How Psychedelic Use Affects Mental Health: It’s Not Just About the High, It’s About the Long-Term Impact
Have you ever wondered if those psychedelic trips—whether it’s mushrooms, LSD, or even MDMA—could do more for your mental health than just offering a temporary buzz? Well, turns out, the answer might be yes. But before you rush to sign up for a “psychedelic retreat,” there's more to it than just getting high and hoping for the best.
A recent study, published in Nature Scientific Reports, takes a deeper look at the long-term impact of psychedelic use on mental health, wellbeing, and resilience. Spoiler alert: it’s not about popping a pill every weekend and calling it a day. The research shows that the way psychedelics influence your mind—especially your psychological flexibility and resilience—can be more important than the frequency of use. So, let’s dive into what that means and why you might want to rethink that “psychedelic party weekend” approach.
What’s the Big Deal About Psychedelics and Mental Health?
We’ve all heard about the potential of psychedelics to treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. There's growing interest in using these substances in clinical settings, often with therapy involved, as a way to help people shift stuck patterns of thinking or deal with tough emotional issues. In fact, clinical trials and research studies are all the rage these days in the wellness world.
But there’s one key thing that many of these studies overlook: the quality of the psychedelic experience. It’s not just about how often you take a substance, but how meaningful or transformative that experience is for your psychological state. Think of it like this: you could go to the gym every day, but unless you’re actually working out with intention, you might not see those muscle gains. Similarly, with psychedelics, it’s about more than just doing them regularly—it’s about what happens during and after the trip.
The Study: Frequency Isn’t Everything
In this longitudinal study (fancy term for “over a long period of time”), researchers followed people who had used psychedelics and measured their mental health outcomes, including psychological flexibility (how adaptable your thoughts and behaviors are), wellbeing, and resilience (how well you bounce back from life’s challenges). They didn’t just focus on how often people used psychedelics, but more importantly, they asked how their experiences had impacted them.
What did they find? Well, here’s the big takeaway: the more meaningful and deep the psychedelic experience was, the more likely people were to report improvements in their psychological flexibility and overall wellbeing. In other words, if your psychedelic experience helped you face tough emotions, expand your perspectives, or make lasting changes in how you handle stress and challenges, those long-term benefits could be far greater than simply using psychedelics regularly.
It’s Not About a “Quick Fix”
What does this all mean for people who are curious about using psychedelics for mental health? The message is pretty clear: psychedelics could be a helpful tool for personal growth and mental health, but the real change comes from having deep, meaningful experiences, not just using them for fun or as a quick “escape.” It’s like going to therapy—you don’t just go once, check out the couch, and then feel great forever. It’s about the process, and that process requires reflection, intention, and sometimes, a little work afterward.
Plus, this study shows that having a resilient mindset—the ability to bounce back from setbacks and learn from experiences—is a key benefit of psychedelic use. If you’re seeking to break old habits, rewire your brain, or confront difficult emotions, the impact of those deeper, more reflective psychedelic experiences can help you become more resilient, adaptable, and overall more mentally healthy in the long run.
Is There a “Best” Way to Use Psychedelics?
You might be wondering: “So, what’s the best approach?” Should you take psychedelics every month for your mental health? The short answer is: it’s not about frequency—it’s about depth. The more intentional and reflective your experience is, the better the chance you’ll see lasting benefits in your mental health.
This doesn’t mean you should go into your next psychedelic trip expecting to become a meditation guru or solve all your life’s problems. It’s about being open to the experience, reflecting on what it teaches you, and integrating those insights into your life. This process doesn’t just help with mental health—it can also build resilience to face future challenges.
The study also emphasizes that psychedelic use should not be seen as a replacement for traditional therapy, but as a complementary tool that can help you reach new levels of self-understanding and growth. If you’re thinking about using psychedelics, consider pairing your experience with a professional who can help you make sense of it and help you integrate those insights into your everyday life.
In Summary: More Depth, Not More Trips
So, if you’re curious about psychedelics and their potential for improving mental health, remember: it’s not about how often you use them—it’s about how deep you go. Meaningful, transformative experiences have the potential to boost your psychological flexibility, resilience, and overall wellbeing in a way that frequent, shallow trips just can’t. And while psychedelics could play a part in improving mental health, they should be used with care and intention, not just for a weekend high.
Think of it like this: it’s not about how often you go on a mental adventure, but about how much you learn and grow from each journey. So, the next time you’re contemplating your next trip, ask yourself: What am I hoping to learn? How can this experience help me face the challenges in my life? Because when it comes to psychedelics and mental health, depth over frequency is the real magic.
The original article can be found here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-74810-w