Various forms of psychedelic therapy

Psychedelic therapy is not just one method, psychedelic, or specific dosage. There is a clear spectrum of low dose → deep experience, and of coaching → clinical therapeutic.

1. Microdosing with guidance

With microdosing, a very low dose of psychedelics is used, usually about 1/10 to 1/20 of a normal trip dose. The intention is that there no clear psychedelic experience arises.

Guidance by a coach or therapist focuses primarily on:

1. determining the correct microdosing schedule
2. monitoring of mood, focus, and behavior
3. integration into daily routines such as work, sports, and sleep

This program usually lasts weeks to months and is often used for mild depressive symptoms, creativity, or cognitive flexibility.

2. Psycholytic therapy

Psycholytic therapy is an older therapeutic method from the 1950s and 1960s in which low to moderate dosages psychedelics are used.

The goal is not an overwhelming mystical experience, but the softening of psychological defenses, making it easier for someone to talk about emotions, trauma, or patterns. During the session, there is often active conversation with the therapist.

The psychedelic state is thus used to deepen psychotherapy.

3. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy

This is the form that is most common in scientific research today, for example in studies with psilocybin or MDMA.

Features:

1. preparation with multiple therapy sessions
2. a guided session with a low to medium dose
3. extensive integration discussions

The therapeutic method is central, while the psychedelic experience a catalyst for therapy is. In clinical settings, this usually takes place under the supervision of a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

4. Triptherapie

Triptherapie focuses on a deep inner experience where medium to high dosages are often used. The idea is that the psychedelic experience itself constitutes the most important therapeutic mechanism. At higher dosages, the focus is also more on the positive effect on biology.

During the session, the emphasis is less on talking and more on:

1. introspection
2. emotional breakthroughs
3. symbolic or spiritual experiences

The role of the supervisor is primarily to assist with the drilling preparation, the creating a safe setting, providing support during difficult moments and assisting with subsequent integration.

At organizations such as Triptherapie.nl This approach is combined with extensive preparation, nutritional advice, intention work, and integration conversations.

5. Ceremonies

Ceremonies usually take place in a group and often have a ritual or spiritual character. Think of truffle ceremonies or ayahuasca ceremonies.

Characteristics of ceremonies:

1. multiple participants at the same time
2. facilitators or guides instead of one therapist
3. music, rituals, or group energy as part of the experience

Although ceremonies can also have therapeutic effects, the emphasis is often more on collective experience, introspection and spirituality than on individual psychotherapy.

Summary of the spectrum

If you place these five forms side by side, a clear continuum emerges:

1. microdosing guidance – very low dose, daily integration
2. psycholytic therapy – low to medium dose, talk therapy during the experience
3. psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy – clinical therapy with a supportive psychedelic session
4. trip therapy – deep experience with medium to high dosage
5. ceremonies – group experience with a ritual or spiritual framework

This classification clearly shows that psychedelic work is not one method, but a collection of approaches that differ in dosage, therapeutic structure, and setting.