The Future Of Mental Health: Psychedelic Medicine For Depression, Addiction, Trauma, And More with Dr. Pamela Kryskow

Nov 15, 2023

Dr. Pamela Kryskow, a medical doctor and lead at Roots To Thrive, discusses the revolutionary role of psychedelic medicine in treating PTSD, depression, and addiction. She highlights how traditional therapies often fall short and how compounds like psilocybin and MDMA can pave new paths to healing. Kryskow explores the economic burden of mental illness, the importance of therapeutic relationships, and shares transformative patient stories. She emphasizes the growing acceptance of these treatments in Canada and their potential impact on mental health care.

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ANECDOTE

Early Use of Psychedelics in Psychiatry

In the 50s and 60s, LSD and psilocybin were used successfully in Saskatchewan and Weyburn mental hospital to treat alcoholism, substance use, and treatment-resistant depression.
The war on drugs halted this promising research.

INSIGHT

Psychedelics for Treatment-Resistant Cases

While some patients respond well to traditional antidepressants (SSRIs), many do not.
Psychedelics offer a potential alternative for treatment-resistant cases by targeting the root causes of these conditions.

INSIGHT

Connection and the Dissolution of Separateness

Dr. Hyman's personal psilocybin experience fostered a profound sense of connection with nature and friends, dissolving feelings of separateness.
This sense of disconnection is a root cause of depression, suggesting psychedelics might offer unique therapeutic benefits.

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This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, ButcherBox, Joovv, and ARMRA.

Mental health problems are the number one driver of indirect healthcare costs, loss of productivity, and diminished quality of life. Yet, we aren’t very successful at treating them with modern medicine.

Today on The Doctor’s Farmacy, I am excited to talk to Dr. Pamela Kryskow about the renaissance of psychedelic medicine and how these compounds are finally being recognized as powerful tools for overcoming hard-to-treat health issues like PTSD, depression, addiction, and more.

Dr. Pamela Kryskow is a medical doctor and the medical lead of the non-profit Roots To Thrive Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Programs, which treats people with PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use challenges, and with end-of-life distress. She is a founding board member of the Psychedelic Association of Canada and the medical chair of the Vancouver Island University Post Graduate Certificate in Psychedelic Medicine-assisted Therapy. Her ongoing research includes psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, microdosing, front-line healthcare workers, and first responder's mental wellness. Prior to studying medicine, she was a City of Coquitlam Firefighter for eight years and a provincial forestry firefighter for four seasons.

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Here are more details from our interview (audio version / Apple Subscriber version):

The history and resurgence of psychedelic medicine (8:36 / 6:44)
Effectiveness and cost savings of psychedelic therapy (10:00 / 8:07)
Psilocybin and depression treatment (12:48 / 10:55)
How psychedelics work in the brain (18:34 / 16:40)
Pamela’s real-world experience providing psychedelic therapy (28:43 / 24:28)
Microdosing psychedelics (43:40 / 39:25)
Government regulation of psychedelic medicine in Canada (53:11 / 48:56)
The future of psychedelic medicine (1:00:51 / 56:37)

Learn more at rootstothrive.com.