Dr. Nolan Williams: Psychedelics & Neurostimulation for Brain Rewiring | Huberman Lab Podcast #93

MDMA & PTSD

MDMA is gaining attention for its potential to treat PTSD, with research indicating significant therapeutic effects. Nolan Williams highlights studies showing that MDMA, when used in controlled settings, can lead to substantial improvements in PTSD symptoms for about two-thirds of patients 1. This effect is long-lasting, often extending for years, contrasting with the short-lived effects of treatments like ketamine 1. Williams emphasizes the importance of rigorous clinical trials to validate these findings, despite challenges in creating placebo conditions for psychedelic treatments 2.

MDMA appears to one to a few MDMA sessions have an anti PTSD effect that seems to be outside of the kind of standard assumed levels of PTSD improvement.

--- Nolan Williams

The misconceptions about MDMA's neurotoxicity have been clarified, with evidence suggesting it is not harmful to serotonergic neurons when used appropriately 3.

   

Psilocybin Effects

Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, shows promise in treating depression by altering brain connectivity and perception. Andrew Huberman and Nolan Williams discuss how psilocybin increases brain connectivity, particularly between the subgenual anterior cingulate and the default mode network, which is linked to its antidepressant effects 4. This connectivity change is similar to that seen with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), suggesting a shared mechanism in alleviating depression 4.

There's kind of an overall decrease in the level of activity in the brain with psychedelics but they have also looked at connectivity.

--- Nolan Williams

The concept of "letting go" during psilocybin sessions is crucial, as it allows patients to explore and resolve deep-seated emotional issues 5. This process can lead to new perspectives on old problems, facilitating significant therapeutic breakthroughs 6.