Understanding Psychedelics

Psychedelics open our minds and touch areas previously unreachable. They alter our perspectives and disrupt habitual thought patterns. The commonality among them is their ability to create new neural pathways.

During each of my journeys, I confronted the burden of indecision and the cost of fear. I sat with my avoidance, pain, shame, and humiliation—mental constructs designed to foster safety and limit the threats posed by possibility. I realized I could transcend these barriers if I just stepped aside.

In essence, psychedelics enhance self-reflection. They compel us to confront negative emotions and navigate through them. We immerse ourselves in darkness yet bring forth illumination. Shame diminishes. Attachments lessen. Trauma fades away.

Psychedelics allow us to confront what we avoid in our daily lives. These issues creep in through fleeting thoughts, manifesting as quiet despair and profound avoidance. Psychedelics illuminate that our aspirations are attainable, just beyond the façade of fear.

Scientific Insights

Psilocybin, mescaline, and ibogaine derive from natural sources like mushrooms, cacti, and iboga. In contrast, chemical compounds like LSD and MDMA are synthesized in laboratories.

Most of these substances are being studied and utilized in controlled environments. Do they yield results? The evidence suggests they do.

Clinical trials have shown remarkable outcomes. Substances such as psilocybin and MDMA have been proven to alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatment-resistant depression, and anxiety at the end of life.

• Psilocybin: A 2016 study by Johns Hopkins highlighted the healing potential of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, involving over 50 participants with terminal cancer. Many reported significant decreases in anxiety and depression, with effects lasting up to six months post-treatment.
• MDMA: A comprehensive clinical trial of MDMA-assisted therapy revealed substantial improvements in PTSD symptoms following three sessions, with 67% of participants no longer meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
• Ayahuasca: Although less researched, ayahuasca shows promise in treating addiction.
• Ketamine: Three clinical trials demonstrated ketamine's effectiveness in chronic PTSD treatment.

These studies were conducted in controlled settings, with therapeutic support provided before, during, and after sessions. Participants had time for reflection and developed reintegration strategies.

When individuals return to their lives after experiencing a high without a clear plan for healthy reintegration, the effects are less effective.

It becomes a cycle of healing. Loops may close but never fully resolve.

After my first therapeutic journey, I reveled in the bliss of the afterglow—I’m healed! However, weeks later, reality returned. I hadn't implemented any lessons learned, and my life reverted to its previous patterns.

A close friend has endured chronic pain and other issues following a car accident. She has battled treatment-resistant depression and PTSD from a failed surgery. After attending a clinic for ketamine infusions, her treatment plan was extensive.

Following one session, she experienced a vision revealing pivotal moments from her life, guiding her toward her purpose. Since then, she has been free from depression.

The Pitfalls of Psychedelics

An increasing number of people are self-medicating. They seek experiences led by individuals who may lack the expertise to manage trauma healing effectively. Participants often return to their lives without a solid plan for reintegration or daily practices to regulate their nervous systems.

They find healing when under the influence. But what remains after the psychedelic experience? The work continues beyond the high.

What happens when we confront the unmanageable aspects of ourselves while sober?

Stuck in our emotional management routines when sober, we often remain trapped in cyclical patterns. To our instinct-driven minds, this feels safe.

I know someone who constantly seeks self-healing. Whenever faced with obstacles, he turns to psychedelics instead of changing his habits.

People frequently return for more because they experience an illusion of complete healing while under the influence. Psychedelics can provide a guide for healing our nervous systems, but without integrating new thoughts and behaviors, their impact is limited.

In nearly all clinical trials involving psychedelics, psychotherapy played a vital role. Participants engaged in therapeutic sessions and established mental health practices with a therapist before undergoing multiple guided psychedelic experiences.

They didn't simply indulge in the substances.

That said, I believe psychedelic healing can occur without psychotherapy. Some of the most effective healers lack formal credentials. Nonetheless, consulting with licensed therapists or psychologists can offer essential support.

During my journeys, I didn’t have psychotherapeutic support. However, for my second and third experiences, I created a specific plan crafted by seasoned energy healers.

The first time I participated in a plant medicine journey, I failed to take notes or create plans. I naively expected the calm and clarity to persist as I enjoyed the afterglow.

I thought I had healed, yet problems resurfaced. The lightness was fleeting. Old, ingrained ideas about what my life should look like came back.

I learned from my past mistakes. During subsequent journeys, I maintained a journal. After each session, I reviewed my notes, identified specific challenges, and outlined concrete steps to tackle them, which provided a clear roadmap for my healing journey.

What I consider most crucial is establishing daily practices that enable the mind to process and the body to heal.

This includes:

• Daily meditations for at least 20 minutes
• Journaling or recording audio reflections during the psychedelic experience and revisiting them (with actionable steps)
• Well-defined reintegration strategies created with a therapist, healing professional, or support group
• Regular somatic exercises to connect with the body, recognize tension, and release trapped energy
• A daily log to monitor and reshape negative thought patterns, preventing spiraling once the “afterglow” fades
• Ample time spent in nature, daily grounding practices, and breathwork

Individuals must learn to translate their insights into concrete actions while sober. Recreational use may lead to valuable insights, but lasting change in daily life is rare.

Or, if change does occur, it often reverts back to old habits. I have witnessed this repeatedly, and I have experienced it myself.

Progressing Thoughtfully

If we neglect the necessary work, psychedelics become a revolving door. We must cultivate and sustain rituals that help us alter our state without relying on substances. Otherwise, we risk spiraling back and once more wandering through the shadows for a fleeting glimpse of light.

We must utilize tools that enable us to confront the aspects of ourselves that we often shut away.

We need to practice intentionally experiencing the emotions we desire while sober. We must clear out outdated patterns. This requires meditation and a somatic approach to feeling the emotions stored in our bodies. We possess the innate tools to complete these cycles, but the process can be uncomfortable.

It demands consistency. Just like a garden, the weeds must be removed first, a task that few find appealing.

It is all too easy to sow seeds amidst the weeds; it is far too easy to seek another high. Many are reluctant to engage in this necessary work.

But it is worth it.

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