Board-certified psychiatrist Emily Willow, MD, argued that “psychedelic drug-assisted therapy” can help those fearful and depressed about climate change feel better in a Washington Post advice column Friday.
In the pieceWillow claimed that this type of treatment, implemented using either psilocybin (derived from psychedelic mushrooms), MDMA, or FDA-approved oral ketamine — combined with psychotherapy sessions — can help people deal with their grief for climate change.
“Psychedelic medicine-assisted therapy can also support a patient in exploring the vast and complex emotions associated with ecological anxiety and climate grief,” he wrote.
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A psychiatrist advocated the use of psychedelic drugs to treat patients suffering from “climate mental health” problems in a Washington Post column this week (1. ERIC BARADAT / Contributor 2. Hyoung Chang / Contributor)
Willow began her column with a description of how prevalent eco-anxiety was among her patients.
She wrote: “Many of us feel a sense of helplessness and despair about climate change and its harmful effects. As a psychiatrist, I have noticed a growing trend among patients in my private practice who suffer from what mental health professionals call ecological stress and climate distress’.
According to the psychiatrist, this anxiety is so widespread that “climatic mental health” is considered a new field in her profession, which she added, “covers a wide range of emotional and psychological responses.”
He stated: “Many people, including some of my patients, feel anxious and disempowered by the displaced emphasis on personal responsibility and action, rather than the greater responsibility of companies and government policy-making. This area also looks at the consequences of the move to mental health from extreme weather events such as hurricanes and wildfires, especially for vulnerable populations.”
The psychiatrist then supported the positive effects of psychedelic therapy, stating: “Many clinical trials have shown that psychedelic therapies, specifically psilocybin and MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) are safe and effective for conditions such as PTSD, depression , end of life stress and alcoholism’.
He noted, “While MDMA and psilocybin have not yet been approved by the FDA, one notable drug that is already available is ketamine, which is a dissociative anesthetic with psychedelic properties.”
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Psychiatrist Emily Willow told The Post, “In my clinical practice, patients using oral ketamine plus psychotherapy have experienced breakthroughs and new insights when working with the intention to navigate ecological anxiety.” (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
Willow attested to the effectiveness of this treatment in her own patients, saying, “In my clinical practice, patients using oral ketamine plus psychotherapy have experienced breakthroughs and new insights when working with the intention to navigate ecological anxiety.”
“Many patients said they felt connected to a sense of oceanic unity, reminding them of the essential interconnectedness of their lives with others and providing context for their personal narrative,” claimed the psychiatrist.
Explaining how the treatment works, he said: “Being with — rather than avoiding — painful emotions is part of the fundamental approach to psychedelic-assisted therapy. There’s an emphasis on learning how to allow emotions without having to fix or fix them. transforms into a problem to be solved. This can be particularly helpful in navigating the sense of urgency and feelings of helplessness often associated with stress related to the climate crisis.”
“Psychedelics can also teach us how to experience and hold strong emotions that feel too much to bear, allowing the ability to observe our pain in a new way.”
The psychiatrist clarified that “psychedelic treatments are not for everyone. There are medical and psychiatric contraindications and they vary depending on the type of psychedelic drug being considered. If you are interested in psychedelic treatment, please contact your doctor to determine if it is an appropriate option for you.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the American Psychological Association for comment. This article will be updated with any response.
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