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The article is based on a psychoanalytic approach and aims at starting the discussion about psychoanalytically based psychedelic-assisted therapy. In
contrast to the current widespread studies on the effects of psychedelics in the treatment of e.g., depression, PTSD, addiction, etc. Rundel focuses on the possible support of psychoanalytical transformative processes, which has until now not been investigated. She argues that psychedelic and psychoanalytic experience cover similar ground, both offering a personal transformation based on insight and new experience.
Rundel mentions three different psychedelic drugs: Ketamine, Psilocybin and MDMA. She does not go deeper into the significantly different effects of the mentioned drugs but concentrates on the common effect of psychedelics: 1. A sense of dedifferentiation or union; 2. A quality of heightened insight and illumination; 3. An awareness of mystery and ineffability; 4. Heightened affect, including love and gratitude, mourning and sometimes fear; 5. A stance of receptivity and surrender. She argues that traditional psychoanalysis offers a slow tour while psychedelic experiences offer a faster and more dramatic entrance into this territory and in addition she claims that psychedelic experience allows for a greater understanding of the transpersonal aspect of unconscious life. She suggests that psychoanalysts are ideal professionals to become practitioners of psychedelic therapy and integration and argues that we should prepare to offer psychedelic psychoanalysis, i.e., psychoanalytic treatment that includes the use of psychedelics.
Rundel brings a really interesting and moving case, describing in-depth a male patient “A's” deep transformation in a psychoanalytic process supported by Ketamine. The analytic process with A was stuck despite four years of psychoanalysis and his very good insight into his early difficulties, but the affect was dissociated. Through the psychedelic treatment, A went on a symbolic inner j