The coastal city of Savannah, Georgia flaunts charming tree-lined streets, manicured public squares, and a rich history that spans over 280 years. Aside from the city’s deep history, Savannah also draws in visitors with its humid subtropical climate, hot and humid summers, and mild winters–making Savannah a perfect way to experience some world-renowned southern comfort.
Founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, Savannah was the first city established in the state of Georgia. Its location on the Savannah River has been, and remains, an important port for commerce and shipping.
With Savannah’s almost 200-year existence, the city is home to one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States. Overall, Savannah is a charming and historic city that attracts visitors from all over the world with its unique architecture, Southern hospitality, and rich cultural heritage.
Although there is plenty of Southern Hospitality, it does not extend to psychedelic reform efforts. Georgia has some of the strictest drug laws in the country, but as the sentiment toward psychedelics in our country becomes more accepting, the laws here will likely eventually relax.
It’s a shame that Georgia hosts such rigid psychedelic laws, especially considering its well known annual event–the Georgia Mushroom Festival, which combines activism which mushroom education, food, art, and music.
Although psychedelic reform in Georgia seems like a lost cause, there is still much hope. Today, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about psychedelic therapy in Georgia, including the socio-cultural climate of psychedelics in Savannah and how to assess if psychedelics are right for you.
We’ll let you know exactly where and how you can find legal, therapeutic psychedelic experiences in this city. Before you decide to embark on a journey of personal growth, let’s give you a basic understanding of psychedelic therapy.
Are Psychedelics Right For You?
The use of psychedelics in treating mental health issues is an area of ongoing research and study. Although there is still much to learn, it’s clear that researchers and mental health professionals alike generally agree on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.
Psychedelics, such as psilocybin (the active ingredient of magic mushrooms), LSD, and MDMA, have been found to produce profound changes in consciousness and perception, which can lead to altered thinking, emotions, and behavior.
For some individuals with mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and PTSD, psychedelic substances may help them break out of negative patterns of thinking and gain new perspectives on their experiences.
Although psychedelics are regarded as generally safe, there are still some potential risks. This is why it’s worth looking into hiring a guide or facilitator to help ease you through the process.
Guides and facilitators will use both their personal experience and professional experience to help you move through your journey with openness and authenticity. Here are just some of the criteria that may exclude you from psychedelic therapy.
- Pre-existing mental health conditions: People with a history of certain mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, may be at increased risk of experiencing negative effects from psychedelics.
- Family history of mental health disorders: Individuals with a family history of these mental health disorders may also be at increased risk of negative effects from psychedelics.
- Psychological vulnerability: People who are emotionally vulnerable or who are experiencing significant life stressors may be more susceptible to negative effects from psychedelics. This could lead you to get caught in negative thought loops.
The other area that needs to be examined is the interactions between psychedelics and certain medications. It’s generally not recommended to use SSRIs and antidepressants while under the influence of psychedelics, as there is the potential for negative interactions and adverse effects.
Psychedelics work by altering brain chemistry, and when mixed with certain medications, they can potentially lead to dangerous interactions, including an increased risk of serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening.
The main class of drugs that seem to carry the greatest risk is antidepressants. As a matter of fact, tricyclic medications, SSRIs, SNRIs, and MAOIs are commonly prescribed and will all affect how psychedelics act in your brain and body.
These medications can interfere with the effects of psychedelics either by reducing or increasing their potency, which can make it difficult to determine an appropriate therapeutic dose.
Another class of medications that need to be watched out for are MAOIs. When combined with psychedelics, the interaction could potentially cause a life-threatening syndrome known as ‘serotonin syndrome.’
If you are currently taking medications for a mental health condition, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before considering the use of psychedelics for treatment. They can provide guidance on whether it is safe and appropriate for you to do so and can help you weigh the potential benefits and risks.
It’s important to note that these risk factors do not mean that psychedelics are inherently dangerous. However, we hope to have highlighted the importance of seeking appropriate guidance and support from a qualified facilitator, guide, or therapist who works with psychedelics.
The Sociocultural Climate of Psychedelics in Savannah
Located in the heart of the south, it is no wonder that Savannah has some of the staunchest drug laws in the nation. It should then come as no surprise that Georgia as a state has taken a firm stance against therapeutic psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin mushrooms.
Hallucinogenic substances including psilocybin, psilocin, mescaline, peyote, and ibogaine are all listed as Schedule I drugs (defined as having a high probability for abuse and no accepted medical purpose) under the state’s law. This makes possession a felony that’s punishable by up to 15 years in prison for a first offense and up to 30 years in prison for a second offense.
The state’s stance on psilocybin isn’t surprising, considering how most other states and the federal government still consider psilocybin a Schedule 1 substance. What sets Georgia’s view apart is its laws on psilocybin mushroom spores.
In most states, and even at a federal level, it’s legal to buy and sell “magic mushroom” spores because the psychoactive ingredient doesn’t develop until the mushroom’s full maturity. Also there is also a thriving microscopy community that likes to share and collect spores as a hobby.
However, Georgia is one of three states (including Idaho and California) that have passed specific laws prohibiting the possession of these spores. Unfortunately, it seems that advocacy groups haven’t been as vocal in the state of Georgia as they have in other locations.
Whether you’re interested in the decriminalization of psilocybin or in the clinical use of therapeutic psychedelics, it’ll probably be a while before Savannah institutes changes in psychedelic laws. However, not all hope is lost.
There are still renowned advocacy groups that are working on drug policy reform. The Psychedelic Club and the Students for Sensible Drug Policy, both at the University of Georgia, are good examples, although Students for Sensible Drug Policy is a nationwide project.
Where To Find Legal Psychedelic Experiences in Savannah 2023
Although there are still laws against psychedelics in Savannah, with the help of advocacy groups, the city is moving toward decriminalization, however long that will take. For now, your two options to engage with psychedelic medicine are Ketamine clinics and guided psychedelic journeys with Psychedelic Passage.
1. Ketamine Clinics
Ketamine clinics offer an easy entry into the world of psychedelic healing. This is where many of our clients start their journey. These clinics specialize in treating depression and chronic pain.
While ketamine may not be considered a classical psychedelic, such as psilocybin, LSD, or DMT, it’s the only FDA-approved psychedelic-like drug currently available. Studies have shown that with proper support, ketamine can be just as effective as an antidepressant.
Another thing that sets ketamine apart from other psychedelics is that it does not cause hallucinations traditionally associated with psychedelics, but instead produces a dissociative experience. It is this state of detachment that allows for a more objective view of your life and overall increased self-empathy.
Although ketamine is a great option, as it is easily accessible and there are multiple clinics in the Savannah area, clients often report this therapy falling short. The relief that a person experiences is almost always temporary, and maintaining a positive outcome requires many follow-up visits. This can quickly become very expensive, pricing people out.
Many of our clients start their healing journey through ketamine clinics and eventually find their way to us. The reason for this is simple. There exists a lack of regulations surrounding the level of therapeutic support that ketamine clinics must offer. To learn more, check out our article on the benefits and pitfalls of ketamine therapy and explore where you can find ketamine clinics near you.
2. Guided Psychedelic Experiences with Psychedelic Passage
At Psychedelic Passage, we give you the freedom to direct your journey and set the pace of your experience. Not only does this mean that you will get access to our network of pre-vetted facilitators, but you will also have the freedom to choose from a wide range of psychedelics.
Our 5-week program includes preparation, integration, and in-person ceremonial support. Every experience is completely tailored to suit your needs. We know from both experience and scientific research that psychedelics can be a great catalyst for change, dissolving jaded views of the past to allow profound personal transformation.
We believe that everyone should have safe access points to comprehensive psychedelic support, which is why our network of facilitators ensure that this step is right for you and your specific intentions by providing a health screening and conducting a throughout assessment of current life stressors.
Find Your Next Psychedelic Journey in Any Major Savannah Area
- Wilmington Island
- Pooler
- Richmond Hill
- Rincon
- Historic District – North
- Yamacraw Village
- Windsor Forest
- Chatham Parkway
- Hitch Village
- Telemvillve
- Cuyler/ Brownsville
- Gordonston
- Beach Institute
- Coffee Bluff
- Cann Park
Explore How it Feels to be Connected
Hopefully, we’ve given you sufficient information to make a more informed decision if you decide psychedelic therapy is a route you’d like to consider. Let’s help you experience how connecting with yourself and the universe feels.
If you’re ready to embark on what could be one of the most important experiences of your life, book a consultation with one of our qualified psychedelic concierges. They will help you to get started on your journey through authenticity and self-compassion.
This article was a quick overview of psychedelic therapy in Savannah, but if you still have any unanswered questions, check out our resources page for more information. Have fun, enjoy the journey of self-discovery, and stay safe!
