Psychedelics' Ability to Help Heal Traumatic Brain Injury with Dr. Kate Pate
Dr. Kate Pate is a neurophysiologist who has been conducting research for 15 years in a variety of different areas, including neurotrauma, respiratory neurobiology, mental health, redox biology, and combat trauma. She is the CEO and co-founder of Coruna Medical and the director of research for both the Heroic Hearts Project and Unlimited Sciences.
In this episode, Dr. Pate discusses how traumatic brain injuries (TBI) share many commonalities with the symptoms of PTSD. She discusses why it may be wise to tend to heal the physical brain prior to or in parallel to attempting to heal one’s mental trauma. Dr. Pate also shares about the healing potential of the ayahuasca brew, independent of its DMT content.
In this episode:
How ayahuasca produces an anti-inflammatory effect in the body, which is incredibly helpful for healing TBI.
How traumatic brain injury can predispose individuals to develop PTSD
How psychedelics such as ayahuasca, psilocybin, and LSD promote neuroplasticity and even activate neurogenesis.
Quotes:
“Ayahuasca and other psychedelics that are acting on the serotonin system are actually promoting an incredibility anti-inflammatory profile in the body, which is extremely important, especially in the case of traumatic brain injury.” [15:00]
“[Increased neuroplasticity] happens through the serotonin system and the ability of these plant medicines to activate this compound called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, called BDNF.” [19:54]
Links:
Get 20% off everything at Octagon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine'
Psychedelic Medicine Association