Substance Assisted Therapies 

Substance-assisted therapy combines traditional psychotherapy with the supervised use of certain psychoactive substances to enhance therapeutic outcomes. These approaches are rooted in emerging neuroscience and long-standing indigenous healing practices, and they're gaining renewed attention for treatment-resistant conditions.

The most commonly used substances in the U.S. today include:

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• Ketamine – FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and administered in medical settings. It works by rapidly altering glutamate activity and creating a window of neuroplasticity. Often paired with integration therapy.

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• Psilocybin – Derived from mushrooms, used experimentally and in state pilot programs. It supports emotional insight, ego flexibility, and processing of unresolved trauma or existential distress.

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• MDMA – Currently in FDA Phase 3 trials for PTSD. It increases feelings of trust and reduces fear response, making it easier to access and process traumatic memories.

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Unlike traditional talk therapy, these sessions involve a structured protocol: preparation, monitored dosing (with or without a therapist present), and post-session integration. These substances are not stand alone cures; their effectiveness depends heavily on the therapeutic relationship and proper support.

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Access varies by state and legality. Ketamine is the only one currently available outside of clinical trials. These treatments are best suited for individuals who haven’t responded to conventional therapy or medication and who are working with a trained, licensed provider experienced in trauma and altered states of consciousness.