Emotions are NOT the enemy, yes even so-called “negative emotions”.

Even if a so-called “negative” emotion is showing up in our experience, e.g., sadness, anger, loneliness, et cetera the feeling is typically there for a reason. Instead of pushing on it with resistence or even trying to avoid it (insert your favorite dopamine hit here), can you turn toward it with a bit of curiosity and ask it, “I notice I’m feeling ____, what are you trying to tell me?”

More Limitations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) + Venting

I recently posted about some of the limitations found in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). More limitations were surfaced in a new study on the effects of venting as a strategy to reduce anger. What did the researchers find? “…the review also sheds important light on an alternate pathway for defusing fury. What’s more, standard cognitive …

Update: FDA Denies Approval of Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP)

On 9 August 2024, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA regarding their New Drug Application (NDA) for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. The verdict? The FDA did not approve the therapy, i.e., full rejection of the NDA. The FDA’s decision was based on several factors. Primarily, …

Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP)

Over the past several years, I have been watching with great anticipation the trajectory of the clinical trials for Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP). PAP is a therapeutic approach combing the use of psychedelic substances like MDMA, LSD, or Psilocybin with traditional (talk) psychotherapy. This treatment gets administered in a professionally monitored environment and aims to …