Psychedelic therapy Netherlands

Why are psychedelics used against addictions?

Using psychedelics for addictions can feel counterintuitive since psychedelics like magic mushrooms are seen as drugs. However, psychedelics such as magic mushrooms and magic truffles are not physically addictive, on the contrary. With long-term use of psychedelics, a tolerance develops, so that more use has no effect. The general effect of using psychedelics is that it can induce a feeling of satisfaction. It is satisfaction that ensures that there is no urge for more and more of an addictive substance or action.

The ego wants more and more

The ego is a mechanism of the brain to protect, survive and reproduce the individual. It creates a separation between the individual and the rest of the universe. Sometimes the ego is stimulated to such an extent that the ego becomes too strong. Personal interests must then continue to be nurtured. The neurotransmitter dopamine plays a major role in this since you can see dopamine as a "personal-feel-good" hormone. It temporarily gives a good feeling, followed by emptiness. However, the pursuit of personal satisfaction will cause separation and loneliness, while loneliness is a trigger for addictions. Loneliness can create a bond with addiction. Naturally, our society and capitalism play a major role in shaping individualism by capitalizing on prestige-enhancing ideas.

The addictions that increase dopamine

Here we give a few examples of addictions in which dopamine and/or loneliness play a major role.

• Alcoholism
• Drug addiction (Cocaine, heroin, MDMA, etc.)
• Food addiction
• Game addiction
• Gambling addiction
• Porn addiction
• Smoking addiction
• Social media

A treatment in combination with psychedelics

Here at trip therapy we use healthy psychedelics, nutrition, supplements, exercise and other things to treat addictions. The combination of the different parts ensures the best result. A large part of our service is the psychedelic session. We use psychedelics against addictions because psychedelics such as magic truffles in higher doses can put the ego on the back burner. As a result, the connection with the environment is restored, more satisfaction can arise and the need for addictive behavior decreases. It is, as it were, a kickstart to change behavior. The greatest strength is to be able to respond to impulses of addictive behavior with healthy choices. Apart from these characteristics, insights that arise during a psychedelic session can be an extra helping hand to change.

Watch the following TEDx talk to learn more about how dopamine is involved in addictive behavior.

The dopamine detox

We often use the dopamine detox for addiction problems. This is a period of several days prior to the psychedelic session in which behaviors that can support addictions are avoided. We do this to obtain a correct neurotransmitter balance even before the psychedelic session and to reduce the dependence on dopamine.

Read more about the here dopamine detox