A recent case study published in Clinical Case Reports describes the journey of a 41-year-old woman who turned to psilocybin and MDMA to manage her debilitating post-COVID symptoms. The article raises the intriguing possibility, which is far from certain, that psychedelics could help alleviate the psychological and cognitive symptoms associated with Long-COVID.
Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, encompasses a range of symptoms that persist well beyond initial recovery from COVID-19. These symptoms may include fatigue, cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, joint pain and headaches. Despite ongoing research, effective treatment options for long-term COVID-19 remain limited.
Psilocybin, a natural psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, has been used in spiritual practices for centuries. In recent years, scientific research has begun to uncover its potential therapeutic benefits, particularly for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, is another psychoactive substance that has shown promise in clinical settings, including for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. Psilocybin and MDMA are thought to provide therapeutic benefits (when combined with supportive psychotherapy) by improving emotional processing and brain connectivity.
The subject of the new case study is a previously healthy 41-year-old woman who experienced severe, long-lasting COVID symptoms after contracting the virus in February 2022. Although she received three vaccinations, she developed a wide range of post-COVID symptoms, including severe symptoms. anxiety, depression, insomnia, joint pain, cognitive difficulties, and a unique type of headache distinct from his pre-existing migraines.
The first traditional treatments brought little relief. These included medications, physiotherapy, massage, intermittent fasting and meditation. The patient even tried chiropractic and osteopathic therapies, which provided only slight and short-lived improvements. Frustrated by the lack of effective solutions and long wait times at specialty clinics, she decided to explore the use of psychedelics under the guidance of a therapist.
His first session consisted of consuming one gram of dried psilocybin mushrooms. She reported a 20% improvement in her symptoms within a week, although she experienced chills as soon as the drug’s effects began. Her second session, which took place 24 days later, combined MDMA with a higher dose of psilocybin mushrooms, ingested as a tea. This session brought significant improvements, including a marked reduction in his symptoms and an increased sense of well-being. His cognitive functions notably improved, which allowed him to resume his doctoral studies and return to work.
Despite a relapse of symptoms following a non-COVID-related flu-like illness in early November, another session of psilocybin led to complete remission. The patient reported significant relief and was able to maintain her academic and work responsibilities.
Case studies offer valuable insights, especially in areas where clinical trials are limited or non-existent. They enable detailed observation and documentation of an individual’s response to treatment, providing a rich source of data that can inform future research and clinical practice. In this case, the detailed account of the patient’s experiences highlights the potential of psychedelics as a treatment for Long COVID symptoms.
However, case studies also have important limitations. The results of a single case cannot be generalized to the entire population. There is a lack of control and randomization, which are essential for establishing causal relationships. Additionally, placebo effects and subjective reports can influence perceived outcomes. Despite these limitations, case studies can generate interest and lay the foundation for more in-depth, controlled studies.
“As with any case report, the present study is limited in its generalizability. A universal causal relationship between psychedelics and Long-COVID may not be established, particularly given the lack of blinding, randomization, and direct monitoring of the psychedelic dosing protocol in this study. However, this case reinforces the need for a more robust investigation with larger sample sizes on the use of psychedelics for a poorly controlled chronic illness such as Long-COVID,” the researchers concluded.
“Long COVID is a complex illness that can be difficult to manage and treat. Traditional treatment options may not be effective for all individuals, and alternative treatment options are needed. We report the case of a patient using psychedelics and experiencing a dramatic improvement in her Long COVID symptoms. Further research is needed to determine whether psychedelics are safe and effective against Long-COVID and to understand potential mechanisms of action.
The article, “Long COVID Symptoms Improved After MDMA and Psilocybin Therapy: A Case Report,” was authored by Harman Chopra, Tim Furnish, Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, David S. Jevotovsky and Joel Castellanos.
News Source : www.psypost.org
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