Mindful Eating: The Missing Pillar of Psychedelic Healing w/ Dr. Randall Hansen, PhD

Nourishing our souls has been such a popular topic of conversation lately. Especially as psychedelic healing gains traction, and more people are being exposed to healing modalities outside of western medicine. 

There really has been a mental health revolution happening in the U.S., and we are here for it. While more and more people are awakening to the idea that they too deserve healing, it’s important to look at the healing models we have available to us.

We still have a long way to go before we can say we’ve got a handle on mental health, but it’s a process and one that we will continue to move through, and as we do, we’re hopeful more all-encompassing healing modalities become available. 

With that being said, we’ve been doing so much for our souls and mental health lately, have we been neglecting our bodies?

Indigenous Wisdom: Diet and Psychedelics 

If we look in the right place, mindful eating is and has been an integral part of psychedelic healing for centuries. A “Dieta” is a strict diet meant to cleanse your body and mind before doing ayahuasca. 

It’s an aspect of healing that we see in traditional medicine lineages using both psychedelic and non-psychedelic “master plants.” For two to three weeks before planning on having an ayahuasca ceremony, a diet is prescribed that consists of low-tier, very plain foods. 

These dietary protocols are not arbitrary; they are rooted in centuries-old wisdom emphasizing the body as an integral participant in healing, not just a vessel for spiritual or psychological work.

“There has likely always been this correlation to inputs in our body and psychedelic use. The same way that folks talk about, well, what medications should I stay on or avoid or whatever leading into psychedelic experiences? The same goes for diet. And these are likely originated in traditions that probably go back hundreds and thousands of years.” — Jimmy Nguyen

It’s not only about cleansing either, it’s also a commitment that the person agrees to, dedicating themselves to the spiritual development they seek and offering respect and dedication to the medicine. 

The idea is that, “This simplicity sharpens sensitivity to subtle energies and strengthens the bond with the plant spirits, maximizing the dieta’s potential for transformation.” (Ayahuasca Foundation, 2016)

The Nutritional Crisis 

Mistruths and misinformation about nutrition, food systems, and access have compounded societal suffering, leading to widespread health crises, obesity, chronic illness, and food insecurity.

In the US, at the same time Richard Nixon was waging the War on Drugs, he also started the war on small farms, promoting large-scale monocropping subsidized by the government. The major crops, corn and soy being heavily processed into addictive, nutrient-poor foods. 

Meanwhile, underserved communities often lack access to fresh, wholesome food, leading to widespread health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

This systemic injustice not only hinders physical health but also impairs mental resilience, affecting how individuals process and integrate psychedelic experiences. 

Even most medical training neglects nutrition, only briefly touching upon it for a day or two, leaving many healthcare professionals ill-equipped for finding the root causes of many diet and lifestyle related illnesses.

As Hansen remarks, “the lies about nutrition… have made us sick,” and in turn, weaken the very foundation upon which healing can occur. 

He also believes that it’s the duty of the educator to stand up against the mistruths through whatever their creative means may be (podcasts, books, articles, etc.) 

Practitioners and communities might consider supporting local food initiatives, promoting food literacy, and encouraging policy change to dismantle the structural barriers that keep many in nutritional and health inequity.

The Synergistic Potential: Food as a Scaffold for Psychedelic Healing

Healing doesn’t end when the psychedelic substance wears off, in fact, one’s healing journey may likely just begin. A psychedelic experience just may unravel the path to true healing as a whole human, with food being an important aspect of that. 

The alignment of dietary mindfulness with psychedelic work represents a holistic philosophy that recognizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. 

This isn’t about strict dieting or deprivation; it’s an invitation to elevate awareness around food choices as an act of self-respect and activation.

Imagine approaching a psychedelic journey with a simple intention: to nourish your body with wholesome, unprocessed foods before and after the experience. 

This mindfulness doesn’t merely support physical health but can amplify subconscious receptivity, clarity, and emotional regulation, making the insights gained more accessible and the integration process more sustainable.

The Critical Role of Nutrition in Psychological and Neurobiological Wellbeing

With 8 of the top 10 leading causes of death in the US being preventable, and 9 out of 10 of us being metabolically unhealthy, it’s really never too late to start your health journey, alongside your healing journey.

Socrates famously said, “Let food be thy medicine,” and modern neuroscience supports the idea that what we eat profoundly impacts mental health, neuroplasticity, and emotional resilience. ‘

For example, high sugar intake lights up the brain’s reward pathways similar to addictive drugs, creating dependency and emotional dysregulation. 

Conversely, nutrient-rich foods—rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and minerals—support neurotransmitter function, reduce inflammation, and promote calm and clarity (Aly & Engmann, 2020, Kumar et al, 2024).

Even prescription drugs, in which 1 in 5 Americans take at least five a day, can be weaned off of with the properly tuned health and healing journey that fits your unique needs both physically, mentally, and with diet. 

Even almost 75% of the population admits to self medication, and alcohol, drugs, addiction, gambling or food are just a few examples. 

When our nutrition is lacking, our mental health suffers. Harvard Medical School highlights this effect in their article: Nutritional Psychiatry: Your brain on food.

They state that, “Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and appetite, mediate moods, and inhibit pain. Since about 95% of your serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract, and your gastrointestinal tract is lined with a hundred million nerve cells, or neurons, it makes sense that the inner workings of your digestive system don’t just help you digest food, but also guide your emotions.”

The article also highlights how detrimental a “western-style” diet is compared to “traditional” diets like the Mediterranean or Japanese diet, stating that the risk of depression is 25-35% higher in those who eat a western diet containing refined foods and sugar (Jacka et al., 2010). 

Another sneaky part of the western diet was introduced to farming in the 1970’s: glyphosate. Glyphosate, found in the herbicide Roundup, is used on almost all conventional vegetables, like corn and soy found in refined products, and even animals that eat the grass that roundup is sprayed on.

We now know that glyphosate is an integrin disruptor, meaning it disrupts our hormone system, and as it crawls its way to being the most popular herbicide in the world, many researchers are calling for better research to be done on its effects on humans (Tajai et al, 2023; Stone et al., 2025). 

The Spiritual and Biological Importance of Food

Food is more than sustenance—it is a conduit for connection, culture, and health. Growing your own herbs on a windowsill or cultivating a small garden can rekindle the relationship with what we eat, infusing it with mindfulness and appreciation. 

Such acts of cultivation deliver benefits beyond nutrition: they reintroduce microbes into our bodies that we’ve become increasingly sanitized from, potentially boosting our gut health and immune resilience.

Dr. Hansen points out that microbes from soil and dirt are vital for our gut microbiome, which in turn influences mood, immunity, and overall well being. 

Engaging in gardening thus becomes a form of embodied mindfulness, an act that grounds us in the present and reminds us of the interconnectedness of nature, health, and consciousness.

The Cultural Shift: From Home-Cooked Meals to Convenience

Statistics reveal a startling trend: about three years ago, more people began eating outside their homes than preparing and consuming meals within. 

The kitchen, once a sacred space for nourishing both body and family, has transformed into a reheating station: a place of convenience, not connection. 

The fact of the matter is, that convenience is slowly killing us. It’s not that easier is worse, it’s all the things that typically come with convenience: hot food in plastic containers, more processed food, and less of a connection with what we’re eating. 

Keeping a connection with what we eat has bigger implications than you may think. If you’re staring at a phone or TV screen the entire time you’re eating a meal, you’re bypassing an important part of digestion. 

Even just thinking about and sensing what we’re eating jumpstarts the digestion process, and prepares your gut microbes to digest the food (Livovsky et al., 2020). 

Furthermore, integrating mindful eating into the paradigm of psychedelic therapy can foster sovereignty over one’s health, moving away from reliance on processed, manipulated foods towards nourishing, local, and organic choices within the constraints of individual circumstances.

Practical Steps Toward Mindful Eating in Psychedelic Healing

Integrating mindful eating into the psychedelic healing process (and everyday life) can be as transformative as the experience itself. 

This approach also aligns with the broader concept of becoming “whole,” as Hansen emphasizes. The word “holistic,” rooted in the Greek holos meaning “whole,” suggests that true healing involves honoring and nurturing every aspect of oneself, physical body included.

Start Small: Incorporate one new healthy habit each week, such as swapping processed snacks for fresh fruit or preparing homemade meals. Quit soda, and find a healthy alternative. 

Read Ingredients Lists: A little time researching healthy brands will go a long way as you invest in your health

Cutting Down on Sugar: Sugar is a sneaky ingredient that can find its way into many processed foods. By reading ingredients lists you can work on watching your sugar intake.

Honor Personal Context: Recognize access and affordability; choose the best quality options available instead of striving for perfection.

Grow Your Own: Even a windowsill has potential to be a small garden. Grow herbs like basil and thyme on your porch or windowsill, and just like that you have a free food source that means more to you having grown it yourself.

“You’re going to put your hands in the dirt, which is great because we’ve become so sanitized as a country that we’re missing some of the microbes from the dirt.” — Dr. Randall Hansen

“When I was in the in the cannabis world I was like even though I don’t have to, I want to grow it because I want to see what it takes to actually make and cultivate good cannabis and it forever changed my relationship with it because I stopped commoditizing it.” — Jimmy Nguyen

Educate and Advocate: Support community initiatives that improve food access and fight systemic injustices affecting diet quality.

Integrate Intention: Before a psychedelic journey, set a conscious intention around nourishment—visualize your body as a sacred vessel deserving of respect and kindness.

Post-Experience Nourishment: Prioritize restorative foods that support neuroplasticity and emotional processing, aiding integration.

Recommended Reading: How Psychedelics Can Enhance Mindfulness Practices

Realizing the Sacredness of Food

Not everyone is privileged enough to buy the food that they deserve, which is the sad reality of one of the most powerful countries in the world, but that doesn’t mean anyone should feel shame or guilt over their diet. 

One easy way to come into a better relationship with food is to be fully present with whatever food is in front of you. Whether it’s Mcdonalds or an organic chicken salad, savor every bite. See it, smell it, and be present while you eat it. 

“Let’s appreciate whatever quality we can eat and make that part of a mindset.” — Dr. Randall Hansen

What will unfold may surprise you. Instead of being on autopilot, even if it’s unhealthy, do it in a mindful state. You’ll start to come into a better relationship with your body, recognizing how the food makes you feel instead of blocking it out. 

This mindful eating mindset really does embody the psychedelic healing journey. Ultimately, psychedelics are catalysts—they open doors, dissolve illusions, and question societal and personal narratives. 

But sustaining that transformation requires consistent, embodied effort. Mindful eating not only mirrors psychedelic healing, but is a practical, powerful way to honor and support this process.

It helps ground the insights, creates resilience against societal detriments, and promotes bodily vitality—making our entire being available for authentic healing.

All The Pillars of Psychedelic Healing

Healing yourself is an all-encompassing journey, not meant to be overwhelming. See what may be missing from your own process.   

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