From Awe to Connection: Exploring the Psychedelic Experience with Sean Goldy, PhD

In a recent conversation with Sean Goldy, PhD, we discussed the fascinating realm of psychedelics, their potential, and their complex interplay with human behavior and mental health.

Dr. Goldy's work at John's Hopkins gave us profound insight as to what they've been able to find via clinical trials and what's to come as the research and literature expands. This article will touch on several key points discussed about psychedelics and their potential therapeutic implications.

"Can Psychedelics Lead to Real Change in Our Relationships?"

One of the most striking points Dr. Goldy made was about the enduring effects of psychedelics on our prosocial behavior.

"Typically, when we see a beautiful sunset or look at an exceptional Sequoia, we're flooded with a sense of natural awe, and those correlated emotions—gratitude, inspiration, pleasure—lead us to become more socially open. The issue is the fleeting nature of it all. The novelty wears off, the sun sets, and we're back in the same emotional and social state in which we began." However, Dr. Goldy noted, in regards to prosocial behavior with psychedelics, that “these types of awe-inspiring things... seem to last longer.”

This notion invites the question of why, how, and could we utilize these substances to help those with social anxiety or other mood disorders.

A study published in Psychopharmacology found that participants who consumed psilocybin reported heightened feelings of connectedness and altruism that persisted well after the experience (Hendricks et al., 2015). This research supports Dr. Goldy's idea that psychedelics can extend the emotional benefits typically derived from awe-inducing experiences, like that of absorbing the beauty of nature, and enable chronically anti-social or anxious people to maintain positive, easy-flowing emotions in social dynamics.

Dr. Goldy elaborated that these emotions can diminish one's sense of self, creating a heightened awareness of interconnectedness with others. The capacity to experience gratitude, for instance, enhances our recognition of the support we receive from others and, therefore, fosters a stronger sense of relationship and desire to reciprocate instead of fear, panic, and worry of rejection or embarrassment.

What Makes a Psychedelic Experience Positive or Challenging?

One of the biggest deterrents (or propellers) someone may have when considering psychedelics is the stories they've heard from other accounts.

We've all heard the magical stories of dancing colors and smelling sounds, just as we've heard horror stories or tragic incidents that have occurred after an experience.

With all the mysticism surrounding a trip, we were interested in knowing what factors influenced a good or bad journey and whether it could be more strategically controlled. Unsurprisingly, Dr. Goldy emphasized that dosage is a key predictor of experience quality, stating, “The bigger the dose, the more likely you will have a positive experience.” However, he cautioned the dual nature of psychedelics, saying that "an experience doesn't always necessarily mean it will be, as a whole, altogether positive." During a psychedelic journey—whether with psilocybin or LSD—individuals can encounter both challenging and positive emotions and that should be taken into account. A higher dose may not always lead to a positive experience, as psychedelics tend to amplify what's already present, it is worth noting the more you suppress will be released.

Perhaps the most fascinating insight was Dr. Goldy's account of a dose-ranging study conducted at Johns Hopkins. This study challenged the conventional belief that larger individuals should receive higher doses or that doses varied based on various factors. As Dr. Goldy described, “BMI weight doesn't seem to play a role, which I think is super interesting... you'd think if this person’s much bigger than me or smaller, it would have a different impact. But the data doesn't seem to bear that out, at least with psilocybin... so we give everyone the same dose."

This raises intriguing questions because, despite common assumptions and what we've come to see through other trials and user testimonials, the data conducted at Johns Hopkins suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach may be more appropriate when administering certain substances. The implications of this research could potentially revolutionize how dosages are prescribed in the medical field, paving the way for more tailored treatment approach that's based on individual responses rather than BMI generalizations.

In addition to dosage, Dr. Goldy also highlighted the importance of the setting in which the psychedelic experience takes place.

Controlled environments, such as clinical settings or guided ceremonies, can mitigate potential negative outcomes, as can the trust and rapport built between the participant and the facilitator. A landmark study at Johns Hopkins University by Griffiths et al. (2016) demonstrated that preparation and a supportive context greatly influence the experience. Participants in structured settings reported fewer adverse effects and a higher likelihood of positive experiences, reinforcing the idea that the environment is as critical as the substance itself.

Such insights are crucial as they pave the way for more consistent and predictable outcomes in therapeutic settings. By delving deeper into the connections between psychological and emotional well-being, therapists can tailor their approaches to better address the underlying issues and promote holistic healing.

"How Do Expectations Shape Our Psychedelic Journeys?"

Dr. Goldy highlighted the influence mental preparation has on the experience. He noted the fact that individuals may come in with preconceived notions about what they should feel, which can alter the experience of the trip. “You really have to be careful with your study design... to ensure that the drug is actually doing that, and not just other sorts of things,” he recalled, "Expectation is something that's huge... One of the reasons that's a big concern is that people could have this idea of like, 'I'm undergoing a psychedelic experience. I ‘should’ feel something,’ ‘I'm going to change my life.’ And that's not always the case."

Educating participants about what to expect can help manage these expectations and foster a more balanced mindset going into the experience. In the accounts we've heard and studied, one of the most common misconceptions is that psilocybin is a magic pill or 'silver bullet' for all problems so managing those expectation too could mean a worlds difference for someone in a vulnerable state.

Dr. Goldy states, “We find that if you're really struggling with it, that sense of resisting, letting go of control, it seems like it (psilocybin) can bring about these feelings of anxiety because you're going, ‘I don't want to let go of control. I don't want to let go of control.’ And that's just going to magnify the challenging experience that you might have.” Managing expectation and creating a safe and trusting environment both internally and externally is paramount. What we've gathered from this conversation, as well as others, is that no matter where you are a sense of security and inner stability is crucial to surrender to the experience and explore the emotions that arise in a constructive manner.

Conclusion

Our conversation with Dr. Goldy provided many valuable insights into the transformative potential of psychedelics, shedding light on their possible applications in mental health and personal relationships.

By exploring the nuances of dosage, the importance of setting, and the potential for non-psychoactive alternatives, it becomes increasingly clear that psychedelics hold promise for revolutionizing mental health treatment and more research needs to be done. These substances could foster deeper social connections, enhance emotional well-being, and reshape how we approach psychological care but with all the variability at hand, a more thoughtful manner and method of approach is necessary.

As research in this field continues to evolve, the implications for human well-being and social cohesion are vast.

Psychedelics may very well play a key role in the future of mental health treatment just as they may lead to detriment. As clinical trials and studies advance, we look forward to seeing how these compounds can be integrated into therapeutic practices.

Thank you for your time Dr. Goldy, and safe travels reader.

Other References to Note

• Davis, A. K., et al. (2021). "5-MeO-DMT and the Therapeutic Implications for Its Use: An Overview." Frontiers in Pharmacology.

• Griffiths, R. R., et al. (2016). "Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial." Journal of Psychopharmacology.

• Hendricks, P. S., et al. (2015). "Psychedelic use predicts decreased psychological distress and increased psychological well-being among a population-representative sample." Psychopharmacology.

• Nutt, D. J., et al. (2010). "Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse." The Lancet.

• Piff, P. K., et al. (2015). "Awe, gratitude, and the role of the sublime in moral behavior." Emotion.

• Szabo, Attila, et al. "Psychedelics, Neural Plasticity, and Mood Disorders: The Role of 5-MeO-DMT." Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 13, 2022, pp. 1-12.