Podcast Episode: The Healing Power of Psychedelics with Dr. Maya Shetreat

For decades, psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms and LSD carried a heavy stigma, being categorized as dangerous illegal drugs with no accepted medical use. However, a growing body of research is revealing the remarkable healing potential of psychedelics for treating a wide range of mental health conditions and addictions.

At the forefront of this psychedelic renaissance is Dr. Maya Shetreat, a neurologist, herbalist, author, and formulator of Quantum Drops. In a recent interview on the Root Cause Medicine podcast, Dr. Shetreat shared profound insights into how psychedelics can help rewire the brain and facilitate profound healing.

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The Science of Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity

According to Dr. Shetreat, psychedelics have the unique ability to reopen the brain's "critical periods of plasticity" - windows of heightened neuroplasticity that allow for significant rewiring of neural pathways. This process is akin to wiping a fresh slate on the well-trodden paths that can lead to conditions like depression, PTSD, and addiction.

"What psychedelics do is they reopen those critical periods of plasticity. We talked about what happens, why the ages of zero to seven and even beyond, we have these window periods of plasticity in which things embed in a totally different way than they do most of the rest of our lives. Yes, there are ways that we can have imprinting experiences after that time, but it's less common. Psychedelics reopen those critical periods of plasticity, and that gives us an opportunity, but it's not a guaranteed healing." - Dr. Maya Shetreat.

Psychedelics achieve this by temporarily deactivating the brain's "default mode network" - a system that suppresses emotions, old memories, and traumas to allow us to function in day-to-day life.

"When you take the default mode network and shut down predictive coding for a period of time with psychedelics, it offers that opportunity to see many different paths available to us," explains Dr. Shetreat.

Healing from Trauma and Chronic Conditions

This neuroplastic potential of psychedelics makes them particularly promising for treating conditions rooted in past trauma or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Dr. Shetreat notes that such experiences can become deeply embedded in our cells, leading to inflammation, hormonal disruptions, autoimmunity, and other chronic conditions later in life.

"Trauma now, actually disrupts the microbiome. It actually embeds in us. And just to be clear, our experiences and trauma itself, trauma is not what happens to us. It's how it embeds into us. That is cellular memory." - Dr. Maya Shetreat.

Applications in Addiction, Depression, PTSD, and Beyond

The therapeutic applications of psychedelics extend far beyond trauma-related conditions. Numerous studies have demonstrated their remarkable efficacy in treating addiction, with one trial showing over 60% of participants remaining abstinent from smoking a year after a single psilocybin session with counseling support.

Psychedelics have also shown great promise in treating major depressive disorder, a condition that is notoriously difficult to treat with existing interventions. Clinical trials have found that just one or two doses of psilocybin, combined with therapy, can produce lasting improvements in depression symptoms.

For veterans and others suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition with high rates of suicide and disability, psychedelics offer new hope. Trials involving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy have yielded impressive results, with participants experiencing significant reductions in PTSD symptoms.

Beyond mental health, researchers are exploring the potential of psychedelics for treating a wide array of physical conditions, including asthma, autoimmune disorders, and even dementia.

The Importance of Set, Setting, and Integration

While the therapeutic potential of psychedelics is undeniably exciting, Dr. Shetreat emphasizes the importance of engaging with these powerful substances in a responsible, well-supported manner.

"What psychedelics do is they reopen those critical periods of plasticity, and that gives us an opportunity, but it's not a guaranteed healing. And that's what's really important to know. Even my teachers that I learned from in the indigenous world were not saying, oh, master plants are good. And they didn't say master plants are bad. They said master plants are powerful." - Dr. Maya Shetreat.

Proper set (mindset) and setting (environment) are crucial for a safe and potentially transformative psychedelic experience. Dr. Shetreat stresses the need for experienced guides, ceremonial containers, and integration support before, during, and after the experience.

"You always want to make sure that you have the right container, the right guide, the right set up, let alone how you're going to access these things, because that's important too, especially in this day and age. So you want to make sure all of that is being held so that you get the most out of the experience and have the kind of outcome that you may be hoping for." - Dr. Maya Shetreat.

Microdosing and Quantum Dosing

For those not ready or interested in a full psychedelic experience, Dr. Shetreat discusses the potential of microdosing - taking sub-psychedelic doses that allow individuals to go about their daily lives while still experiencing subtle benefits like improved mood, focus, and creativity.

"I actually think microdosing is the way that psychedelics are going to have the biggest impact in our society, ultimately. I am not knocking the large experiences, and I think that for some people, they are not just appropriate, but life-saving." - Dr. Maya Shetreat.

For an even gentler introduction, Dr. Shetreat offers Quantum Drops, a vibrational medicine made from the "music" of psychedelic plants like psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, and San Pedro cactus. These legal, non-psychoactive drops offer a safe way to build a relationship with these master plant teachers.

"Quantum Drops are also on my website or at quantumdrops.com," says Dr. Shetreat.

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‍The Future of Psychedelic Medicine

As the psychedelic renaissance continues to gain momentum, Dr. Shetreat remains optimistic about the future of these powerful healing modalities while emphasizing the need for education, responsible use, and respect for the indigenous traditions from which much of this knowledge originates.

"I think it's going to unfold, hopefully in a really good way, but I think it's going to depend on people being educated, knowing how to engage, because things are always going to go a little sideways when something powerful comes into the modern medical model." - Dr. Maya Shetreat.

With researchers, clinicians, and thought leaders like Dr. Shetreat at the forefront, the healing power of psychedelics is poised to transform countless lives and revolutionize our approach to mental health, addiction, and a vast array of other conditions.

"It can be life-changing, and it can be life-saving if you come into it in the right way," affirms Dr. Shetreat.

For those seeking to explore the potential of psychedelic medicine, Dr. Shetreat's wisdom serves as an invaluable guide, reminding us to approach these ancient master plant teachers with reverence, preparation, and an open mind and heart.