People have been increasingly turning to entheogens and psychedelics as a means to access and promote greater well-being, and address experiences of anxiety, depression, addiction, and trauma. These substances have been used for centuries by Land Natives and Indigenous Peoples throughout the world in ceremonial and healing contexts to engender heightened states of consciousness, and resulting expansion in relational awareness. Psychedelics and entheogens are currently heavily studied in treatment of mood disorders and trauma, and other medical conditions (see links below). Studies results are showing that these substances have profound therapeutic and healing capacities. As more people come forward and discuss their personal experience of healing and transformation, cultural and medical views and beliefs are shifting from perceiving them as drugs, to decriminalization, and establishing a valid framework around labeling them as therapeutic agents, and as medicines. https://www.decriminalizenature.org/
Whether people are choosing a microdosing (sub-perceptual) regimen or episodic intensified dose, engaging in therapy before these experiences prepares the person by creating meaningful intention, explore purpose, and ensure the creation of psychological and emotional safety-what is referred as “set” in the psychedelic research context. Careful assessment of a person’s current psychological state is helpful in addressing potential issues and challenges. Afterward, it is of vital importance to honor the therapeutic impact of relating with the profound insights and realizations that have been gathered during the process of engagement with these medicines. These insights require careful incorporation into normal states of consciousness so that they can be integrated meaningfully into a cohesive whole, and promote lasting change and wisdom.
Ingesting these substances has the potential of being very destabilizing for a person as previously unconscious material and memories come to the surface. Trauma related thoughts and feelings with accompanying somatic states are most often part of the experience, as well as facing of unresolved conflict, and the challenging of deeply held beliefs, and coping mechanisms. Integration therapeutic work helps a person incorporate these experiences into a meaningful and balance whole, so that positive change can be yielded.
Links to more information
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies
The Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/research/psychedelics-research.html
Psilocybin May Work as Well as Common Antidepressant, Scientific American
Dr. Gabor Mate’s Website for extensive information on Healing potential of psychedelics for Trauma, addiction, and medical conditions.
https://drgabormate.com/event/psychedelic-therapy-for-trauma-healing/
*Please note that I, Mariefrance Cote, do not make any recommendations regarding, or endorse the ingesting, of any currently illegal substances (some have been decriminalized in some states and cities in the US) for the purpose of therapeutic gains of any sort, or for any other purpose.