Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch, a therapist and author, has a complex stance on the increasingly popular uses of psychedelics for treatment. In a world where interest for such treatments is flourishing, particularly among his younger clients, his opinion is more nuanced than a simple endorsement or critique.
Schonbuch has seen the transformative effects of Ketamine firsthand. Seven years prior, he recommended it to two clients dealing with severe mental health conditions, including long-term resistant depression, following a colleague’s advice. Narrating their journey, he mentioned their improvements in moods, with one engaging successfully in a romantic relationship, suggesting potentials for therapeutic breakthroughs.
His experience exposed him to the use of unconventional medicines like Ketamine for treating mental health issues, departing from traditional practices of prescribing solely antidepressants. Despite this, he cautions about the indiscriminate use of these substances. He voices his concerns about the trend of prescribing psychedelics like Ketamine, mushrooms, LSD, and Ayahuasca for people dealing with less severe mental health problems.
The growing pressure for therapists like him to administer Ketamine therapy indiscriminately is also a worrying trend, according to Schonbuch. He criticizes companies who try to tempt him to prescribe more Ketamine without regard for its inappropriate uses and potential hazards.
Schonbuch highlights numerous alternatives that should be sought before resorting to psychedelics: well-trained therapists, properly selected psychiatric medications, spiritual therapies, and other treatments. Furthermore, he warns about the potential serious effects of using these substances, such as terrifying experiences, unexpected flashbacks, and even psychotic episodes.
Ultimately, Schonbuch stresses the importance of cautious progression when it comes to treatment. He places therapy as a crucial first step, followed by more “serious” medication, and finally, the use of psychedelics as a last resort. Demystifying a trending topic, Schonbuch’s perspective adds nuance and depth to the ongoing conversation.
Vocabulary Insights:
- Flourishing /?fl?r????/ (adj.): Developing rapidly and successfully; thriving.
- Transformative /trans?f?rm?t?v/ (adj.): Causing a marked change in someone or something.
- Resistant /r??z?st?nt/ (adj.): Not affected by something; capable of withstanding the action or effect of a particular thing.
- Therapeutic /???r??pju?t?k/ (adj.): Relating to the healing of disease.
- Unconventional /??nk?n?v?n??n?l/ (adj.): Not based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed.
- Indiscriminate /??nd??skr?m?n?t/ (adj.): Done at random or without careful judgment.
- Inappropriate /??n??pro?pri?t/ (adj.): Not suitable or proper in the circumstances.
- Alternatives /??l?t??rn?t?vz/ (noun): One of two or more available possibilities.
- Nuance /?nju???ns/ (noun): A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
Vocabulary List:
- Flourishing (adjective): Developing rapidly and successfully; thriving.
- Transformative (adjective): Causing a marked change in someone or something.
- Resistant (adjective): Not affected by something; capable of withstanding the action or effect of a particular thing.
- Therapeutic (adjective): Relating to the healing of disease.
- Unconventional (adjective): Not based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed.
- Indiscriminate (adjective): Done at random or without careful judgment.
