The number of sessions required varies from patient to patient. The HUGs limit PAP patients to three sessions spread over a year, but many patients need more and turn to private firms who, too, are recognized by the OFSP.
A complete cycle therefore revolves around 10,000 francs, minimum. How do patients with modest income do?
Some have told us that they asked for help from their parents and that they were ashamed of it, which is not great for a therapeutic process. Others would need more sessions but must give it up for lack of means. Still others, following the imposed judgment of their psychedelic treatment, will be provided in the street. I know one who was beaten up. Trying these therapies without support is a significant endangerment. For all these reasons, we have started a reflection for less expensive but equally beneficial alternatives for mental health.
Why did you opt for the self-induced cognitive trance (TCAI)?
I knew the story of Corine Sombrun, then we had a discussion in the Association Psychedelos with Valérie Picard, a Geneva psychiatrist who was formed in her method. The idea emerged to use TCAI as an alternative, during or after the PAP. Our hypothesis at this stage is that controlling this tool will allow greater autonomy of patients in the face of their healing path, even a maintenance of well-being over time.
Corine Sombrun was made famous by her books and their adaptation to the cinema, “a larger world” (2019), with Cécile de France. But it remains controversial in the scientific community …
Therapies assisted by Psychedelics also arouse the reserves of part of the scientific community. I think that these questions must be tackled with pragmatism, applied research and patient participation. Let us not forget that if the PAPs were able to set up, it was thanks to the “underground culture”, which has caused this knowledge to last for centuries so that today, they can be appropriated in the medical and scientific field. On the other hand, patients must become more actors in their healing. It is over the time when a psychiatrist tells the patient which is good for him. If the patient is a partner and not an object, the results are better.
What is TCAI, concretely?
It is a sound loop that induces a trance state. Corine Sombrun has studied the frequencies capable of generating this state. At first, we are formed. Then, we practice it in a group, under supervision.
Hypnosis does not work for everyone. Isn’t there the same concern with TCAI?
According to the Tranquecience Research Institute, which leads to the study we are looking to finance, 90% of people went into a trance with this approach. We also start from the postulate that a patient who experienced therapies assisted by psychedelic is more receptive than others in this method. But that’s also what we would like to check.
How will research be carried out?
The team of researchers will be made up of four people: Corine Sombrun, two researchers and Valérie Picard. The study is done according to the protocols, with a first group that forms and a second control group. Before, during and after the study, the two groups will answer questionnaires – in particular, to assess the differences in experience between those practicing the trance and those who do not practice it.
You aim at 8,000 francs in crowdfunding. It seems little for a medical study.
This is a first applied research, on a small scale, to validate our hypotheses and see if there is a real path to follow. We are missing about 1,500 francs at the time of talking to you.
The crowdfunding campaign launched by the Association Psychedelos
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