It’s no secret that psychedelic drugs and music go together like peanut butter and jelly. Although the city of Baltimore, Maryland is mostly known for its jazz music, there have been plenty of iconic psychedelic rock artists that originated in Baltimore such as The Peppermint Rainbow, The Bakerton Group, and Beach House.
In addition to the rising popularity of psychedelic rock music, the city of Baltimore has historically been famous as the birthplace of the US national anthem, the world famous Baltimore Aquarium, harbors that catch crabs and other forms of seafood, and some of the best medical institutions in the world.
The city has been pioneering the renaissance in psychedelic medicine with Johns Hopkins University at the head of many revolutionary clinical trials, which have received millions of dollars in funding from donors hoping to improve the field of mental health.
As of now, most of the Johns Hopkins studies remain in clinical trial phases due to the illegal status of most psychedelic substances. As more research comes to light regarding the significant benefits of psychedelic therapy, more options are popping up for seeking psychedelic support across the nation.
Today we’ll review the current legal status of psychedelic therapy in Maryland. We’ll discuss the differences between traditional talk therapy and psychedelic therapy. To close off, we’ll review all of your options for seeking legal, therapeutic psychedelic experiences in Baltimore.
Current Legal Status of Psychedelic Mushrooms in Baltimore
Today, the state of Maryland has a complicated relationship with psychedelic mushrooms. Despite the fact that magic mushrooms contain psilocybin and grow in abundance all throughout the state, the recreational use of these mushrooms is still considered a felony and can result in criminal charges, heavy fines, or even jail time.
However, there is an active effort to reform psychedelic laws in order to make psychedelic mushrooms legal for medical use. One example of this is Senate Bill 709, which aims to provide access to “alternative therapies” including psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine for veterans with post traumatic stress disorder.
This bill would be a major step forward for those who wish to gain access to psychedelic assisted therapy and other alternative forms of mental health treatment without the legal barrier.
Unfortunately, until this bill is passed, the majority of psychedelic substances remain illegal for anything besides medical research in clinical lab settings conducted by professionals, however that doesn’t mean that psychedelic assisted therapy is out of reach.
While ketamine is the only psychedelic-like substance that is currently legal in Baltimore, the city is only an hour from Washington DC where psychedelics have been decriminalized for a little over a year, and are sold in some dispensaries.
Luckily for you, Psychedelic Passage is always an option to pursue a therapeutic psychedelic experience regardless of the legal status of psychedelic drugs in your state. Read on to learn about the difference between psychedelic assisted therapy and traditional therapy, the benefits of psychedelic assisted therapy, and where to book your next consultation.
Psychedelic Assisted Therapy vs. Traditional Therapy
At this point, we’ve offered some information regarding the legality of psychedelic assisted therapy, but what makes it different from traditional therapy? Well for starters, traditional therapy doesn’t use psychedelic drugs.
Psychedelic therapy is an experience that involves you and a licensed therapist or a qualified psychedelic facilitator. They guide you through preparation and integration sessions while offering in-person support during your actual psychedelic experience.
Traditional therapy often requires a large amount of vulnerability and openness which many people find to be extremely difficult, especially when working with someone you don’t have as much experience with.
Psychedelic assisted therapy allows the patient to feel more comfortable shedding defense mechanisms, being more open and receptive to honest conversation about past or current events and emotions.
Psychedelic therapy can be incredibly beneficial for people who are trying to overcome repressed trauma. This is because psychedelic drugs raise subconscious emotions surrounding trauma, which allows the journeyer to process intense feelings within a matter of hours.
Psychedelics help remove many of the social barriers that can make it challenging for many people to engage in conversation with traditional therapists. Similarly to traditional therapy, psychedelic assisted therapy takes effort, time, and personal accountability.
In order for psychedelic therapy to be effective, the client has to maintain the desire to help themselves and put in the work to do so. Recovering from any form of trauma or mental illness is a long journey, but psychedelic facilitators are here to make it a little bit easier for you.
Where to Find Legal Psychedelic Experiences in Baltimore 2023
Right now, two options exist for seeking therapeutic psychedelic experiences in Baltimore, Maryland: Ketamine clinics and guided psychedelic journeys with Psychedelic Passage.
1. Ketamine Clinics
Ketamine treatment is an emerging therapy that targets treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. It first appeared in hospitals as a dissociative anesthetic in the 60’s, right around the time that LSD was first synthesized.
Though ketamine’s effects do alter consciousness, the drug is not a true psychedelic. Journeyers report observing themselves from a second person perspective. The benefit in such an effect is that we’re able to view our life conditions more objectively and empathetically.
In full disclosure, we want to note that about 50 percent of the clients that seek out our services are turning to more traditional psychedelics because of previous failed ketamine therapy or because they only experience short-lasting benefits.
The drug itself is not at fault for this. Unfortunately there’s a lack of consistency in the level of therapeutic support offered amongst ketamine clinics. So, if you’re seeking to find a ketamine clinic near you, do your research to ensure that you receive the therapeutic support you need.
2. Guided Psychedelic Journeys with Psychedelic Passage
Psychedelic Passage aims to provide equal access to those seeking therapeutic psychedelic experiences. Our goal is to equip you with the resources and information you need to have a safe and effective journey, including choosing the right psychedelic guide, by matching you with someone compatible.
Our pre-vetted network of psychedelic facilitators are located around the country and have experience with all types of psychedelic medicine. You’ll be introduced to facilitators in your area. After you’ve found the right match, you’ll be guided through the preparation process.
Here, you’ll get to know your psychedelic guide and discuss strategies for navigating the intense emotions that will inevitably arouse once you begin your trip. This is also where you work together to set boundaries that ensure everyone is comfortable throughout the experience.
When the psychedelic journey has concluded, your facilitator will guide you through integration sessions. This stage ensures that you walk away from the experience with the tools to integrate this newfound wisdom into your daily life.
Find Your Next Psychedelic Journey in Any Major Baltimore Area
- Annapolis
- Catonsville
- Havre De Grace
- Aberdeen
- Towson
- Eldersburg
- Westminster
- Columbia
- Bel Air
- Ellicott City
- Glen Burnie
- Owings Mills
- Edgewood
- Joppatowne
- Jessup
Explore How It Feels To Be Connected
Now that you have read all about psychedelic mushroom therapy in Baltimore, Maryland, you may feel curious about the potential of embarking on your own psychedelic journey. Psychedelic Passage is here to ensure that you make the most out of your therapeutic psychedelic experience.
We encourage you to book a consultation with us, to get connected with our network of facilitators. Want to learn more about all-things-psychedelic? Head on over to our resources page for more informative articles like this one!
