What’s the Deal with Psychedelics?

What’s the deal with Psychedelics? Why is everyone talking about them!?

Those were a few of the questions I hoped to answer in the open conversation I hosted last week with two experts in the field Wesley Ryan and Brom Rector, CFA.  

And it turns out - there was a lot to discuss!  Here are a few of the themes I’m taking away from the conversation:

- It’s not just you hearing more about this space - there has been a real increase in activity in this space over the last several years. Many US states have started adjusting their laws around Psychedelics. Oregon voters for example, legalized Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) in 2020. Additionally, big name venture capitalists like Kleiner Perkins, and massive pharma companies like Johnson and Johnson are investing in the space as the opportunities become more clear.   
  
- People are getting a lot of value out of their experiences with these medicines. From really profound impacts on things like depression, PTSD, creativity and more - people are seeing meaningful benefits when they use these medicines in an intentional way.

-  Ketamine specifically has gone through several rigorous studies and a form of it is now available through an FDA approved drug that Johnson and Johnson produces. Wes, the doctor on the panel prescribes Ketamine combined with psychotherapy and has found it to be quite effective for his patients experiencing depression. It can be especially impactful for people whose depression doesn’t respond to more traditional medicines like SSRIs.

- These medicines aren’t just “magic” where you can have the experience and then you are “cured.” Often seeing benefits from a psychedelic experience means facing difficult truths and processing or “integrating” the experience over the course of days or weeks. That is one reason many recommend that these experiences happen in a controlled setting and are combined with more traditional healthcare like psychotherapy.

- Another topic that came up was the accessibility of these experiences. With the fully FDA approved programs anticipated (like from MAPS and others), treatment including therapy, could end up costing tens of thousands of dollars. One potential solution discussed was group experiences, which could lower the cost for individuals and add a unique community element to these experiences. 

- Lastly, the experts agreed that regardless of whether you pursue these medicines legally or otherwise, it is always wise to ensure the “set and setting” are chosen with intention. That- ensuring you are in an open, relaxed state of mind, with a trusted companion or guide, in a safe comfortable environment will likely lead to a better experience.