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Jimmy Nguyen

Jimmy emphasizes the importance of harm reduction within the psychedelic container, which first and foremost honors the communion between the journeyer and the plant medicine. Jimmy strives to be an advocate for intentional psychedelic use in a way that confronts potential colonization, gatekeeping, and inequalities of access in a rapidly evolving psychedelic frontier.

que-es-la-terapia-psicodelica

¿Qué es la Terapia Psicodélica?

Los psicodélicos han despertado el interés de muchas personas en los últimos años. Es posible que haya escuchado que se hace referencia al LSD o a los ‘hongos mágicos’ en canciones y películas populares.

Ahora puede que se sorprenda al saber que los médicos y pacientes de todo el país están cada vez más interesados en implementar la terapia asistida por psicodélicos para ayudar con una serie de condiciones de salud mental. De alguna manera, esto no es sorprendente ya que la historia entre los psicodélicos y la medicina es mucho más rica de lo que piensas. 

Durante cientos de años, las culturas indígenas de todo el mundo han utilizado diferentes sustancias psicodélicas en ceremonias de sanación espiritual, sobre todo en América del Sur. La investigación orientada a la medicina occidental sobre los psicodélicos prevaleció ya en 1895.

Los psicodélicos generalmente conllevan un bajo riesgo de abuso o dependencia; de hecho, se ha demostrado que son mucho más potentes contra la adicción que la mayoría de los tratamientos convencionales. 

También se ha demostrado que las sustancias psicodélicas, o enteógenos, producen beneficios duraderos para muchas afecciones de salud mental diferentes, como la depresión, la ansiedad, el trastorno de estrés postraumático y otras.

¿Pero, qué es exactamente la terapia asistida por psicodélicos? ¿Y cómo funciona en la actualidad? Aquí, discutiremos qué es la terapia asistida por psicodélicos, sus beneficios potenciales, la diferencia entre los métodos de terapia convencionales y qué opciones pueden estar disponibles para usted.

Definiendo la Terapia Asistida Por Psicodélicos

Hay muchas prácticas terapéuticas diferentes para la mente y el cuerpo, y algunas involucran el uso de psicodélicos. Trabajaremos en hacer esas distinciones más adelante, pero por ahora, definamos la terapia de manera más amplia.

 En su forma más básica, la terapia es cualquier tratamiento aplicado con la intención de tratar o curar una dolencia. La medicina física, la cirugía y la rehabilitación son casi siempre terapéuticas por naturaleza.

La terapia psicodélica asistida es el uso real de la sustancia psicodélica por parte del paciente bajo la administración y supervisión de un profesional. Este tipo de terapia generalmente se enfoca en problemas o condiciones de salud mental que el usuario está tratando de controlar o aliviar.

 El uso de psicodélicos suele ir acompañado de otros modelos de terapia, como la terapia de conversación o la terapia psicodinámica durante el evento. También se utilizan prácticas de integración psicodélicas antes y después.  

Aunque existen varias modalidades diferentes para la terapia asistida por psicodélicos, a los efectos de este artículo, nos centraremos en la terapia supervisada y administrada por profesionales médicos autorizados.

En Psychedelic Passage, tenemos un profundo respeto por los curanderos chamánicos y los retiros internacionales que se centran en modalidades de curación no occidentalizadas

Dado el estado regulatorio actual de muchas sustancias psicodélicas, la única forma en que los pacientes estadounidenses pueden acceder a estas modalidades a nivel local es trabajando con un cuidador de viaje ceremonial

La única advertencia es que usted será responsable de obtener su propia sustancia psicodélica.Debido a esto, la terapia asistida por ketamina y la terapia asistida por cannabis son actualmente las únicas opciones legales en los Estados Unidos

La ketamina debe ser administrada por un profesional médico con licencia, mientras que las leyes sobre el uso de cannabis en terapia son menos estrictas según el estado en el que vivas. Con las tendencias legislativas y políticas actuales, la terapia asistida por psicodélicos que usa otras sustancias puede legalizarse y estar disponible en el futuro cercano.

Beneficios de la Terapia Psicodélica

En comparación con la terapia de conversación tradicional, los medicamentos recetados y otras intervenciones de salud mental, la terapia psicodélica demuestra beneficios convincentes. Los estudios existentes muestran que la terapia psicodélica produce beneficios a largo plazo para las personas que buscan tratar muchas afecciones y síntomas diferentes.

Por ejemplo, los pacientes deprimidos en varios estudios diferentes informaron un aumento de la energía, un mejor estado de ánimo e incluso una reducción del dolor físico después de una sola sesión de terapia psicodélica. Hay resultados similares para aquellos que sufren de PTSD. Estos efectos duraron meses en la mayoría de los pacientes y hasta años en algunos.

Los beneficios se amplificaron con la continuación de la terapia asistida por psicodélicos, y también se observaron en pacientes que tomaron microdosis de psicodélicos (microdosis es tomar pequeñas cantidades de psicodélicos para recibir un beneficio terapéutico sin provocar una experiencia alucinógena completa).

Los pacientes con ansiedad y comportamiento compulsivo también notaron un alivio de los síntomas después de la terapia asistida por psicodélicos. Estos hallazgos parecen respaldar la idea de que la terapia psicodélica ayuda a nuestras neuronas a regenerarse y formar nuevas conexiones.

Esta es una noticia convincente, ya que el entendimiento predominante durante la mayor parte de la historia médica fue que la función cerebral no podía alterarse ni repararse. 

Resulta que los enteógenos, literalmente, pueden reconfigurar nuestros cerebros para la curación, ¡algo que antes se pensaba que era imposible! Este recableado también puede ser útil para romper el ciclo de la adicción. 

Dado que el comportamiento adictivo está fuertemente arraigado en nuestros centros de recompensas, la capacidad de los psicodélicos para formar nuevas conexiones neuronales puede ser clave para su eficacia.

Y debido a que las experiencias psicodélicas a menudo provocan una profunda introspección y acceso a partes conscientes y subconscientes de la mente, pueden ayudar a uno a llegar a las causas fundamentales de su adicción. En un estudio, la terapia psicodélica redujo la tasa de recaídas de un grupo de alcohólicos al 50 % un año después de la terapia.

Puede que esto no suene muy impresionante, pero la siguiente mejor intervención fue la terapia de 12 pasos que tiene una tasa de recaída del 90%. Comparativamente, esto hace que los psicodélicos sean potencialmente la forma más exitosa de tratar muchos tipos diferentes de adicción.

Por supuesto, la naturaleza de la adicción hace que sea extremadamente difícil de tratar, e incluso con la terapia psicodélica, la recuperación puede ser un viaje no lineal. Dicho esto, la investigación existente demuestra resultados alentadores.

¿Qué Hace Que la Terapia Asistida Por Psicodélicos Sea Diferente?

Los métodos tradicionales para tratar afecciones como la ansiedad, la depresión y el TEPT generalmente consisten en recetas de ansiolíticos o antidepresivos que alivian temporalmente los síntomas mientras los pacientes se someten a psicoterapia. 

Pueden pasar meses o años antes de que se logre un progreso significativo. Mientras tanto, algunos de estos medicamentos pueden tener efectos secundarios que pueden deteriorar la calidad de vida, como insomnio, estreñimiento, fatiga, incapacidad para concentrarse y aumento de las tendencias suicidas en ciertos casos.

Lo que es más, hay un porcentaje de la población que no responde de manera efectiva a los métodos tradicionales y tiene lo que se conoce como condiciones “resistentes al tratamiento”. Debido a esto, la terapia asistida por psicodélicos está emergiendo como un tratamiento alternativo cada vez más prometedor.

Una diferencia clave entre la terapia asistida por psicodélicos y los métodos más tradicionales es el uso de compuestos psicodélicos para facilitar la experiencia, a menudo en presencia de un profesional médico autorizado. 

Los métodos tradicionales hacen que el paciente tome medicamentos todos los días para controlar sus síntomas, pero el proceso de psicoterapia suele ser independiente.

Otra diferencia es el tiempo que toma cada método. Algunos estudios muestran que una sola dosis de psicodélicos puede generar resultados positivos que pueden demorar meses o años solo con las terapias tradicionales. Además, algunos informan que estos beneficios duran mucho después del evento alucinógeno.

Quizás la distinción más importante es que las terapias convencionales abordan primero los síntomas del paciente y luego confían en la psicoterapia para navegar por los diversos bloqueos, defensas y problemas con los que la mente ha rodeado la dolencia mental específica.

Alternativamente, la terapia asistida psicodélica le permite al usuario enfocarse primero en los problemas a raíz de nuestras condiciones, y los síntomas generalmente disminuyen o desaparecen por completo a través de este proceso. Esto se debe a que, en el sentido más literal, los enteógenos abren nuestra mente a nuevos estados de conciencia. 

Estos estados alterados no son accesibles para nosotros en circunstancias ordinarias, pero los psicodélicos permiten al usuario acceder de manera segura a partes de la psique, lo que permite que nuestras mentes aborden eventos traumáticos pasados de nuevas maneras.

Y si el trauma no es la fuente de la condición mental, el recableado del cerebro mencionado anteriormente permite que nuestras mentes procesen los estímulos de nuevas maneras. Esta perspectiva ampliada puede facilitar un mejor procesamiento, curación y autoconciencia de una manera que otras terapias no pueden.

Tipos de Enfoques de Terapia Psicodélica

La terapia asistida por psicodélicos se puede definir por la sustancia particular utilizada, así como por los métodos de psicoterapia específicos aplicados. 

Aunque las terapias asistidas con ketamina y cannabis son actualmente las únicas opciones legales en Estados Unidos, cada vez hay más pruebas de que la psilocibina, la MDMA, el LSD e incluso la DMT pronto estarán disponibles como alternativas de tratamiento viables.

La modalidad de psicoterapia específica dependerá de la condición de salud mental específica del usuario, así como del contexto y los problemas descubiertos durante el evento psicodélico. Por ejemplo, un paciente que busca aliviar su ansiedad puede tener un método terapéutico diferente al de una persona que busca romper una adicción.

O alguien puede someterse a terapia para abordar su depresión, pero descubre un evento traumático de la infancia que está contribuyendo a su condición, lo que requeriría un experto en trauma y TEPT. 

Algunos optan por la curación individual, pero se dan cuenta de que tienen problemas de codependencia o de relación, que sería mejor que un especialista en terapia interpersonal los abordara. Independientemente de la razón por la que se busca terapia asistida por psicodélicos, es importante tener cuidado al seleccionar un terapeuta o profesional. 

Debido a que la terapia psicodélica implica estar con su terapeuta en un estado alterado, es importante elegir un profesional con el que se sienta seguro y una clínica que cuente con prácticas de control y supervisión médica adecuadas y efectivas.

Tenga cuidado de leer reseñas, pedir referencias y hacer visitas con anticipación para conocer al médico y al personal de la clínica: su seguridad es lo más importante. Y como se mencionó anteriormente, la legalidad varía según la sustancia. Si es útil, hemos elaborado una guía sobre cómo encontrar terapia cerca de usted.

La Importancia de la Integración

Si bien pueden no ser apropiadas para todos, las terapias asistidas por psicodélicos muestran beneficios prometedores para una serie de condiciones diferentes. Las personas buscan terapia asistida por psicodélicos por varias razones, y muchas lo hacen después de probar terapias convencionales con resultados menos que favorables.

Los beneficios de la terapia asistida por psicodélicos tienden a durar más que los de los métodos terapéuticos o farmacéuticos más convencionales. Si bien la razón de esto aún no se comprende completamente, parece que los psicodélicos mejoran la neuroplasticidad. 

En términos sencillos, esto significa que los enteógenos permiten que nuestros cerebros vuelvan a cablear físicamente sus conexiones, accediendo a varias partes de la psique, lo que permite que un usuario procese los problemas centrales de manera saludable, lo que contribuye al bienestar a largo plazo.

Pero la terapia asistida por psicodélicos no es una bala mágica, y la experiencia alucinógena por sí sola no te curará. Los beneficios sostenidos y de largo plazo tienen una correlación directa con las prácticas de integración utilizadas. 

Notas de Cierre

La integración psicodélica es el procesamiento y desempaquetado del evento psicodélico y los problemas relacionados que surgen para que el usuario pueda integrar estas lecciones para mejorar su vida cotidiana.

Esa es una parte crucial de lo que hacemos en Psychedelic Passage. El objetivo de nuestro programa de sesiones de viaje es garantizar que aquellos que buscan curarse con psicodélicos tengan el apoyo adecuado antes, durante y después de la experiencia.

Como parte de este proceso, nuestros facilitadores experimentados pueden ayudarlo a comprender el significado del viaje y ayudarlo a convertir su experiencia en conocimientos significativos que pueden maximizar su beneficio y mejorar en gran medida su vida. Al tiempo que reduce el daño potencial y aumenta su seguridad. 

Si cree que se beneficiaría de un servicio de viajes como el nuestro, sería un honor para nosotros ser parte de su viaje. Comience hoy programando una llamada para conectarse con uno de nuestros guías.

denver capitol building

2020: Psychedelic Reform in Review

2020 was a landmark year for psychedelic reform: one district, two cities, and an entire state passed legislation that decriminalized psychedelics in some way. And two cities that approved similar measures in 2019 have continued making further legislative progress in 2020. Though psychedelics are still federally illegal, these local initiatives are paving the way for full legalization in the future. In this article, we’ll dive into the regulatory details of each location, and what that means for the future of psychedelics. 

Denver, CO 2019 Recap

On May 7th, 2019, Denver became the first U.S. city to decriminalize the use and possession of psilocybin mushrooms with the passing of Initiated Ordinance 301, which was approved with 50.64% of votes in favor of the ordinance. This ordinance only applies to psilocybin mushrooms, meaning that other psychedelic compounds are still illegal.

Denver, CO in 2020

Initiated Ordinance 301 also created a Denver Psilocybin Mushroom Policy Review Panel, the first in the world, who began meeting in 2020. Appointed by the Mayor, members include law enforcement, psilocybin activists, mental health experts, harm reduction specialists, and other city officials. The goal of the panel is to analyze the effects of decriminalization and set policy regarding the implementation of the ordinance, including areas such as law enforcement reporting criteria, integration with existing mental health services, and potential programs to train first responders on harm reduction principles.

And though Initiated Ordinance 301 only applies to Denver, Colorado Springs may be the next municipality to decriminalize psilocybin. In October 2020, Colorado Springs City Council heard testimony from Decriminalize Nature Colorado Springs, an advocacy group highlighting the positive benefits of psychedelic reform. The Colorado Springs City Council President, Richard Skorman, responded favorably, describing how his sister’s participation in a Columbia University psilocybin mushroom study helped her resolve trauma surrounding a life-threatening battle with cancer. Psilocybin activists are pursuing a statewide psilocybin initiative that would most likely appear on the Colorado ballot in 2022. 

Oakland, CA 2019 Recap

On June 5th, 2019, Oakland became the second U.S. city to decriminalize plant- and fungi- based psychedelics with the unanimous passing of a city council resolution “supporting entheogenic plant practices and declaring that the investigation and arrest of individuals involved with the adult use of entheogenic plants on the Federal Schedule 1 list be amongst the lowest priority for the city of Oakland.”

The resolution includes natural psychedelic substances like psilocybin, ayahuasca, ibogaine, and mescaline. Synthetic psychedelics like LSD, Ketamine, and MDMA are not decriminalized.

Oakland, CA in 2020

In July 2020, Oakland city council reviewed another measure that urges California state policymakers to decriminalize psychedelics as well as give power to local municipalities to allow healing circles involving psychedelic substances. Oakland may also be the first city to establish a framework that regulates the cultivation and sale of psychedelics, with an emphasis on involving local “elders and spiritual leaders” while also attempting to avoid a commercial, profit-driven industry that currently defines legal cannabis. 

Santa Cruz, CA in 2020

On January 28th, 2020, Santa Cruz became the third U.S. city to decriminalize natural psychedelics with the unanimous passing of a city council resolution “declaring that the investigation and arrest of individuals twenty-one (21) years of age and older involved with the adult personal use and personal possession of entheogenic psychoactive plants and fungi listed on the Federal Schedule 1 list be amongst the lowest priorities for the City of Santa Cruz.”

The resolution “acknowledges that the use of entheogenic plants and fungi for health and spiritual well-being should be done in consultation with, and under the supervision of trained/medical professionals.

The resolution broadly covers “Entheogenic Plants” which are naturally derived from plants and fungi. These substances include psilocybin, ayahuasca, ibogaine, and mescaline. This means that synthetic psychedelics like LSD, Ketamine, and MDMA are not decriminalized.

And for the rest of the state of California, in November 2020, Sen. Scott Wiener (D) stated that he plans to introduce a statewide decriminalization bill once the legislature returns in early January 2021. Language of the proposal has yet to be released, but Wiener described the reform in a Twitter thread as an “important step toward a more rational, science-based, and public-health-focused approach to drugs.” 

**Update: Sen. Scott Wiener did introduce a bill on February 18, 2021 that proposes to decriminalize psychedelic substances across the entire state of California and expunge criminal records for prior psychedelic possession convictions.**

Ann Arbor, MI in 2020

On September 21st, 2020 Ann Arbor became the fourth U.S. city to decriminalize psychedelics with the unanimous passing of a city council resolution that declares “the investigation and arrest of persons for planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, engaging in practices with, or possessing Entheogenic Plants or plant compounds which are on the Federal Schedule 1 list shall be the lowest law enforcement priority for the city.”

The resolution broadly covers “Entheogenic Plants” which are naturally derived from plants and fungi. These substances include psilocybin, ayahuasca, ibogaine, and mescaline. This means that synthetic psychedelics like LSD, Ketamine, and MDMA are not decriminalized.

The major distinction between Ann Arbor and other cities like Oakland, CA; Santa Cruz, CA; and Denver, CO is that a key defunding measure was removed before passing the resolution. The language removed stated that “city funds or resources shall not be used in any investigation, detention, arrest, or prosecution arising out of alleged violations of state and federal law regarding the use of Entheogenic Plants.” What this means is that it is up to the discretion of Ann Arbor law enforcement whether to make arrests for possession of these substances or not. 

However, in January 2021, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor, Eli Savit, noting his continual support of the decriminalization of entheogenic plants, instituted a policy directive stating that his office will not be pursuing psychedelic possession cases. This is an example of how the efforts of one city can impact drug policy for its surrounding area, in this case, the entire Michigan county of Washtenaw. As more governing agencies and municipalities begin to respond to the initiatives in Ann Arbor, it will clarify whether other Michigan cities (or the entire state) will pursue decriminalization efforts.

Oregon in 2020

On November 3rd, 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize all federally scheduled substances with the passing of Measure 110, which was approved with 58.46% of votes in favor of the measure. Measure 110 makes personal possession of a controlled substance no more than a Class E violation, resulting in a maximum fine of $100. Previously, the violation would be considered a Class A misdemeanor, with a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $6,250 fine. This is a paradigm-shifting event because it moves the conversation surrounding drug abuse and addiction from a criminal conversation to a mental health conversation.

Measure 110 also means that all psychedelics are decriminalized in the entire state of Oregon. These substances include psilocybin, ayahuasca, DMT, mescaline, LSD, ketamine, MDMA, MDA, and cannabis.

Also on November 3rd, 2020, Oregon became the first state to approve a therapeutic Psilocybin Services Program with the passing of Measure 109, which was confirmed with 55.75% of votes in favor of the measure. Measure 109 legalizes, regulates and taxes the manufacture, sale, and administration of psilocybin for mental health purposes. Though the program won’t roll out until 2022, it would allow licensed facilities and service providers “to legally manufacture psilocybin products and provide psilocybin services to persons 21 years of age and older,” with services defined as “a preparation session; an administration session; and an integration session.” 

Perhaps what’s most interesting is that the measure would create an Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board that makes recommendations to the Oregon Health Authority on available scientific studies and research on the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in treating mental health conditions. It also makes recommendations on the requirements, specifications and guidelines for providing psilocybin services in Oregon. This board would include representatives from diverse backgrounds, including a federally recognized Oregon Indian tribe; the Addiction and Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council; a licensed psychologist; a licensed naturopathic physician; a mycologist; and a person experienced in psilocybin harm reduction, to name a few. 

Washington D.C. in 2020

On November 3rd, 2020, Washington D.C. decriminalized some psychedelics with the passing of Initiative 81, which was approved with 76.18% of votes in favor of the initiative. The initiative makes “investigation and arrest of adults for non-commercial planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, possessing or engaging in practices with entheogenic plants and fungi among the lowest law enforcement priorities for the District of Columbia.” The initiative also called for the “Attorney General of the District of Columbia and the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia to cease prosecution of residents of the District of Columbia” for these activities.

Initiative 81 specifically defines entheogenic plants and fungi as those that contain ibogaine, DMT, mescaline, psilocybin and psilocin. There is no indication that the surrounding states of Virginia and Maryland will be decriminalizing psychedelics anytime soon. In fact, Maryland congressman Andy Harris made a failed attempt to use congressional budgetary power to block Initiative 81, highlighting the temperament of some local politicians. It is also worth noting that Baltimore, Maryland is the home of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research, pioneering the intersection of psychedelic healing and western medicine. 

The Future of Psychedelic Reform

Psychedelic decriminalization in the nation’s capital at minimum serves as a symbol of the growing sentiment and social acceptance of psychedelics in America. The passing of local psychedelic decriminalization initiatives provides an example framework for other municipalities to follow suit, and some are already benefiting from this momentum. 

In 2020, Vermont, New York, and New Jersey all introduced some form of psychedelic decriminalization bill. In January 2021, the city council of Somerville, Massachusetts unanimously approved a psychedelic decriminalization policy. And as previously mentioned, a statewide California decriminalization bill was introduced in February 2021.

We are excited to see more local municipalities and states decriminalize, and ultimately legalize and regulate all psychedelic substances. These are the same trends that occurred during ongoing cannabis reform, so it’s reasonable to anticipate that psychedelic reform will follow a similar pattern.

Speak With a Psychedelic Professional

We at Psychedelic Passage offer support and resources to psychedelic seekers, and we provide a concierge service which connects clients to a network of professional psychedelic guides and facilitators. 

Book a consultation with us to get access to our supportive network located all over the United States. The facilitators in our network provide support along all steps of the process, from microdosing to preparation to in-ceremony support to integration.

We also created a resources page where you can find additional supportive articles on all topics related to psychedelic medicine and entheogenic substances.

black and white stethoscope, talking to doctors about psychedelics

How to Discuss Psychedelics With Your Healthcare Provider

Psychedelics are a popular topic nowadays, partly because psychedelic users are no longer keeping their use a secret. People from all walks of life are learning about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and are openly discussing their experiences. The conversation is slowly shifting from taboo to mainstream. But having a conversation about psychedelics with a friend is certainly different than with a doctor, therapist, or mental health professional.  

It may not have even crossed your mind that you should talk to your medical or mental health professional about past or upcoming psychedelic use. In short, you should, particularly if you have preconditions that may make psychedelic use riskier, such as a heart issue or a history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or seizures. 

But like many other emerging therapies in western medicine, most health professionals are reluctant to endorse or support psychedelic use. In this article we’ll discuss why that is, the integration of psychedelics into western medicine, and things to consider when you speak to your therapist or doctor about psychedelic experiences.

Why Most Medical Professionals Are Reluctant to Discuss Psychedelics Use

1. Lack of Research and Regulatory Approval

Though psychedelics have a long record in human history, they are just now being recognized as medicine in western-oriented health and mental care. However, medical research and regulation have a lot of catching up to do. Psychedelics are not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and most psychedelic substances are listed as federally scheduled narcotics by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). 

60+ years of psychedelic prohibition has created a lack of peer-reviewed articles and research, and most medical and mental health professionals don’t have firsthand experience with psychedelic substances. So it becomes clear why some doctors and therapists are reluctant to endorse psychedelic use. 

2. Risk of Losing Licensure

The current illegal nature of psychedelics (except for ketamine) prevents medical health professionals from openly endorsing their use. Today, many doctors and therapists are taking a cautious approach with psychedelics, waiting for these substances to be FDA approved to limit the risk of losing their license. There are certainly plenty of other therapists providing underground psychedelic-assisted therapy, but they are taking a very real risk in offering that service. 

Many mental health professionals recognize the benefits of psychedelic use, but must ask themselves, “is administering or endorsing these illegal substances worth losing my license over?” The research is clear, psychedelics work to treat stubborn conditions like PTSD and depression; otherwise the FDA wouldn’t have designated them as breakthrough therapies. But until state-approved psychedelic therapy programs become functional or federal restrictions lessen, mental health professionals will continue to be reluctant.

3. Pharmaceutical Model

Another complexity at play here is the relationship between pharmaceutical companies and prescribing medical professionals. Pharmaceutical companies spend money to influence physicians and other drug prescribers, about $20 billion per year, compared to about $6 billion per year for direct-to-user advertisements. In 2015, 48% of U.S. Physicians have accepted some kind of payment from a biomedical or pharmaceutical manufacturing company. 

This creates some favoritism and bias where a doctor is more likely to prescribe a traditional medication that they have had some exposure to, instead of an unfamiliar and unregulated psychedelic substance. It is a shame for the patient, however, whose options for mental health treatment typically revolve around anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications that have potential side effects such as nausea, fatigue, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, constipation, anxiety, irritability, and suicidal thoughts.

Western Medicine & Psychedelics: Bridging the Gap

A growing (and compelling) body of research suggests that psychedelics can be helpful in healing trauma, alleviating depression, breaking addictions, and even coping with our own mortality. This research is invaluable and carries the power to help incorporate psychedelic therapies into modern medical, psychiatric, and spiritual practice. Though the upcoming integration of psychedelics into modern medicine is a major step forward, the simple fact is that the current U.S. mental and medical healthcare model has limitations. 

With psychedelics, there are anecdotal, spiritual, and intangible effects of psychedelics that simply don’t translate well into quantitative data (the kind of tangible information researchers love best). Empirical research carries some caveats when applied to psychedelics—how do scientific and medical professionals quantify the intangible aspects of the experiences, and then use that data to demonstrate patterns and benefits of psychedelic use?

Essentially, ongoing scientific research is verifying the benefits of psychedelic use that certain indigenous cultures and communities have known for centuries. And if America stays on trend, we may experience a beautiful integration between western medicine and ancient plant healing that may make these treatment alternatives more accessible. 

These studies will likely never be able to explain the full mechanisms by which psychedelics work their magic, but every additional piece of research brings us one step closer to legitimizing their use. FDA approval will be a big step. And if that’s followed by DEA descheduling, medical professionals can then explore psychedelics as viable treatments. And if anything can be gleaned from the cannabis industry, state-wide legislation will also create major progress. 

Oregon is pioneering the movement with the November 2020 passing of Measure 109 and Measure 110 which creates a state-approved psilocybin therapy program and decriminalizes all drugs, respectively. Oregon has two years to develop and initiate the therapy program, and it will be interesting to watch how it will unfold.

What Does This Mean For You?

So you’re someone interested in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics? Your safety and well-being are of the utmost importance, so here are some things to consider.

1. Be Open With Your Primary Healthcare Provider

If you are considering undergoing a psychedelic experience, it is important to be open and transparent with your healthcare provider, both for mental and physical health. Twenty years ago, it would be impossible to have conversations about psychedelics with a doctor. Today, patients can have those conversations and should exercise that right. 

Psychedelics are not for everyone, and talking with your healthcare provider before your first experience should be a part of your due diligence process. However, we acknowledge that most healthcare professionals may not support or endorse psychedelic use. Nonetheless, having open communication with your doctor or therapist is the first step. At a minimum, we suggest getting the clearance that you don’t fall into a high-risk category as a result of pre-existing conditions—more on this in the step below.

2. Prescreening

Though psychedelics are generally safe physiologically, they can have potential psychological consequences in unstructured and unsupported situations. There are also factors that potentially make psychedelic use more dangerous. Prescreening is an important process in preparing for a psychedelic journey where you are identifying and mitigating these factors. 

This includes things like making sure you are mentally and physically fit enough for the experience; identifying risky preconditions such as respiratory problems, heart conditions, or specific mental disorders; and making sure you won’t experience any unintended drug interactions. It is important to note that psychedelics can help alleviate specific mental disorders such as anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder, but may exacerbate other disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This is why prescreening is crucial. 

3. Seek Other Professional Support

The most important thing to remember is that the patient has the ultimate say in their mind, body, and the healthcare professional they choose. It is also important to note that doctors have varying levels of exposure, information, and research when it comes to psychedelics. Even if a professional were open to a patient self-medicating with a particular substance, they would be hard-pressed to provide actionable steps regarding dosage, safe consumption, and harm reduction. 

Luckily, there is a multitude of supporting professionals who can help. It is possible to find another mental health professional, an integration specialist, or even a psychedelic guide or trip sitter (this is what we do here at Psychedelic Passage). The MAPS website also has a list of over 350 coaches and mental health professionals who all state they are experienced in the integration of psychedelic experiences for wellness.

4. Ask Questions

The best thing a patient can do is to ask questions with a variety of professionals to make the most informed decision possible. This is especially important when it comes to treatment-resistant mental health issues where the patient feels like they have tried every option already. Getting a second opinion is a good idea if the patient thinks psychedelic use can improve their well-being. Finding and speaking to other patients who have used psychedelics to alleviate a similar condition may also be helpful. Though this information is anecdotal in nature, it can provide the patients with more context and understanding until medical research and legislation catch up. 

The Potential to Heal

Though integrating psychedelics into western medicine will increase accessibility for patients, it will not alleviate all of the pitfalls of U.S. mental healthcare. In fact, many individuals turn to psychedelics when conventional therapies have failed, especially for treatment-resistant mental health conditions. 

It should be known that we have a deep respect for therapists and psychiatrists—but the current model is too dependent on prescription medications that often debilitate one’s quality of life. Psychedelics temporarily blur the lines of reality, merging your conscious and unconscious mind, body, and soul, which provides an entirely different form of transcendental healing

So then, how do you know the difference between a spiritual emergency and a psychotic break? A mental health professional and a ceremonial shaman may have two very different opinions of the same situation. What happens when a psychedelic experience causes you to question your sense of self or years of social conditioning? 

Ego-death cannot be measured in a graph. Returning to normal life can be jarring for most people—especially without support—this is why integration is so important. What we are highlighting is that mental health professionals are not the only resource available for people looking to be supported on a wellness journey with psychedelics. Coaches, mentors, spiritual teachers, and being a part of a community are also important to translate bewildering psychedelic experiences into meaningful healing. 

Psychedelics can help rewire the brain to address negative and harmful patterns and replace them with healthier habits. Previously, people had to do much of this exploration on their own without sound information or guidance for safety. Luckily today, there are many professionals that can help you avoid potentially dangerous experiences and make the most of your trip. 

It is becoming apparent that traditional western medicine alone cannot resolve all the mental health issues America is facing. Psychedelics show you that you are not a broken brain or a set of symptoms that require fixing. You are a human being who already has all of the tools to heal and live a fulfilling life— it’s just that psychedelics can serve as a key to access that toolbox. 

If you want support during a psychedelic experience or a trained professional to talk to afterward, start by scheduling a call with one of our psychedelic concierges. Psychedelic Passage serves in an intentional way that maximizes impact and minimizes risk, and we’d be honored to hear from you.

supreme court building, psychedelic reform

Why Psychedelic Reform Will Surpass Cannabis: 6 Reasons

Over the past several decades, cannabis has made major strides towards legalization. From medicinal use to approved recreational consumption; today there are more states where cannabis is legally available than states where it is completely illegal. Yet cannabis is still federally outlawed. 

Why does this matter? Because recent cannabis legislation has created a more favorable social and political environment in which psychedelic reform could prove successful.    

So, can we glean anything from the progression of the cannabis industry to predict what will happen with psychedelic legalization? As entrepreneurs and plant medicine advocates, we believe psychedelics will follow, and likely surpass, cannabis. Here are six reasons why:

1. Legality Trends

The fact of the matter is, psychedelics already operate like cannabis in the sense that some psychedelic compounds are legal, some are only available medicinally, and some are downright illegal. Consider the following comparisons:

Ketamine is generally illegal to possess, but since it is a schedule III drug, “off-label use” is allowed under direct medical supervision. This is why ketamine is legal for therapeutic use and why we are seeing ketamine therapy clinics opening in almost every state. However, these ketamine clinics are not federally regulated. Thus ketamine is analogous to the hemp and cannabis industries, all of which operate under some type of local legal framework despite being deemed federally illegal. 

The legality of psilocybin and MDMA could be compared to medicinal cannabis programs. Both psychedelic focused clinical trials and state-specific medical cannabis programs require patients to have qualifying conditions to participate. 

With psilocybin and MDMA each receiving a “Breakthrough Therapy” designation by the FDA for treatment of depression and PTSD respectively, these medicinal psychedelic applications will likely be available to patients on a large scale very soon. We are already seeing this trend in Oregon, where Measure 109 was passed, which legalizes psilocybin assisted therapy. 

Finally, there are psychedelic compounds like LSD and DMT that still remain fully illegal. These compounds are analogous to cannabis in states without recreational or medicinal programs where the penalties for possession and consumption are still quite severe. 

What this suggests is that psychedelics reform will likely be parallel to the progression of cannabis. We’re already seeing decriminalization of entheogenic substances in places like Denver, CO, Oakland, CA, Santa Cruz, CA, Ann Arbor, MI, and the State of Oregon. This is the same progression cannabis followed: local decriminalization, then medical only programs, which led to statewide legalization. 

2. FDA Involvement

With MDMA and psilocybin receiving FDA “Breakthrough Therapy” designations, this could lead the FDA to deschedule psychedelics faster than cannabis. This designation means that the FDA is expediting the development and review of these psychedelic drugs because they have the potential to treat PTSD and depression better than the current therapeutic options available. 

Compare that to the fact that there are currently no FDA approved applications for cannabis for the treatment of any disease or condition, despite numerous statewide medical cannabis programs. Psychedelics benefit from FDA approved clinical trials, which will likely accelerate the reform process.

3. Money

Simply put, the opportunity to control and regulate these substances results in far greater potential financial gain than keeping them illegal. This is true for both cannabis and psychedelics. Historically, the businesses that bring about true policy reform in the US are typically the ones that have the money to lobby congress. 

There are at least 17 publicly traded psilocybin companies and hundreds of private companies that are psilocybin related. The same investors who are interested in the psychedelic space are the same ones with the resources to lobby politically in favor of psychedelic legalization. 

Then consider the potential tax revenue and positive economic impact that would directly benefit state and local governments as well as citizens—we saw this trend with cannabis. Two neighboring towns would have differing policies on legal cannabis—one would allow it and one would not. It was only a matter of time before the town that didn’t allow for cannabis sales saw the added tax revenue the adjacent town was receiving and elected to change their policy. Though it may not be an exact replica, our hypothesis is that similar trends will hold true with psychedelics. 

4. Alternative Wellness Attitudes and Social Acceptance

Holistic, alternative forms of wellness are all the rage these days. That’s a big part of why CBD and cannabis have received such widespread acceptance. More Americans realize the limitations of western medicine and are open to exploring the real benefits of a holistic health approach; especially those including plant-based medicines like cannabis, psilocybin, and ayahuasca. 

Consumers desire to heal their mind, body, and spirit in ways that don’t depend on medication and prescription drugs. These forms of alternative wellness are becoming more and more mainstream due to Netflix documentaries like “The Spirit Molecule,” companies like Goop, and organizations like MAPS. When highly respected members of our society endorse psychedelic use (like Michael Pollan), it accelerates social acceptance across the country.

5. Reform begets Reform

Psychedelics will benefit from cannabis reform and will potentially progress faster thanks to the forward momentum the cannabis industry has already created. Cannabis legalization has created positive regulatory, economic, and social benefits. Fears of increased crime or higher underage use in legal states have been disproven. Instead, the cannabis industry stimulates economies, provides jobs, and helps millions of people alleviate a variety of mental and physical health conditions. 

And in more recent years, the cannabis industry has put a spotlight on social justice by way of social equity programs. These programs attempt to address racial inequalities and increase the accessibility and participation of people of color as industry business owners, advocates, and participants. Organizations like The Last Prisoner Project are seeking to release every individual imprisoned for cannabis related offenses.

The fact of the matter is that both cannabis and psychedelics have been used as a tool to disenfranchise and incarcerate particular segments of our society, namely black and brown people. Though not yet a perfect system, these cannabis social justice initiatives are a step in the right direction. These advancements in cannabis pave the way for wider acceptance of psychedelics, and serve as implementation and morality models that could better inform the direction of legalized psychedelics.

6. Integration to Current Healthcare System

Psychedelics are more easily integrated into US healthcare and medical practices than cannabis. Take for example that the entire recreational cannabis business model is devoid of medical professionals, yet much of cannabis consumption, despite whether it comes from a recreational or medical program, is used for medicinal reasons. Even in medical cannabis programs, a doctor can approve the patient’s medical license, but is usually prohibited from making recommendations on strain, dosage, frequency, usage modality, etc. 

Alternatively, when we look at ketamine and MDMA in clinical settings, healthcare professionals such as RN’s, Psy-D’s, and MD’s are required to be present and these professionals actually administer the substance (not something you see in legal cannabis today). The participation of these medical professionals so early in the psychedelic reform process leads us to believe that psychedelics will be better integrated into US healthcare. The success of psychedelic related FDA approved clinical trials would only strengthen this opportunity. 

Final Thoughts

Consider that the first medical cannabis program was legalized by California in 1996. Just 18 years later, Colorado was the first state to legalize a recreational cannabis program. 

Yet today, cannabis is still federally illegal and the U.S. government does not recognize any official medical or health benefit. So, what does this all mean for psychedelics? And how does this affect the average U.S. citizen? 

It means that if these indicators hold true, individuals suffering from mental health conditions and debilitating illnesses won’t have to wait 20 plus years before alternative psychedelic treatment methods are available to them at an affordable price. 

Fortunately, the trends are pointing in the direction of faster reform. And although psychedelic reform may surpass cannabis, it has its own set of complex issues that need to be managed and addressed thoughtfully. 

The conversation surrounding psychedelics as it relates to healing and medicinal use is on the rise. People are beginning to seek out psychedelic use as a viable and acceptable way to address treatment-resistant and persisting mental health conditions. 

Vast amounts of psychedelic-related research is taking place. Public figures and role models are more open to talking about psychedelics positively. It won’t be long before regulation, and ultimately, legalization, will follow suit.

If you’re interested in exploring whether psychedelics may be a good fit for you, schedule a consultation with one of our psychedelic guides or trip sitters today.

human anatomy model, how psychedelics work in the body

Psychedelics in the Body: A Head to Toe Guide of Effects

A psychedelic experience creates both mental and physiological changes. While it’s the mental changes that most psychedelic users seek and enjoy, there are many changes in the body that work in conjunction with the mental, mood, and perception changes that make up the psychedelic “trip.” We’ve explored how psychedelics work in the brain, but it’s important to also recognize that psychedelics impact areas of the body beyond the brain. 

In fact, most psychedelics will affect nearly every area of the body in one way or another, which leads to a variety of physical ‘side effects.’ Though negative effects are rarely experienced or short-lived, in some cases can lead to serious concerns. That said, there are certain harm reduction techniques that should be exercised. 

  1. Use a drug testing kit to verify your substance and ensure there are no unwanted additives. 
  2. Do not use psychedelics when pregnant. 
  3. Exercise caution if you have a personal or family history of schizophrenia or mental illness. 
  4. Consult a physician if you have any health concerns that may be intensified with psychedelics (i.e. heart conditions).
  5. If you are taking a prescription drug, check for any drug interactions that could be dangerous.  
  6. Start with a small dose and work your way up. 
  7. Do not operate a vehicle or heavy machinery.
  8. Do not perform potentially harmful activities while impaired such as cooking, using a knife, blender, etc. 
  9. Stay hydrated (but avoid drinking too much water) and try to keep your body temperature within a normal range (particularly important with substances like MDMA). 
  10. Ensure that you are in a safe environment and have the support of a trained guide or trip sitter, like us at Psychedelic Passage

Psychedelics offer a range of benefits which, due to decades of regulation, we’re only just starting to realize and implement. If you’re on a personal journey to unlock some of these benefits, it is also your responsibility to do so safely and responsibly. Having the support of a psychedelic guide who has successful firsthand experience can go a long way. 

Together, we can share information to prepare you for an experience, provide in-person trip sitting, and help you discuss insights and epiphanies after the trip. This allows you to enjoy a safe space to ask questions, get the most out of your experience, and be held accountable to your psychedelic journey and intended outcomes. If you’re one of the many individuals who’ve been waiting for a service like this, click here to get in touch with a psychedelic guide today

Each individual body is unique, and inputs like set, setting, and the context surrounding your psychedelic use will also impact how the body is affected. For example, you may experience issues surrounding the throat and vocal chords if you are having trouble communicating with a loved one or voicing your needs in daily life. Or you may experience significant nausea and vomiting, which is related to the beneficial purging process associated with ayahuasca or psilocybin. 

As we take a journey through the human body to explore the effects of psychedelics on the body, you’ll notice that these can be categorized as producing positive, neutral, or negative effects. It is also worth noting that some effects are related to specific substances, and the experiences and side effects of different psychedelic substances can vary quite a bit. The following is a guide to different potential effects on particular parts of the body and what may occur during a psychedelic experience. 

Effects in the Brain, Head, and Face

Psychedelic Effect in the brain, the head, the face

Unfortunately, trisma and bruxia are particularly common with MDMA. While jaw pain may be experienced for the next couple days, excessive MDMA use (and therefore excessive grinding and tension) may, over time, wear down the teeth and crack the enamel. 

Fortunately, you can help to prevent this by ensuring that you consume adequate levels of magnesium. Those who are magnesium deficient are more likely to experience bruxism, or teeth grinding, and while a one-time magnesium supplement won’t necessarily help, eating a diet rich in foods like black beans, avocados, bananas, cashews, and spinach might. 

Effects in the Heart

Psychedelic effects in the heart

When it comes to heart complications, these tend to be some of the biggest deal breakers for those considering psychedelics (including the reason Michael Pollan never tried MDMA for his book How to Change Your Mind). Many psychedelics cause changes in the heart and circulation, some of which can end up being fatal. 

Of these, MDMA certainly presents the most risks, including blood pressure changes, increased heart rate, arrhythmias, and vasoconstriction. Anyone with a pre-existing heart condition should consult with a doctor before experimentation and, at the very least, should start out with very small doses

Effects in the Stomach

Psychedelic effects in the stomach

While it’s not uncommon to feel nauseous or even vomit on most psychedelics, this isn’t necessarily a ‘bad’ thing. While uncomfortable, feeling nauseous isn’t a sign that something is “wrong” with the trip. 

In fact, the indigenous cultures who have used psychedelics for millennia believe that with drugs like ayahuasca and peyote, vomiting is an essential part of the experience—a purge to cleanse the mind, body, and soul. To alleviate the chances of nausea, many people combine psychedelics with fasting (at least 4-6 hours) or make their last meal a light one. 

There is also some new research exploring whether psychedelics can positively affect the body’s microbiome, the accumulation of all the bacteria, fungi, and other microbes in the human body. The microbiome is vital to the immune and nervous systems, helps regulate the heart as well as other things such as weight, mood, and serotonin levels. With over 3 trillion of these microorganisms in the stomach, psychedelics may potentially affect the gut-brain axis, balance the microbiome, and improve overall health

Effects in the Appendages

Psychedelic effects in the appendages

Interestingly, the clammy cold feeling many people experience with psychedelics (and particularly LSD) has been linked to the book The Tibetian Book of the Dead and referred to as what Tibetians call “water sinking into fire.” This side effect, according to Timothy Leary and others, has been associated with consciousness moving around the body. 

While it may feel awkward and uncomfortable, this effect can be thought of as a symptom of death, not death of the body but death of the ego. The body (ego) becomes uncomfortable at the onset of ego-loss and if someone should feel things like clammy, coldness, or tingling in the extremities, they should embrace the sensation and let it pass naturally, understanding that this is a physical reaction signifying transcendence.  

In fact, most of the effects in the appendages (and in this entire guide) are temporary and can often represent a physical manifestation of a mental or spiritual process. So while psychomotor impairment may seem negative if you are actively trying to complete a complex physical task (not recommended during a trip!), it may aid in achieving transcendental or meditative states or allow your mind to have a healthy self-dialogue about major life issues. 

Effects in the Sexual Organs

psychedelic_effects_in_sexual_organs

Just like the connection between spirituality and psychedelics, the connection between sexuality and psychedelics goes back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Throughout all of history, humans have been on the search for aphrodisiacs—including those that are psychoactive

There may also be a psychedelic connection to the sacral chakra, which is responsible for our emotions, relating emotions to others, creativity, and sexuality. Opening or balancing this chakra may also lead to a heightened sense of well-being, creation, oneness, and abundance. However, there have been some reports of temporary sexual dysfunction as noted above.

As many psychedelics help to facilitate emotional bonding, they can also intensify sensual bonding. One’s sensations are heightened, their inhibitions fall to the wayside, and the release of feel-good chemicals like serotonin and oxytocin can contribute to a positive and extremely meaningful sexual experience. Just make sure that ongoing consent is given, boundaries are established, and the environment is safe.

Effects in the Entire Body

Psychedelic effects in the entire body

It’s important to be mindful of the fact that psychedelics alter the way that you perceive your body. Thus, normal bodily functions like regulating temperature and pain levels become more erratic. You may notice that you are more receptive to minor changes in your external environment. 

Be cognizant of the signals your body is giving you as they are typically physical manifestations of the subconscious mind. In our experience, these full body responses to psychedelics are unpredictable. Meaning sometimes you may have decreased pain perception, while other times, you may have increased pain perception. The difference in effects can be attributed to the various inputs that go into a psychedelic trip—substance, set, setting, dosage, and intention.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, if anything, the above information lets you know that if you spontaneously burst into tears while on LSD (for no apparent reason) or feel nauseous when the psilocybin starts to kick in, you’re not alone. In fact, you could likely find anecdotal evidence of nearly any side effect under the sun. While some of these may be uncomfortable, they’re unlikely to be of any serious concern. 

In fact, even the uncomfortable responses might be those that will end up becoming the most meaningful aspects of your experience. However, if you are concerned about any pre-existing health conditions or interactions with pharmaceutical drugs, we recommend that you speak to a doctor first. As always, make sure that you start with small doses and are in a safe and supportive environment. And remember that a difficult experience is not the same as a “bad trip.” 

At Psychedelic Passage, we are here to support you on your healing journey with psychedelics—regardless of where you are in that process. Perhaps you experienced an uncomfortable physical sensation while taking psychedelics and you’d like help understanding its significance. Or perhaps your fear of physical discomfort is preventing you from pursuing the experience altogether. 

These are normal occurrences that we help our clients work through. If you’re looking for guidance and support before, during, and after your psychedelic experience, book a consultation with one of our psychedelic concierges today.

orb and clock, proper age to begin using psychedelics

What Is the Proper Age to Begin Using Psychedelics?

It’s no secret that, especially recently, people of all ages are becoming interested in psychedelics. From Silicon Valley using psychedelics to improve work performance to stories of psilocybin’s role in helping terminal patients face their impending death, people from all walks of life are wondering how they too can harness the power of psychedelics. 

And while it is clear that psychedelics can have a positive benefit at various stages of life, more people have been wondering, what is the proper age to begin using psychedelics? In this article we’ll explore why you may never be too old, but may be too young to start using psychedelics.

The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Therapy 

Addressing Mental Health Conditions

Psychedelic therapy has shown promise in the treatment of various mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This section explores the therapeutic effects of psychedelic-assisted therapy, its application in clinical research settings, and its potential to improve mental health services.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Psychedelic-assisted therapy has emerged as a potential treatment for PTSD, a debilitating condition characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance, and heightened emotional arousal. Research suggests that psilocybin-assisted therapy, which utilizes the psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms,” can facilitate profound healing experiences and alleviate PTSD symptoms, providing new hope for individuals who have not responded to conventional therapies.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD): Depression affects millions worldwide, with a significant subset of patients experiencing treatment-resistant depression. Psychedelic therapy, particularly with compounds like psilocybin and MDMA, has demonstrated promising results in clinical trials. 

Research suggests that these substances, when combined with therapeutic support, can induce transformative experiences and lead to significant reductions in depressive symptoms. Such findings offer new avenues for those with treatment-resistant depression to find relief and improve their quality of life.

Common Mental Health Conditions: Beyond PTSD and depression, psychedelics have shown potential therapeutic effects in addressing other common mental health conditions. Clinical research settings have explored their use in anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and more. 

Advancements in Clinical Trials and Research: In recent years, there has been a resurgence of human hallucinogen research, with clinical trials examining the safety and efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapies. These trials adhere to rigorous scientific standards and ethical considerations, ensuring participant safety and informed consent. As more research is conducted, the evidence base supporting the therapeutic use of psychedelics continues to grow.

Implications for Mental Health Services: The potential of psychedelic therapy has significant implications for mental health services. By integrating these therapies into existing treatment frameworks, mental health services can expand their options for individuals who have not found relief through traditional approaches. This integration requires careful consideration of regulatory frameworks, practitioner training, and ensuring accessibility and affordability of these treatments.

What Is a Good Age to Start Using Psychedelic Medicine?

The onset of hallucinogen use typically occurs between ages 15 to 19 years, with 19 being the most likely age for people to first experiment with psychedelics, particularly with white respondents with high income households. 

This suggests that socio-economic factors play a role in the age of psychedelic use as well as race. Regardless of any background, Americans view 18 years old as the age of coming into adulthood. 

The life changes that take place around this age—whether it’s moving away from home, starting a new job, or going to college—marks a period of independence where an individual generally has the freedom (and responsibility) to make their own choices and decide how they participate and engage with the world. 

That said, this is also thought to be a pivotal time to try psychedelics, and that psychedelic use any earlier than this age can compromise health. Regardless of the social freedoms that come around this age, one’s mind and body still has a lot of development to do. You may technically be an “adult” but think about it, did you know who you truly were when you were 18 years old? 

While 19 is considered a good age to begin using psychedelics, it’s thought by many that the early to mid-20’s is much better. And in many cases, people are in their thirties before they have a strong enough sense of values, identity, and self-awareness to be able to understand and integrate a psychedelic experience

Ultimately, the age at which one is ready to use psychedelics will be driven by their past experiences, intended outcome, and feelings of preparedness. In essence, an appropriate age is when you feel ready—when you have a thoughtful intention, the proper knowledge, and preparation to interact with these substances. 

Unfortunately, many teenagers and young adults initially seek out drugs (specifically alcohol) as a form of entertainment, numbing, or escapism. This mentality also affects psychedelic use as many try them for the first time for recreation or as a ‘party drug’. Ironically, using psychedelics for the first time can have the complete opposite effect and can be done for opposing reasons—to stimulate deep personal discovery and help someone connect with themselves. 

Risks For Younger Users of Psychedelics

“But sadly, the first psychedelic experience is much more likely to happen at a noisy party somewhere than in a sacred setting filled with reminders of spirit. And that’s a big missed opportunity, for us as a society.” – Ram Dass

About 5% of school-age children (8th through 12th grade) have used psychedelics. In Western society, teen psychedelic use is an act of rebellion or stems from the need to be socially accepted, and most often is done in an unsupervised and unsanctioned setting.

Interestingly, in non-western societies, psychedelic use is associated with coming-of-age rituals, religious ceremonies, and carrying on the lineage of past generations. This causes the user to heal mental trauma, gain a deeper understanding of the self, and understand the importance of their legacy. 

With the lack of these types of rites of passage in America, it’s no wonder psychedelics are relegated as ‘party drugs’ to teens and young adults. With the illegality and stigma that surrounds psychedelic use, a teen may have healing in mind (i.e. spiritual growth from psychedelics) but presumably have to keep their experiences a secret. 

This prevents them from constructively working with adults or therapists that can help them integrate the experience and use psychedelics responsibly. Without guidance from an experienced adult, several risks also exist, such as taking too large of a dose or not knowing how to test substances for safety.  

Preparation for young people who might encounter drugs is key—and is something that is prioritized in other cultures. The desire to alter consciousness appears to be universal and spans around the globe, yet the current landscape in the United States (D.A.R.E. programs, the War on Drugs, etc.) takes an “all drugs are harmful and immoral” approach, which deters older adults/parents from educating their children and family members. 

In contrast, in other cultures, psychedelics are used in initiation rituals as an adolescent becomes a young adult. These rites of passage typically involve something like a spoonful of ayahuasca or a small amount of peyote. 

This allows the children to comprehend how sacred and powerful the medicines are, and by respecting these substances, minimizes the chance of them developing an unhealthy relationship with drugs altogether. 

In fact, when a similar process is followed in the US (either with or without drugs), the focus on awareness, education, and respect contributes to young people who develop a healthier relationship with psychedelics. Recently, several social scientists, educators, and mental health professionals have begun to propose that meaningful rites-of-passage are needed in our society. 

There are several anecdotal accounts of parents providing resources, the drugs themselves, or simply being available to answer questions and share stories of their personal psychedelic experiences with their children. These conversations can go a long way in introducing adolescents to psychedelics and providing them with the tools, insight, and agency to form responsible relationships with them. 

The knowledge and resources that come with responsible psychedelic use can come from a parent or respected older adult, but for many, they come from other individuals in the psychedelic community. Learning from the firsthand experiences of others is one of the best ways to be able to form a healthy relationship with psychedelics. 

We are trip sitters who facilitate in-person ceremonial psychedelic experiences with an emphasis on harm reduction in decriminalized areas. If you are ready, take the next step in your healing by booking a discovery call today.

Benefits of Waiting Until Later in Life

While it stands to reason that, with the appropriate support and knowledge, a teen can have a positive experience with psychedelics, waiting a bit longer has been associated with more benefits. The prefrontal cortex (the rational part of the brain) isn’t fully developed until around age 25

Many psychedelic experiences involve novel thoughts and emotions that can literally rewire the brain. Simply put, someone without a fully developed brain may not have the mental faculties to comprehend everything that comes up. 

Relatedly, while this certainly isn’t always the case and is dependent on an array of other factors, the chances of developing any form of new-onset addiction is much higher in adolescence and early adulthood (ages 15 to 25). 

Additionally, long term risks have been reported with adolescent psychedelic use. Cognitive deficits have been reported with both cannabis and MDMA—both risks of which aren’t present with adults. Older individuals tend to have a better appreciation of the healing benefits of psychedelics, as well as understanding the importance of preparation and integration. 

In addition, they’re more likely to have the resources to use psychedelics properly (a setting conducive to the experience, the finances to afford it, etc.). And perhaps most important is that older individuals have a stronger support network of family and long-term friends, some of whom might even be experimenting with psychedelics themselves.

But How Old is Too Old?

If you’re reading this article as a young person with hesitations about psychedelic use but also worried about “missing out,” don’t worry. Similarly, if you’re an older individual who feels like you’ve missed the train or that your mind and body are too set in their ways, don’t count yourself out just yet

It’s likely that the psychedelic experience will be better as you get older—hopefully with more substances becoming legal in the meantime. While it’s generally better to wait until we’re well into adulthood to try psychedelics, barring any serious health concerns, there’s a general consensus that you’re never too old for psychedelics.

You may be surprised to find that older Americans are the fastest-growing age group of marijuana users. In fact, there has recently been a 455% increase among those 55 to 64 years old! 

From a physiological standpoint, however, there are a few additional concerns older adults need to be aware of. Risks like inadequate blood flow to the heart, hypotension, and increased heart rate are all possible concerns—especially for those with heart conditions. 

Similar risks are also present with MDMA, another drug that’s becoming more popular for older adults. Even then, health officials claim that it’s much safer than most people perceive. 

From a life improvement standpoint, more older adults are starting to use psychedelics to help them come to terms with or prepare for the end of their lives. Older Americans are plagued by chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and insomnia—and consume more pharmaceutical drugs than any other group of people on this planet. 

Particularly present with Baby Boomers and their elders, more and more people are looking into alternatives, like psychedelics, for the ways they can radically improve quality of life, especially towards the end. 

Studies have shown that, when used in older adulthood, psychedelics can enhance creativity, increase empathy and openness, and induce personally meaningful experiences. Anecdotal evidence supports this, too. 

From the women in their mid-50’s who have taken to the trend of wrapping MDMA in brie cheese to the men in their 60’s who report that, “low dose trips are the party drug use of choice for us oldies,” we can say that not only are psychedelics generally safe for older people—but are also becoming increasingly appealing for them. 

Final Thoughts

Psychedelics can be beneficial at nearly any age, but, generally speaking, it’s better to wait until at least our mid-20’s. Not only is this when the brain fully develops, but it’s also more likely that people interested in psychedelics at this age are better prepared for the experience, as well as the preparation and integration that takes place before and after. 

For those of you worried about “missing out,” we can take solace in the fact that older adults are increasingly finding benefits from psychedelic use and, as the legality around these substances change, future psychedelic use will likely be safer and more supported. 

Many barriers to a safe and supportive first encounter with psychedelics is the result of the illegality of psychedelics rather than an inherent flaw in the substances themselves. With hope, legalization in the near future combined with a rising trend of social acceptance will allow individuals seeking their first experience to do so in a safe and supported way, regardless of age.

If you are looking to be professionally supported on your healing journey with psychedelics, we encourage you to book a consultation to connect with our pre-vetted network of local, U.S. guides. Our network of guides will be alongside you for the entire journey, ensuring that you are never alone—from preparation all the way through post-experience integration.

lit artificial tree, difference between natural and synthethic psychedelics

What Differentiates Natural & Synthetic Psychedelics?

Psychedelics tend to get an undeserved reputation as a useless class of “designer” or “party drugs.” While it’s true that psychedelic compounds like LSD and MDMA were initially synthesized in laboratory settings, others, like psilocybin and mescaline, are derived from plants and have been used medicinally for millennia

There are differences between natural and synthetic psychedelics, of course, but perhaps not in the ways we tend to assume. You might be wondering, if their chemical action is similar, what differentiates “natural” from “synthetic” psychedelics? Is one better than the other for therapeutic use? Is one type safer than the other? 

Here, we’ll explore both natural and synthetic psychedelics, what sets them apart, and what unites them. Then we’ll discuss why intended outcome, preparation, and set and setting are actually more important factors than choosing between natural versus synthetic psychedelics. 

Defining “Natural” 

Since much of our discussion hinges on the distinction between natural and synthetic psychedelics, it’s important to be specific from the start. “Natural” is a term that gets bandied around quite a bit today, often in a way that’s misleading, or even outright disingenuous. This is partly due to the fact that there is no legal definition of “natural” or “all-natural,” allowing advertisers to subtly manipulate our perception of natural products and ingredients.

The dictionary defines natural as “existing in or caused by nature; not made or caused by mankind.” In this loose definition, we can see pretty quickly that “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean “beneficial.” A plant named Belladonna, for instance, fits this definition but is highly toxic to humans and many animals. It’s important to understand that natural doesn’t inherently mean better.

For the purposes of our discussion here, natural psychedelics are those derived from plants. This includes entheogens like ayahuasca, which is made with the combined products of multiple plants or plant-based ingredients. Synthetic psychedelics, on the other hand, are those that have been created (or synthesized) in a controlled setting. This setting might be a laboratory or a clinical practice but is not always the case. 

Before we go further, it’s important to note that there are three categories of both natural and synthetic psychedelics. Serotonergic psychedelics produce their effects by engaging with the brain’s serotonin receptors. Empathogens, also sometimes called entactogens, improve our ability to form interpersonal connections. Dissociatives produce an effect that allows us to shift our perspectives outside of ourselves, broadening our understanding and consciousness. For a more in-depth look, check out our article on how psychedelics work in the brain

As we compare and contrast natural and synthetic psychedelics, it’s important to understand that the proximity of one chemical or another to nature doesn’t make it inherently better or worse. Despite their unique origins, many of these compounds have relatively similar structures and affect the brain in related ways. However, different hallucinogenic properties, intensities, and durations may produce vastly different experiences. The intention and context in which they are consumed also play a role.

Types of Natural Psychedelics

Natural psychedelics include plant-derived entheogens like mescaline or peyote, psilocybin, ayahuasca, and some forms of DMT. These compounds differ from one another in both structure and origin, but share key elements that allow them to behave similarly in the brain. Each of these compounds, like most natural psychedelics, engage with the brain’s serotonin receptors.

There are thousands of different plants and fungi that produce psychedelic compounds. There’s even a species of toad whose skin secretions contain a form of DMT called 5-MEO-DMT. The sources of psychedelics can vary quite greatly, from fungi to shrubs and even roots. 

For example, there are over 200 fungi species that contain psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound, and are collectively known as ‘magic mushrooms’. The following is a very abbreviated list of the most well-known natural psychedelics in America. 

Mescaline

Mescaline is derived from the peyote or San Pedro cacti, native to parts of southwestern US and Mexico. The cacti, scientifically referred to as Lophophora williamsii and Echinopsis pachanoi respectively, produce small button-like growths when cut. 

These growths are then harvested and chewed or brewed into a bitter-tasting tea. For many reasons (including Western interest in “novelty” peyote trips and the slow growth rate of the cacti), both are considered vulnerable to extinction. 

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a psychedelic beverage brewed from several different entheogenic plants. While the exact brew varies according to geography and tradition, the core ingredients remain fairly consistent. The Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of Psychotria viridis, or the catruna shrub, are combined together, along with other plants and herbs, and brewed into a tea that produces a profound psychedelic experience when ingested orally. The primary psychedelic ingredient in ayahuasca is DMT, an endogenous psychedelic.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin, perhaps the best-known natural psychedelic, comes from various different species of mushroom and other fungi, with various strains of psilocybe cubensis being the most well-known. These mushrooms have a deep history in Central and South American culture and it is believed that psilocybin mushrooms played a big role in Aztec tradition. 

Hieroglyphs have also been found in Africa and Europe, suggesting that multiple continents have used psychedelics for religious ceremony. Today, psilocybin mushrooms are decriminalized in three U.S. cities (Denver, CO, Santa Cruz, CA, and Oakland, CA) and are currently undergoing FDA approved clinical studies to treat severe depression. 

Types of Synthetic Psychedelics

Unlike natural psychedelics, synthetic psychedelics are produced by human efforts in a controlled or semi-controlled setting. Synthetic psychedelics include compounds like LSD, MDMA, and ketamine, among others. 

Some, like ketamine, are Schedule III drugs, which means there is some medical use. The other substances in this list are Schedule I, meaning they have no medical benefit and a high rate of abuse, despite an overwhelming amount of modern research that suggests the contrary.

LSD

LSD is a synthesized version of a natural compound in parasitic rye fungus that was discovered by Albert Hoffman when he was seeking to create a pharmaceutical respiratory and circulation stimulant. Five years later, he would accidentally discover it’s psychedelic effects, and human society was never the same. 

Research into LSD’s therapeutic use was prevalent until it’s illegal designation in the 1960s. LSD produces an intensely visual experience and a rather longer trip, anywhere from 8-12+ hours. It is a potent chemical as the effective dose is a miniscule amount (roughly 125 micrograms).

MDMA

MDMA is commonly known as ‘ecstasy’ or ‘molly’ and perhaps has the most controversial history in the United States as it was a major psychedelic target of the War on Drugs. And though health risks are present, especially for those with preexisting heart or respiratory conditions, it has been shown to be safe under the correct supervision. 

MDMA is known to increase prosocial behaviors and has been used as a relationship therapy aid until it’s ban in the 1960’s. In recent years, it has been designated by the FDA as a ‘breakthrough’ therapy in treating PTSD

Ketamine

Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic since the 1950’s for a wide variety of surgical and medical procedures. Because of it’s Schedule III status, it is available for “off-label” use under the direct supervision of a medical professional. As such, ketamine assisted therapy clinics have opened up across the country to help patients address treatment resistant depression among a list of other mental health conditions. 

Ketamine is dissociative, meaning that it can temporarily disconnect the functions of the mind and body. Though it sounds alarming, this can produce meditative and contemplative states that can contribute to long term healing and is generally safe under proper care. At higher dosages, ketamine can produce vivid hallucinations. 

Differences Between Natural and Synthetic Psychedelics

Though there are many commonalities between natural and synthetic psychedelics, there are some major differences that affect how the substances are consumed today. One clear distinction is their history of use, as most synthetic substances have been discovered within the last century whereas natural psychedelics have been used throughout human history

What this means is that natural psychedelics tend to have more tradition and historical context, especially when it comes to ceremonial, religious, or spiritual use. Therefore, western medicine has limited exposure to these natural plants and fungi, though new research may change all that. 

Without this cultural backdrop, synthetic psychedelics have been used more recreationally. Though a change in public perception has led to a resurgence of intentional and healing psychedelic use, regardless of whether they are derived from man or nature. 

Another major difference lies in the form factor of the psychedelics themselves. Natural psychedelics come from plants and fungi, and users encounter them in this form as well (a dried mushroom or an herbal brew for example). Synthetic substances are man-made and often come in the form of liquids or powders. 

Human error can play a factor in their creation, but what’s more is that synthetic substances are more easily adulterated with fillers and additives in an effort to increase volume, and therefore, profit. And with the illegality of these drugs, there is no regulation or oversight into how they are produced. Most often, the user is unaware and may be ingesting other unknown and potentially harmful chemicals. 

Because of this, synthetic psychedelics may present different risks than their natural counterparts. This doesn’t mean that synthetic psychedelics are inherently dangerous, or that they are intrinsically harmful. 

However, it does mean that choosing to use synthetic psychedelics may carry its own set of unique risks, depending on their source. Though not 100% foolproof, a drug-testing kit and reliable scale can help you determine what’s in your substance before you consume. 

And perhaps the most important distinction is that certain psychedelics are more successful in treating specific conditions, both natural and synthetic. The man-made nature of synthetic psychedelics doesn’t preclude them from providing therapeutic benefits. 

MDMA (synthetic) has been shown to be effective in relationship therapy and in treating anxiety; both MDMA and psilocybin (natural) can be more conducive to alleviating symptoms of PTSD. Ketamine (synthetic) can help address severe depression. And both psilocybin (natural) and DMT (synthetic) have had results in helping alleviate fear of death in people with terminal conditions. 

Why Intention and Context Are More Important

While different psychedelics produce different types of experiences and states of consciousness, most compounds are more alike than they are different. Instead of focusing on natural versus synthetic, we would argue that both can create significant experiences in one’s healing journey. Picking the right substance largely depends on the goals you are trying to achieve. 

Are you seeking to alleviate a mental health condition? Are you looking to navigate a major life change? Are you wanting to perform better at work? A particular psychedelic substance may be more suited to help you achieve your individual outcome. We’ve put together an extensive guide that covers how to choose the best psychedelic based on your desired outcome.

Situational factors also play a role in your experience. Set (mindset) and setting (physical surroundings) have been shown to greatly impact your trip. Are you in a clear and motivated mindset or have you been stressed about a particular event or situation? Do you feel well-rested or fatigued? Do you have a safe, comfortable, and uninterrupted place to have your psychedelic experience? What about a trained trip sitter or guide to help keep you safe? 

These questions are important for any psychedelic endeavor, natural or synthetic. What’s even more critical is the intention, preparation and effort you make before and after the event to turn your mystical experience into meaningful life change.   

Both natural and synthetic psychedelics can be used for therapeutic benefit, with great results. However, there are unique considerations and preventable risks associated with each. The goal of a psychedelic experience is to heal, not to harm, and it is important to undertake such an experience with all the necessary preparation.

Sound complex? That’s because it is. And that’s why Psychedelic Passage exists. We can provide you with information and coaching support to not only make your journey smoother but increase its potential impact while lowering your risk of harm. 

As an African proverb says, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” If you are one of many millions of Americans interested in using psychedelics for healing, we want to aid you on your journey. Please enjoy our free content, and when you’re ready, set up a consultation call with one of our guides today.

What is Psychedelic Assisted Therapy?

Psychedelics have piqued a lot of people’s interest in recent years. Sure you may have heard LSD or ‘magic mushrooms’ being referenced in popular songs and movies, but you may be surprised to hear that doctors and patients across the country are increasingly interested in implementing psychedelic assisted therapy to help with a series of mental health conditions.

In some ways, this is unsurprising as the history between psychedelics and medicine is far richer than you would think. Different psychedelic substances have been used in spiritual healing ceremonies for hundreds of years by indigenous cultures across the world, most notably in South America. Western-medicine oriented research into psychedelics was prevalent as early as 1895

Psychedelics generally carry a low risk of abuse or dependence; in fact, they’re shown to be substantially more powerful against addiction than most conventional treatments. Psychedelic substances, or entheogens, are also demonstrated to produce lasting benefits for many different mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and others. 

But what exactly is psychedelic assisted therapy? And how does it work in modern day? Here, we’ll discuss what psychedelic assisted therapy is, its potential benefits, the difference between conventional therapy methods, and what options may be available to you. 

Defining Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

There are many different therapeutic practices for the mind and body, with some involving the use of psychedelics. We’ll work on making those distinctions later, but for now, let’s define therapy more broadly. 

At its most basic, therapy is any treatment applied with the intention of treating or healing an ailment. Physical medicine, surgery, and rehabilitation are almost always therapeutic by nature. 

Psychedelic assisted therapy is the actual use of the psychedelic substance by the patient under the administration and supervision of a professional. This type of therapy usually focuses on mental health issues or conditions the user is trying to manage or alleviate. 

The use of psychedelics is often accompanied by other therapy models, such as talk therapy or psychodynamic therapy during the event. Psychedelic integration practices are also used before and after. Though there are several different modalities for psychedelic assisted therapy, for the purposes of this article, we’ll be focused on therapy that is overseen and administered by licensed medical professionals. 

At Psychedelic Passage, we have a deep respect for shamanic healers and international retreats who focus on non-westernized healing modalities. Given the current regulatory status of many psychedelic substances, the only way for American patients to access these modalities locally is by working with a ceremonial trip sitter. The one caveat is that you will be responsible for sourcing your own psychedelic substance.

Because of this, ketamine assisted therapy and cannabis assisted therapy are currently the only legal options in the United States. Ketamine must be administered by a licensed medical professional whereas the laws regarding the use of cannabis in therapy are less stringent depending on the state you live in. With the current legislative and political trends, psychedelic assisted therapy using other substances may become legalized and available in the near future.   

Benefits of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

Compared to traditional talk therapy, prescription medication, and other mental health interventions, psychedelic therapy demonstrates compelling benefits. Existing studies show that psychedelic therapy yields long-term benefits for people seeking to treat many different conditions and symptoms. 

For example, depressed patients in several different studies reported increased energy, improved mood, and even reduced physical pain after a single psychedelic therapy session. There are similar results for those suffering from PTSD and cPTSD. These effects lasted for months in most patients, and up to years for some. 

The benefits were amplified with continued psychedelic assisted therapy, and were also noted in patients who microdosed with psychedelics (microdosing is taking small amounts of psychedelics to receive therapeutic benefit without eliciting a full-blown hallucinogenic experience).

Anxiety and compulsive behavior patients also noted relief from symptoms after psychedelic assisted therapy. These findings appear to support the notion that psychedelic therapy helps our neurons to regenerate and form new connections

This is compelling news, as the prevailing understanding for most of medical history was that brain function could not be altered or repaired. Entheogens, it turns out, can literally rewire our brains for healing—something that was previously thought to be impossible! 

This rewiring may also be helpful in breaking the cycle of addiction. Since addictive behavior is strongly rooted in our rewards centers, the ability of psychedelics to form new neural connections may be key to their efficacy. 

And because psychedelic experiences often cause deep introspection and access to both conscious and subconscious parts of the mind, they may help one get to the root causes of their addiction. In one study, psychedelic therapy reduced the relapse rate of a group of alcoholics to 50% a year after therapy. 

This may not sound very impressive, but the next-best intervention was 12-step therapy that has a 90% relapse rate. Comparatively, this makes psychedelics potentially the most successful way to treat many different types of addiction. 

Granted, the nature of addiction makes it exceedingly difficult to treat, and even with psychedelic therapy, recovery may be a nonlinear journey. That said, the existing research demonstrates encouraging results.

What Makes Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Different?

Traditional methods to treat conditions like anxiety, depression and PTSD usually consist of anti-anxiety or antidepressant prescriptions that temporarily alleviate symptoms while patients undergo psychotherapy. It can take months or years before significant progress is made. All the while, some of these medications can have side effects that can deteriorate one’s quality of life including insomnia, constipation, fatigue, inability to focus, and increased suicidality in certain cases. 

What’s more is that there is a percentage of the population that do not respond effectively to traditional methods, and have what is referred to as ‘treatment-resistant’ conditions. Because of this, psychedelic assisted therapy is emerging as an alternative treatment with increasing promise. 

One key difference between psychedelic assisted therapy and more traditional methods is the use of psychedelic compounds to facilitate the experience, often in the presence of a licensed medical professional. Traditional methods have the patient taking medication every day to manage their symptoms, but the psychotherapy process is usually separate. 

Another difference is the length of time each method takes. Some studies show that a single dose of psychedelics can create positive results that may take months or years with traditional therapies alone. Furthermore, some report that these benefits last well after the hallucinogenic event

Perhaps the most important distinction is that conventional therapies address a patient’s symptoms first, then rely on psychotherapy to navigate the various blockages, defenses, and issues the mind has surrounded the specific mental ailment with. 

Alternatively, psychedelic assisted therapy allows the user to focus on the root issues of our conditions first, and symptoms typically lessen or disappear altogether through this process.  

This is because, in the most literal sense, entheogens open our minds to novel states of consciousness. These altered states are not accessible to us under ordinary circumstances, but psychedelics allow the user to safely access parts of the psyche, allowing our minds to address past traumatic events in new ways. 

And if trauma isn’t the source of the mental condition, the rewiring of the brain mentioned previously allows our minds to process stimuli in new ways.  This expanded perspective may facilitate improved processing, healing, and self-awareness in a way that other therapies cannot.

Types of Psychedelic Therapy Approaches

Psychedelic assisted therapy can be defined by the particular substance used as well as the specific psychotherapy methods applied. Though ketamine and cannabis assisted therapies are currently the only legal options in America, there is increasing evidence that psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and even DMT may soon become available as viable treatment alternatives. 

The specific psychotherapy modality will depend on the specific mental health condition of the user as well as context and issues discovered during the psychedelic event. For example, a patient seeking to alleviate their anxiety may have a different therapeutic method than an individual seeking to break an addiction. 

Or someone may undergo therapy to address their depression, but discover a traumatic childhood event that is contributing to their condition, which would require an expert in trauma and PTSD. Some go for individual healing but realize they have codependence or relationship issues, which would be best addressed by an interpersonal therapy specialist. 

Regardless of your reason for seeking psychedelic assisted therapy, it’s important to be careful when selecting a therapist or practitioner. Because psychedelic therapy involves being with your therapist in an altered state, it is important to choose a practitioner that you feel safe with and a clinic that has appropriate and effective medical oversight and monitoring practices. 

Take care to read reviews, ask for references, and make visits ahead of time to meet the practitioner and clinic staff—your safety matters most. And as previously mentioned, legality varies depending on the substance. If it’s helpful, we’ve put together a guide on how to find psychedelic assisted therapy near you and how to choose a trusted therapist

The Importance of Integration

While they may not be appropriate for everyone, psychedelic assisted therapies show promising benefits for a number of different conditions. Individuals seek out psychedelic assisted therapy for a number of reasons, and many do so after trying conventional therapies with less than favorable results. 

The benefits of psychedelic assisted therapy tend to outlast those of more conventional therapeutic or pharmaceutical methods. While the reason for this is not yet fully understood, it appears that psychedelics improve neuroplasticity. In layman’s terms, this means that entheogens allow our brains to physically rewire their connections, accessing various parts of the psyche, allowing a user to process core issues healthily,  which contributes to long term wellness. 

But psychedelic assisted therapy is not a magic bullet, and the hallucinogenic experience alone won’t cure you. Long term and sustained benefits have a direct correlation to the integration practices used. Psychedelic integration is the processing and unpacking of the psychedelic event and related issues that arise so that the user can integrate these lessons to improve their everyday lives. 

That’s one crucial part of what we do at Psychedelic Passage. The goal of our trip sitting program is to ensure that those who seek to heal with psychedelics have adequate support before, during and after the experience. 

As a part of this process, our experienced facilitators can help you understand the meaning of the trip, and help you convert your experience into significant insights that can maximize your benefit and greatly improve your life. All the while reducing potential harm and increasing your safety. 

If you think you would benefit from a trip sitting service like ours, we’d be honored to be a part of your journey. Start today by scheduling a call to connect with one of our guides.

dancer in dark background, self actualization and using psychedelics to optimize mind and body

Self-Actualization: How Psychedelics Optimize the Mind & Body

The range of reasons why people use psychedelics is just as varied as the effects. That is to say, they’re quite different for every person. However, of the more than 32 million people who use psychedelics in the United States, many do so for self-actualization—or to optimize the mind and body. 

Why is this? How can psychedelics be used for personal growth? And how does this work? We’ll take a look and let you know how your psychedelic journey and path of self-development can be supported by a psychedelic guide or trip sitter. 

First of All, What is Self-Actualization?

Who remembers Abraham Maslow? Any Psych 101 class or dive into self-help books may have mentioned him. Maslow is most well known for his hierarchy of needs. The five motivational needs are typically presented in a hierarchical pyramid, which puts physiological needs first, followed by safety, social, esteem, and finally—self-actualization. 

The self-actualization theory follows the belief that once your basic needs are met (shelter, safety, love, etc.), you can move on to higher growth needs and eventually reach the highest level, called self-actualization. 

Many people don’t end up reaching self-actualization because our drive to reach personal potential or self-fulfillment is thwarted by our preoccupation for the needs lower down the base of the pyramid—like stability, sex, food, freedom from fear, and prestige. We get it, there’s a lot for our human mind to work on, and satisfying those social, esteem, safety, and physiological needs tends to take priority. 

But what if it’s possible to have it all? There’s a primitive instinct to become a better person and meet our full human potential. That’s one of the biggest reasons behind the success of gym memberships, health foods, and self-help books. Unfortunately, however, a few months at the gym or a green smoothie every morning won’t solve all of your issues. Self-actualization is much easier said than done. 

It’s a process, and like any process, the journey to self-actualization requires a kick start. While people turn to books or podcasts to discover What to do or How to achieve personal growth, it’s more important to realize the Why. And psychedelics can help with exactly that—and help you get over any ruts or feelings of being stuck in the process. 

Psychedelics and Personal Growth

So, how exactly can an ayahuasca ceremony or session with psilocybin contribute to lifelong self-actualization and personal growth? This all has to do with the Default Mode Network (DMN), which has been described as the brain’s processing valve that allows us to make sense of our environment in ways that contribute to our immediate survival. 

In the brain, psychedelics lead to new communication in areas that make up the DMN. In reality, these connectivity changes can manifest as new solutions to old problems and limiting beliefs and new insights about persisting unhealthy habits and thoughts.

The brain has a relatively high level of plasticity, meaning that it can adapt and change pretty easily based on new experiences. However, when you spend time with the same people and perform the same tasks day in and day out in your nine-to-five life, your brain becomes accustomed to using these existing pathways regardless of how healthy they are, and you become “stuck in concrete”, so to speak. 

When your brain makes new connections when on psychedelics, it can help to undo the “programming” that’s taken place over years or decades—in just a single experience! The creation of new neural pathways can help you literally “rewire” their brain. Think of this as an interruption to your regularly scheduled programming. 

Your default mode of living may help you get through the daily grind without much energetic input, but is it helping you become a better human? Shifting these connections helps you to reconsider your values and priorities in life and work through blocks that prevent growth and development.

An Ego Death and a New Lease on Life

 Ego death is a term that gets thrown around a lot in the psychedelic community. And despite the terms ambiguity and misuse, it has a huge role in personal growth. An ego death or ego dissolution, as it’s sometimes called, is essentially a significant disruption to self-consciousness. It changes the neural processes that contribute to how we make sense of ourselves and the world at large. 

Through this, you may realize the impermanence of life and how the opportunities to truly live are limited. This may play out as dissolution of fear or the realization that bold and brave action in any area of life—career, relationships, health—is necessary for true self-actualization. 

For many people, this looks like a renewed or novel interest in consciousness, psychology, religion, or spirituality. It may also mean new practices like meditation or yoga or the end of a stagnant relationship or career. 

Ultimately, this disruption actually corrects the brain’s “addiction” to emotional responses—fear, excitement, anger, and victimization—and the brain chemicals that get released with these emotions. Breaking the chain allows you to explore and experience alternative responses and reactions and do so in ways that last months—if not an entire lifetime.

The disruption of the ego and the Default Mode Network may be an uncomfortable process, but for many people, it allows the brain to operate in a more functional way that contributes to personal growth and the journey towards self-actualization.  

Tripping As a Tool for Self-Actualization

Most scientists have put in countless hours into their research and most professional athletes work with some of the greatest fitness trainers. Working with psychedelics is no different. If you don’t put that same type of effort into psychedelics, you won’t get the same benefits—it’s that simple. Like with anything that’s worthwhile, you’ll only get out what you put in. And when it comes to psychedelics, there’s just as much “work” to do before and after the trip. Here are five of the most important considerations.

1. Trip with intent

Taking psychedelics without any consideration of intention is like throwing a plant seed at the ground and then neglecting to water or care for it in any way. If you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you know what you want out of your experience with psychedelics. 

Setting an intention is the first step of using tripping as a tool. Having a clear and well-thought intention will help you create a framework for your journey. 

The experience may not end up as planned, but having stated goals about perceived insights or emotions will help you out in the long run. Your insight will help keep you grounded if/when the journey gets uncomfortable and serves as a reminder as to why you are there.

2. Prepare the set and setting

Studies show that the greatest chance for ego dissolution and subsequent positive changes happen for those who have experience with other mindfulness practices, like meditation and yoga. This is all to say that you should be mentally prepared for the journey you’re planning on embarking on. 

It’s likely that your desired result of psychedelic use will require further effort and direct action on your part—and you should be prepared to do so. If it’s helpful, you can have a journal, musical instrument, or paint and canvas (to name just a few) prepared to accompany action to any key insights that might come through. 

If you’re looking for more, we’re written an article that specifically addresses how to prepare for an intentional psychedelic experience.

3. Be safe

How can you even think about self-actualization if you’re concerned with the yelling you hear from the neighbors or whether your medication is compatible with your psychedelic substance of choice? Your safety is paramount, especially when it comes to long-term benefits from psychedelics. 

Certain harm-reduction practices should be incorporated into your journey—you should avoid driving, seek the advice of a doctor if you have any pre-existing conditions, and create a physical space that is safe and conducive to your experience. 

4. Seek the help of a trip sitter or psychedelic guide. 

Isn’t it important to have an advanced teacher in all that we do? Be it a respected boss, a trusted friend, or a thought leader in our field or industry. The bottom line is having someone with the skills and experience that we desire is helpful in accomplishing any of our goals. Someone who has “been there and done that” can not only help you achieve the same but also help you avoid unnecessary mistakes.

There’s no reason you shouldn’t want the same in your psychedelic journey. Seeking someone who is psychedelically experienced and psychologically mature to be with you during your experience will not only ensure your safety but can also contribute to the aspects of your journey that may contribute most to your self-actualization. 

We offer trip sitting services to help you feel safe and supported during your psychedelic experience. Our trip sitting framework combines traditional shamanic principles with proven harm reduction and safety protocols (like those used in the John’s Hopkins clinical trials). If you’re interested in learning more about how trip sitting works, we invite you to schedule a consultation.  

5. Integrate, integrate, integrate: 

Yes, you may have a four, six, even 12-hour experience with psychedelics that, for lack of better words, blows your mind. But it shouldn’t start and stop there. 

The integration process will begin far before the actual experience, and like self-actualization, will likely be a lifetime endeavor. We can guide you through this entire process. Anyone can eat a handful of mushrooms and have a mystic experience, but that alone won’t result in a massive life change. 

The psychedelic experience needs to be paired with adequate preparation, an intentional experience, and proper integration on the back end. It’s a lot to take on on your own, but with the help of our psychedelic trip sitters, you’ll have proper guidance, compassionate support, and someone to answer questions and alleviate concerns. 

Self-Actualization is a Process

Congratulations! Your decision to read this and explore more about what self-actualization is and how to achieve it brings you one step closer to the growth you’ve been striving for. 

Ultimately, we all have self-limiting beliefs, repressed emotions, and unhealthy behaviors that we’d like to address. While we can do things to make great strides towards this, it’s important to realize that this is a never-ending journey and self-actualization is a process—not an outcome. 

Psychedelics can certainly kick start or support this process. They have immense healing potential—but they shouldn’t be viewed as a “magic bullet.” They will require effort on your part, and sometimes that means asking for help. We’re here to support you on your journey and to help you step into the highest version of your being. Use this link to schedule a discovery call with us today.

book coffee and laptop, microdosing psilocybin for work performance

Microdosing Psilocybin for Optimizing Performance at Work

A few decades ago, it would be unfathomable to think that taking small and frequent amounts of a psychedelic substance could improve your life, let alone your performance at work. In his 2011 biography, the late Steve Jobs described how his psychedelic use was pivotal to his creativity and legacy at Apple. 

Today, notable Silicon Valley entrepreneurs like Tim Ferris have catapulted the idea of microdosing psilocybin (magic mushrooms) to boost work performance into the mainstream. 

Microdosing psilocybin for improved performance is certainly a popular topic. A simple Google search on the subject will bring up hundreds of thousands of results (472,000, to be exact). 

But is it that simple? Is it akin to taking a daily multivitamin? Does it work for everyone? And how do you achieve the best results? If you’re someone interested in how to microdose psilocybin for optimizing performance at work there are a few things you should keep in mind. Nutrition, hydration, and sleep among many other factors will all play a role—as will the microdosing process itself. 

But First, What is Microdosing? 

Microdosing is taking very small doses of a psychedelic substance at regular intervals over a period of weeks or months. These small doses don’t initiate a full-blown hallucinogenic experience, but can be accompanied by a wide variety of cognitive and mental health benefits. 

Other substances, like LSD, mescaline, ketamine, DMT, and salvia—as well as lesser-known substances like dimethoxybromoamphetamine (DOB) and 2,5- dimethoxy-4-ethylphenethylamine (2C-E)—can also be used for microdosing but might be too stimulating or uncomfortable for some. 

While it’s possible to microdose any drug, psilocybin typically ends up being the drug of choice, and that’s why this guide focuses on magic mushrooms in particular. Some of the microdosing framework offered in this guide may be applied to these other psychedelic drugs, although the effects, dosage, timing, and health considerations will vary depending on the particular substance. 

What Does Science Say About Microdosing?

In recent years, researchers have become curious about microdosing psilocybin—and their studies have found that it can strengthen relationships, improve health, and increase productivity. Reported results vary but are almost entirely positive. From a reduction in symptoms of depression and social anxiety, to relief from “mental fog,” to openness with other people, scientific research has shown great potential benefit to microdosing psilocybin. 

Psilocybin has been shown to improve creativity by producing an increase in idea generation as well as both divergent and convergent thinking (i.e. producing different ideas about one topic and then coming to the “correct” answer). Microdosers of psilocybin have also reported increased wisdom and decreased negative emotionality and dysfunctional attitudes (like neuroticism). This suggests a heightened ability to solve problems and an increase in mental flexibility, which in combination leads to an overall boost in work performance

So, you’re convinced that microdosing psilocybin can help you achieve your career goals, but still lack clarity on how to go about the process safely and effectively? Here’s our full guide, including 6 actionable tips to help you get the most out of microdosing psilocybin for optimizing work (and life) performance. 

How to Optimize Performance at Work with Psilocybin

So, now that we know that it works, we just need to know how to harness the performance-enhancing benefits of psilocybin. How do we get all of the best benefits of microdosing—without any of the problematic side effects?

1. Start with Intention 

With any type of psychedelic use, intention is an extremely important component. This can be thought of as your ‘North Star’ when it comes to working with psychedelics. As with any intention or goal, the more specific you are, the more likely you’ll be of achieving the result you desire. This level of specificity and clarity will improve your overall microdosing experience. 

For example, consider the difference between wanting to improve performance in a specific job function versus contemplating an entire career change. Microdosing psilocybin can potentially help you work through both of those scenarios, but if you aren’t clear on your intended outcome, your experience (and results) will vary greatly. 

Think about the following:

  1. What do you want from microdosing psychedelics? What would the ‘ideal result’ be? Is it more income? Is it seeking motivation to tackle a big project? Is it finding a way to navigate a difficult situation with a co-worker or boss that’s affecting your performance? Is it finding fulfillment in your existing work? Or maybe it’s as simple as wanting to feel sharper and more attentive? 
  2. Where are you now when it comes to work performance? Where do you want to be in two weeks? What about a month? At the end of the year? Five years from now? In other words, can you identify the gap between where you are now versus where you want to be in the future? 
  3. Are there certain skills and behaviors that can help you close that gap? Is there a certain skill at work you wish to improve? Is there a larger work issue that if you solved, would get you closer to your goals? 
  4. What actions are you willing to take in conjunction with psychedelics to achieve your goals?

Psilocybin on its own is not a magic bullet that can miraculously resolve your issues. However, it can be a valuable tool in examining your motivations, goals, and needs when it comes to work and life in general. Since it is a tool, this means that the user will also need to put in effort and energy to examine these issues and take action.

We recommend keeping a journal or documenting these intentions throughout your microdosing experience, as well as the ongoing results. Microdosing in its own essence is about small, incremental changes. So small, in fact, that they are sometimes imperceptible when compared day-to-day. But if you looked at a larger timeline, say months or years, you’ll be better able to identify the positive trends and results. 

Also, keep in mind that your intentions may change over time. For example, you may think you want to microdose psilocybin to increase productivity but discover that you actually have issues with motivation because you don’t find your work fulfilling. 

Or you may want to improve cognition and analytical thinking, but discover the root issue is your mood at work rather than your technical capabilities. Documenting your intentions will not only help you understand your overall journey but allow you to shift your actions in real-time to achieve the output you desire.

2. Establish Your Set and Setting

Like with all psychedelic use, set and setting is crucial to the outcome of the experience. Set refers to your mindset, or mental context surrounding your psychedelic use. Setting refers to the actual environment in which you’re consuming the substance. Examples of setting include time, location, specifics of the physical space, and even those you interact with during your microdose. 

Even with a small dose, you’ll likely become more sensitive to your internal and external environment, which can sometimes lead to a negative experience. This is particularly important to consider when you’re in a workplace where you’re not fully in control of your environment or when unpredictable situations arise. Fortunately, microdosing has been shown to increase your mental flexibility, potentially increasing your ability to tackle any unexpected situation head-on. 

Here are a few tips on how to improve your set and setting, as well as how to set your mind and body up for microdosing success:

  1. Set a daily intention to help you create a strong, yet flexible mindset. 
  2. Take your microdose in the morning before the hustle-bustle of the day begins. 
  3. Take care of your body—get adequate sleep, eat healthy food, get consistent exercise, and stay hydrated.
  4. Follow your usual routines, especially the stress-relieving ones. Predictability helps the mind and body feel familiarity and comfort while starting a new microdosing regimen.
  5. Be in a comfortable environment. This, of course, is easier to achieve if you work remote or from home. If you’re in a workplace, perhaps there’s a particular chair, workstation, or room that you feel best in. If you can’t control your setting, it is even more vital to have a healthy and resilient mindset.
  6. If you have something specific you’d like to achieve, have the goal in mind. Like with your intention, this is like having a focal point to direct the effects of the microdose towards.
  7. If you have any hesitations or concerns about your mental state, particularly when a stressful situation arises, wait until you’re feeling more mentally stable before starting or resuming your microdosing.
  8. Avoid potentially harmful situations. If you’re new to microdosing, this can even include driving or operating heavy machinery. Many in the microdose community suggest that even if you feel it just slightly, leave the keys behind and use a safer form of transportation. Others view it like a regulated substance, where if you’re ‘under the limit’ and not physically impaired, that some actions are okay to conduct. Unfortunately, since psilocybin is currently unregulated, there isn’t a standard or protocol to better inform your decisions. This means that your safety is in your hands.   

3. Find a Good Dosing Frequency

James Fadiman, the respected psychologist and writer who was one of the first to study the spiritual and therapeutic aspects of psychedelics, recommends one microdose every three days. In his book, The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide he links some of his recommendations to the work of indigenous shamans and healers who have spent thousands of years exploring every dose level and frequency of consumption. 

Another mushroom-loving expert, Paul Stamets, recommends a daily microdose every day for five days and then taking three days off to avoid building a tolerance. He has actually applied for a patent for a nootropic stack that includes not only psilocybin but also non-psychedelic mushrooms such as lion’s mane and vitamins such as niacin. With the hopes that this supplement becomes available to the public, Stamets claims that it could initiate “the next quantum leap in consciousness.”

While you’ll likely have to experiment to see what frequency works best for you, microdosing every day is NOT recommended. Your body will build a psilocybin tolerance and the effects will diminish. 

It’s also important to note that, sometimes, the positive effects can be felt for days after actually ingesting the substance. So while it may seem counterintuitive, actively taking psilocybin every day will not lead to receiving maximum benefit. 

4. Use an Appropriate Dose

If you’re working with magic mushrooms, you should first realize that different strains of mushrooms have different concentrations of psilocybin. Different people may also have varying levels of psilocybin sensitivity. Checking out our dosage guide can be helpful to determine the potency of your dose. 

Many people recommend a “starter microdose” of psilocybin to begin, which is just 0.1 gram or approximately 1/10 of the minimal amount that would initiate a normal trip (1 gram). Coincidentally, this amount (0.1 to 0.3 g) is similar to doses used by scientific researchers when studying the effects of psychedelic microdosing

The appropriate dose is also dependent on your specific goals, and it is up to the user to explore the right amount that balances the various effects. For example, too high of a dose may increase your mood but decrease your ability to focus on a singular task. Or your dose may be so low that you can’t perceive any changes at all.

Here are a few other considerations to guide your dose decisions:

  1. If possible, try to determine the specific strain of magic mushroom you intend to use for microdosing. Then research that particular strain online to find accurate psilocybin estimates.
  2. Use a reliable scale. This means a hundredth gram scale that is regularly calibrated. 
  3. If you feel drowsy (yawning is typically one of the first effects in a psilocybin trip), drop down to a lower amount.
  4. If 0.3 g proves to be ineffective, anywhere up to 0.5 g may be used. Anything more than that becomes a “mini-dose” which may not be compatible with work and everyday activities.    
  5. Using dried mushrooms and grinding them into powder (with a spice or coffee grinder) is the best way to yield a consistent microdose (they can be pre-weighed and filled into capsules).
  6. Log your dose and perceived effects for the day in a journal. Then review your anecdotal notes to find the best microdosing quantity.

5. Consider the Timing

It’s generally recommended to take the microdose early in the morning. Not only is your mind typically clearer, but doing so will allow you to feel the beneficial effects throughout the day. This will also ensure that any effects wear off by nighttime, as to avoid interrupting your sleep. 

However, this is dependent on body type and context as microdosing in the evening or at night also has its benefits, such as more vivid and enjoyable dreams, or aiding your subconscious mind in processing the events of the day. 

Regardless of whether you’re someone newly experimenting or someone fairly experienced with microdosing, it’s recommended that you keep a journal handy to record any changes to your regimen and subsequent effects. This is helpful when it comes to making real-time adjustments as needed. 

6. Acclimate to Your New Regimen

Taking a psychedelic substance—even in a small dose—is going to require some acclimation. You won’t know what you’ll experience until you, well, experience it. And finding the optimal microdose is an experiment in trial and error. 

When taking psilocybin to improve work performance, don’t take it for the first time on a workday! 

It’s better to take it on your day off so that you can determine how it affects you before you microdose in a public situation. This also applies if you are seeking to increase or decrease your dose. Remember, microdosing is a process of small, incremental changes, and having this mindset can improve your overall experience.

Because of these small, almost imperceptible changes, microdosing may affect both your internal and external patterns and behaviors without you even recognizing it. So it’s best to determine an appropriate dose and get used to any and all effects prior to being in a demanding (and perhaps stressful) situation.

If you feel at any time that the effects of microdosing diminish over time, the answer is not always to take more. Sometimes a break from microdosing of a few weeks or months can help your body reset, improving the effects of a future microdosing program.  

Final Thoughts on Microdosing Psilocybin

When it comes to boosting work performance with microdosing psilocybin, you hardly have to do any digging to determine if it works or not. Over the past several years, nearly every magazine, newspaper, and media outlet have been shouting this from the rooftops. And we can see from some of the scientific research mentioned here, there’s no doubt that it works. 

However, when accomplishing any goal with psychedelics, it’s important to put some thought into the protocols and processes so that harm reduction and safety are prioritized while increasing the chances of experiencing the results you desire. If this article has piqued your interest and you want to learn more about respectfully and responsibly incorporating microdosing into your lifestyle, we can help. 

Psychedelic Passage facilitators can help you develop a customized action plan to maximize the benefit of your microdosing program. And if you’re exploring consuming a larger psychedelic dose, consider booking a consultation to speak to one of our psychedelic concierges. who can provide direct in-person harm reduction and support.

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