Content Library Articles A new approach to anxiety, depression, fear of death, addiction, and more

A new approach to anxiety, depression, fear of death, addiction, and more

July 1, 2019

The moment you get a cancer diagnosis, everything changes.

Not only does it create a major sense of overwhelm and uncertainty, but it often comes with an onset of anxiety and depression as well.

A renewed look at old interventions has found an interesting way to treat the emotional distress that is associated with life-threatening illnesses—psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy may be the answer.

Unfortunately, there’s been a negative stigma attached to psychedelics for far too long. Now, researchers are seeing the benefits of psilocybin, LSD, and other types of hallucinogenic compounds for a variety of hard-to-treat problems.

For example, one randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial from Johns Hopkins University found that psilocybin was able to largely decrease depression, anxiety, and fear of death in those with life-threatening cancer while increasing quality of life, optimism, relationships, and spirituality. What’s more, is that these benefits were sustained even after 6 months.

Heffter Research Institute has found the same statistically significant results in similar trials, too.

Because of the promising results seen so far, more studies are in the works, like using LSD for major depressive disorder and further investigation of various types of hallucinogens for treating addiction.

There is clearly more worth finding out when it comes to the clinical use of psychedelics. So much so that bestselling author Michael Pollan recently published a book all about the topic, called

How to Change Your Mind, and even took it upon himself to personally test the waters with various psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

He joined me last week on The Doctor’s Farmacy to talk about his experiences and what the new science of psychedelics is all about. Do yourself a favor and tune in; you may be surprised at these exciting possibilities for the future of medicine.