Are you curious about psychedelics? I was too.
This is the first in a series of articles sharing what I am learning in this space. I want to contribute to eliminating stigmas and creating spaces for honest, informed conversations around psychedelics and healing plant medicine traditions - p.s. they are not the same
A traumatizing personal event led me to psychedelics and plant medicine, altering my life forever. I have spent most of the last three years training to become a psychedelic-assisted practitioner, supporting decriminalization and legalization efforts, and helping clear the stigmas associated with these powerful medicines. I see this as a lifelong path. The more I learn and discover, the more there is to learn and find. I am here to be of service, attending to my healing first so I can be a conduit for others in their healing journeys to break, rather than perpetuate, trauma cycles. Wounded parents raise wounded kids, just as wounded leaders lead wounded teams, organizations, and societies. Psychedelic-assisted therapy & plant medicine are effective allies for addressing these wounds at the core.
I am a student, not an expert. My shares are the result of my own observations and personal learnings. There is a lot to talk about! Follow me and join the conversation if you want more.
Let’s begin with a primer…
The meaning of “psychedelic”, and how it all went wrong
Many people cringe when they hear the word “psychedelics,” and that’s partly why I am making a clear point about using it. An essential part of destigmatization lies in recovering the word’s etymological roots and making peace with it.
The word "psychedelic" comes from the Greek words "psyche," meaning "mind," and "deloun," meaning "to make visible" or "to reveal." The term was first used in the mid-1950s by psychiatrist Humphry Osmond, who was studying the effects of LSD on the mind.
Osmond was looking for a new word to describe the mind-altering effects of LSD, which he believed had the potential to reveal the hidden aspects of the human psyche. He coined the term "psychedelic" to capture this idea, and the term quickly caught on among researchers and counterculture enthusiasts in the 1960s.
The term "psychedelic" is often associated with the hippie movement of the 1960s, which embraced the use of LSD and other mind-altering substances as a means of exploring consciousness and expanding one's worldview. However, the term has also been used more broadly to describe any substance or experience that alters perception and consciousness, whether through drugs, meditation, or other means.
Psychoactive and psychedelic are two terms that are often used interchangeably to describe substances that affect the mind and behavior. While there is some overlap between these terms, they do have distinct meanings.
Psychoactive substances are those that affect the mind and behavior by altering brain function. This includes a wide range of substances, including caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and prescription drugs like antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. These substances can produce a range of effects, from mild mood changes to more significant alterations in consciousness, perception, and behavior.
Psychedelic substances, on the other hand, are a specific class of psychoactive substances that produce profound alterations in perception, thought, and mood. These substances can induce a state of consciousness characterized by visual and auditory hallucinations, alterations in time perception, and changes in emotional and cognitive processes. Examples of psychedelic substances include LSD, psilocybin (found in certain types of mushrooms), and DMT (found in ayahuasca).
Many cultures worldwide have used psychoactive compounds for healing purposes since ancient times, although native cultures mostly disapprove of the use of the terms psychedelic or psychoactive to refer to their ancient healing traditions or to sacred plants. I will dedicate a post to honoring this subject as we progress in this series.
The use of psychedelics has also been associated with historical, spiritual, emotional, and creative breakthroughs. Apple’s founder Steve Jobs openly disclosed how taking LSD unlocked his creative mind, stating that it “was one of the two or three most important things” he did in his life. Psychedelics have been found to increase creativity and productivity in users by engaging areas of the brain that we do not typically use. Furthermore, psychedelic experiences tend to facilitate a sense of unity with the Universe and awaken spiritual awareness, elevating a sense of empathy and connection to others.
And although the mechanism of action is not well understood, some researchers believe that the substances’ ability to alter consciousness and disrupt established thought patterns can help individuals process and overcome traumatic experiences, encouraging the development of new neuropathways or ways of thinking and looking at the world and processing life events. (we will address more on this in a later post)
Unfortunately, after a prolific and promising era of psychedelic research studies for mental health, things turned for the worst for psychedelic research in the 60s. Tim Leary's antics and the “Summer of Love” gave way to President Nixon declaring the “war on drugs” that would lead to a decades-long period of distrust surrounding this class of substances. Although research continues to show that these compounds have impressive potential as therapeutic interventions and as tools for personal development, the bad reputation of Leary and (the often excessive) drug use in the 60s counterculture has haunted the scientific community trying to study and use psychedelics in positive ways.
Today, the term "psychedelic" is often used in the context of medical and therapeutic research, as scientists explore the potential of these substances for treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The word continues to evoke the idea of revealing hidden aspects of the mind and unlocking new perspectives and insights, reflecting the ongoing fascination with the transformative potential of these substances.
On the shoulders of giants
Over the past few decades, numerous people and organizations have worked tirelessly and against all odds to advance the cause of psychedelic science. Paul Stamets is perhaps one of the most recognizable names in this field, having published more than five books on psychedelics and their use in research and therapy. In addition to being an author and researcher, he has also established his own company, Fungi Perfecti, dedicated to cultivating mushrooms as a potential source of natural medicine. Stamets' work has been instrumental in advancing the field of mycology and exploring novel forms of therapeutic applications for psilocybin mushrooms.
The McKenna brothers are also pioneers in the psychedelic movement. Dennis (the oldest) and Terence (the youngest) have both made large contributions to its development over decades. Their ideas about psychedelics often challenged the societal norms around drug use and sought to reframe it within a spiritual or shamanistic context. During their travels throughout South America, they not only studied indigenous cultures but also experimented with various psychotropic plants such as ayahuasca and DMT - experiences that shaped much of their subsequent work on psychedelics.
In particular, Terence became known for his hypothesis about novelty theory - that psychedelic substances promote new thinking patterns by interrupting neural pathways, allowing users access to 'higher realms' or alternative thought processes that can offer insights into deeper knowledge within ourselves or our environment. His insights were incorporated into many modern theories about creativity and consciousness-expanding states facilitated through psychedelics.
Beyond their individual theories or publications, both brothers have been influential in popularizing certain concepts associated with psychedelic culture - such as using trance music during ceremonies or ingesting psilocybin mushrooms under carefully controlled circumstances with appropriate preparation before and integration afterward. By inspiring others to explore these newfound frontiers of exploration beyond traditional boundaries, they've opened up possibilities for further research around alternative paths towards healing and transformation that continue to be relevant today.
Carrying on the work are institutions like MAPS (led by Rick Doblin, Ph.D.), John Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, and Imperial College of London, as well as influential individuals like Tim Ferriss, Michael Pollan, Dr. Gabor Maté, and filmmaker Lucy Walker. They have all contributed to spreading awareness about the advances in psychedelic science amongst the general public in recent years.
In Michael Pollan's book "How to Change Your Mind," (2018), the best-selling author explores history and science, as well as describes his own personal experiences with psychedelics, and examines the revival of their therapeutic use. The book sheds light on the recent resurgence of interest in psychedelics and offers an insightful examination of how these substances can be used to treat various mental health conditions. Furthermore, the book raises important questions about the regulation of psychedelics and their future role in medicine and society.
In the meantime, Netflix movies such as "Fantastic Fungi", featuring the legendary mycologist Paul Stamets, as well as filmmaker Lucy Walker's adaptation of Pollan's book, have brought the mystery and magic of psychoactive experiences straight into our living rooms, leaving us mostly fascinated, curious, and hungry for more.
The pathway toward legalization
Decriminalization as a precursor to the legalization of psychedelics in the United States is a fast-growing movement that seeks to change the legal status of these substances from criminal offenses to lower-level civil infractions or altogether to remove legal penalties for personal possession and use. Many decriminalization advocates argue that criminalizing the possession and use of psychedelics only adds to the stigma surrounding mental health issues and addiction and prevents people from accessing potentially life-changing treatments.
At the state level, Oregon and Colorado lead the way. Both states have legalized a variety of psychedelics and have established expert bodies to draw the rules around healing centers for administration. Similar bills have been introduced in Utah, New York, New Hampshire, Hawaii, and West Virginia.
Although still illegal at the Federal level, significant signs point towards imminent legalization. Last year, psilocybin received FDA approval as a “breakthrough therapy” for treatment-resistant depression. In May 2022, a letter from the US Department of Health and Human Services expressed that President Joe Biden’s administration “anticipates” that regulators will approve MDMA and psilocybin within the next two years for designated breakthrough therapies for PTSD and depression, respectively. The letter states that the administration is “exploring the prospect of establishing a federal task force to monitor” the emerging psychedelic treatment ecosystem, according to the letter sent by Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Miriam Delphin-Rittmon.
In the meantime, just a couple of weeks ago, Australia became the first country to legalize MDMA and Psilocybin as a treatment for PTSD and depression, leading the way for the rest of the world to do the same. It's just a matter of time.
For a cool snapshot of the current state of affairs in the United States, check out https://psychedelicalpha.com/data/psychedelic-laws
Healing the healers
From research & development to securing insurance coverage, there are dozens of clinical trials underway to make psychedelic-assisted therapies available in the near future.
Bringing psychedelic therapy safely to everyone is closer than ever, yet it still faces significant challenges, not the least is the need to train enough psychedelic therapists to cover the increasing demand.
Training therapists to work with psychedelic-assisted therapies presents its own unique set of legal, ethical and practical challenges.
First, legally, as mentioned above, Psychedelic substances are classified as Schedule I drugs in many countries, including the United States. This means they are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. As a result, conducting research and training therapists to use these substances is often limited by legal and regulatory barriers.
Additionally, working with individuals during altered states of consciousness requires adherence to the highest ethical standard and moral compass. Practitioners must be trained on the potential risks associated with these experiences and take steps to ensure their clients’ safety, both physical and emotional. Providing an environment where the individual feels safe is paramount in order for them to have a positive experience while under the influence of psychedelics. Additionally, practitioners must remain mindful of their own biases and any preconceived notions they may have about psychedelic use, as well as respect the client's autonomy throughout the experience.
Last but not least, Training therapists in psychedelic-assisted therapies also presents practical challenges related to the availability of training programs,, the development of training curricula, and the integration of this approach into existing healthcare systems. The use of psychedelics in therapy requires a high degree of skill and experience, and ensuring that therapists receive comprehensive training and supervision is critical for ensuring patient safety and positive outcomes.
Practitioners/Therapists are called to play a significant role in the future of psychedelic therapy. For aspiring therapists, it means intense learning and education, embracing the unique ethical boundaries of this work, and not giving anybody a reason for mistrust. Today's practitioners are the shoulders sustaining the generations to come.
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So, let’s dive in. My invitation is to approach psychedelic science with a curious and open mind. Our understanding of psychedelics is shifting, and society is beginning to look more closely at current evidence and decades of research on its potential benefits. By doing so, we can expect to see a way forward for real progress in the field of psychedelics: progress that will change how we heal ourselves, each other, and our environment.
Stay tuned for more!