This document reviews literature on the use of psychedelics like LSD, MDMA, ibogaine, and ketamine in the treatment of chemical dependency. It finds that psychedelics can contribute to successful treatment outcomes when "set and setting" are properly controlled, through better screening, preparation of clients, and environment during drug experiences. Psychedelics act as vehicles to bring unconscious contents into awareness, allowing users to gain insights and bypass ego defenses, but lasting benefits depend on individuals choosing to integrate new perspectives post-experience. More research is needed to better understand and measure psychedelic experiences and their potential while balancing Eastern and Western therapeutic approaches.

1. A Review of the Literature

2.  Do psychedelics contribute to successful
treatment outcomes in chemically-
dependent subjects?

3.  “Mind-Manifesting” Bringing repressed information from within
the mind forward as amplification of emotion virtual reality
containing symbolism unique to the experiencer. (Osmond, 1957).
 Distorts sensory observation/ bypasses ego & related defenses
diving straight into the contents of one’s unconscious mind (Mabit,
2007).
 New awareness gained-integrated into conscious life for improved
functioning (Grinspoon & Doblin, 2001).
 Psychedelics have existed for tens of thousands of years.
 Shamanism as indigenous psychotherapy/Divination = Diagnosis
(Metzner, 1998).
 Psychedelics as catalysts not symptom relievers (Grinspoon & Doblin,
2001).

4.  How does Ibogaine work?
 Anti-addictive properties (Alper, Lotsof, Geerte, Frenken, Luciano, &
Bastiaans, 1999).
 Amelioration/Elimination of withdrawal (Alper et al.,
1999).
 Used in drug/alcohol treatment facilities abroad
(Ibogaine Federation, 2011).
 Not a substitution drug
 9 fatalities in 20 years compare to methadone at
10,000 within a two year timespan (Donnelly, 2011).

5.  How does ketamine work?
 Ketamine therapy resulted in significantly higher rates of
abstinence among heroin-dependent as compared to
placebo and naltrexone (Krupitsky, Burakov, Dunaevsky, Romanova, Slavina, and
Grinenko, 2002, 2007).
 Faster acting than anti-depressants in treating depressive
symptoms in recovering patients (Krupitsky et al., 2007).
 More ketamine doses = higher recovery rates (Krupitsky et al., 2007).
 Not a substitution drug but potentially addictive.
 Quick, safe, cost-effective (Krupitsky et al., 2007).

6.  What is LSD? MDMA?
 Social research, Anecdotal evidence:
40 y.o. male 4 years alcoholism, experiences
breakthrough under the influence of LSD involving
Christian symbolism (Grinspoon & Doblin, 2001).
 Psychedelic experience serves to make manifest the
symbols/contents of an individuals mind, hallucinations
not random.
 MDMA used to dissolve ego-defenses in psychotherapy,
Switzerland (Grinspoon & Doblin, 2001).
 MDMA con: potentially addictive

7.  Cross-cultural study showed subjects who have had peak
psychedelic experiences have no better coping abilities or
resiliency than those who had not (Recreational not
treatment) (Lerner & Lyvers, 2006).
 Anthropological study notes East believes psychedelic
experience real as West believes it merely to be a
hallucination (Metzner, 1998).
 Guide experiences treatment with client in
East/Indigenous cultures whereas guide in West typically
does not (Metzner, 1998).
 Integration of East & West in psychedelic treatment (Metzner,
1998).

8.  Yes psychedelics can contribute to successful
treatment outcomes depending on “set” (intentions,
expectations, & motivations) of user and “setting”
(environment surrounding user at time of drug
experience including person(s) involved.
 How do we better control for “set” and “setting”?
Set - better psych assessments, bibliotherapy.
Setting - more relaxed, less clinical
environment.

9. Psychedelic merely acts as vehicle to make repressed contents of mind
visible. A bringer of awareness, messenger drug. It is up to the individual to
make the choice post-psychedelic experience to integrate this new
awareness into their conscious life.
How do we empower people? How do we honor the individual process?
 Psychedelic experience deeply personal.
 Psychedelic allows one to bypass ego/conscious patterns of thought and
behavior and dive straight into the contents of the unconscious mind
leading to expanded awareness (Mabit, 2007).
 How do you measure something like this?
 A new set of principles for exploring inner-landscape?
 Controlled experimentation gives way to consciousness exploration ?…

10.  Alper, K.R., Lotsof, H.S., Geerte, M., Franken, N., Luciano, D.J. & Bastiaans, J. (1999). Treatment of acute opioid
withdrawal with ibogaine. The American Journal on Addictions. 8, 234-242.
 Donnelly, Jennifer R. (2011). The need for ibogaine in drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Journal of Legal
Medicine. 32, 93-114.
 Grinspoon, L., Doblin, R. (2001). Psychedelics as catalysts of insight-oriented psychotherapy. Social Research. 68,
677-696.
 Kupritsky, E.M., Burakov, A.M., Dunaevsky, I.V., Romanova, T.N., Slavina, T.Y., & Grinenko, A.Y. (2002). Ketamine
psychotherapy for heroin addiction: immediate effects and two year follow-up. Journal of Substance Abuse
Treatment. 23, 273-283.
 Kupritsky, E.M., Burakov, A.M., Dunaevsky, I.V., Romanova, T.N., Slavina, T.Y., & Grinenko, A.Y. (2007). Single
versus repeated sessions of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for people with heroin-dependence. Journal of
Psychoactive Drugs. 39, 381-418.
 Lerner, M., Lyvers, M. (2006). Values and beliefs of psychedelic drug users: A cross-cultural study. Journal of
Psychoactive Drugs. 38, 143-147.
 Mabit, J. (2007). Ayahuasca in the treatment of addictions. Psychedelic Medicine. 2, 87-103.
 Mangini, M. (1998). Treatment of alcoholism using psychedelic drugs: A review of the program of research.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 30, 381-418.
 Metzner, R. (1998). Hallucinogenic drugs and plants in psychotherapy and shamanism. Journal of Psychoactive
Drugs. 30, 333-341.
 United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2011). The Facts About Naltrexone for Treatment of
Opioid Addiction. [Brochure]. Retrieved December 3, 2011, from
http://kap.samhsa.gov/products/brochures/pdfs/naltrexone_facts.pdf.
 What is Ibogaine? (2011). International Federation of Ibogaine Providers. Retieved December 11, 2011, from
http://www.ibogainefederation.org/index.php?id=273.
 Leary, T., Alpert, R., Metzner, R. (2001). The Psychedelic Experience. New York, New York: Kensington Publishing
Corp.