The history of Richmond goes way back, back to when Jamestown was the only English settlement, and the US was still the new world. Located at the fall line of the James River, 44 mi west of Williamsburg and 92 mi south of Washington, D.C the city of Richmond still plays an important role and is now the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The site of Richmond had been an important village of the Powhatan people and was briefly settled by English colonists from Jamestown from 1609 to 1611. The present city of Richmond was created in 1737.
As one can imagine, Richmond has played an important role in the history of the United States. In 1775 Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty, or give me death” speech in St. John’s Church in Richmond.
That’s why whether you are passionate about history, arts, gardens, antiques, fine dining, outdoor recreation, theme parks, or NASCAR, there’s something for every taste in the Historic Richmond Region.
Although Richmond is an old city, it has not stalled out, pausing in history. It has continuously evolved and is looking ahead, especially in the context of psychedelic therapy. Despite the failed attempts at decriminalization, there has been a surge of interest in the healing potential of psychedelics.
This renewed interest has even pushed some to get ready for the eventual legalization. With a gourmet mushroom grower ready to expand into magic mushroom cultivation and a number of medical professionals already stating that they wish to include psychedelics in their practice, Richmond is surely ready for this eventuality.
Are Psychedelics Right for You?
With all the buzz around psychedelics and Virginia’s moving towards decriminalization, a new wave of interest is begging to crest. Science has shown that psychedelics can be helpful in treating everything from depression and anxiety, to chronic pain and PTSD.
Not only has science shown that psychedelics promote neural connectivity and nerve regrowth, helping to heal the brain, but they also have the power to create a life-changing experience. Often it is the experience that has the ability to shake people out of their current negative thought patterns.
It is easy to see the therapeutic value of psychedelic medicines, and they truly should be available to the masses, but a measured approach must be taken. Although they are exceedingly safe and hold immense power for healing, there are instances where psychedelics should not be taken.
In the name of harm reduction, we’ll be touching on some potential risks that may come with psychedelic use, along with some criteria that may exclude you from taking that leap into a psychedelic-fueled journey of healing and self-improvement. Let’s start with a few medical issues that can increase your risk factors:
- Cardiovascular conditions can become an issue as during the peak of the psychedelic experience. There will be an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. For some, this may not be a major problem, but for people with hypertension or heart arrhythmias, this can be problematic.
- People with a family history of schizophrenia or current diagnosis need to be very careful. Not only can psychedelics precipitate the illness, if you have a diagnosis, it can send you into an active lapse.
- Those diagnosed with bipolar disorder are at risk as psychedelics could trigger a manic episode.
- Those with suicidal ideation should avoid psychedelics, especially when done alone, as they may experience a worsening of symptoms. Oftentimes this can cause ideation to move towards attempts.
The other issue arises from mixing certain medications with psychedelics. Certain psychotropic medications will alter the way your body processes psychedelics. For example, most antidepressants are known to potentiate psychedelic hallucinations or blunt them completely. Making their correct dosing extremely difficult.
If you happen to be using any medication, you should work with your facilitator and talk to your doctor. This way, you can make an informed decision and can see if it would be appropriate to taper off before using psychedelics or if psychedelics are too high risk.
The Sociocultural Climate of Psychedelics in Richmond
Currently, the law in Virginia, unfortunately, lumps psychedelics in with all Schedule I and Schedule II drugs. This effectively makes the penalties for simple possession of psychedelics 2-10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
Although this may seem like a dead end, a softening of the laws regarding psychedelics is just around the corner. Despite the way the laws read, there are already people in both the medical field and the field of mycology that are ready for the change.
Currently, an indoor farm of sorts, Capstone Mushrooms, was created by Ryan Staab. At the moment, he grows and sells hard-to-find gourmet mushrooms, but in an interview with 13 News, he says that he is ready to add psychedelic mushrooms to the mix as soon as state laws allow.
Along the same lines, there are a number of licensed clinical social workers and therapists in Richmond that are ready to include psychedelic therapy in their practice. A few even already offer preparation and integration services.
One therapist, McKenzie Casad, MSW, LCSW has even stated that “I have deep respect for psychedelics and plant medicine” . It seems like it will only be a matter of time and that time may be coming.
To date, there have been two failed attempts at decriminalization. One aimed at psilocybin and psilocin, and the other for all-natural psychedelics, which would include ibogaine, mescaline, and ayahuasca. Despite these small setbacks, there is another proposal in the works.
The current proposal would amend state drug statute by making possession of “peyote, ibogaine, psilocybin, or psilocybin” by adults 21 and older a civil penalty that only carries a $100 fine. So there is progress being made by local activist groups, and things are looking positive.
Apart from the progress that is being made on decriminalization, there exists a thriving mycology community, and they often go and scour the hills and wallows for mushrooms of all kinds. In Virginia, there are a number of psychedelic mushrooms that are native to the area. Here are just a few:
- Panaeolus cinctulus
- Panaeolus cyanescens
- Psilocybe caerulipes
- Psilocybe cubensis
- Gymnopilus luteofolius
- Gymnopilus luteus
- Inocybe insignis
Now, it goes without saying that you Should Not pick and eat wild mushrooms. Even experienced mycologists make mistakes, and sometimes these end in death.
Where To Find Legal Psychedelic Experiences in Richmond 2023
Although in Richmond there are still laws against psychedelics, the city is quickly moving toward decriminalization. For the time being, there are two options available for those wishing to engage with psychedelic medicine: Ketamine clinics and guided psychedelic journeys with Psychedelic Passage.
1. Ketamine Clinics
Ketamine has a long history of being used as a dissociative anesthetic. It’s widely used throughout our medical system and has become easy to access for treating illnesses like PTSD, depression, and chronic pain.
Through ketamine’s action, clients are given the opportunity to temporarily to dissociate from their issues of illness. This distance will enable clients to take a more empathetic and objective view of their lives and current issues.
Although this is a great option, as it is easily accessible and there are multiple clinics in the Boston area, clients often report this therapy falling short. The relief that a person experiences is often only temporary, and maintaining a positive outcome requires many follow-up visits. This can quickly become very expensive, pricing people out.
In fact, about 50% of Psychedelic Passages clients approach us to do unsatisfying ketamine therapy experiences. To learn more, check out our article on the benefits and pitfalls of ketamine therapy and explore where you can find ketamine clinics in your local area.
2. Guided Psychedelic Experiences with Psychedelic Passage
At Psychedelic Passage, our goal is to reduce harm and hassle by offering a pre-vetted network of experienced facilitators. Although therapists in Richmond may not offer psychedelic therapy yet, we offer facilitation services with a wide range of psychedelics.
We use a sliding payment scale, so your costs are determined by your income, and everyone has an equal opportunity to access our services. Our 5-week program can be completely customized to fit your needs.
By choosing Psychedelic Passage, you can ensure that your preparation, integration, and ceremony is supervised and led by knowledgeable psychedelic facilitators who have your best interest in mind.
Find Your Next Psychedelic Journey in Any Major Richmond Area
- East Highland Park
- Lakeside
- Mechanicsville
- Highland Springs
- Bon Air
- Tuckahoe
- Laurel
- Glen Allen
- Chester
- Hopewell
Explore How it Feels to be Connected
Psychedelics have been used for thousands of years for healing and insight, and we would like to give you the same opportunity. To begin your journey of healing and self-exploration, connect with one of our psychedelic concierges and book a consultation with us. They will answer any questions and get you connected to a facilitator who suits your needs.
Hopefully, we’ve given you enough information to start your psychedelic journey, but if you are still on the fence, check out what others have had to say after working with us, we recommend you head over to our testimonials page.
To learn more about psychedelics, head to our resources page and explore our content. Have fun, enjoy the journey of self-discovery, and stay safe!
