Burnout is a condition that has both a physical and mental impact. You are utterly exhausted, always tired, unable to perform and suffering from depressive feelings. You can go to therapy, but scientists are also becoming increasingly interested in the possibilities of mind-altering drugs for burnout. Below you can read what these resources might help with.
What is burnout and what are its symptoms?
Burnout can happen to anyone under great pressure. Do you work long hours, have a stressful job or is someone in your family chronically ill? These are all factors that can contribute to burnout. The causes of burnout vary, but stress is a major contributor.
The causes of burnout:
- Workload too heavy
- Extreme time pressure
- Lack of support from the environment
- Excessive expectations
- Too many and too heavy responsibilities
- Bad atmosphere
In burnout, the limits have been crossed too many times and you can completely collapse. Symptoms vary from person to person, but there are always physical and mental symptoms, such as:
- Chronic fatigue
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Poorly functioning immune system
- Sleep problems
- Digestive complaints
- Being irritated
- Much brooding
- Gloominess/depression
- Crying
- Hurried feeling
If you have burnout or suspect you have one, see your doctor first. Several treatments are available. Are you considering mind-altering drugs to address the symptoms? Then first read below what exactly that means and how it could help you.
Role of mind-altering drugs in treating burnout
Burnout is a serious condition. If you want to treat these, then mind-altering drugs are a possibility. You can work with this on your own, but it is safer and often more meaningful when you choose guidance from a therapist. This psychedelic-assisted therapy involves receiving a mind-altering drug in the presence of a special therapist.
The remedy used may vary. For example, psilocybin (from magic mushrooms and truffles) can be used, as well as MDMA or LSD. The advantage of working with a therapist is that the use of psychedelics is done safely and the therapy follows a structure. Before starting, express what you want to achieve so you can work toward a goal. If the psychedelics are effective, the therapist can help you get through intense emotions and difficult experiences.
During the session, the therapist remains nearby. He or she is there to support you and will discuss experiences with you as needed. After the session there is space to integrate everything you have experienced. This is important to then be able to take the necessary steps to move forward.
Psychedelics and therapist work together
As you can see, it takes more than simply using mind-altering drugs for burnout. The psychedelics are a start, but counseling by a therapist is also important. Yet these magic mushrooms, truffles and other substances are also powerful tools for burnout, complementing counseling from a therapist.
Not all drugs work the same, but psilocybin, for example, interacts with the serotonin receptors in the brain. This allows parts of the brain to communicate with each other that normally cannot communicate at all. This can suddenly give you new insights, change your perspective, release emotions and help you think out-of-the-box. So a mind-altering drug can change your whole way of thinking, and that can have a big positive impact. Not only for burnout, but also for anxiety, depression and trauma.
The effects of psychedelics
Getting to work with a mind-altering substance can initiate many changes. Thus, this therapy can help people process trauma in a safe environment, with professional guidance. People often feel less lonely because psychedelics often help them feel more connected.
Drugs such as psilocybin and LSD can induce a new sense of joy. Also, people often experience again that they have a life purpose, can handle stress better and know better what they want. These remedies can also provide a better connection between body, mind and emotions. It encourages people to reflect more often and make sure they do not lose connection with themselves, which was usually a problem before.
A person who has used mind-altering drugs for burnout is better able to recognize the first signs of stress and fatigue afterward. This allows them to take timely measures and take care of themselves. And the fact is that such personal changes often persist for years after therapy.
Working with mind-altering drugs in burnout
Are you suffering from burnout yourself and wondering if psychedelics can help? It is advisable not to work with such resources on your own. Counseling from a therapist is generally not only safer, but also more effective. In doing so, a therapist can also give good advice on which remedy is most appropriate to use.
Whether you’re working with a therapist, or still using a drug yourself, it’s important to pay attention to the set and setting. The setting is all about the environment. You should feel safe, relaxed and at ease. The set is your own mood and your emotions. Use psychedelics only when you feel positive and calm. This is a prerequisite for an effective session.
Dose very important
Also determine the dose you will use. If you take a low dose (recommended if you are new to psychedelics), or go for microdosing, you may experience small improvements in mood and thoughts. A higher dose can lead to deep insights. But be very careful with this, especially if you have never used psychedelics before. High doses can have great impact and possibly cause anxiety and intense hallucinations.
Other techniques can also be a good complement to the use of mind-altering drugs for burnout. For example, using psychedelics or microdosing with magic mushrooms goes well with meditation, yoga and breathwork. These can deepen the experience and also help ensure after the session that changes are permanent.