You may have heard about some people using psychedelics as a part of their neural retraining process, so today I want to talk about how psilocybin and ketamine therapy can be integrated with neural retraining.
Before we begin, I want to emphasize that this article is for informational purposes only. Psychedelics are highly regulated substances, and their legal status varies depending on where you live. Always check with a qualified professional before starting any new therapy to make sure it’s appropriate for you, and make sure you understand the legalities in your area.
There are many types of psychedelic substances, but in this article we’ll be looking at just two – psilocybin, which is a substance found in certain mushrooms, and ketamine. While there are many other psychedelics being studied and used, I chose to focus on these two because they are the most accessible, the most studied, and the most applicable to our neural retraining community.
Before we start, let’s look at the different ways these substances can be used, most commonly – microdosing versus using a full dose.
Microdosing involves taking very small amounts of a psychedelic substance, typically around one-tenth to one-twentieth of a full dose. It’s a slow, subtle process designed to work gradually with minimal or no noticeable effects. This approach allows your brain to absorb and utilize the substance more effectively, helping to rewire old patterns without the intensity of a full psychedelic experience. The goal is not to feel high but to experience gradual improvements in mood, creativity, and focus, making it a more manageable and everyday practice.
Let’s start first with psilocybin. Psilocybin is the psychoactive substance present in certain mushrooms. I’ve seen some amazing results with clients microdosing psilocybin. Although the studies are still emerging, they show potential in helping the brain rewire old patterns.
Microdosing psilocybin seems to facilitate the rewiring process, making it easier for the brain to let go of old, unhelpful patterns and adopt new, healthier ones. This can be especially beneficial in conjunction with neural retraining, as it may help reduce the impact of negative thought patterns that contribute to ongoing symptoms, paving the way for creating new, healthy neural connections.
Because psilocybin opens up old neural pathways and allows for rewiring, it’s important to focus on the new, healthy patterns you want to establish. If you continue to engage in stressful, triggering thought patterns while microdosing, you may reinforce those old unwanted patterns. But on the other hand, intentionally focusing on new, healthier patterns increases the likelihood of creating them. Therefore, microdosing psilocybin should complement, not replace, a neural retraining program. Practicing the foundations of neural retraining is important alongside your microdosing regimen.
While microdosing has its benefits, it’s important to exercise caution with higher doses of psilocybin. For those with a more sensitive limbic system, these higher doses can be overly triggering and lead to intense emotional responses, making them potentially overwhelming. This is especially important for those engaged in neural retraining, as heightened stress responses can exacerbate symptoms and overwhelm the limbic system. To ensure the best results, I recommend working with someone knowledgeable about these substances.
Now, let’s look at ketamine. Ketamine therapy can be amazing for jumpstarting neural rewiring and appears to be particularly helpful in the short term. It is generally taken in an IV in a practitioner’s office. Ketamine generally works quickly to create new neural connections, providing immediate relief and a boost in mood and cognition. It’s crucial to be intentional about the new patterns you want to create during this process. For those dealing with chronic pain, anxiety, or fatigue, this can be a significant breakthrough.
This is why I generally recommend doing neural retraining work before trying high-dose ketamine. This approach ensures you’re equipped to handle and sustain the changes ketamine initiates. Learning to work WITH your limbic system creates a stable foundation for long-lasting change. It’s about building resilience and ensuring that the positive effects of the treatment are sustainable.
In addition to IV ketamine, low dose ketamine is often used as a nasal spray or in lozenges. When it comes to low-dose ketamine, the results are mixed. It seems to be useful for symptom management but at this point hasn’t shown consistent benefits for supporting long-term rewiring. So while it can help manage symptoms, it may not be as effective for deep, lasting neural changes. This is why a holistic approach that includes neural retraining is so important.
So, both psilocybin and ketamine therapy can be powerful tools for neural retraining when used mindfully and with proper preparation and guidance. Always start with the basics of your neural retraining work to ensure a solid foundation for your journey and work with professionals who are qualified to guide you. Remember that your journey is unique. Properly and wisely combining these therapies with your neural retraining techniques can play a part in helping you to create lasting change.
If you would like to learn more about neural retraining, or if you have questions about your neural retaining practice, feel free to reach out. I offer a free 30 minute discovery session and I’d love to meet with you.
