What is Psychedelic Assisted Therapy?
The psychedelic medicines we work with are established medications that have new possibilities to treat mental health. Psychedelics, combined with a therapeutic approach, supports individuals to address what is troubling them. Psychedelic medicine works by binding to various receptors in the brain to promote regrowth and connections between brain cells that help regulate one’s mood. Psychedelic Assisted Therapy utilizes psychedelics in conjunction with therapy and can enable the healing wisdom within us to be more easily accessed.
Is Psychedelic Assisted Therapy safe for everyone?
No. Our team will work with you to determine the best approach and options based on your medical history as well as where you are at in your healing journey.
Who is Psychedelic Assisted Therapy for?
PAT is for individuals looking for new tools to support their mental health healing journey. Studies have shown, PAT is a great option for adult patients with depression, anxiety related disorders, trauma-related disorders including PTSD, addictions including substance use disorders, pain management, and more.
Do I need a referral from my physician?
No, you do not need a referral. Although we do accept referrals and they are positive for maintaining your continuity of care, we understand it may be hard to attain one, and they are not required as we have physicians and psychiatrists at our clinics.
How many sessions are needed?
We recommend a minimum of 4 sessions. Scientific guidelines affirm evidence that clients who have tried PAT may benefit the most from these sessions over a period of 6 weeks. We offer multiple different programs that you can view here (https://atmacena.com/psychedelic-assisted-therapy/).
How are Psychedelics administered?
Some Psychedelics can be safely administered in four ways; intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV), intranasal or orally (sublingually). At ATMA CENA we offer Psychedelic therapy intramuscularly (Alberta) and sublingually (Ontario).
What are the effects of Psychedelics during a session?
The most common experience from Psychedelics is short-term dissociation. The medication can often distort your perception of sight and sound while producing illusions of detachment from your environment or yourself.You may feel separate from your thoughts and feelings. You may temporarily experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, drowsiness, elevated mood,anxiety, and elevations in blood pressure and heart rate.A licensed provider will be with you to assist and assure you throughout your session. All experiences are short-lived and resolve quickly.
How do I care for myself after a session?
When leaving your sessions, you must be driven home by a family member or a friend.No driving, operating hazardous equipment, or engaging in hazardous activities for the next 12-24 hours. Avoid making critical decisions for a minimum of 14 days. Avoid consuming alcohol or other recreational drugs for 24 hours before and 24 hours after your sessions.
How will I feel after my session?
Research has shown an individual’s personality and mood are improved in the days to weeks following Pat. Many individuals have reported experiencing lasting improvement in their condition within hours of a treatment session. The sessions and your care plan are designed to enable personal healing to help you achieve clarity and understanding of your experience.
Why would Psychedelic Assisted Therapy work when no other drugs have helped me?
Psychedelics allow you to separate or disassociate from your thoughts, enabling you to look back at those thoughts from a healthy distance.This new perspective you experience, coupled with the support and guidance of our team members is very different from the current medications that regulate brain chemistry.
Are Psychedelics addictive?
The psychedelics we work with are considered to have a low risk of addiction when used in a controlled, therapeutic setting, as it works differently from substances commonly associated with dependency. While the potential for misuse exists, especially outside clinical environments, the doses used in therapy are typically much lower than those that might be abused recreationally.
What does a PAT psychedelic session feel like?
Individuals may experience altered perceptions, enhanced emotional processing, and profound personal insights.
What does a PAT psycholytic session feel like?
Psycholytic sessions use lower doses of Psychedelics than psychedelic dosing, leading to subtle alterations in consciousness, enhanced introspection and emotional exploration. Active therapy takes place during a psycholoytic session.
Can Psychedelic Therapy be done in groups?
Yes. Psychedelic therapy can be done individually or in a group at ATMA CENA. Once you have completed the intake process, your provider will discuss these options with you.
