The city of Cleveland is well-rounded and firmly established. Recognized as a “global city”, it represents a diverse hub of higher education, financial success, and has the ability to affect global socioeconomic affairs.
It might not have made as much headway in the psychedelic scene as Columbus and its Center For Psychedelic Drug Research and Education, but that doesn’t mean psychedelic mushroom therapy is off limits for Cleveland residents.
We’ve already discussed psychedelic reform in our article on psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy in Ohio. So, in this article, we’ll explore if psychedelic-assisted therapy is the right decision for you, how you can connect with a psychedelic community in your area, and legal options to have a healing journey of your own in Cleveland, right now!
Are Psychedelics Right For You?
With all the fear mongering that past government systems have done to keep us from these powerful substances, it’s only right to be riddled with questions. There are a lot of things that psychedelics are good for, and there are also reasons not to take them.
There are many societies that have a cultural connection to psychedelics and have integrated them into their religious ceremonies, rendering them sacred. Some coming-of-age rituals require a small amount of a psychedelic substance, in which case, people under 21 would also have guidance and a deeper understanding to accompany them.
In western societies with a far more negative opinion on psychedelics, a young person will not typically have the guidance or proper education needed for a safe experience. Consequently, they’re often taken as a party drug or in an act of rebellion instead. While the “proper age” to start using psychedelics varies by culture, we recommend waiting until you are mentally prepared and able to receive the support you need.
Other reasons a psychedelic experience isn’t right for you is if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a history of heart issues or seizures, been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, or if a medical professional has advised against it.
SSRI’s dull down your emotional response and experiences, while psychedelics enhance them. While An SSRI prescription may be life-long, one psychedelic experience has shown it is powerful enough to evoke life-long positive changes.
It is important to note that trauma may take many therapeutic psychedelic sessions to fully resolve, while some issues are solved in one night. It largely varies from person to person.
If you are currently on an antidepressant such as an SSRI, there is a high probability that they will dull the psychedelic effects. MAOIs are most dangerous with a psychedelic because the combination can cause serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening.
This is why you always consult a medical professional before deciding to use a psychedelic substance. If you are not dealing with any of these issues, how do you know if it’s still right for you? Well, let’s get into some of the reasons our clients have sought out our services.
Say you have done psychedelics before but a challenging experience scared you away: A psychedelic-assisted therapeutic experience with Psychedelic Passage offers preparation sessions that happen before the actual experience.
This allows you to discuss your concerns with a qualified facilitator who can offer coping mechanisms and information to make you feel at ease. Not only that, they will help you set intentions for your experience.
Along with preparation, our integration sessions (part of our 5 week program) can help if you have used psychedelics before but haven’t been able to get the most out of your experiences.
Integration happens in the weeks following a psychedelic trip and is time that you set aside to think about what you have learned and how you can incorporate it into your everyday life. You may even start a journal. Even if you’ve never done a psychedelic or thought about what an experience can do for you, there are a lot of common reasons to give it a try.
We have found that the need for a deep change in your life gets misconstrued by a variety of feelings. It can be as simple as feeling like something is missing from your life, or struggling to find true happiness.
It can materialize into anger issues, OCD, or addiction, the list goes on. What’s important is that psychedelic substances have a miraculous way of illuminating the root of whatever problem you may have, and helping you heal from it.
Even someone who is completely happy can benefit from psychedelics. How can this be? Well some people find that microdosing psilocybin optimizes their work performance. We have talked up psychedelics quite a bit, but not without good reason! Psychedelics are considered generally physiologically safe, without the possibility for addiction.
Interestingly, you can reach the healing state of mind that psychedelics can achieve in other ways too. This means that psychedelics are just another tool we have in our toolbox to enact positive change. When we realize practices such as meditation, hypnosis, psychedelics can all bring us to the same healing place, we see that numbing our problems is not the answer.
The Sociocultural Climate of Psychedelics in Cleveland, Ohio
Finding psychedelic support can seem like a lonely venture in places where psychedelic substances are still illegal. You would probably be surprised to find out just how many psychedelic communities are hidden in the shadows of cities like Cleveland.
The Ohio Psychedelic Society is a group of like-minded individuals who host events related to psychedelic research, advocacy, harm-reduction and personal experiences. Their events are meant to be a safe, open and sober space to hold discussions about psychedelic experiences. For example, they host in person integration circles right in North Olmsted!
Compare it to any support group (AA, grief counseling), think for a minute how having a community like this nearby could help someone who is feeling lost after a hard psychedelic experience. Decriminalize Nature is an educational campaign spread across the nation dedicated to entheogenic plant education and decriminalization.
Their Cleveland chapter actually partnered up with The Ohio Psychedelic Society in 2021 at the December town hall meeting to spread awareness and advocacy through the local community.
As you can see, efforts to bring the truth about these powerful substances to light are growing every day. Cleveland has a long way to go when it comes to legalization, but the future remains hopeful.
Where To Find Legal Psychedelic Experiences in Cleveland, Ohio
There are currently two options for those looking to have a therapeutic psychedelic journey: ketamine clinics and guided psychedelic journeys with Psychedelic Passage.
- Ketamine Clinics
Ketamine is a cheap, legal anesthetic used all around the world. Its effects have been well-documented and doctors found out early on that it has psychedelic effects at moderate to high doses.
Now it is federally legal as an off-label therapeutic drug and is administered in clinics in locations around the country. The dissociative effects of the drug offer you a way to experience your life and problems from a third person view.
It has calming effects on your nervous system that allow your mind to confront emotionally charged topics more rationally and humanely. While it has yielded positive results for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety, it is important to note both benefits and pitfalls to ketamine.
The major pitfall to ketamine clinics is the varied levels of therapeutic support offered. The drug itself may be regulated, but the support is not. This means that you could end up with a nurse who unintentionally alters your trip, or not receive any help at all. In full disclosure, nearly half of our clients come to us after failed ketamine therapy was caused by lack of preparation and integrative support.
- Guided Psychedelic Journeys with Psychedelic Passage
At Psychedelic Passage, we have carefully curated a pre-vetted network of psychedelic facilitators all over the United States. Through our clients, we are able to hear what ketamine therapy lacks and address these issues in our own modal.
Our facilitators’ biggest goal is to hold a safe and conscious space for you before, during, and after your psychedelic journey, from the comfort of your own home. Their extensive experience facilitating and engaging with psychedelics makes them able to assist you in any situation that may arise, or with any questions you have.
If you aren’t sure what to look for, we’ve laid out a helpful checklist of qualities in the perfect psychedelic therapist for you. You also have complete control in choosing the right substance, as you should in any situation, because we can’t supply it for you.
Remember that you are the true healer, and like psychedelics, we are just another tool in your toolbox, here to help you live an empowering and spiritual life.
Find Your Next Psychedelic Journey in Any Major Cleveland Area
- Riverside Park
- Kilbane Town
- Little Arabia
- Gordon Square
- Lincoln Heights
- Lakeview Terrace
- Hinge Town
- Garden Valley
- Mill Creek
- Larchmere
- Campus District
Explore How it Feels to be Connected
If you have done your research and decided that a therapeutic psychedelic experience is right for you, or if you’re curious and want to learn more, we empower you to book a consultation with us.
We are always working on new articles and podcasts to bring you the most reliable and informative psychedelic news out there. We have already compiled lots of educational material, so check out our resources page if you haven’t already! As always, stay safe, be mindful, and radiate love.
