As we’ve truly settled into 2024 and welcome the spring months, the landscape of mental health and wellness continues to evolve with shifts that promise to redefine our approach to well-being. From the cutting edge of psychedelic research to the nuanced understanding of our biological rhythms, we’re witnessing a revolution that champions personalized, holistic health. Today, we uncover six trends that set the stage for a transformative year in mental health and wellness.
6 Trends at a Glance:
- Broadened applications for psychedelic research
- The rise of the coach
- Understanding biological rhythms
- Lower, slower movement
- Emphasis on informed consent
- Reduced alcohol, increased connection
Let’s dive deeper…
Beyond the Mind: 2024’s 6 Key Trends in Wellness
1. Broadened applications for psychedelic research
The exploration into psychedelics for healing is deepening, targeting specific conditions and demographic groups, such as:
Epilepsy: research out of Spain shows ketamine as “an effective drug with a good response rate” for individuals with status epilepticus who do not respond to standard treatments.
Sexual health and pleasure: a recent study out of the Imperial College of
London found that psilocybin, LSD, and other psychoactive compounds may help to improve sexual function for months after the psychedelic experience
2. The rise of the coach
Beyond traditional therapy, coaching emerges as a dynamic force in mental health, focusing on actionable steps toward self-improvement and goal realization. This trend signifies a shift towards proactive wellness, where individuals seek guidance not just for healing, but for thriving – you don’t need to be sick to want to get better
3. Understanding biological rhythms
There’s growing awareness of how gender-specific cycles influence mental and physical health. Women are leveraging this knowledge for optimal productivity and fitness, contrasting with men’s more constant hormonal cycle, underscoring the need for personalized wellness strategies. Some examples include:
Fasting: men can fast regularly; women should avoid fasting during the luteal phase
Cold exposure (ice baths): men can utilize cold exposure regularly; women should utilize cold exposure during the follicular phase (and avoid during the luteal phase)
Exercise: men can exercise at any intensity (with rest, of course) any day, while women do better with high-intensity exercise during the follicular phase and lower-impact, gentler movement during the luteal phase.
4. Movement: lower, slower, longer
On the note of exercise, we’re seeing the rise of exercise and movement that feels good and intuitive – less CrossFit, more 1-hour walks listening to your favorite podcast. In fact, a recent study found that too much intense weight training (over 130 minutes per week) can actually cause harm.
5. Informed consent across all medicine
We’re seeing the sentiment behind the psychedelic community’s focus on safety and informed consent make its way into broader realms of health and wellness. As psychedelic therapies become more accessible, there’s a crucial emphasis on ensuring users are fully informed about their powerful effects, paralleling a wider trend towards transparency across all health interventions.
This development extends beyond psychedelics to all medical treatments, including the nuanced impacts of hormonal birth control, pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and even the food we consume. Acknowledging the interconnectedness of our bodily systems, there’s a growing demand for comprehensive understanding and careful consideration of anything we introduce into our bodies, whether for healing, nutrition, or prevention, highlighting the importance of informed choices in fostering overall wellness and safety.
6. Less alcohol, more connection
Data shows a continued decline in alcohol consumption among younger adults paralleled by a rise in adult use of psychedelics, signaling a cultural shift towards more meaningful connections and experiences—spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle says alcohol can lower one’s consciousness while psychedelics can expand it. Not drinking is becoming increasingly socially acceptable, even cool, among younger generations.
According to Gallup, 62% of adults under age 35 say they drink, down from 72% two decades ago Acording to NIH, young adults (age 19-30) self-reported pychedelic use has reached an all-time high: in 2022, 8% of young adults reported past-year psychedelic use (for comparison: that number was 3% in 2011)
It’s clear that 2024 is a pivotal year in mental health and wellness. At Nushama,we’re excited to be at the forefront, offering innovative ketamine therapy programs alongside these emerging trends.
