From Counterculture to Care: LSD, Ecstasy and Magic Mushrooms in Mental Health ?!

When I began my journey into psychotherapy, I carried with me the same belief that many of us were taught: all drugs are dangerous, addictive, and ultimately harmful. In my early training, the line was clear—substances like LSD, MDMA ("Ecstasy"), and psilocybin ("Magic Mushrooms") were placed firmly in the "no use, high risk" category. I repeated what I had learned, confident that the science supported it. But over the past several years, that certainty has been challenged. What I discovered through both research and professional dialogue has profoundly shifted my perspective. Let m

Neon lights illuminate a night scene, highlighting the letters "LSD" above a storefront, drawing a connection to the potential impact of psychedelic substances like LSD, MDMA, and Psilocybin in mental health treatments.

e share a few thoughts.

The world around us has changed. In the U.S., startups like Lykos Therapeutics, which is spearheading efforts to bring MDMA-assisted therapy to market, have attracted over $100 million in new funding. Venture capital is moving into the space—not to back festival drugs, but to support a new generation of evidence-based mental health treatments. These are no longer fringe experiments—they’re at the heart of some of the most promising clinical conversations in psychiatry.

Even iconic leaders have spoken openly about the transformative potential of psychedelics. Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, once said that taking LSD was one of the most important things he had done in his life. Bill Gates has hinted at similar experimentation. For some, these substances have offered not escape, but insight.

Rethinking the Narrative

Psychedelics. For many, the word conjures up images of the 1960s, wild music festivals, hallucinations, and chaotic parties. LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin have long been lumped together under the label of recreational "drugs"—associated with danger, escapism, or at best, an eccentric curiosity. For decades, these substances were dismissed outright by policymakers, healthcare leaders, and most professionals.

But in recent years, that narrative has quietly begun to shift. What were once symbols of counterculture are now reemerging as powerful therapeutic tools. Clinical research has shown that, under carefully controlled conditions, psychedelics can catalyze profound healing for individuals suffering from depression, PTSD, and addiction—especially when other treatments have failed. The transformation of these substances from stigmatized contraband to rigorously studied medications is perhaps one of the most striking examples of science re-evaluating its assumptions.

The Turning Point: From Risk to Research

Historically, all three substances—LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin—were quickly criminalized after their initial burst of popularity. LSD, once explored by psychiatrists in the 1950s and 60s, was abruptly banned. MDMA, originally developed as a therapeutic aid, was similarly outlawed before research could mature. Psilocybin, used ceremonially by Indigenous cultures for centuries, was swept up in anti-drug policies despite minimal evidence of harm.

Today, however, we’re seeing a revival—led not by idealists but by scientists. Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, conducted under the highest research standards, have demonstrated impressive results:

• MDMA-assisted therapy has helped over 67% of PTSD patients in clinical trials lose their diagnosis after just three sessions—more than double the success rate of conventional therapy.

• Psilocybin has shown strong promise in treating treatment-resistant depression and alcohol use disorder, with participants reporting deep emotional breakthroughs and sustained behavioral change.

• LSD, in early trials, has led to reduced anxiety in terminally ill patients and helped some individuals significantly reduce problematic alcohol use.

What unites these findings is not just the drugs themselves—but how they are used.

The Power of Context: Why "Set and Setting" Change Everything

If you've ever wondered why someone at a party might have a bad trip, while someone in therapy has a life-changing insight—the answer lies in what researchers call "set and setting".

• Set refers to the mindset of the person: their emotional state, expectations, and preparation.

• Setting refers to the physical and social environment: is it safe, calm, and supportive, or chaotic and risky?

In therapeutic psychedelic work, every aspect of the experience is intentional:

• Patients are screened, prepared, and supported before the session.

• The environment is designed for safety and introspection, a wild party place is as far away as neon-white hospital lights.

• A male and female trained therapist stay present the entire time.

• Afterwards, the patient participates in integration sessions - feeling into and making sense of the experience and weaving insights into daily life.

This structure dramatically changes the effects of the drug. Rather than escaping reality, patients often confront it—processing trauma, grief, or long-suppressed memories in a state of openness and lowered fear response.

In many indigenous cultures psychoactive substances have been used for many years. There is a lot we can learn from them, in particular the way they respect, use and connect to what they call "plant teachers".

Why This Matters: A New Lens for Complex Trauma?

For business professionals, especially those working in leadership, healthcare, or mental wellness sectors, the implications can potentially become significant (which is why so much PE money is recently flowing into this field). Many of the individuals who benefit from psychedelic-assisted therapy suffer from complex trauma - long-standing patterns often rooted in early childhood like emotional wounding. These conditions are often in the way of uncovering the best versions of ourselves.

Psychedelics, when used in therapy, seem to help to reconnect deeper to emotions by enhancing emotional flexibility, increasing neural plasticity, and enabling patients to access parts of themselves that are normally defended or suppressed. In clinical settings, people report being able to revisit painful experiences without being overwhelmed—opening the door to healing and re-integration. But let's be clear, this path is not for everyone and not everything could or should be treated with psychedelics! Much remains as well to be discovered and researched.

Of course, none of this is a license to go underground or engage in anything illegal. Legal frameworks differ across countries—and even regions within countries—and we must respect them. The goal here is not advocacy for reckless use, but rather an invitation to re-examine our assumptions. We must inform ourselves, remain cautious, and—where supported by research—stay open.

I am aware that the topic might cause some more questions than traditional articles. Let me therefore add some sources for further reference:

Sources

• Carhart-Harris, R. L., et al. (2021). Trial of psilocybin for major depressive disorder. New England Journal of Medicine.

• Mitchell, J. M., et al. (2023). MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Nature Medicine.

• Gasser, P., et al. (2014). Safety and efficacy of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease.

• Bogenschutz, M. P., et al. (2022). Psilocybin for treatment of alcohol use disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry.

• Johnson, M. W., et al. (2014). Pilot study of the 5-HT2A receptor agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction. Journal of Psychopharmacology.

• Nutt, D., Carhart-Harris, R. (2021). The current status of psychedelics in psychiatry. Annual Review of Medicine.

• Sessa, B. (2017). MDMA and PTSD treatment: a personal account. Neuroethics.

• Isaacson, W. (2011). Steve Jobs. Simon & Schuster.

• Lykos Therapeutics. (2024). Corporate Funding Announcements. [Press Release]