Over the past fews years, several renaissances have been happening all at once. Cannabis is gaining popularity as an accepted medical treatment and recreational substance, and in its wake, psychedelics are gaining that same status. Also, the mental health industry is expanding and professionals are beginning to accept and support those who use alternative means of medication. At the nexus of the psychedelics and mental health revolution is Field Trip Health, a psychedelic therapy resort. CULTURE talked to Field Trip founder Ronan Levy about smashing the stigma and healing with the help of therapeutic medicine.
Why do you think this alternative treatment method is needed, and how can these facilities help with mental health?
The reason alternative treatment methods are needed is because, put simply, current approaches aren’t working. Psychedelic-assisted therapies represent a new paradigm in how we approach treating mental and emotional health by using psychedelic molecules to greatly enhance the efficacy of psychotherapy. Instead of just masking the symptoms like antidepressants, psychedelics help us get at the underlying drivers of mental health challenges and make changes so we can actually start to heal, as opposed to just treating the symptoms.
How do psilocybin mushrooms provide treatment and relief for those in need?
Most psychedelic therapies work because they do three things. First, they are typically rapid-acting antidepressants, so people usually feel a mood lift within an hour or so. Second, when done in a therapeutic setting where people are invited to go inward and explore the feelings, emotions and thoughts that arise, psychedelics help us start processing many of the feelings and emotions that we may have been harboring for a long time. They give us a new perspective on past events that enable us to let go of some of the traumas that we’ve experienced. And third, psychedelics trigger a period of neural plasticity following a psychedelic experience during which we are able to adopt new attitudes, outlooks, habits and perspectives, thus helping us not fall back into old patterns.
How has the program been received so far? What stigmas are you still overcoming?
Yes, our treatments have been very well-received. Given the limitations of antidepressants (severe side effects, limited effectiveness, long duration to work) people are extremely excited about a new treatment option, especially one that offers usually very pleasant and powerful experiences. Subjectively, the feedback we are getting from the people who seek our treatment is inspiring and heartwarming. Objectively, the data shows that, in addition to very positive experiences, people who have journeys with us show significant improvements in depression and anxiety scores.
Describe what a session at the facility is like.
When it comes to psychedelic therapies, “set and setting” are incredibly important to the experience and therapeutic outcomes. Set refers to the mindset and preparation a person brings to the psychedelic experience, and setting refers to the actual location in which the psychedelic experience takes place. At Field Trip, we invest heavily into making sure both the set and setting for your experience are ideal.
Throughout the experience, we want to make sure that you have all the information you need and a great connection with your therapeutic team, which starts right after you first start the process. And, as you can see from the images of our locations, we’ve invested heavily to make sure they are warm, bright and inviting, inspired heavily by nature, to make people feel as comfortable as possible. Following each treatment, you have the opportunity to share your experience with your therapist, and after every two treatments, there is an integration session so you get the most from your program. It is a very powerful, moving and positive experience.
How can someone who needs help obtain your services?
Visit our website, or call us at 1(833) 222 – 0084.
Do you offer any financial assistance to those with barriers to payment?
Yes, financing options may be available.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
For anyone looking to get an understanding of psychedelics or what the process of psychedelic integration looks like, download our app, Trip, from iTunes or Google Play, or find it here.
