During the Congress of the Spanish Society of Dual Pathology, held in Seville at the beginning of June this year, the so-called “Psychedelic Track” took place on Saturday 3rd, with the subtitle “The new psychedelic revolution: expanding the therapeutic frontiers in Mental Health”, organized by Dr. Miquel Casas, vice-president of the SEPD.
From the total of 14 presentations, it is worth mentioning the three which were developed by Dr. Joan Obiols, Medical Director of Clínica Synaptica, specifically commissioned by Dr. Casas. The first, called: “Kosmicare: a program of attention to psychedelic emergencies at large festivals”, explained the functioning of this group of volunteers, mental health professionals, who take care of the attendees of massive music festivals where the consumption of psychedelics is widespread. Within a harm reduction perspective and with an attitude of empathic listening, the Kosmicare team attends to a significant number of emergencies, successfully taking care of attendees who experience a “bad trip”.
The following presentation, “History of psychedelics in Spain and Catalonia”, explained the experience during the 50s and 60s when, legally, psychedelic substances such as LSD and psilocybin began to be used in clinical studies. The Department of Psychiatry of the University of Barcelona (Hospital Clínic) was one of the main promoters of the research that became generalized in other universities throughout Spain. Although the research methodology at that time was far from current standards, interesting results were obtained which, even today, raise new questions and interests.
Finally, Dr. Obiols presented the lecture “Ketamine-assisted therapy”, made in collaboration with one of Clinica Synaptica’s psychologists, Marta Martín. The principles of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy were presented, which is the model followed at the clinic and which we consider to be the ideal way of treating severe depression and other psychiatric pathologies with this substance. The preliminary results of the treatment were explained. These promising results serve to improve the initial protocol and offer a better service. The presentations were followed by a large audience and sparked a lively debate.
