Utah psychedelic-assisted therapy options: What experts say

Utah is experiencing a renaissance in psychedelic medicine, and ketamine clinics abound. Medical marijuana can be delivered.Utah researchers continue to study LSD and how drugs like it It can be used to treat depression and other conditions.

The state Legislature this year legalized the use of psilocybin and MDMA to treat mental health problems in the state’s two largest hospital systems, and in religious groups like The Divine Assembly, whose members use the drugs sacramentally. It also gave them more protection.

It all means Utah has options. However, some options are better (and more legal) than others.

“There’s a lot of anxiety. There’s a lot of excitement. There’s just a lot of emotions that come up when you step into the unknown like this,” said Andrea Hanson, founder of the Utah Psychedelic Association. “What does the future hold here?”

Hanson said the goal is a safe, patient-centered approach that also respects the historical and spiritual role of drugs in Indigenous communities.She acknowledged that some people are worried. Legalization means drugs are synthesized or psychedelic experiences occur In clinical settings, there is a possibility of over-sterilization.

But ultimately, she said, all sides of the field – “researchers, experts, shamans” – can learn from each other about how best to help patients.

“It’s going to be an ongoing conversation,” Hanson said.

The organization’s first formal meeting to discuss these issues was held this spring. As the situation evolves, here’s what the speakers want people interested in psychedelics to know.

informed consent

Whether you pursue these drugs in a research, clinical, or psychological setting, make sure you know what you’re getting into before taking a drug.

That includes understanding what the treatment process entails, how it makes you feel and see, and how it interacts with other conditions such as high blood pressure. Masu.

Autumn Kuntz, founder and co-owner of Rabbit Hole Wellness, says that in a traditional medical setting, informed consent can be like a document outlining the cost of a procedure. Stated. He said health care providers can expand on this point by reminding them that, in addition to all their possible benefits, psychedelic drugs may not work for patients and may “cause hidden problems.” He said that patients should be informed.

At Midvale’s Anew Therapy, co-founder Ashlynn McCarter says informed consent is about educating the patient, explaining what the out-of-body experience is like and how it will feel afterward. He said the aim is to let patients know and allow them to opt out if they do not wish to do so. I don’t feel ready for that.

“And we talk every day about how to improve that, because we can’t do enough, right?” McCarter said. “Because if you don’t have a baseline of what this experience is going to be like, you need to get some kind of baseline.”

Please consider setting

Wherever you go, make sure you are safe.

Emily Block, a certified clinical therapist who founded Great Salt Lake Medical, said many of her patients have experienced trauma and are in a state of distress, and when they take psychedelic drugs in places they don’t feel safe. He said it could do more harm than good. .

“If people feel safe, they end up in a psychedelic state.” [state]That’s one of the things that helps them experience what they should experience,” Block said.

This might look like a soundproof, earth-toned cozy room in McCarter’s Anew Therapy, or it might look like a private space right at home. In many cases, it doesn’t look like a music festival with hundreds of people you don’t know, Block said.

It’s also worth discussing the clinical and psychological aspects of psychedelics with others who have their own experience and can give you advice on what has worked for you and which providers you like, Hanson says. he said.

“Unless you have some kind of community, it’s very difficult to know what your options are and have the conversations you need to have about your experience,” she says.

These conversations are especially important in Utah, Hanson said, where many people may have been traumatized by “turning away from high-demand religions” and may be particularly vulnerable to exploitation. He said there is.

Kunz also says that drugs are not the only treatment option. Breathing techniques, yoga, and Reiki energy practices may also be beneficial.

Where you can access psychedelics

Ketamine therapy and medical marijuana are the most readily available psychedelic drug options.

Ketamine clinics in Utah operate like medical clinics, accepting curious patients seeking referrals and more information.

There are also state-approved medical marijuana programs, and the Department of Health and Human Services offers a step-by-step guide to applying for a marijuana card online. medicalcannabis.utah.gov/patients.

People interested in participating in a research trial can usually register on the provider’s website or contact the provider for more information. For example, Numinus keeps a list of ongoing research on her website. numinus.com/clinical-trials And allow prospective patients to apply there.

Joining a church is also an option. Divine Assembly sells membership cards and grow-your-own sacrament kits on its website. thedivineassembly.org.

meanwhile It could be more than a year before Intermountain Health and the University of Utah Health begin offering MDMA and psilocybin treatments, and Hanson said he expects updates on the program and health care providers as they move closer to rolling out these services. We encouraged them to contact these organizations for information on how to receive information when they receive information.

Meanwhile, Hanson said he is working on creating a roster of “vetted personnel who supply legal and extravagant psychedelic drugs.” Anyone interested in this list should sign up for the group’s newsletter and find out more on the group’s website. psychosocialutah.org.

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