New York City, often referred to as ‘NYC’, is easily one of the oldest and most populous major metropolitan areas in the United States. Many deem it America’s largest melting pot. With a wide range of cultures and lifestyles, you don’t have to travel far within NYC to taste the air of variety.
Not only does this city make immense contributions domestically in everything from commerce to art and fashion, but when moves and trends are set here, they have significant influence across the globe.
Home to the headquarters of the United Nations, NYC is an important center for international diplomacy and has been established as a safe haven for global investors.
Many have even described the city as the ‘capital of the world’, and since NYC is such a leader in innovation, it’s always worth taking note of its social and cultural climate.
From recent cannabis decriminalization to laws that would allow some of the most prestigious establishments to study both psilocybin mushrooms, it appears that the psychedelic renaissance is in full steam.
Today, we’ll offer a brief overview of the most popular social opinions on psychedelic therapy in New York, as well as tools that will help you discern if you’re ready to embark on a psychedelic healing journey.
Whether you’re a current resident of NYC or just passing by, read on to learn more about how New York City is moving the psychedelic healing needle, country-wide.
Are Psychedelics Right For You?
Without a doubt, many have heard of the benefits associated with psychedelics. Science has shown psychedelics can be efficacious for everything from depression and anxiety, to chronic pain and PTSD, and has grabbed the attention of the media and the human population at large.
The primary mechanism that drives the massive healing potential of psychedelics is their activation of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. Activity at this receptor site promotes neural connectivity and nerve regrowth.
With mounting evidence, it’s becoming hard to ignore the fantastic therapeutic value of psychedelic medicines. Though, as is with all highly potent medications, a measure of caution and preparation must be upheld.
That’s why today we’ll be touching on some potential risks that may come with psychedelic substance use, along with some criteria that may exclude you from taking that leap into a psychedelic journey.
Let’s start with a few medical issues that may bring risk factors. Knowing these will help ensure your safety and comfort throughout the experience.
A few conditions that may complicate psychedelic use are cardiovascular conditions, a family history of schizophrenia– as it can precipitate the illness, or if you have a diagnosis it can send you into active lapse.
A manic episode may be triggered in those with bipolar disorder, and those with suicidal ideation may experience a worsening of symptoms following psychedelics use. The other primary concern that may arise is when mixing certain medications with psychedelics.
One that is of the most significant concern are MAOIs. When combined with psychedelics, the interaction could potentially cause a life-threatening syndrome known as ‘serotonin syndrome’. Other medications that carry a higher risk are tricyclic medications, SSRIs and SNRIs, some of the most common antidepressants.
They are known to potentiate psychedelic hallucinations or blunt them. If you happen to be using these medications, you may talk to your doctor about the possibility of tapering off before using psychedelics.
Prescription medications, such as Trazadone, are known to blunt the effects of tryptamines like LSD and mushrooms. Bottom line, you must talk to your doctor before consuming any psychedelics as they can best guide you through a potential process of tapering off.
The Sociocultural Climate of Psychedelics in New York City
Psychedelics have a long and interesting history in New York City. Starting with the Lenape indigenous peoples of the Manhattan area, we can see the ritualistic use of tobacco, which was much stronger than tobacco today. Still, if we are talking about classical psychedelics, this is where things get very interesting.
Digging deep, we found a temple in Manhattan that believes in the power of entheogens such as Dipropyltryptamine, THC, LSD-25, Mescaline, Psilocybin, and DMT for connecting with the true god.
In our research we came across The Temple of the True Inner Light, an organization with earliest mentions dating back to the 1980s, originally founded by Alan Birnbaum.
The core tenant of The Temple of the True Inner Light is to “open the eyes of the blind”. This blindness was not a blindness to physical light, but a blindness to the Light of the Spirit– the Light of psychedelic medicine teachings.
As they recount, this light was experienced by eating fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. This refers to the use of the psychedelics, allowing for a connection to a higher power. From what we can tell, this organization is still alive and well.
As enjoyable as this history is, what’s coming next for NYC is probably the most exciting. As NYC’s drug laws stand, possessing more than one gram of a hallucinogenic substance is considered a Class C felony, punishable by up to 5.5 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
However, this is quickly changing. In May 2020, State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal introduced a bill to remove psilocybin from the state’s list of controlled substances. Rosenthal’s proposal cites several studies highlighting the medical utility of these compounds—including in treatment of anxiety, addiction, and eating disorders.
Due to this new legislation, NYU Langone Health’s Department of Psychiatry plans to establish a Center for Psychedelic Medicine. They will focus on research targeting addiction, chronic pain, opioid addiction, and existential distress.
With the announcement of this developing program, we learn that the new facility will be backed by $10 million from donors and will serve as home base for NYU’s new Psychedelic Medicine Research Training Program. Their goal is to make psychedelic medicine more accessible and increase the number of experts in the field.
Where To Find Legal Psychedelic Experiences in NYC 2023
Although social acceptance is evolving, there are still pretty strict laws surrounding psychedelics in NYC. Despite this, a few options remain available for engaging with psychedelic medicine and beginning a process of self-healing and personal growth. Both ketamine clinics and guided psychedelic journeys with Psychedelic Passage are viable options.
1. Ketamine Clinics
Currently, ketamine clinics are one of New Yorkers’ only options for working with psychedelics. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic widely used throughout our medical system, has proven effective in treating PTSD, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
Since ketamine is much easier to get approval on for off-label use, this is where many start their psychedelic journey. The main benefit of ketamine is that it allows clients to create distance from their issues temporarily.
This separation will usually allow people to look at their problems more empathetically and objectively. Although this is a great option, a few significant components are often missing. Clinics often disregard preparation, proper in-ceremony support, and integration procedures– which are the most essential aspects of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Due to the typical lack of integration practices in ketamine clinics, benefits are often short-lived, and many who undergo ketamine treatment will end up seeking other psychedelic therapy. In fact, 50% of our clients had this same experience. Want to find ketamine clinics in your area? Check out our article on the benefits and pitfalls of ketamine therapy to make the most informed decision!
2. Guided Psychedelic Experiences with Psychedelic Passage
At Psychedelic Passage, we put the power of healing into your hands. We’re here to help guide and support you through your journey. We offer facilitation services with a wide range of psychedelics, including, but not limited to LSD, DMT, and psilocybin mushrooms.
Our program works off of a sliding payment scale, so costs may be determined by your income. We do this because everyone deserves equal access to these powerful healing medicines. Our 5-week program is designed to be completely customized to fit your needs and intentions. We meet you exactly where you are.
Our facilitators can even travel to you, allowing your journey to unfold from the comfort of your home. Our program includes preparation, integration, and in-person ceremonial support. By choosing Psychedelic Passage, you’ll be connected to our pre-vetted network of experienced psychedelic facilitators who can help guide you through psychedelic healing from start to finish.
Find Your Next Psychedelic Journey in Any Major NYC Area
- The Bronx
- Brooklyn
- Manhattan
- Queens
- Staten Island
- Upper West Side
- Upper East Side
- Greenwich
- Bay Side
- Williamsburg
- Park Slope
- Harlem
Explore How it Feels to be Connected
Psychedelics hold a tremendous power to promote healing and growth, and it looks like NYU is invested in proving just that, allowing psychedelics to be accessible to all. Until that time, let us at Psychedelic Passage help guide the way. To connect with our network of experienced psychedelic guides, we empower you to book a consultation with our qualified psychedelic concierges.
If you’re interested in what others have had to say after working with us, we recommend you head over to our testimonials page. This will give you a better feel for how therapeutic psychedelic experiences have changed others’ lives when an intentional and supported setting is used.
If you still have unanswered questions, head over to our resources page to explore the life-changing benefits of psychedelic therapy. Have fun, enjoy the journey of self-discovery, and stay safe!
