Conventional treatments like SSRIs and talk therapy help many — but not all. Some patients face:
Low Toxicity: Most medications used in regular mental illness treatment tend to be associated with many side effects, some of which can be potentially life-threatening (such as seizures). These severe side effects indicate just how toxic the medications can be. On the other hand, psychedelics (e.g., Ketamine) have very low toxicity. So, their use is usually accompanied by little to no side effects.
High-Efficacy: Psychedelic-assisted therapy has also been shown to have high treatment efficacy. A significant amount of people who undergo conventional mental disorder treatments are unable to get any measure of significant relief from their symptoms. These types of patients are said to be treatment-resistant. Treatment-resistant cases can occur for different mental disorders (e.g., treatment-resistant depression), and in these cases, regular medications will not offer anything beyond a transient relief from symptoms.
Unlike these “regular” approaches, psychedelic medicine has been shown to be very effective in treating and managing treatment-resistant mental disorders. In fact, more than 50% of patients who were unresponsive to other treatments have been shown to experience mental illness symptom relief when exposed to psychedelic-assisted therapy. Many of these patients went into remission, while most others could stay symptom-free for extended periods (months).
Fast Action: Another reason psychedelic medicine is currently extensively used for treating and managing mental health conditions is its fast action. Most other medications used in treating mental disorders take a long time to elicit their effect, which is undesirable, especially for patients. Psychedelic medicine, on the other hand, offers patients access to rapid relief from mental disorder symptoms.
Now that you know some of the reasons why psychedelic-assisted therapy is currently preferred for mental disorder treatment, let’s take a look at how this therapy works and what makes it so effective.
At PMC Heal, we use psychedelic therapies to support healing in conditions such as:
Ketamine
One of the most researched psychedelic options. Available through IV infusions and as Spravato®, an FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray for depression.
MDMA
Currently used in clinical trials and specialized programs for treating severe PTSD. Not yet FDA-approved for general psychiatric use but showing strong promise.
Psilocybin
Derived from certain mushrooms, psilocybin is being actively studied for its effects on depression, anxiety, and OCD. Still under regulatory review in most treatment settings.
LSD
Used in controlled settings, LSD has demonstrated effectiveness for anxiety and alcohol use disorder, particularly in end-of-life care.
Our approach involves three core phases:
We begin with a detailed medical and psychological evaluation. Our clinicians ensure there are no esketamine contraindications (like uncontrolled hypertension or active substance misuse) before recommending any treatment.
Depending on your treatment plan, you may receive ketamine infusions or Spravato in a quiet, supervised clinical setting. Sessions are closely monitored to ensure safety and comfort.
After treatment, you’ll work with a therapist to help process your experience and connect insights to your everyday life. This step is essential for long-term healing.
Safety, Regulation, and Support
If you’ve struggled with medications that take too long — or haven’t worked at all — psychedelic therapy may offer a path forward. At PMC Heal, we combine medical expertise with compassionate care to help you reclaim your mental health.
