Psychedelics

The human brain is an intricate web of interconnected neural networks responsible for our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. Among these networks, the Default Mode Network (DMN) plays a crucial role in our sense of self, introspection, and daydreaming. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the relationship between psychedelics and the DMN, uncovering fascinating insights into consciousness, mental health, and therapeutic potential. Psychedelics can have a profound impact on the DMN.

Understanding the Default Mode Network:

The Default Mode Network refers to a collection of brain regions that are active when the mind is at rest or engaged in internal processes, such as self-reflection, mind-wandering, and autobiographical memory. This network is associated with our sense of self-identity and is often implicated in mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and addiction.

Psychedelics and DMN Disruption:

Research using neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), has revealed…

MDMA falls into the Phenethylamine class of psychedelics also to include mescaline, and 2C family. This compound is structurally similar to amphetamine and catecholamines. It is known to be "entactogenic" and "empathogenic", meaning it helps with emotional oneness, relatedness, communion, and openness.

Effects of MDMA:

- Increased serotonin to improve mood, creativity, and memory; increased brain plasticity, increased adaptability, decreased rigid thinking, decreased pessimism

- Increased dopamine, norepinephrine and cortisol to increase motivation and focus

MDMA has a balancing effect to produce an "optimal arousal" zone which is determined to be the ideal mental state for exploring negative thoughts, difficult experiences, holding patterns, and defense mechanisms.

- Increased oxytocin to increase trust and bonding

The mushroom extract psilocybin has been used traditionally as a part of religious and spiritual ceremonies, and is beginning to be recognized for its neuropsychiatric therapeutic potential.

Psilocybin falls into the hallucinogenic class of tryptamines with DMT, ayahuasca, and ibogaine. This serotonergic drug acts at the 5HT receptors in the brain which has effects on mood, cognition, and learning memory. Psilocybin is thought to have one of the strongest safety profiles.

Psilocybin is being researched for its therapeutic effect on:

- Alcohol dependence

- Stimulant dependence

- Cocaine addiction

Discussion of a client’s previous psychedelic use in a therapeutic context is legal and is

essential for psychedelic integration psychotherapy (PIP), however most psychedelic

medicines remain federally illegal and Wholeness Center will neither provide nor endorse the

use of illegal substances. Rather, we believe in a model of harm reduction which seeks to

reduce risks and maximize benefits, as opposed to embracing moral or disease models of

substance use which have proven to be ineffective ( Neuroethics. 2017; 10(1): 129–139.)