Future Medical Psychedelics
Psychedelics... Scary party drugs or sacred rites of passage? I feel like psychedelics are often misunderstood and even demonized by the media as dangerous party drugs, but a lot of us are starting to wake up to the realization that entheogenic drugs can truly be medicine.
I
prefer the term entheogenic, which according to the urban dictionary is a substance or process that brings us closer to the god within; versus psychedelics which society teaches us are dangerous. Propaganda showing kids on acid so crazed they had to be strapped down for their own “protection” and tales of “instant insanity” concerned me enough that I turned down many opportunities to try LSD during the 80s. Even though my personal experience with entheogenic drugs is limited to psilocybin mushrooms, I find that I don’t feel out of control at all... In fact, I feel closer to my true self! So much so, that I understand why entheogenics have been used throughout history in sacred rites of passage. I’m not very religious, but I would say some of my experiences have bordered on spiritual. Makes me wonder how different our world would be if the introduction to entheogenic plants was still a standard rite of practice into adulthood!
I
’m no expert, but it seems to me that most of the more popular entheogenics are truly based on plant medicine (even though many are synthesized). I believe that we will eventually see all entheogenic drugs (LSD, DMT, Psilocin, Mescaline, MDMA, etc) legalized, or preferably decriminalize, much like we’re seeing all over the world right now with cannabis. I’ve heard too many success stories of people who’ve stopped destructive habits (drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, smoking, etc) or been able to improve their mental state (anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc) with entheogenics like psilocybin mushrooms. I
18
MARCH 2022
Florida Buds Magazine CORP.
by Jennifer Richardson
was fortunate enough to experience a personal breakthrough during one of my very first sessions on psilocybin mushrooms that helped me to cope with my worsening symptoms and the reality that my disabilities might not ever improve. I also know many individuals who successfully treat their symptoms via regular microdosing and even monthly sessions using entheogenics.
M
ost people have heard that entheogenic drugs can improve your senses (vision, smell, taste, etc)...Maybe you’ve heard stories of individuals experiencing intense visuals and/or geometric fractals, but something not a lot of people realize is that some strains are even capable of reducing a patient’s pain levels as well. This was an amazing benefit to entheogenics that I was unprepared for, but now just another reasons I find them so fascinating. Entheogenic drugs can provide the user with the insight to see things for how they really are, often making individuals feel smarter or more empathetic and even more affectionate. However, just like our individual perceptions, each experience is unique. In fact, I find that psilocybin mushroom strains vary just as much as cannabis strains... In both potency and effects! Some are so strong one cap (or even a part of a cap) might be enough for a session whereas other strains might require over a dozen full mushrooms. Just like with cannabis strains, it can be a bit of a challenge to find one that works well for your needs; but there is nothing quite like it once you do. After being on big pharma for over 35 years, I was beyond thrilled to find safe plant medicine options that aren’t addictive!
T
here will always be individuals who over-indulge and add fuel to the idea that entheogenics are dangerous. However, I believe entheogenic drugs can be a serious healing force for humanity when used by responsible adults (and I haven’t even touched on Paul Stamet’s “stack method” which offers the possibility of creating new neurons and even repairing neurological damage). Hopefully the masses will demand legal access to entheogenics soon, but plant medicine censorship is rampant on social media these days and I’m sure big pharma is doing it’s best to slow down legalization/decriminalization. I believe that if we stand up for our rights to use plant medicine we can improve, even save lives, with these natural remedies. Truly magical!
