Dr. Phil Wolfson explores psychedelic psychotherapy for illness-related trauma. Recognizing the too-often traumatic impact of life-threatening illness on emotions, spirit, and community is a worldwide obligation. We are creating millions of survivors with medicine’s successes, yet we do not serve humans as they deserve. COVID-19 is amplifying the numbers and the trauma. PTSD bereavement and loss are and will continue to be on the rise. Psychedelic medicines have been used in the treatment of PTSD from LTIs (long-term illnesses), but as pilot studies or demonstrations of benefit. MDMA, psilocybin, LSD, and ketamine have all been embedded in a few assisted psychotherapy studies showing significant benefit. Ketamine is currently the only legal psychedelic in use, though we are optimistic that MDMA and psilocybin will soon enter the toolbox. The need to expand treatment of LTIs is of great urgency, and our medicines have and will prove their worth in benefitting healing and awakened consciousness
