The healing power of psychedelic compounds as spiritual tools has been recognised by many cultures for a large part of human history, from the use of ayahuasca by indigenous groups in the Western Amazon to the role of peyote and mescaline in Native American rituals. A new wave of research over the last 30 years has begun to investigate their potential for unlocking new psychological therapies in areas where standard treatments have failed. I spoke to Dr Liliana Galindo about what these compounds could mean for the future of psychiatry.
The University of Cambridge affiliated assistant professor and consultant psychiatrist is Principal Investigator of the Cambridge Psychedelic Research group. She is leading two clinical trials investigating the therapeutic potential of empathogens and neuroplastogens, bringing studies of this nature to Cambridge – and the east of England – for the first time. One of the studies includes participants with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition for which there is currently a real dearth of treatment options. The only pharmacological interventions (i.e. medications) on offer for PTSD at the moment are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, such as sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications do help some patients, but generally only offer some symptomatic relief, Dr Galindo tells me. “They might help to reduce some of the anxiety, some of the insomnia” often experienced by PTSD sufferers, but “it is not treating the root, … the trauma that is behind”.
The other option is psychological intervention: therapies such as EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), which focus on the reprocessing of traumatic memories. But these aren’t suitable for everyone. “For many people, any work with their trauma is so triggering that they can’t allow [themselves] to do it. Some people might not remember or recall the trauma, because it’s something that comes with a lot of pain.” "Around 30% of those suffering from depression can be classed as ‘treatment-resistant’, meaning they do not show any response to at least two forms of treatment" While estimates vary widely, it’s only a limited number of people with severe […]
Meet the Cambridge researchers exploring psychedelic-assisted therapies
