2023-10-19 05:18:30
The room has nothing to do with a hospital room, much more welcoming, with green plants, large bay windows and a bed placed on the floor. Federico Seragnoli, psychologist in the addictology department of Geneva university hospitals, welcomes a patient who has been suffering from depression for more than 10 years. “You have a vial of LSD on the little table”he explains. “You can take it with water or on its own. You also have an eye mask and the playlist you selected during the preparation session. We’ll be able to go, really whenever you want.”
Extremely supervised 8-hour sessions
Each session lasts more than 8 hours. But patients are constantly monitored by caregivers. “Psychedelic products induce a very intense state of modification of consciousness which can lead the subject to explore different things, difficult experiences but also very strong and powerful mystical experiences”deciphers Federico Seragnoli. “It’s very important that there is someone to supervise the patient at all times.” But bad experiences, which we also call “bad trip” are very rare, barely 1 to 2% of cases.
In Switzerland, psychedelic products remain prohibited substances. Except when these narcotics are used for very specific medical indications. “The depressive disorder must be severe and resistant to treatment”assures Gabriel Torrens, psychiatrist in this addiction department. “Patients must first have benefited from all scientifically proven treatments for depression and none of these treatments have worked or the response is not sufficient.” An authorization request for this therapy is sent for each patient to the Central Public Health Office.
Neurobiological changes in the brain
How do these therapies work? What are the mechanisms that will help treat depression? In the sessions preceding the taking of the psychedelic product, the caregivers will ask the patient to seek out and exhume his dark thoughts under LSD for therapeutic purposes. “There are going to be major changes in self-perception, perception of time, perception of others”explains Gabriel Torrens. “And it is indeed in these effects that the person can have perceptions and thoughts completely different from what they are used to experiencing when depressed.” Concretely, LSD induces neurobiological changes in the brain. The patient will therefore forget his ruminations to concentrate on more positive things.
Marguerite is 34 years old and has a very difficult past. “I had addictions, tobacco, alcohol and medication”she says. “I also had chronic depression and, above all, resistance to traditional drug treatments.” Two years ago, his file was validated by the Swiss health authorities. She follows three sessions while taking LSD.
“A particularly intense experience”
“The first time, it’s very difficult because you are given a therapeutic dose which is much higher than the doses of narcotics you can take for partying”explains the young woman. “You sweat a lot, you shake, you cry, you also have very strong feelings of anxiety. Psychologically, certain painful memories can come to the surface. In short, these are particularly intense experiences.”
In total, Marguerite followed 3 sessions, with the music she had selected. “That got me out of trouble,” she confides even if she refuses to talk regarding miracle therapy. “Unlike drugs, LSD is a bit like a match that ignites something that is latent in you”she summarizes. “But followingward, it’s up to you to understand. LSD is really a tool, but healing really happens with psychologists in the long term.”
Today, Marguerite feels much better regarding herself, she recommends this therapy to people who suffer from depression. Problem: doctors cannot meet demand. In Switzerland alone, several hundred files are pending.
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