Over the course of my lifetime, treatment of mental
disorders has taken a few turns. And we are on the cusp of yet another
discovery I feel. On one hand, I grew up with the common knowledge of friends
and family being administered drugs and medications to normalize their mental
state, but on the other, these treatments don’t always work for everyone, and
can be highly addictive.
For the first time in decades, psychedelic drugs are
being re-examined as treatment for several mental disorders. I personally feel
the significance because more people can gain access to help if more light is
shed on the positive effects of these drugs.
MDMA can aid in the treatment of PTSD patients. MDMA
causes the release of serotonin in the brain and will help decrease someone with
PTSD’s fear and defensiveness during treatment. In 2008, there was a study done
in the US with 20 patients who had been resistant to psychotherapy and normal
PTSD drugs. After two months, compared to the placebo group who 85% still met
criteria for PTSD, only 15% of the patients who received MDMA did.
LSD is found to help in psychotherapy and effective in
treating depression and addiction. In the 50’s and 60’s there were over 1,000
clinical papers discussing therapy done with LSD. New analysis of these trials
found that it is efficient for alcohol addiction is just as effective as
treatments are today. Carhart- Harris says that using psychedelics to treat is
like shaking a snow globe. It introduces a different pattern for the brain to
go in, and induce plasticity.
Psilocybin, found in ‘magic mushrooms’ have been a
popular new drug in study. A study done at Imperial College London found that
psilocybin reduced blood flow to the cingulate cortex. This region of the brain
overworks in mental illnesses and causes the hyperconscious state that we see
in anxiety, depression, and OCD that creates extreme thoughts or behaviors.
My personal experience that I would
like to share is about my own mental health. I come from a family who has
struggled with mental illness, and I refuse to believe that I’m just another
domino lined up to fall down. There has been addiction, suicide, and depression
that followed. When I was young I exhibited signs of depression and possibly
bipolar disorder II. My older brother was diagnosed with a different name every
few years, and given different drugs to treat each other. Many of these were
addictive and strong. He did not appear better, and I decided I wouldn’t take
that route.
I chose to self medicate, struggle, and figure things out.
I have had my own experience with LSD during a time when I was self reflecting
and alone, in which I saw the positive effects on my psyche. I came out with a
new understanding of my actions previously. This was important to me because
after this time, I stopped using harmful tactics to medicate myself, and rather
than feel like a foreigner in someone else’s body and mind, I felt in control.
I want to create a fresh way to
educate people on the possible future of treatment. Like the telescope for
astronomy, this can lead to a new frontier of mental illness therapy. Given
direction, there are so many positive outcomes of these ‘Schedule 1’ drugs to
do much good for people. I am thinking of an interactive flow of images,
activities, and visuals combined with ideas and questions that brings the
viewer into the experience of a mental disorder and the experience of the
‘trip’ to help them, and lead them to ask more questions.
Buchen, Lizzie. "Party
Drug Could Ease Trauma Long Term." Nature.com. Nature
Publishing Group, 16 Apr. 2010. Web. 18 Jan. 2015.
Grof, Stanislav.
"History of LSD Therapy." LSD Psychotherapy. Alameda:
Hunter House Pubishers, 1994. N. pag. History of LSD Therapy.
Hunter House Publishers, 1994. Web. 20 Jan. 2015.
"DEA / Drug
Scheduling." DEA / Drug Scheduling. US Department of Justice,
n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2015.
Senthilingam, Meera.
"How 'magic Mushroom' Chemical Could Free the Mind of Depression,
Addictions."CNN. Cable News Network, 17 Sept. 2014. Web. 20 Jan.
2015.
Phelan, Laurence. "Dr
Robin Carhart-Harris Is the First Scientist in over 40 Years to Test LSD on
Humans - and You're next." The Independent. Independent
Digital News and Media, 17 Aug. 2014. Web. 20 Jan. 2015.
Tuesday
1.27
Group and individual meetings with each student,
work in class on proposal and timeline
- Continue work on proposal
- Gather Color Palette for each
of the drugs that can treat patients; LSD,
psilocybin, MDMA.
- Think of possible headlines
for pieces
- Begin collection photos that
relates to these disorders
Tuesday
2.3
Formal presentations of sketches, headlines,
colors and typographic choices in in Powerpoint
-
Create 2 visual representations
-
Add to collection of photos to use in collages
Tuesday
2.10
Small group critiques, and individual meetings
with students
-
Create 1 more visual representation
-
State type face regarding psychedelics
Tuesday
2.17
Formal presentations of sketches, headlines,
colors, typographic choices; present in Powerpoint
-
Create a layout of what will be on each piece of
exhibit
-
Finish type face regarding psychedelics
Tuesday
2.24
Small group critiques, and individual meetings
with students
-
Group
critique
-
Create
2 visual representations
-
Create
a headline for each drug
Tuesday
3.3
Outside critics invited for critique (A-L);
present in Powerpoint
-
Create a headline for each drug
-
Create 2 visual representations
Tuesday
3.3
Outside critics invited for critique (M-Z);
present in Powerpoint
-
Choose three songs for each therapy to play during the course of each ‘experience’
Tuesday 3.17
Final
Critique
- Small prints of parts to include
in exhibit
Week of March 30th
- Design of the “Take Home” portion of exhibit
Week of April 6th
- Add
detail to the visual representations present
Week of April 13th
- Add detail to visual
representations present
Week of April 20th
Week of April 27th
Week of May 4th
Week of May 11th
-
Creation of web version of thesis
Week of May 18th
- Upload work to web version of
thesis
Week of May 25th
Week of June 1st
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