Neuromedicine-assisted psychotherapy

What is neuromedicine-assisted psychotherapy?

Neuromedicine-assisted psychotherapy (NMAP) refers to the use of psychoactive medicines (including those referred to as ‘psychedelics’) together with psychological therapy.

Traditional approaches to mental health conditions usually involve taking a tablet every day for months or years, or attending therapy sessions for extended periods.

One of the most striking differences with NMAPs is the duration of therapeutic effects achieved with short-term treatment. Just two or three sessions can produce positive results lasting longer than six months.

NMAPs are emerging as a potent tool to alleviate those mental health conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and substance use disorders, that don’t respond to conventional treatments.

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The process

Better Minds will explore the use of a range of neuromedicines to find ways of improving patient outcomes.

Generally, there are three stages:

  • 1. Preparation

    The patient attends several sessions to get to know and trust two therapists and establish whether the treatment is appropriate.

  • 2. Dosing

    After ingesting a capsule of the neuromedicine, the patient engages with the two therapists in sessions lasting up to eight hours. This usually happens between one and three times.

  • 3. Integration

    The patient and therapist work together to process the psychedelic experience.

How does it work?

How does a neuromedicine like psilocybin work in the brain? How does it help psychotherapy? Watch this simple explanation below.