Mental health is increasingly taken into consideration. The subject arose on social networks where speech was freed, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some measures were taken by the French State to facilitate access to care. In this vein, on a global scale, studies are now interested in the use of psychotropic molecules and substances to help psychotherapy: this is what we call psychedelic therapy or psychedelic-assisted therapy, often abbreviated PAP in English. (“psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy”). What about psychedelic therapy in France? Could it be a solution to the treatment of mental illnesses?

What is psychedelic therapy?

Research into psychedelics began in the 1950s with the study of LSD. It quickly experienced a decline, only to be finally revived in our time where mental health is at the heart of all conversations, since it concerns us all, directly or indirectly. The study of hallucinogenic mushroom kits is also booming: mushrooms may be able to treat certain disorders and mental illnesses.

Concretely, psychedelic therapy consists of administering a dose of psychoactive substance to a patient to obtain long-term beneficial effects. psychedelic treatment should only be used when usual treatments are not effective. Obviously, this type of administration is controlled and supervised by the medical profession, which differentiates it from illicit consumption. Doctors will be able to completely calm the effects of psychedelics if they become too unpleasant for the patient.

What psychedelics are used?

Among the substances used and studied in the context of psychedelic-assisted therapies are psilocybin (magic mushroom molecule), LSD, MDMA, mescaline, and even ayahuasca. They would not all have the same effects on the patient, because they do not all act in the same way on the brain. They therefore make it possible to treat more or less the same diseases, but the studies look at possible side effects and specificities that could make it possible to treat disorders precisely.

How to get them?

As for psilocybin, it is possible to buy magic mushroom kits in specialized online stores, called smartshops. There are different varieties producing specific effects. For introspection, the Golden Teacher is certainly the most recommended mushroom: it allows you to acquire a certain wisdom and spirituality.