These therapies against depression promise to be revolutionary and have already proven themselves … Why are they prohibited in Belgium?

Psychedelics, in the first sense, would have the ability to reveal a person’s soul. Therefore, Their ancestral use and in the completely natural state was common in South America during shamanic rituals. Moreover, The hippie movement. Similarly, the counter-culture of the 1950s and 60s had put these substances in the hands of all, but the American president Richard Nixon would prohibit them in 1971. Therefore, It was not until the 2000s that the experiments gradually resumed. For example, Currently. Moreover, some 300 pilot studies and clinical trials are carried out around the world as in the USA, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia or Switzerland. Therefore, It becomes a branch of psychiatry, exhibits Dominique Nora.

What are so -called “resistant” depressions? – These therapies against depression promise

In Belgium. Therefore, where research remains limited by the legal status of these substances, these therapies against depression promise votes are raised to plead in favor of an opening, like Dr. Consequently, Caroline Depuydt, psychiatrist and service of service at the Fond’Roy clinic of Uccle, but also encouraging international testimonies. Similarly, “It is estimated that there are up to 30 % of depressions that are resistant to treatment. Furthermore, It’s huge “underlines Dr. Moreover, Depuydt.

These depressions. In addition, defined as resistant to at least two different antidepressants given at dose and therapeutic duration, leave patients in a dead end. Consequently, “It means that they sometimes remain for several months in a fairly complex situation. In addition, with great sadness, dark ideas and both somatic and psychic difficulties.”

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How can this new approach come to the end of depressions. Nevertheless, even those that are said to be “resistant”? – These therapies against depression promise

Unlike prejudices, it is not a recreational use but a “therapy assisted by the psychedelic”, insists Dr. However, Depuydt. “It is not the psychedelic all alone that we give in a corner that will make this effect. It is in a secure, medical, supervised setting, with a protocol and a process which is now quite well described.” The protocol is rigorous: “In a preparatory interview, we set an intention. We take a powerful molecule that works for six to eight hours. The therapist accompanies and checks that you are well. A headband on your eyes, we are traveling” in oneself “. And then a week later. we do a debrief called an integration where we try to see with the therapist how we have seen us in our daily life”explains Dominique Nora.

This approach allows “A kind of cognitive reset, a bit like a computer”. “Substance will open what is called a window of neuroplasticity”specifies Dr. Depuydt, allowing the brain to be “More flexible and therefore to be able to find more solutions”.

What results have the psychedelics tested?

The figures impress: “Up to 70 % of resistant depressions. people who have resistant depression see an improvement, a great improvement in their condition after taking psychedelics such as psilocybin, ” says Dr. Depuydt. For post-traumatic stress syndromes, up to two thirds of people show notable improvements. Efficiency is also measured in the duration of treatment: where conventional antidepressants require daily taking for years. “Psilocybin, or a psychedelic, is two or three taken a month apart”.

Two molecules are currently dominating research. The psilocybin. an active ingredient which is found in hallucinogenic mushrooms, causes a modified state of consciousness, a trip, a trip which will last for 5 to 6 hours. MDMA, what is called ecstasy, acts differently: “She is an empathogenic, she generates empathy for himself and for others.”

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Is there a risk of bad trip?

The approach of trauma illustrates the complexity of these therapies. “There is no generality. People can make a mystical trip, be in Nirvana. Others can see monsters or relive traumas”, explains Dominique Nora. “I have testimonials from women who have been these therapies against depression promise sexually abused, they have repeated their rape, which is not comfortable. Behind. it takes a lot of therapy, but they reserved it in a secure setting and they were able to change the narrative.”

This controlled confrontation allows deep transformations: “One of them told me that she was not only the victim of rape. She developed post-traumatic stress, was living as a victim. She was able to completely change her perspective.” The bad trip in itself would be potentially therapeutic, specifies Dr. Depuydt. “A difficult experience is not bad in itself. She expresses the fact that we live something difficult. from the moment when we know how to accompany it and integrate it, it becomes potentially therapeutic too.”

Why is Belgium so lagging behind?

Currently, these substances remain classified as drugs in Belgium, drastically limiting research, deplores Dr. Depuydt. while “Some 300 pilot studies and these therapies against depression promise clinical trials are carried out around the world as in the USA, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia or Switzerland.” In Belgium. only a few institutes have obtained authorization: one in Brussels, at the Brugmann University Hospital, which studies psilocybin in severe addictions and alcoholism on 67 patients, with expected results in 2026. “There is a third in Liège” and “also an essay in Namur on the Cavid Long”. “It’s really very little”, regrets Dr. Depuydt.

This limitation of research asks major ethical questions. In the context of euthanasia requests for mental suffering – unusual but increasing in Belgium ” – Caroline Depuydt recalls that “In the law. we say that you must have tried all the alternatives. In fact, the therapy assisted by the psychedelic could be an alternative, which currently cannot be attempted.”

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