If you’re reading this, you’re well on to a life-changing journey with psychedelics. Psychedelic healing can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences in a person’s life, and we commend you for taking the steps to personal transformation.
Aside from the burgeoning psychedelic retreat world in countries where these medicines are legal, the most reported kind of access to psychedelics is the psychedelic-assisted therapy practiced in government-sanctioned studies.
However, it will likely be a few years before you are able to work with a therapist in this way. The key lies in the word therapy. Therapy implies a mental health professional whose practice relies on a license. That license is issued by their state government, and in order to keep it, therapists must follow the rules set by the government.
In effect, this means no psychedelics. While Oregon will legalize psilocybin in February 2022, psychedelics remain illegal in every state. However, the word therapeutic simply means “to have a beneficial effect on the body or mind.” A trained facilitator can offer a therapeutic psychedelic experience without facing the same legal repercussions as a therapist.
What certifies a facilitator if not a license? We take this question seriously at Psychedelic Passage. Besides extensive training with a wide variety of psychedelic medicines, our network of pre-vetted facilitators operate with integrity— safety is our number one priority, we constantly train with mentors, and we are honest about our limitations.
If we don’t think we’re a fit, we will gladly recommend you to other facilitators more in resonance with your needs. In this article, we’ll be going over everything you need to know in order to have a safe, supportive psychedelic experience in the Garden State.
Benefits of Having a Therapeutic Psychedelic Experience
Psychedelics are not panaceas. Despite their hype, they don’t cure or fix anything. Just as a hammer increases the strength you already have, psychedelics are tools that enhance your ability to transform: your past, your sense of self, and your relationship to the world.
At the core of most mental health disorders is trauma, and psychedelics are excellent at helping people release these traumas and all the negative stories attached to them. MDMA is set to become a legal treatment for PTSD by as soon as 2023, and psilocybin “magic” mushrooms have been shown to be as effective as pharmaceutical antidepressants while eliminating all the unwanted side effects.
But psychedelics are not just for those who suffer with mental health afflictions. Collectively, we face a crisis of connection, and psychedelics allow people to connect with something bigger than themselves. Whether you call this “something” God, Spirit, or the self-organizing principle of the Universe, a connection to this source renews your relationship to yourself and the world. People who have this connection are more likely to be happy.
Psychedelics are also being used to help people optimize their work performance. Typically through the practice of microdosing, or taking small amounts of a psychedelic substance several times a week, you can enhance your focus, boost your creativity, or get into flow.
The Current Legislation on Psychedelics in New Jersey
New Jersey is experiencing some exciting changes on the consciousness transformation front. On February 4th, 2021, Governor Phill Murphy signed bill A 5084/S 3256, which loosened the penalty for possession of up to an ounce of psilocybin mushrooms to a maximum of six months in prison, a $1000 fine, or both. Previously, the penalty was a $15,000 fine and up to five years in prison.
Although the bill doesn’t decriminalize psilocybin, it’s a massive improvement. First time offenders in New Jersey will no longer have their lives ruined for the possession of a mushroom.
Since the passing of this bill, the Governor has openly expressed support for decriminalization of other psychedelic substances. However, further conversation on this point has been halted due to an actually positive shift of focus: the legalization of recreational cannabis.
After a long legal journey, the legalization of recreational cannabis in early 2021 represents a significant crack in the resistance to progressive drug reform policy. Combined with the Governor’s psilocybin bill, New Jersey law is beginning to reflect the sentiments of the psychedelic community: the use of psychedelic plants for the transformation of consciousness is a fundamental human right.
Legal Options for Psychedelic Experiences in New Jersey 2023
In New Jersey, you have two options for a therapeutic psychedelic experience: ketamine clinics and guided psychedelic journeys. It’s important to note that if you do decide to pursue a guided psychedelic journey, you are responsible for sourcing your own medicine. If you have questions or concerns about this process, check out our Resources page for more information.
1. Ketamine Clinics
Ketamine is not a conventional psychedelic, like psilocybin or ayahuasca, but it does have one special advantage: it’s legal to use for medicinal purposes. You’ve likely seen a ketamine clinic pop up somewhere in your city.
These clinics typically administer the medicine through an IV, but some use oral lozenges. A medical professional, usually a doctor or psychiatrist, oversees the process.
If you decide to pursue this option, you want to make sure that you find a clinic that offers comprehensive psychological support throughout the experience. Ketamine can elicit some powerful experiences, and it can be very disorienting if you don’t have someone to sufficiently prepare you before the session or integrate your experience after the session.
Check out our guide to finding a ketamine clinic near you. If you can’t find a clinic that offers adequate support, we suggest finding a psychedelic integration specialist or a therapist that is knowledgeable of psychedelics.
2. Guided Psychedelic Journeys with Psychedelic Passage
No matter where you live in New Jersey, our network of pre-vetted psychedelic guides will sit for you. At Psychedelic Passage, we believe that a psychedelic journey doesn’t begin on the day you ingest the medicine— it begins when you decide to do it. That decision causes a shift in consciousness, and you may begin to experience strange synchronicities or old memories arising.
For this reason, our programs are typically five weeks long. Our network of guides offer two virtual preparation sessions to ground your intentions and provide the context for your ceremony. Following the ceremony, they offer two virtual integration sessions to weave the lessons of your experience into daily life.
We want to support you through this process in whatever way we can. If you’re not ready for a high dose journey, for example, our network can coach you through a microdosing protocol.
All facilitators have experience with a wide variety of psychedelics, such as LSD, DMT, and mescaline. Most of our clients elect to work with psilocybin mushrooms. If you want to try a ceremony with cannabis, our network can sit for that as well.
Our Network of Guides Service Every Major New Jersey City
- Newark
- Jersey City
- Paterson
- Elizabeth
- Lakewood
- Edison
- Woodbridge
- Toms River
- Hamilton
- Clifton
- Trenton
- Brick
- Camden
- Cherry Hill
- Passaic
Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Healing Journey?
Make no mistake: psychedelic healing can be very uncomfortable. But this is not because psychedelics are harmful; it’s because they ask us to break away from who we think we are. Such is the nature of transformation. You must let go of the old in order to enter into the new. Psychedelics don’t do this for you—they empower you to do it yourself.
At Psychedelic Passage, we’re committed to providing the physical, energetic, and psychological space necessary for you to experience the greatest transformation possible. If you gotten this far and feel a resonance, book a consultation with our psychedelic concierges. We’d be honored to hear from you. For more articles like this one, check out our resources page!
Frequently Asked Questions: Psychedelic Therapy
Q: How does psychedelic therapy help in treating mental health disorders?
Psychedelic therapy has shown promise in treating mental health disorders by combining the administration of psychedelic substances with therapeutic support. The altered states of consciousness induced by psychedelics can lead to profound insights, emotional healing, and personal transformation. This therapy has been particularly effective in addressing conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Q: What role do clinical trials and research studies play in psychedelic therapy?
Clinical trials and research studies play a crucial role in advancing the understanding and application of psychedelic therapy. These studies evaluate the safety, efficacy, and optimal protocols for administering psychedelics in therapeutic settings.
Through rigorous scientific investigation, clinical trials and research studies help establish evidence-based guidelines and contribute to the growing body of knowledge surrounding psychedelic therapy.
Q: How effective is psychedelic therapy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder?
Psychedelic therapy has shown promise in treating PTSD. Research studies have demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and improvements in overall well-being following psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions. The unique properties of psychedelics, coupled with therapeutic support, can help individuals process traumatic experiences, alleviate symptoms, and promote healing in the context of PTSD.
