IDEAS Vancouver Newsletter · 2018-03-15 · Some news from the world of psychedelic psychotherapy A bio from one of our facilitating counsellors. Please sign up for our mailing list

IDEAS Vancouver NewsletterWe are thrilled to share our first newsletter with you.

Below you can find:Details for our first group meeting

Some news from the world of psychedelic psychotherapyA bio from one of our facilitating counsellors

Please sign up for our mailing list to stay updated onmeetings, news, and other fun things.

*Note: receiving this email does not mean that you're on the mailing list. Forlegal reasons everyone needs to register themselves.

IDEAS Vancouver is a peer-based,therapist facilitated, monthly drop-ingroup intended for all past, present,and future users of psychedelicsubstances.

The group is facilitated by 3registered therapists withbackgrounds in substance use, harmreduction, sanctuary/safer spaces,and radical expression. Groupfacilitators neither condemn, norcondone drug use: the goal of thisgroup is to host a supportivediscussion tailored to share, process,and integrate challengingpsychedelic experiences.

Next Meeting

HÄLSA Spa(2028 W. 4th Ave, Vancouver)

January 18, 20187:15 - 8:45 PM

The group will start with a shortgrounding exercise, followed bysharing and discussion aroundissues surrounding psychedelicsubstances.

News from psychedelic psychotherapy

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Phase 3 Study ofMDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Severe Posttraumatic

Stress Disorder (PTSD)

On August 17th, 2017 the FDA approved Break Through therapy designation for theuse of MDMA assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress

Disorder (PTSD). Due to the success of phase 2 clinical trials, research is currently inthe last phase before MDMA can be legally prescribed in conjunction with therapy forthe treatment of PTSD. This is significant because break through therapy designation

is only granted when a therapy has shown to be significantly better than currentlyavailable treatments. Phase 3 studies will take place in the US, Israel, and Canadafrom 2018-2021. At present, MAPS is hopeful that MDMA assisted psychotherapy

will be approved by 2021.

So why is MDMA assisted psychotherapy so powerful for the treatment ofposttraumatic stress disorder? MDMA is different than traditional psychiatric

medication which are often taken daily and for many years without therapy. Withinthe framework of the current study, MDMA is administered three times as a

therapeutic adjunct within a twelve week time period, along with three preparatorysessions and three integration sessions. For severe posttraumatic stress disorder,

this could increase the effectiveness of face to face therapy. Current researchfindings show a dramatic decrease in posttraumatic symptoms. MDMA decreasesactivity in the left amygdala (the centre in the brain that is associated with fear and

traumatic memories). At the same time, it increases activity in the frontal cortex (thelogical problem solving part of the brain) which allows for the traumatic memories tobe processed. Meanwhile, MDMA promotes the release of the hormones oxytocin

and prolactin which encourages intimacy and bonding with the therapist. This allowsfor a feeling of safety for the participant with the therapist, permitting past traumatic

memories to be processed much faster with therapy than was previously common. Inshort, MDMA assisted psychotherapy may allow the sufferer of posttraumatic stressdisorder to integrate trauma memories, while decreasing fear and increasing trust

and empathy with the therapist in a significantly shorter period of time in comparisonto alternative treatments.

For more information on MDMA assisted psychotherapy or to donate in support ofphase 3 clinical trials visit http://www.maps.org

Meet our counsellors

Cory Arthurs, MC RCC

Cory is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of ClinicalCounsellors (BCACC). She has an undergraduate degree in Addiction Counselling

from the University of Lethbridge, and a Masters of Counselling degree from CityUniversity of Seattle. Cory’s interest in psychedelics and their therapeutic uses

developed as she began researching them as part of her Masters Thesis project. After many years working in the addiction field and witnessing the pain and strugglesof those dealing with PTSD and other trauma symptoms, Cory’s passion for makingthese medicines available has gained momentum. She has chosen to be a part ofthe IDEAS group to help create a much needed space for conversations of healingand exploration to occur, and hopes these conversations soon make it out to the

wider community.

Subscribe to our mailing list

IDEAS group provides a supportive and confidential space for those who have used,or are considering using, psychedelic substances. Each meeting will start with a

short, guided meditation. Participants will then be given the option to tell a story, andmay request feedback and responses from the group. To prepare, we encourage you

to reflect on what you might like to share.

Copyright © 2018 IDEAS Vancouver, All rights reserved.You are receiving this email because you contacted us through either IDEAS Vancouver or IDEAS

Victoria.

https://www.ideasgroupvan.comhttps://www.ideasvic.com/

Newsletter created with Mailchimp.

Jump to Mailing List