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Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

Is psychedelic-assisted therapy FDA-approved?

No psychedelic-assisted therapy is FDA-approved although clinical trials with psilocybin (from “magic mushrooms”) and MDMA are underway. Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic but can be used “off-label” in psychedelic-assisted therapy outside of clinical trials.

What conditions can be treated with psychedelic-assisted therapy?

Based on prior studies dating back to the 1950’s and more recent clinical trials, patients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, end-of-life distress, chronic pain, and/or drug or alcohol problems may be candidates for psychedelic-assisted therapy. 

How is psychedelic-assisted therapy different than taking a psychedelic drug?

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is under a doctor’s supervision, includes counseling and clinical support before, during, and after the psychedelic dosing session, and the medication is part of an integrated program of psychotherapy and self-exploration as opposed to providing the drug as an isolated treatment. Taking a psychedelic drug outside of medical treatment or a clinical trial is in most cases illegal and not something we can recommend or assist with. 

What if I have a “bad trip” during my psychedelic-assisted therapy?

The goal of psychedelic-assisted therapy is to facilitate accessing deep emotional issues such that they can be addressed in subsequent integration counseling sessions. The psychedelic treatment may bring up anxiety, fear, or difficult or challenging emotions or memories which is why we will be at your side to assist and support you before, during, and after the psychedelic session.

Research suggests that the intensity of the psychedelic experience is one of the best predictors of a therapeutic response, even when the experience is difficult or challenging. Therefore we do not consider a difficult session to be a “bad trip” but instead focus on supporting you and assisting you in maximizing the benefit you can obtain from the experience whether it is pleasant, challenging, or both. 

What are some possible side effects of psychedelic-assisted therapy?

Blood pressure and heart rate typically increase during the dosing session and there is a risk of cardiovascular compilations especially in patients with cardiac disease. There is a very small risk of developing persistent perceptual disturbances or hallucinations after the psychedelic dosing session although this risk seems to be less than with recreational or non-medical psychedelic use.

There is a small risk of abuse or addiction to psychedelic drugs which is why psychedelic-assisted therapy involves a limited number of dosing sessions at the clinic under medical supervision followed by counseling and clinical monitoring. Like all therapies, there is a chance that psychedelic-assisted therapy will not work for your condition. 

Is psychedelic-assisted therapy “microdosing?”

“Microdosing” psychedelics involves taking sub-psychedelic doses of a psychedelic on a regular schedule (e.g every 3 days) often chronically. Microdosing of psychedelics is purported to have beneficial effects on mood and cognitive performance but few controlled studies of microdosing have been done to date. In contrast, most clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy use a full psychedelic dose, usually administered once or only a few times over several months. 

Is psychedelic-assisted therapy covered by insurance?

Counseling and/or doctor visits before and after the psychedelic dosing sessions typically involve standard care and may be billable to insurance. The ketamine psychedelic dosing session, which involves several hours of treatment and monitoring under medical supervision at the clinic, is not currently billable to insurance and out-of-pocket cost is approximately $1,200 per session. Some costs for patients in clinical trials may be paid for by the sponsor.

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If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the Lifeline’s website or the Crisis Text Line’s website.

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