Mental health challenges like depression and PTSD often come with lifelong symptoms. People can manage these symptoms with medication, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and psilocybin. Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic compound that people have been using long before the advent of modern medicine. Today, psilocybin is gaining recognition in mainstream medicine as an excellent supplement for alleviating the symptoms of depression and PTSD.
How Does Psilocybin Work?
Feeling hopeless, anxious, afraid, and sad are among the top three challenges people with mood disorders face. Many of them lose interest in daily activities and may prefer to stay in bed all day. By taking psilocybin along with other treatment options and psychotherapy, they can change their mood and outlook on life. The compound causes auditory and visual hallucinations and may help people self-reflect. Combined, these effects offer therapeutic benefits.
Some studies show that psilocybin may increase activity in areas of the brain responsible for introspection and emotional awareness. This is why people who attend psilocybin retreats like Tangerine's Psychedelic Retreat report connectedness and an improved sense of well-being.
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy
As stated above, psilocybin works best when added as a supplement to traditional remedies. In most retreats, professionals offer psilocybin-assisted therapy. During and after the psychedelic experience, everyone receives both therapies from psychologists. Johns Hopkins Medicine conducted a recent study that proved that psilocybin-assisted therapy is more effective than therapy alone in reducing depressive symptoms.
The Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies also confirmed that psilocybin is effective for treating PTSD after a study on combat veterans. Those with severe cases of PTSD felt better just after two or three sessions of psilocybin-assisted therapy. Compared to the placebo group, these veterans didn't experience most PTSD symptoms for up to six months without additional treatment.
Developing New Thought Patterns
One of the most challenging aspects of depression and similar mood disorders is that the brain's thought patterns are too rigid. The negative loop makes it difficult for people with these issues to change their thoughts and develop a more positive mindset, even with therapy. With psilocybin-assisted treatment, however, the psychedelic compounds help change the brain's way of thinking, irrespective of the rigidity. Those who take the therapy will develop new perspectives even amid negative situations.
Why You Should Opt for Psychedelic Retreats?
Psilocybin may indeed have multiple benefits as an antidepressant and in treating PTSD. However, more research is needed about the possible side effects of the compound. So, it is better to take it in a controlled setting with professionals. During these retreats, you can mitigate potential risks attached to using magic mushrooms and other psychedelic compounds.
Another reason to attend a retreat is to get access to therapy. There is a difference between taking psilocybin for recreation and taking it to ease symptoms of depression. When you have a mood disorder, you need to combine the product with therapy to get the most benefits. It is not enough to consume the compound alone.
The Verdict
Everyone is different and may react uniquely to the compound. You must consult your doctor before signing up for any retreat. Also, endeavor to visit a reputable retreat center with certifications to make sure you get quality services.