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Post: The Brain Effects of Therapy, Antidepressants, and Psychedelics

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The Brain Effects of Therapy, Antidepressants, and Psychedelics
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Key points

Psychotherapy, antidepressants, and psychedelics all might bring positive psychological changes, but how?

Antidepressants help to establish a more balanced neurotransmitter environment for better mood regulation.

Therapy may alter memory signatures in the brain and inhibit amygdala through increased cortical activation.

Psychedelics may work by increasing plasticity in the brain, thus "relaxing" prior beliefs and convictions.

When it comes to psychological problems, there are different ways how they can be managed. Talk therapies, such as psychodynamic or cognitive-behavioral therapy, as well as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are effective treatments for mental health disorders [1]. In some cases, psychotherapy may be more effective, while in others, antidepressants might work better. However, combining both approaches generally yields the most positive outcomes [1].

Recently, another potential treatment has emerged: psychedelics, such as psilocybin and LSD. Preliminary results indicate that these substances hold promise as effective treatments [2].

This potential, combined with the mystique surrounding psychedelics and their "forbidden fruit" allure, has generated overwhelming hype. However, research on the effects of psychedelics remains highly ambiguous, and it is too early to draw definitive conclusions [3]. Nonetheless, several studies and personal reports from individuals with depression suggest that psychedelics can have positive effects [4].

Given that these treatments might often yield positive results, you might wonder how they actually work: How do these interventions change our brains?While the effects and results of these treatments might seem similar on a meta-level, current knowledge suggests that they operate through different brain mechanisms [5]. Before we delve into the details, let me caution you: If you are not particularly into science, you might expect a clear and specific description of the mechanisms underlying these interventions. Yet, and this is quite surprising, for none of these interventions do we have definitive mechanisms to present. So, what I will describe is our current, and limited, understanding. 1. Antidepressants. Generally, antidepressants work by altering the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine [6]. Different types of antidepressants target these neurotransmitters in various ways, and finding the right medication often involves a personalized approach.A classic example […]

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