Despite affecting one in seven women (and one in 10 men) postpartum depression (PPD) is still somewhat of an enigma. There are no treatment options for it (despite affecting 1 in 7 women (and 1 in 10 men)). In fact, the FDA approved the first ever drug for PPD (Zulresso) in 2019, which costs $7450 per vial (about $34,000 per patient without insurance). Fortunately, new hope has arrived for 17% of the global population that is impacted by PPD as well as children, partners, and entire families who experience harm. As it turns out, psychedelics may be used to treat postpartour depression as both treatment and preventative.
There are no good treatment options for postpartum depression, which impacts thousands of people.
Despite 1 in 7 women (and 1 in 10 men) becoming postpartum depression (PPD) (despite the fact that it impacts 1 in 7 women (and 1 in 10 men) after childbirth), there is still little understanding of what causes it, and there are no treatments. To put it differently, the FDA approved the first ever medication for PPD (Zulresso) in 2019 (or, $7450 per vial, or $34,000 per patient without insurance) —an infusion that is costly and expensive to administer. Thanks to the emergence of new hope for the lives of almost 17% of the global population and their children, sons and daughters who are impacted by postpartum depression, psychedelic treatments for it might be an inexpensive, potentially very effective option.
In a 2021 study published in the Journal of Medicine and Life, researchers investigated the use of intravenous ketamine during caesarean section to prevent postpartum depression. Two and four weeks after the caesarean section, participants' postpartum depression scores were significantly lower than those of the control group.
Unfortunately, the results of the PPD research have not been published yet. Another 2-year-long study was just completed in August this year. The drug, low dose ketamine, is to be administered 40 minutes after childbirth, but the results are yet to be revealed.
Of course, the reasoning behind treating PPD with psychedelics (or using as a preventative) is based on our understanding of how psychedelics cure depression, as well as the fact that 10-20% of individuals with PPD had mental health problems before delivery.
Even though we don't know exactly how to use psychedelics for parents in a medical setting, the act of parents taking psychedelics to be better for their children is nothing new. Through previous studies, we know that psychedelics may increase connectedness, improve mood, self-compassion, openness, acceptance, and increase oxytocin, which in turn seems likely to improve maternal (and paternal) sensitivity, parent-infant interaction, and satisfaction.
After giving birth, many women suffer from postpartum depression. If you are dealing with this condition, one of the best things you can do is seek out a medical professional who can prescribe you with MDMA.
Despite the fact that MDMA research is still in its early stages, it may one day be used to treat postpartum depression. According to a MAPS paper, ‘MDMA-assisted psychotherapy; Possible treatment for postpartum depression?’, ‘MDMA-assisted therapy may be particularly helpful for parents experiencing postpartum depression because of its effects on affiliation, pro-sociality, openness, and compassion toward the self and others, as well as its relative rapidity in treating symptoms.’
According to the reasoning, MDMA-assisted therapy might permit parents to confront and deal with memories and feelings of childhood trauma and increase compassion for themselves as parents, while highlighting the rapid response to MDMA-assisted therapy, which expeditiously reduces the risks endured by children of parents with postpartum depression.
What Causes Maternity Depression?
Psychedelics may be a good option for postpartum depression if we know what causes it. A history of mental health problems, no support, and lack of sleep are all examples of post-natal depression because they are caused by hormones that change after childbirth. However, if we investigate at the molecular level what is happening in the body, we might discover some interesting truths.
Biological, nutritional, psychological, and societal factors as well as vitamin D deficiency, sleep deprivation, gestational diabetes, lack of social support, suffering violence or abuse, psychiatric history, and immigrant status are all potential causes of postpartum depression (Stein et al. 2014; Zhao and Zhang 2020). This is a complex picture, and fast intervention is undoubtedly required to limit the damage done to both parents and children.
GABA, an amino acid that functions as the brain's chief inhibitor (GABA), is another factor to take into account. During pregnancy, GABA levels fluctuate and usually drop at the end of pregnancy. If GABA levels do not return to normal once the newborn is born, postnatal depression might be due to this. As a result, regulating GABA levels could be very effective in treating postnatal depression, which may be one area where cannabis could be useful.
It appears that both Ketamine and LSD may also alter GABA levels, prompting future research in this area.
It is extremely exciting to think that psychedelics could make postpartum depression a thing of the past in an area where so much suffering is present.
Psychedelics are most effectively combined with psychotherapy for treating PPD, so if you are seeking treatment for PPD, be sure to consult with a professional or visit a psychedelic clinic to make sure you receive the best possible results. While you may obtain better results if you use psychedelics on your own, it is wise to contact an expert or visit a psychedelic clinic if you are interested in treating PPD with psychedelics.
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