The “heroic dose” of psychedelics, according to Johns Hopkins | Dr. Matthew Johnson

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Published 2022-12-21
How a ‘heroic dose’ of psychedelics can be therapeutic, explained by a Johns Hopkins professor.

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Psychedelic research is enjoying a renaissance. Recent studies have shown that psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin seem to be a safe and effective method for treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

And unlike common antidepressants, some people report long-lasting improvements in their mental health conditions after taking just one dose of psychedelics.

What makes these substances so unique and powerful? That’s one of the driving questions behind the research of Matthew W. Johnson, who has conducted numerous studies on the nature of addiction, psychedelics, and other psychoactive substances.

Read the video transcript ► bigthink.com/series/the-big-think-interview/psyche…

0:00 Effing up the ineffable
1:56 Pioneers of psychedelic therapy
2:35 Psychedelics go underground
3:26 The psychedelic renaissance
4:50 Taking a ‘heroic dose’ at Johns Hopkins
8:44 The challenges of psychedelic therapy
9:46 The mental health revolution
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About Matthew Johnson:
Matthew W. Johnson, Ph.D., is The Susan Hill Ward Endowed Professor of Psychedelics and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins. Working with psychedelics since 2004, he is one of the world’s most widely published experts on psychedelics. He has published research on psychedelics and mystical experience, personality change, tobacco smoking cessation, cancer distress treatment, and depression treatment. In 2021 he received as principal investigator the first grant in 50 years from the US government for a treatment study with a classic psychedelic, specifically psilocybin in treatment of tobacco addiction. He is also known for his expertise in behavioral economics, addiction, sexual risk behavior, and research with a wide variety of drug classes. He’s been Interviewed by Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, NPR, Fox News, Fox Business News, BBC and in Michael Pollan’s book How to Change Your Mind.

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Metaphysics and mushrooms: Psychedelics can change how you think about the universe
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All Comments (21)
  • @shadw4701
    The fact that psychedelics are still illegal is a crime against humanity
  • I suffered the borderline disorder for over 23 years. With so much anxiety not until I came across psilocybin mushrooms treatment psilocybin treatment actually saved my life honestly. 6 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms
  • Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.
  • @RobPendy
    I just tried DMT and MUSHROOMS for the first time. I felt as if i was in the center of the universe. I didn't go crazy after such an extreme experience. Totally got rid of depression, anxiety and illicit pill addiction.
  • @S1X_Bucks
    I had the universal empathy experience once. I felt the world's suffering, and it's changed me forever. Love you guys.
  • Psilocybin saved my life . I was addicted to heroin for 15 years and after Psilocybin treatment I will be 3 years clean in September . I have zero cravings . This is something that truly needs to be more broadly used in addiction treatment .
  • @Cris.Arce-ru4eq
    I had a psychedelic experience once that sent me to eternity and meeting the creator. My ego dissolved yet I was physically terrified. It's effect lasted long enough that I thought it permanent. It was so magical and so full of love, changed my life for good. In the most positive way possible.
  • Psychedelics have the ability to induce profound altered states of consciousness.
  • @jenmdawg
    I was grief stricken a year ago. Unable to function after my fiancé died traumatically I could only find relief in plotting how to make my death not look like suicide. I took a micro dose of mushrooms he’d left behind and went to bed expecting nothing to happen. 90 minutes later I was in my kitchen doing the dishes. Then I walked the dog and felt sun on my face. Then I ate dinner for the first time in weeks, drank water and went to bed. My grief was still there - painful, raw and vivid but somehow I understood that I would make it and that life was going to show me the way and let joy in again. Edit; I didn’t want my death to look like suicide - I wanted to find a way to have an “accident” that didn’t put anyone else at risk.
  • After my experience. Woke up one day and have not drank alcohol since. Definitely life changing.
  • @DaveSmith091
    Psychedelics have the potential to make a significant impact on mental health issues like anxiety and depression. They've been incredibly helpful for me personally.
  • Psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms, have demonstrated great potential in supporting individuals dealing with mental health challenges.
  • My first trip was close to 38 years ago on LSD (I'm 60 now). It was done with some friends who were experienced in it. I remember being about 30 minutes into having taken it and being asked if I felt anything. I remember starting to say that I felt nothing out of the ordinary when all of a sudden this deep within my soul laughter just came bursting out. Game on. I really do remember that night as if it were yesterday. I also remember having looked into a mirror that night and I swear that I saw my soul opened up to me in its entirety to a point that I new I could never lie to myself. It also made me for years to come, find friends from the teenage years gone by that I had lied to or done wrong to and apologize and ask forgiveness. It's now been close to 30 years since my last trip, but its lessons from that first time still guide me to this day.
  • I first experienced psychedelics as a teenager in the 90's, and it completely changed my perspective on life and relationships. Since then (early 40's now) I've taken psychedelics once every year or 2 to reconnect. Every adult should experience this.
  • Had a heroic dose 8 years ago, still talking about it with enthusiasm! My experience was profound. After that, it became a sacrament and not a thing to treat lightly. I have so much respect for psilocybin. A divine respect. Changed my life. ❤
  • Psilocybin has saved my life. I was suicidal all my life. I researched this topic heavily. I microdosed, .25 of a gram. I do daily, four times a day. I do not hallucinate. It helps bring mental clarity, helps me to think outside the box. It helps me to see that life is beautiful, amazing. I am no longer suicidal. ❤
  • @fracanl
    The most crucial point here that's often overlooked is the integration phase. Psychedelics can cure depression and shake up your stagnant psyche for the better BUT it is so critical to have consistent, steady integration support after the experience. When you're shaken up so much and made ready to grow, sometimes you can spiral. This is where proper support is a must. Remember this if you embark on the psychedelic path.
  • @StopTrying21
    I can say Psilocybin saved me from alcohol. I took a big dose one night, laid in my bed. The next day I woke up and never touched alcohol again. I recently became one year sober last month and have no plans to ever drink again.
  • @WilliamSok-ib1ms
    I could remember several years ago I was diagnosed with ADHD. Also suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my mom recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms
  • @JoseLopez-tl3yt
    Psychedelic mushrooms really healed me years back. These are great healing compounds! When used in proper context.