\u201cWhat if these things don\u2019t work on me? What if I get a bad experience from psychedelic-based meds, instead of the miracle I was promised?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n Let me cast your fears aside, amigo, coz we\u2019re telling you right now. You (yes, you!<\/em>) can decide how far you\u2019ll benefit from psychedelics as therapy. The key is to have an open mind<\/strong>!<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n A new study<\/a><\/strong> has linked personality traits \u2014 and your emotional state before taking psychedelics \u2014 to how good or bad<\/em> your experience will be. <\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n The researchers say that people who have an open mind<\/strong> and a desire to \u201csurrender to the unknown\u201d <\/em>are more likely to have a positive experience on shrooms (and other psychedelics)<\/em>. Those who are distracted <\/strong>and <\/em>worried<\/strong>, on the other hand, are more likely to have a negative or tough time. Like a ‘bad’ trip. <\/em><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n Could predictions be used to help nervous clinical trial patients feel more at ease<\/strong> \u2014 and thus enjoy more benefits? Lower doses at first, maybe? <\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n In an interview with Ohio State News, Alan Davis<\/strong>, assistant professor of social work at Ohio State University and senior author of the study, says why not? <\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \u201cThe findings point to interesting testable things we can look at in future research.<\/em><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \u201cIt might be plausible to use threshold doses that are smaller than those used in a trial as a first exposure. So people have less anxiety, experience the benefit and, from that, go into a higher dose later.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n So how did the researchers get to the \u201cpredictions\u201d<\/em>? Simple! First, they gathered 14 published clinical trials in recent years. Then they checked to see if the participants\u2019 personality<\/strong> or state of mind<\/strong> before taking psychedelics swayed the results… For better or for worse<\/em>. <\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n Study first author Jacob Aday<\/strong>, a PhD candidate in psychology at Central Michigan University, said that it was high time to answer this question.<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been an open question so far in psychedelic science. How can we predict how people will react [to psychedelic therapy]? <\/em><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe thought this review would be a good opportunity to develop a narrative of what the consensus is so far.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n Most psychedelic trips belong to one of 3 categories. (1) Mystical<\/strong>, where you feel connected to the Divine; (2) Insightful<\/strong>, where you discover new truths about the Self; or (3) Challenging<\/strong>, where you may have physical reactions, such as sexual arousal.<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n The best traits<\/strong> to have for a positive trip? Based on the review, they are:<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n The researchers saw that those who are willing to surrender<\/strong> were able achieve \u2018ego death\u2019<\/a><\/strong>. Spiritual walls are broken down. As a result, these people were more likely to have a mystical<\/strong> experience. A cosmic dialogue with God, Nature, and the Universe as a whole.<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n On the other hand, those who lacked these traits \u2014 or were distracted, fearful, or confused \u2014 were more likely to have a bad trip<\/strong>. <\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n These past few years of research have brought new evidence<\/strong> to light. Without a doubt, psychedelics are<\/em> the next big thing for the healthcare industry. It\u2019s a simple truth you\u2019ve known all along. As a natural antidepressant<\/strong>, shrooms work! <\/em>Psychedelics can help treat severe anxiety, PTSD, and addiction \u2014 paired with excellent talk therapy, of course. But here\u2019s the thing…<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n It\u2019s not just about the trip to Wonderland, or the carnival of swirly sounds and colors. A trip can also be philosophical in nature. Taking psychedelics can reveal what\u2019s causing trouble, dissolve your ego<\/strong>, and help you rip off the emotional Band-Aid deep inside. <\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \u201cPsychedelics might broadly apply to a whole range of different psychiatric problems…because they\u2019re <\/em>directly affecting<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>neurotransmission <\/em><\/strong>and the brain\u2019s ability to communicate in new ways that involve different parts of the brain,\u201d <\/em>said Davis.<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \u201cBut there is still a lot to unpack about exactly how this all works and why it may be effective.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n In the studies compiled, the most widely used psychedelic as a therapy (10 tests)<\/em> was psilocybin \u2014<\/strong> found in magic mushrooms and truffles. Two tests focused on LSD<\/strong>, one on the DMT-rich ayahuasca<\/strong>, and one studied psychedelics as a whole. <\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n In the same interview with Ohio State News, Aday says that there may be a link between old age, frequent use of psychedelics, and how \u201cintense\u201d<\/em> the trip will be.<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \u201cThere was also tentative evidence that increased experience with psychedelics and increased age were associated with slightly less intense effects with the drugs.<\/em><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \u201cAnd there weren\u2019t any differences according to sex. Men and women responded similarly.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n As for future plans, Davis wants to dive deeper into psilocybin for veterans with PTSD<\/strong>. The dosage will also be tweaked, of course \u2014 based on the prediction study.<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \u201cPeople who have experienced trauma are not very high in surrender, because they are anxious all the time about their past <\/em>traumatic <\/em><\/strong>experiences.<\/em><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cA possibility to explore is starting with a<\/em> low or moderate dose<\/em><\/strong> prior to giving the full therapeutic dose, which might help them increase in surrender.<\/em><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve designed the study this way, thinking that might be helpful.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n What about tripping at home<\/em>, you ask? <\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n Good question!<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n For those of us who microdose (or full-on trip)<\/em> at home, it\u2019s quite possible to \u201cpredict\u201d<\/em> if we get a good or a bad trip. Sort of. Sure, there\u2019s a scientific way to go about it, such as checking the glutamate levels in the brain<\/a>.<\/strong> But such a task requires high-tech<\/em> equipment! So we just have to make do with the second option…<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n …Making sure you know the right state of mind<\/strong> to take on. Also called \u201cSet and Setting\u201d<\/em>. This is a way to ensure you have a positive experience. Here\u2019s a few points to consider for a truly<\/em> enjoyable trip:<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n Surrender to the Unknown <\/em><\/h2>\n
![\"hand](\"https:\/\/www.wholecelium.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hand-holding-psilocybin-mushroom-9.jpg\")
Empire State of Mind <\/em><\/h2>\n
![\"brain](\"https:\/\/www.wholecelium.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/brain-on-lilac-background-2.jpg\")
The Best Traits for a Trip!<\/em> <\/h2>\n
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Shrooms Work!<\/em><\/h2>\n
![\"therapy](\"https:\/\/www.wholecelium.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/therapy-scrabble-letters.jpg\")
Does Age Matter?<\/em><\/h2>\n
Future Plans<\/em><\/h2>\n
![\"woman](\"https:\/\/www.wholecelium.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/woman-with-anxiety-1.jpg\")
What About Tripping at Home? <\/em><\/h2>\n
![\"shrooma](\"https:\/\/www.wholecelium.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/18-25.png\")
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