The ‘60s psychedelic vogue is back and better than ever, seeing its cultural upswing not only in the personal lives of young, American mind-voyagers, but in the hubs of stock market investors, at the desks of high government officials, and in some of the largest research hospitals, universities, and community clinics in the United States.
The once only-mused therapeutic applications of psychedelic compounds are now being scientifically confirmed by a plethora of emerging research, and their findings are proving psychedelics to be an unmatched treatment for depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder, but also remedies for physiological ailments like cluster headaches and migraines.
As a society, we’re beginning to adopt a more fluid and intuitive perspective on health, divorcing ourselves from strictly-prescriptive approaches that treat the mind as separate from the body and deliver a one-size-fits-all medical conformity.
Of course, such a vast resurgence of psychedelic research begs the question “where can I find psychedelic-assisted therapy near me?”. Today we’ll be covering the most up-to-date developments on psychedelic legislation while reviewing the climate of cultural investment surrounding their use in America’s famed dairyland, the state of Wisconsin.
The Current Legislation of Psychedelics in Wisconsin
As of right now, hallucinogenic drugs like psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA, fall under the category of schedule 1 substances, with cannabis still being prohibited in Wisconsin for both medical and recreational use.
Despite decriminalization efforts by its neighboring states, Illinois and Iowa, the Senate of Wisconsin seems to be having a difficult time with drug reform. Possession of psychedelics in Wisconsin poses penalties of up to one year in prison and hefty thousand-dollar fines.
Curiously, possession of psilocybin mushrooms spores are completely permitted for mycology research purposes, but it’s illegal to grow their fruiting body into maturation, since this is when psilocin (the active compound in psilocybin mushrooms) begins producing in the mushroom.
Though psilocybin mushrooms are plentiful in the wilderness of Wisconsin, particularly Psilocybe caerulipes or ‘Blue Foot mushroom’ and Psilocybe Weilii, it’s illegal to forage these species and take them home with you, for purpose of consumption or even observational studies.
Since cannabis is still trying to make headway into Wisconsin’s pharmacopeia, we can assume that decriminalization of psychedelic drugs will be an equally, if not more arduous feat. Therefore, legal consumption of these eye-opening medicines in Wisconsin will likely stem from federal reclassification of these drugs, rather than the state’s own government.
Researchers are suggesting that psychedelics be recategorized from schedule 1 (high potential of abuse with no known medical properties) to schedule IV (low potential for abuse with accepted medical properties).
Though the legislative climate of psychedelics in Wisconsin may seem discouraging, the state has actually legalized medical use of ketamine– an anesthetic that induces therapeutic hallucinogenic states of dissociation. This means that ketamine infusion therapy is available state-wide for off-label use when prescribed by a licensed physician.
Unlike other psychedelics, the medical repurposing of ketamine has seen a much smoother transition into mental health sectors. Predominantly because the drug has been used in operating rooms for almost 50 years, meaning that government officials and medical professionals have had extensive pre-exposure to the treatment and thus familiarity with its mechanisms of action and overall clinical risks.
The Therapeutic Benefits of a Psychedelic Experience
The therapeutic applications of psychedelic drugs are far-flung, to say the least. Research has confirmed their efficacy in greatly reducing symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, general anxiety and anxiety induced by cancer or other terminal illnesses, PTSD, OCD, chronic stress, eating disorders, demoralizations in AIDS survivors, cluster headaches, and substance abuse.
Further research is needed to confirm the abundant number of anecdotal reports that indicate their efficacy in treating stuttering disorders, rigidity caused by autism spectrum disorder, Bell’s palsy and fibromyalgia. The current spectrum of psychedelic medical applications are wide, but their mechanisms of action can be largely refined to several intersecting findings.
For one, serotonergic psychedelics boost production of serotonin by mimicking the chemical 5-HT (serotonin) in your brain and encouraging the rapid assembly of more serotonin receptors. After psychedelic consumption, our brain’s 5-HT receptors are exponentially activated, essentially tricking our brains into creating new receptors for hosting this new-found serotonin abundance. Serotonin is the chemical that mediates satisfaction and happiness.
Unlike SSRIs, after psychedelics leave our system we don’t experience a depletion of this happiness neurotransmitter, instead, our brains are left with the tools (new receptors) to continue producing that same level of serotonin on its own. This means no serotonin withdrawal or no discontinuation symptoms typically associated with SSRIs like brain zaps, migraines, nausea, and insomnia.
The infamous side effects of SSRIs like difficulties becoming aroused and sustaining arousal are also not associated with use of psychedelics. In fact, intentional use of psychedelics can increase libido and overall sexual performance.
For those suffering from mood dysregulation disorders, this stimulation of serotonin receptors has proven to be highly effective for symptom reduction and seems to fill the gap that traditional western medicine hasn’t completely fulfilled up until now.
Psychedelics also promote neuroplasticity in the brain. A study conducted by Ling-Xia Shao and colleagues, found that one dose of psilocybin can increase the size and number of neuronal connections by 10%. Other studies confirm that serotonergic psychedelics stimulate dendritic spine and neurite growth in our cells, which allow for increased neural connectivity and communication.
The implications of this very physical malleability have shown to regulate overactivity in the DMN (Default Mode Network), associated with anxiety and depression-induced ruminating thoughts, all while modulating size reductions and decreased neuronal synapses of the prefrontal cortex, associated with chronic stress and depression-induced short-term memory loss and mental fog.
Aside from the positive neurological effects of psychedelics, substances like ‘magic’ mushrooms, MDMA, and LSD have the ability to produce life-changing inner events that essentially press the reset button on our limiting preconditioned beliefs, established by traumatic experiences in childhood and adulthood.
These medicines are not band-aid treatments, rather they allow to truly remedy our emotional ailments by journeying us into a state of psychological openness that holds a vulnerable and productive space for introspection and behavioral assessment.
They unveil self-constricting mental habits that encourage us to frequent maladaptive defenses with form-bound excuses like ‘that’s just who I am’ or ‘that’s just my personality’. Psychedelics help us realize the fluidity of our self-identifications and promote a sustainable practice of heightened inner awareness through existential mindfulness.
Where To Find Legal Psychedelic Experiences in Wisconsin 2022
The great state of Wisconsin currently offers two options for exploring the realms of psychedelic medicine: Ketamine clinics and guided psychedelic journeys.
Though snagging a spot in ongoing clinical trials is always a viable option, sample sizes for these studies greatly limit accessibility, often causing psychedelic enthusiasts to exercise these next two options.
1. Ketamine Clinics
As we briefly discussed, off-label use of ketamine is now legal in Wisconsin, with clinics spanning from the brewery center of Milwaukee to the luxuriant farmlands of Mequon. Under the strict supervision of licensed medical professionals, Wisconsinites are now able to explore ketamine infusion therapy.
Though we must note, ketamine doesn’t exactly fall under the umbrella of ‘psychedelics’, but its effects usher similar sensations of depersonalization and existential introspection. For many, this therapy has proven to be highly efficacious at easing stresses related to mental health and overall wellbeing.
As always, treatment protocols may be fairly diversified across different clinics, so it’s important that the practitioners you choose to embark on this journey with, always prioritize your utmost comfort by providing an experience that feels wholly authentic to you.
For some, ketamine may not be their medicine of choice, so exploring other options that facilitate a broader range of psychedelic experiences, might be helpful.
2. Guided Psychedelic Journeys With Psychedelic Passage
Facilitated psychedelic journeys are kind of our jam here, at Psychedelic Passage. We understand the need for these treatments to be available here and now, which is why our pre-vetted network of local, U.S. guides offer income-based pricing that increases public accessibility to these ancient, life-changing medicines.
Our program covers the full spectrum of a therapeutic psychedelic experience– from preparation to the actual ceremony, to extensive and thorough integration sessions.
Psychedelic Passage translates the most up-to-date science into a psychedelic experience that completely embodies your personal interpretation of spirituality, understanding that a one-size-fits-all approach often overlooks the synergetic influence of the mind and the body.
Wherever you reside in the state of Wisconsin, if our network of guides can make it to you, they will sit with you. Our network of facilitators are located around the country, ready to service your healing journey with all of the information and emotional support that you may require.
For everyone and everything, there’s a right time and a right place. We honor personal jurisdiction over the pace and trajectory of your entire healing journey, and whoever you choose to accompany you, should undoubtedly do the same.
Find Your Next Psychedelic Journey In Every Major Wisconsin City
- Milwaukee
- Madison
- Green Bay
- Kenosha
- Racine
- Appleton
- Waukesha
- Eau Claire
- Oshkosh
- Janesville
- West Allis
- La crosse
- Wauwatosa
- Brookfield
- Mount Pleasant
Psychedelic Culture in Wisconsin
Though Wisconsin’s legislation on psychedelics seems to be highly uncompromising, you might be pleasantly surprised to hear that the state’s very own University of Wisconsin is beginning to lead research into these breakthrough therapies.
In 2021, the university introduced its UW–Madison Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances. With sponsorships from the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and Usona Institute, the program is currently working on four clinical trials.
Researchers have begun studying MDMA as a supplementary treatment for PTSD, psilocybin for major depressive disorder and opioid use disorder, and are assessing the safety of combining psilocybin with Midazolam- a sedative used in surgical procedures.
Usona Institute, a non-profit research organization based out of Madison, Wisconsin, is also pushing the boundaries of mind-medicines by offering financial and educational support for those interested in conducting research on psilocybin therapeutics.
Founder and CEO, Bill Linton, was moved to create this organization after a dear friend of his, who was suffering from cancer, experienced significant emotional change through participation in a John Hopkins University Study.
It’s evident that the psychedelic industry is beginning to gain traction in Wisconsin, and those pioneering this research will inevitably be at the forefront of positive legislative development within the state.
It’s these educational investments that have led to legalization of medicinal psychedelic use in Oregon and decriminalization across California, Colorado, and even at America’s capital, Washington D.C. So friends, we say this not only to ease your mind, but to exemplify the lengthy, methodical process of decriminalization that’s already beginning to take form within the state of Wisconsin.
Speak With a Psychedelic Professional
What does it mean to know yourself? What does it feel like to inhabit a life that mentally accounts for, and positively harnesses the natural conditioning of our biological infrastructures? What does reclaiming emotional control over our lives really look like?
Unfortunately, we cannot answer that question for you, but if you’re ready, we invite you to find out for yourself, to expand inward through surrender and acceptance and to take personal accountability over the behavioral renaissance that will bring you back home to yourself.
Psychedelic Passage would be honored to connect you with an experienced facilitator who will guide your journey of self-discovery and self-actualization. If you’d like to speak with one of our concierges, we encourage you to book a consultation with us.
We’re here to answer any questions that may still linger in your mind, through compassion and without judgment. Though we must say, it’s highly probable we’ve already written an entire article on your most pressing inquiries, so if you’re interested, we suggest peeking over at our resources page for an abundant and comprehensive library on all-things psychedelic!
