establish universal guidelines, the roadmap for psychedelic-assisted treatments and consumer offerings is still evolving. Upcoming breakthrough approvals from the FDA, in tandem with legislative reforms and growing public interest, will undoubtedly shape what’s to come and define the proper standard of care for the industry.
Until then, your best bet might be to sit back, relax, and stream How to Change Your Mind 🍄.
Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
