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Does A Medical Setting Affect Psychedelic Treatment?

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2 years ago

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As psychedelics gain acceptance quickly, laws in different states are changing to accommodate their possession and use. So far though, the only states to legalize have done so with an allowance for use in a medical/supervised setting. How useful is this medical setting to psychedelic treatment, and can it get in the way?

What is a medical setting?

When it comes to using psychedelics, there are no specific rules for what will lead to a good trip, and what will bring on a bad one. Though this can do with individual reaction to the drug, it also has to do with outside factors that can impact our individual reaction. We’re often told ‘set and setting’ play a big role in a trip going smoothly, and this can encompass different factors.

‘Set and setting’ refers to the place you’re having the experience, and the environment around. You could be in the woods, or on the beach, or at a dance club, or alone with your partner. The environment around might include the other people you’re interacting with, how crowded it is, if other people are also having the same experience, if you’re doing something organized or on your own, lighting and sound, and even the weather around you.

A medical setting is another type of setting, but until recently, it wasn’t associated with taking a psychedelic drug, or hallucinogen of any kind. However, as research amps up, and legalizations roll in, that idea of a medical, or supervised setting, becomes that much more important, as it’s the only setting legally available to use the compounds in question.

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A medical setting is not one specific thing. Also referred to as a ‘healthcare setting,’ and expanding into ‘supervised setting’, this term encompasses: “acute care hospitals, urgent care centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, specialized outpatient services (e.g., hemodialysis, dentistry, podiatry, chemotherapy, endoscopy, and pain management clinics), and outpatient surgery centers. In addition, some healthcare services are provided in private offices or homes.”

The last one is important, because it reminds us that our own home can be a medical setting under the right conditions; which is the medical setting most people should automatically be the most comfortable with. And when it comes to ketamine, it is offered by many clinics as an at-home treatment which both cuts costs, as well as gets away from the medical setting that not everyone is comfortable with.

In reality, both current psychedelics legalizations aren’t for medical use, and the legislation uses the term ‘service center’ instead. Considering it’s a formal setting, with a person watching over, it represents essentially the same thing. Perhaps its not so much about a ‘medical setting’ as a ‘controlled setting’, but the same idea of how it can affect a trip, applies. It seems Colorado might understand this a bit better, allowing for treatment outside of authorized service centers, but what this actually entails is not entirely clear.

Does being in a medical setting affect a psychedelic trip?

There isn’t one specific answer to this, and not everyone has the same requirements. For some people, the experience won’t differ greatly depending on set and setting, and for some people it will make all the difference. For everyone in between, well its hard to say. Plenty of trials for psychedelic medications have gone on at this point, and for those, we only get the results of the medical setting. Is it possible that results might have differed if the trials were run in a more familiar, or chosen, surrounding?

I came across an interesting statement when researching the Salvia divinorum plant, and the different ways that users describe the experience. Found in a Wired magazine article, and written by Daniel Oberhaus in 2020, the article details the writer’s own experience as a part of a research study into how the compound salvinorin A affects the brain during use. The trial took place at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, a research hospital, and involved being hooked up to an fMRI machine.

Per Oberhaus, “I had just inhaled an unspecified dose of the pure crystalline substance from a hose attached to what one of the researchers characterized as an ‘FDA-approved crack pipe.’” He continued, “My psychedelic experience in the fMRI machine was markedly less otherworldly. On the second round, I saw some colorful pinwheels and felt as though my body had merged with the machine. But I didn’t enter another dimension or dissolve into pure being”.

How much does set and setting affect psychedelic experience
How much does set and setting affect psychedelic experience

What are his thoughts as to why his experience in the trial differed from his experience using salvia illicitly, outside of a hospital setting? “This may have been because I received a lower dose. Or it may have been because it’s harder to give in to the experience when you’re inside a giant machine making a racket while it soaks your head in a powerful magnetic field.”

Being in an fMRI machine is much more extreme than simply sitting in a doctor’s office. But consider that most people who do ketamine illicitly, do it by snorting the drug; and one of the more common medical techniques is hooking someone up to an IV. The idea still resonates. Neither being stuck in a tube, or hooked up to an IV in a doctor’s office will likely be the chosen set and setting for many people. And no matter how comfortable you try to make a doctor’s office, it might still have the ability to change the experience.

Tack onto that the cost of the treatments, and this could make patients apprehensive about the outcome of their treatment, which could also affect experience. When getting a service is so expensive, you can’t mess around with it, and for people scraping to make this happen, there’s increased pressure to ‘get it right’. A less controlled environment could pose cost reduction ability, and make users more comfortable about what they’re spending.

My own experience in a medical setting for psychedelic treatment

On this particular topic, I can throw in my own opinion, as I did receive ketamine treatments in a doctor’s office, as well as having previously used the drug on my own illicitly. I’ll take a second to remind that ketamine is a dissociative hallucinogen, not a psychedelic. It is used for therapy in a similar way to psychedelics, and is currently the only legal way to get such treatment, as neither state thus far that legalized any form of a hallucinogen, started services yet.

I ended up in the office of a psychiatrist in Guadalajara, Mexico, which is one of the only places in Mexico that provides ketamine treatments. Most of the doctor’s business is for pain. I went because of sleep issues, which falls under psychiatric. There are very few people who do this there. As such, the procedure isn’t established like it is in American facilities; and from the beginning I was left to feel like not everything was being covered. I made the most of the experience, but looking back I can see how badly it went.

I was hooked up to an IV, and I sat in a comfortable enough place, but was it really? It was a kind of cold office, with no blanket offered, dim lighting, and no window. I was on a couch facing a desk, with very little around me. Sure, it was okay, but I wasn’t super comfortable. Nor did I like having an IV hooked up to me, or seeing the blood squirt out when they had a hard time getting my vein (both times!) I left with blood stains on my pants the second time. I didn’t enjoy the actual drug experience at all; it left me feeling queasy, shaky, and incredibly anxious. And while this could represent my own personal reaction to ketamine, there’s a problem here…

IV ketamine treatment in medical setting
IV ketamine treatment in medical setting

I did ketamine plenty illicitly. I used to do lines with an ex-boyfriend frequently enough to have a great idea how the drug affects me. I liked it back then. Not my favorite of all drug experiences, but very interesting. I used to feel like I was floating, disconnected, like my brain was pulling in different directions. But not bad. And at no point with the anxiety and discomfort I suffered in the doctor’s office. An anxiety so bad the doctor did not push me for another appointment (or even contact me again for follow-up…I would never got back to that provider).

The experiences were so wildly different, that it makes me wonder how much of my negative experience in the medical setting with the psychedelic-like drug, was related to being in that setting, rather than a place I am more comfortable with. My experience gives a huge amount of credence to the idea of at-home ketamine therapy, and the ability to do the treatment in the comfort and privacy of your chosen location. Perhaps under other circumstances, I would not have been a non-responder.

Conclusion

It’s not for me to say what works for other people. But when it comes to expensive treatments, or ‘services’, how many people want to pay out for something that isn’t what they’re looking for? And how much do we damage our own understanding of the usefulness of something, when the controls for use are so extreme? It’s not like these drugs are used illicitly in a medical setting; and people turn out just fine when using a psychedelic on their own, or in a less restrictive way. Maybe that’s something that should be remembered.

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Why Do Whales Keep Swallowing People

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1 week ago

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February 14, 2025

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The are portrayed as sweet, kind and fun, but what’s up with them downing people like jello shooters?

The open waters are full of potential dangers including sharks, jellyfish, people on jet skis and more….but there is a new one recently which is surprising everyone. Why do whales keep swallowing people.  The chance of a whale swallowing you is smaller than winning the Powerball, but it is happening…and science isn’t quite sure why.

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There have been a few extraordinary incidents where people have been swallowed by whales, sparking both fascination and concern. These events, though extremely rare, have garnered significant attention due to their unusual nature. Such incidents are rare because whales generally do not target humans as prey. Humpback whales, for example, feed on small fish and plankton using baleen, making it physically impossible for them to swallow a human whole.

Why Do Whales Keep Swallowing People

In the last couple of days, a humpback whale briefly swallowed a 24-year-old kayaker last Saturday during a father-son excursion out on the icy waters around Chile’s southernmost Patagonia region. After being spat out of the whale, the son swam towards his dad’s pack raft and holds onto it as they pull away.

Another documented case is Michael Packard, a lobster diver from Massachusetts. In June 2021, Packard was briefly swallowed by a humpback whale while diving off the coast of Provincetown. He managed to survive with minor injuries, including soft tissue damage and a dislocated knee. Experts believe that poor visibility and the whale’s feeding behavior likely contributed to this accidental encounter.

Two girls were swallowed by a humpback whale while kayaking in California. The whale spat them out after a few seconds, highlighting the accidental nature of such incidents.

In addition, Since 2020, orcas off the Iberian Peninsula have been attacking sailboats, with at least three vessels sunk and hundreds damaged. These coordinated attacks typically involve orcas targeting the rudder, often approaching from the stern. Scientists believe that a traumatic event, possibly involving a female orca named White Gladis, may have triggered this behavior, which is then imitated by other orcas. Theories suggest the attacks could be for hunting practice or revenge. Despite the incidents, no human fatalities have been reported, but sailors are increasingly concerned about safety in these waters.

Whales, particularly humpbacks, feed by lunging through the water with their mouths wide open to engulf schools of fish. If something lies directly in their path, they might not always detect or avoid it in time. This feeding behavior, combined with factors like poor visibility, can lead to accidental encounters with humans.  So it is always good to be clear of you environment and what type of wildlife frequent the area.



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The Best Easy Super Bowl Cocktails

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1 week ago

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February 13, 2025

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Ready to get your game on with these Super Bowl cocktails?

It is the finale to the football season and a good chunk of the population tunes in to watch the Super Bowl. Alone, with a few friends or a full on party…it is a festive occasions (at least until the 4th quarter in a tight game) and people enjoy a beverage.  The Super Bowl is a drinking day for most viewers.  As you settle into the 59th annual game, try the best Super Bowl cocktails.

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Creole Bloody Mary

In a nod to the host city New Orleans, a Creole Bloody Mary is the best to pre-func and get right to start watching the game! This is a flavorful way to start the day.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup vodka
  • 4-1/2 cups chilled tomato juice
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 4-6 dashes Tabasco hot sauce
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Celery for garnish

Create

  1. Fill shaker with ice
  2. Combine vodka, juices, Worcestershire, salt, pepper and hot sauce in shaker
  3. Strain and pour in a tall glass with ice
  4. Garnish with celery stick

Super Bowl Julep

The nice thing about the Super Bowl is you can enjoy day drinking. While a Mint Julep is the drink of the Kentucky Derby, it is refreshing enough for morning football drinking. Plus it is good for the throat after all the cheering.

Ingredients

  • 4 sprigs of mint
  • 1 teaspoon of powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons of water
  • 2 oz. bourbon
  • Fresh mint sprig, for garnish

Create

  1. Muddle the mint, the sugar and the water in a cup
  2. Add the bourbon and stir gently
  3. Fill a glass to the top with finely crushed ice, add the julep mix and garnish with mint

FYI, an ounce of mint simple syrup can be substituted for the mint/sugar/water mixture

Perfect Stormy

Why not combine the classic beer with the cocktail.  Mix it up and enjoy this drink…rich in flavor and filling enough you don’t have too many over the course of the game.

2 oz amber rum

1 oz egg white

1 oz fresh lime juice

¾ oz ginger simple syrup

3 dashes Scrappy’s lime bitters

4 oz light beer

Glass: Highball tumbler/Collins glas

Create

  1. Dry shake all ingredients except the beer
  2. Add ice and shake
  3. Double strain into a collins glass with ice
  4. Top up with beer

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Gatorade Margarita

Everyone knows hydration is important when plays sports. It is also important for fans, especially if they are celebrating.  Gatorade is part of the football culture, dive in with this take on a classic cocktail.

Ingredients

Create

  1. Mix the sugar and salt in a shallow dish
  2. Wet the rims of 4 to 6 rocks glasses with water and then dip in the sugar-salt mixture to coat
  3. Combine the sports drink, limeade concentrate, tequila and blue curacao in a large pitcher and stir
  4. Fill the rocks glasses with ice
  5. Pour the margarita into the glass
  6. Garnish each with an orange slice

Fourth Quarter Rum Countdown

When the fourth quarter hits, it can be a focus time, keep it simple with this classic drink.  Quick to prepare, refreshing to drink and the soda is a little caffeine boost after tailgating.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz Bacardi Superior rum
  • 3 oz cola
  • Lime for garnish

Create

  1. Fill a highball glass with ice
  2. Pour in a good rum
  3. Add the chilled cola, stir
  4. Garnish with lime



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Marijuana Is Helping Those Over 65

Published

1 week ago

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February 13, 2025

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As people ages, the body develops more issues…marijuana can help pause or manage some of the problems.

Marijuana is helping this over 65 to continue living their best life. Cannabis has become an increasingly popular treatment option for older adults who often suffer from chronic health conditions. These conditions include chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety, and various neurological symptoms. In fact, the staid AARP has began helping their membership unlock the benefits of marijuana to improve day to day existence. This move is allowing boomers to travel, play and have fun with friends and family.
From chronic pain to troubles sleeping, consumed in the right doses, marijana can be beneficial. One of the areas it can help is in intimacy. The benefits of the green plant can help some seniors with sex by reducing pain and distraction. Cannabis-infused topicals can help with pain from arthritis, stiffness, or injuries. It can help people get out of their heads and be more present with their partners, giving more focus and in the moment allowing things to flow better. And like food and music, marijuana can increase sensitivity to touch and enhance sensory perception. While it isn’t approved for erectile dysfunction, it can remove other barriers. 

Medical marijuana is effective in managing chronic pain, which is common among older adults. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of participants experience pain relief when using medical marijuana. It can help manage symptoms associated with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and neuropathy.

Many older adults use cannabis to alleviate sleep disturbances. Research indicates that a substantial number of users report improved sleep quality. It can also be used to treat anxiety and depression, providing relief for mental health concerns that are prevalent in this age group.

One of the significant benefits observed is the reduction in opioid use among older adults. Studies have shown that many participants decrease their reliance on opioid pain medications after starting medical marijuana treatment.

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Gen Z tends to use cannabis to relief anxiety and feel happier. The plant releases dopamine, which is one of the sources of happiness. Dosing is a key factor to hitting the right spot.

Despite the promising results, there is still a lack of comprehensive research on the efficacy and safety of medical marijuana in older adults. More randomized, controlled studies are needed to fully understand its benefits and risks. Additionally, concerns about cardiovascular risks associated with marijuana use highlight the need for cautious use and monitoring in older adults.



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