WHY PSYCHEDELICS?

Some would call it a psychedelic boom. Others would call it a return to ancient and indigenous ways of knowing when plants and entheogenic substances were a natural part of the community. Either way, practices that were helpful thousands of years ago are returning. These entheogens, including mushrooms, ayahuasca, peyote, cacao, and ibogaine, have been found to be effective for people with PTSD, trauma, pain, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and substance use disorder. They also increase creativity, well-being, and mystical experiences.

        Physiologically, psychedelics can increase neuroplasticity (connections between neurons in the brain) and perhaps even neurogenesis (birthing new neurons). Brain scans show the Default Mode Network (DMN) in the brain becomes less active, allowing the mind to explore under-utilized regions. The DMN is activated when referring to ourselves and may be where rumination and limiting beliefs live, so psychedelics expand our thoughts and sense of self, subconscious material often emerging as a result.

        There is a natural fit between shamanism and psychedelics. Shamanism is about creating and cultivating relationships with “all one’s relations,” including the plant, animal, and spirit world. With entheogens, you are not just ingesting a substance. You are connecting with the spirit of that substance that becomes a Helping Spirit who can guide you, and provide wisdom, understanding, and healing even weeks, months, and years after ingestion.  

These substances can also provide a doorway to non-ordinary reality (NOR). Connecting with NOR often results in Soul restoration (see previous blog), connecting with Helping Spirits, as well as release of entities and energies that no longer serve you. A common refrain I hear from people after a psychedelic experience is a much deeper embodied sense of who they are. It is a homecoming. A return of “someone” you may have forgotten you knew or somehow always knew but didn’t know how to get there. Healing is wholeness. Previously fractured parts of the self unify, often resulting in feelings of awe, bliss, and oneness. An internal sense of wholeness allows one to feel more connected to the universe, plants, trees, animals, and other humans. To put it another way—a sage was asked by a student, “How do you treat others?” The sage replied, “There are no others.”

For people new to psychedelics, I typically advise people to find a guide they can trust, who can answer questions, prepare you, and hold space for your journey. Make sure to disclose previous experiences with psychedelics, current medications, mental health diagnoses, physical issues, and your spiritual practice. Creating a “set,” having the right mindset, and “setting,” making sure the environment is conducive to your journey, is important to ensure you have a beautiful and magical time.

        With psychedelics, there are some risks, including persistent hallucinations, psychological distress, and recalling traumatic memories. People who have a history or diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar, mania, personality disorders, seizures, and those who are taking psychiatric meds should consult with a helping professional trained in the administration of psychedelics. Also, people with cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, and recent trauma, and adolescents and pregnant women should consult with a doctor before taking any substance. Entheogens can be life-changing, so finding a trusted guide is important, as well as having a supportive community, family, and friends is helpful. The experience itself is often an important first step. Integration afterwards is crucial for the experience to lead to new choices and a renewed sense of who you are.