Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP)

[Jodistrict]

PSIP stands for Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy. It is a relatively new, body-centered therapeutic modality developed by Saj Razvi, a licensed psychotherapist and researcher, primarily at the Psychedelic Somatic Institute in Colorado.

PSIP believes that much of the root cause of trauma is stored non-cognitively in the autonomic nervous system (the body), rather than primarily in narrative memory or the thinking brain. The therapy uses sub-anesthetic (mild to moderate) doses of cannabis (usually smoked or vaporized) or ketamine to relax the nervous system's defenses, allowing repressed traumatic material to surface spontaneously from the body in the form of physical sensations, emotions, images, or memories — without the client having to "talk about" or cognitively process the trauma in advance.

In his whitepaper, Razvi makes several interesting observations.  He believes that low doses of cannabis can be more effective than higher powered psychedelics, such as psilocybin.  In his protocol, therapeutic guidance is a key feature.   It’s the relational interaction with a therapeutic guide in the psychedelic state which heals. 

This model also shifts the psychedelic session away from the transcendent, mystical, and cosmic to the human and relational.    In order for higher powered psychedelics to be useful, it is first necessary to heal the mind and body with lower powered psychedelics.

“This bypassing of a wounded, underdeveloped ego into mystical states yields experiences that are difficult to integrate into that still unhealed ego. This can lead to peak experiences of liberation, peace, and beauty that are un-integrable into waking consciousness and lead to a need to repeatedly visit transpersonal states.”   - whitepaper  

I am interested in this model, because I have found it to be true with my own experience.   The high powered psychedelics don’t result in long term change, whereas, for me, cannabis is becoming the most useful medicine.

The PSIP Model -  white paper

https://www.psychedelicsomatic.org/white-paper

An excellent introduction on Youtube

 

 

[- Adam -]

Thank you, the video is very insightful.

[theleelajoker]

Only read your post and agree with almost all of it.

One exception: 

"It’s the relational interaction with a therapeutic guide in the psychedelic state which heals."

For me, it's has definitely been the case that taking micro doses -psilocybin or cannabis - has led to sustainable positive effects for me WITHOUT any therapist at my side. At least at stages where I already was more developed.

For me, the key is presence, awareness. Other skillful people can help shine light on stuff, but re somatical experience you can do a lot on your own, too. 

It's also no surprise that a therapist says that therapists are crucial haha 😂 

[OrangeOak]

Thank you for sharing this.

This therapeutic model connected a lot of dots for me, bringing together psychedelics (and their differences depending on type), all types of trauma, spirituality etc. 

I found the paper to be really sound, balanced and insightful.

I personally struggle with a lot of stage 3 and 4 symptoms, which intensified after using cannabis and psychedelics. This is because the healing process initiated but couldn’t complete because of non ideal circumstances. I wonder what they would recommend to someone in my situation. 

[Ramasta9]

Nothing releases trauma better than dancing by the fire with 20 African drummers and good company. No substances needed. If you tasted this experience before you'll know what I am talking about. No speakers can replicate the force of nature and real natural sounds. 

They literally move the demons out of you and as you dance and shake and are genuinely having fun, transmutation occurs.