Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies are Gaining Ground and Attention

Reflecting on the outstanding sessions from the inaugural Sana Symposium and all the ground-breaking information that was shared, we realize that psychedelic-assisted therapy is an emerging treatment that is gaining traction and attention.

As treating and normalizing mental health disorders is becoming more openly discussed, the expansions of those treatments are also receiving more recognition. Recently, Newsweek published an article discussing the benefits of psychedelic therapy, focusing on the common thread of 1 patient’s journey using psilocybin, and exploring a bit of the history surrounding the use of psychedelics for mental health treatment.

Quoted in the article was Sana Symposium co-chair Charles Raison, MD, who stated “The idea psychedelics liberate some of these powerfully valent, deeper emotional areas of the brain—the limbic areas involved in memory and emotion—to have their say is consistent with what people are reporting. They are often overcome by these really, really powerful emotions that are surprising, as if they're coming from the outside but yet seem completely credible and utterly believable. These areas are liberated and get their day in court."

Sana Symposium steering committee member and presenter, Robin Carhart-Harris, PhD, was also mentioned in the article as articulating “one of the most widely cited theories on how the drugs induce transformative experiences. He believes it stems from their ability to somehow shut down a specific constellation of brain structures known as the ‘default mode network.’ This network is most active when our mind wanders—when we are daydreaming. It gives us that voice we hear in our heads, which is often hyperactive in depressed and anxious patients who are tormented by negative thought loops.”

The inaugural Sana Symposium featured presentations, questions and answer sessions, and live table talks and round table discussions from the top clinicians in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Virtual attendees were informed on not only the mechanisms of action surrounding how these therapies work, but were also given information regarding training programs, implementation, and the legality around these treatments.

The 2nd Annual Sana Symposium is currently scheduled for October 13 to 15, 2022.

Reference

Piore A. Magic mushrooms may be the biggest advance in treating depression since Prozac. Newsweek. Published online September 22, 2021. Accessed September 28, 2021.