What is Psychedelic Infusion Therapy?
Psychedelic infusion therapy involves a fast-acting anaesthetic medication that has been used safely in medicine for decades. In recent years, psychedelic infusions have also effectively treated chronic pain and other conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
How does psychedelic infusion therapy work for chronic pain?
Certain psychedelic medications block the NMDA receptor, a protein in the brain that plays a role in pain signalling and inflammation. By blocking the NMDA receptor, these medications can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
What are the benefits of psychedelic infusion therapy for chronic pain?
Psychedelic infusion therapy has several benefits for people with chronic pain, including:
- Rapid pain relief: Psychedelic infusion therapy can provide fast pain relief, even for people with severe and chronic pain.
- Long-lasting effects: The effects of psychedelic infusion therapy can last for weeks or even months.
- Multimodal treatment: Psychedelic infusion therapy can help address multiple aspects of chronic pain, including pain, inflammation, depression, and anxiety.
Who is a good candidate for psychedelic infusion therapy for chronic pain?
Psychedelic infusion therapy can be a safe and effective treatment for people with chronic pain who have not responded to other treatments. This may be a good option for people with the following types of chronic pain:
- Neuropathic pain: Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the nerves. It can be a challenging type of pain to treat.
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS): CRPS is a chronic pain condition that affects the arms or legs. It is often caused by an injury, such as a fracture or burn.
- Migraine: Migraine is a headache characterized by severe pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes widespread pain throughout the body.
What to expect during and after psychedelic infusion therapy
During psychedelic infusion therapy, you will receive a continuous intravenous (IV) infusion of psychedelic medication. The infusion will take approximately 3 hours. While receiving the infusion, you will be closely monitored by a medical team. You may experience side effects like nausea, dizziness, and mood changes. However, these side effects are usually mild and temporary.
After the infusion, you will be monitored briefly before being discharged home. You may experience some residual side effects, such as fatigue and dizziness. Having someone drive you home to rest for the day is important.
Risks and side effects of psychedelic infusion therapy
Psychedelic infusion therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated. However, there are some potential risks and side effects, such as:
- Temporary side effects: Common temporary side effects of ketamine infusion therapy include nausea, dizziness, changes in mood, and higher blood pressure.
- Rare side effects: Rare side effects of ketamine infusion therapy include hallucinations, delusions, and respiratory depression.
- Addiction: Ketamine is not addictive, but prolonged use may increase the risk of substance abuse.
Working with an experienced physician is crucial.
It is important to work with an experienced physician trained in psychedelic infusion therapy. A professional physician can help you determine if psychedelic infusion therapy is right for you and can safely and effectively administer the treatment.
Psychedelic infusion therapy is a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain. It can provide rapid and long-lasting pain relief, and it can help to address multiple aspects of chronic pain. To learn more about psychedelic infusion therapy for chronic pain, please get in touch with Painless Medicine & Therapeutics.
