Houston is the most populous city in Texas, right behind its sister city, Austin. The city is filled with world-class dining, arts, hotels, shopping, and nightlife. One of its main attractions is the Space Center Houston.
Although there are tons to do in Houston, it is not as known to be as progressive as its sister city Austin, and unfortunately, the laws surrounding psychedelics are reflective of harsher regulations.
If you live in the city or surrounding areas, don’t lament just yet though, because things are changing quickly. Though regulations may seem discouraging at this point, keep in mind the presidential announcement made in July of this year.
President Biden announced that he expects nationwide approval for MDMA and psilocybin therapy within the next two years. Giving these psychedelics the federal green light for therapeutic use would undoubtedly pressure state government officials to reconsider psychedelic reform.
For those seeking therapeutic psychedelic experiences in Texas, read on as we discuss much of what you’ll need to know for seeking trusted psychedelic therapy services in Houston, right now.
What Qualifies a Psychedelic Therapist?
Though we have a great article discussing the qualities you should look for in a psychedelic therapist, it’s important that we briefly go over what psychedelic-assisted therapy includes and what qualities to look for in a therapist.
Typically during a psychedelic-assisted therapy session, you will ingest a psychedelic drug in the presence of your chosen professional. The goal is to explore issues or past traumas and work through them. Often this includes issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Unfortunately, for the time being in Texas, if you seek out a psychedelic therapist, they will not be able to sit with you during the actual day of your journey, but they will be there to support you before and after.
Often people turn to psychedelic therapy to help them work through pressing issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction, and these issues often come attached to repressed emotions. Thus, journeyers must ensure that their therapist/guide is someone they can trust and open up to.
This is the beginning of an intimate relationship between you, the therapist, and your chosen psychedelic. You need to make sure you feel safe in their presence. If you don’t feel comfortable with a therapist’s energy, you should continue looking.
Their style and philosophy must resonate with you. Even if everything is correct, always feel free to explore your other options. Sometimes we don’t vibe with a particular person, which is perfectly normal. After all, it’s your journey and, therefore, your decision.
By researching and checking out a few different service providers, you can ensure that you get the most out of your journey. Feeling safe and comfortable will allow you to approach the psychedelic experience with openness and trust.
What is The Role of a Psychedelic Guide?
As we touched on earlier, a psychedelic therapist will not be able to join you during your psychedelic journey. These same restraints do not bind a psychedelic guide or facilitator; guides are able to offer in-person ceremonial support since they’re often not risking mental health licensure.
As a psychedelic guide or facilitator, their goal is to make your psychedelic journey as effortless and productive as possible. During your journey, they help keep you in the present moment. It is often the case that deep-seated traumas or repressed fears flood in during a psychedelic ceremony.
Although this can be scary, know that it’s common for someone to have some anxieties arise. Psychedelic guides/ facilitators will draw on the deep knowledge they have gained from working with many journeyers and with a range of plant medicine healers, to help keep you safe and comfortable.
A qualified facilitator and guide will approach the experience with non-judgment and loving acceptance. By taking this stance, they allow you to explore your authentic truths without fear or hesitance. This is a process of self-actualization, personal growth, and self-improvement.
Is it Really Necessary to Hire a Psychedelic Guide?
In short, no, it is not necessary to hire a psychedelic guide, but they can be instrumental in helping you get the most from your experience. Psychedelics are potent drugs and are capable of producing life-changing experiences. This can be incredibly overwhelming, especially if this is your first time using psychedelics.
Without a guide present, getting lost in negative thought loops without gaining anything further from your experience can be easy. Before you have your experience, they will help you with the process of preparation.
This stage will help you set an intention and healthy expectation, to get the most from your experience. Then after your journey, they will help you with the integration process. This will help you implement any lessons you have learned during the experience, into your daily life.
Current Legal Status of Psychedelic Mushrooms in Houston
Although Austin is quickly becoming a major center for psychedelic research, Houston is still subject to harsh state penalties on controlled substances. However, it’s worth noting that mushrooms and various other hallucinogens are marked under penalty group 2-A, meaning psychedelic offenses are considered of less priority than Schedule 1 drugs.
There’s an essential distinction between these two schedules, as laid out by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and as defined by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy: Unlike Schedule 1 drugs, which have no accepted medical use, Schedule 2 drugs “have safe and accepted medical uses in the United States.”
This change in the laws came right after the passage of HB 1802, which allowed for the study of psychedelics. Psychedelic drugs listed under Texan Schedule 2 classification include dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ibogaine, psilocybin, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and mescaline.
Although this looks pretty stringent, there is hope on the horizon. On June 18th, Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) allowed HB 1802, which, as we have discussed, authorizes the study of psilocybin and MDMA to become law. This tells us that even the most typically-stringent states are starting to see the benefits of psychedelic therapy.
Where To Find Legal Psychedelic Experiences Near Huston, Texas
Although strict laws surround psychedelics in Texas, two options are still available for engaging with psychedelic medicine: Ketamine clinics and guided psychedelic journeys with Psychedelic Passage.
1. Ketamine Clinics
Currently, ketamine clinics are one of Texas’ only options for working with psychedelics. Ketamine has proven to be effective in treating PTSD, depression, and chronic pain.
Since ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic widely used throughout our medical system, it’s much easier to approve the drug for off-label use. Therapeutic use of ketamine is done under the direct supervision of medical professionals.
The main benefit of ketamine is it allows clients to temporarily create distance from their issues. This separation allows for a more empathetic and objective view of our lives and current issues.
Often, this detachment allows people to be less self-critical, promoting self-love and healing. Sadly, many report ketamine’s effects to be only temporary due to the current lack of therapeutic support that’s offered in many ketamine clinics. Before finding a ketamine clinic, check out the pros and cons of ketamine therapy.
2. Guided Psychedelic Experiences with Psychedelic Passage
At Psychedelic Passage, we are dedicated to spreading the message of psychedelic healing and giving everyone equal opportunity to benefit from these medicines. Our program uses a sliding payment scale, so your income determines costs.
Our 5-week program is designed to be completely customized to fit your individual needs and intentions. Not only can you choose from a wide range of psychedelics, but you will have complete autonomy over the direction of your journey and the pace of your experience.
In fact, you even have the freedom to choose where your experience takes place. You can choose to be hosted by one of our host facilitators or you can choose to have your journey in any Texas landscape in a private residence.
Our facilitators can even travel to you, allowing your journey to unfold from the comfort of your own home. With Psychedelic Passage, the journey is in your hands. You’re in the driver’s seat, you set the pace at which you navigate every stage.
Find Your Next Psychedelic Journey in Any Major Houston Area
- League City
- Pasadena
- Pearland
- Sugar Land
- Conroe
- Baytown
- Deer Park
- Friendswood
- Galveston
- Lake Jackson
- La Porte
- Missouri City
- Rosenberg
- Texas City
Getting Started on Your Healing Journey
Navigating this novel space of psychedelic medicine can be very intimidating. With our pre-vetted network of psychedelic facilitators, you no longer have to guess who’s qualified and who isn’t. We’ll connect you with the facilitator’s located closest to you.
If we’ve caught your interest and you’d like to begin your journey of psychedelic healing, we empower you to connect with our psychedelic concierges by booking a consultation with us.
Psychedelics have been proven to catalyze significant changes in quality of life, and you can be one of the next journeyers to experience these benefits. If you’d like to learn more about all-things-psychedelic, head over to our resources page. Set an intention and dig deep!
