Psychedelic substances?
Psychedelics are a classification of plant-based and synthetic substances known for producing an unusual state of consciousness so powerful and unique that they are often compared to near-death experiences or states of religious ecstasy. When someone hears the term "psychedelic," it's often associated with hippies and the social movements of the 1960s, but beyond the superficial associations and stigmas lies a rich story of ancient human history, scientific discovery, and medicinal treatment.
Various psychedelics
The group of substances that fall under the category "psychedelics" includes both plant and synthetic drugs such as cannabis, MDMA, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, DMT, and ibogaine. Some of these, such as cannabis, ibogaine, and psilocybin mushrooms, occur naturally in the plant world and can be ingested or smoked to induce psychedelic effects. Others, such as ayahuasca, are made by combining two different plants and preparing them in a specific way that produces visionary effects. Beyond the plant world are man-made synthetic compounds such as LSD and MDMA that do not occur in nature.
How do psychedelics work?
What do psychedelics actually do to our brains? With such a diverse range of sources, it's difficult to see a single unifying factor, but there are many similarities in how these substances interact with our brain chemistry. The active chemical in psychedelics binds to the same receptor in your brain as the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is responsible for relaying information to different parts of the brain and is closely linked to mood, sexual desire, appetite, sleep, and memory. While there's still some mystery about exactly how they work in your brain, psychedelics have been shown to both increase and decrease neuronal activity in brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex. The prevailing hypothesis is that the effects of psychedelics are due to increased brain activity, but other research suggests that compounds like psilocybin may work by regulating and restricting the brain regions that act as filters. This would allow us to temporarily break through the barriers that restrict us in a normal state.
Psychedelics and the past
Psychedelics have always played a central role in numerous cultures around the world thanks to their ability to catalyze transformative experiences and revelations in those who use them. In ancient Zoroastrian and Hindu cultures, the psychedelic substance known as soma played a central role in their religion. In ancient Greece, at the dawn of Western civilization, their sacred yearly ritual known as the Eleusinian Mysteries involved a brew known as Kykeon, which many scholars believe was a psychedelic drink. Other cultures, such as the ancient Egyptians and numerous indigenous tribes, also used and valued psychedelics. Many of these indigenous tribes still exist today and use psychedelics as a key component of their religion and spirituality.
Why We Can Use Psychedelics Now
Today, as the restrictions and stigmas surrounding psychedelics begin to diminish, a wide range of exciting new research and applications for these transformative substances is emerging. Organizations such as the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the Heffter Institute, and others are conducting scientific studies on the therapeutic value of psychedelics for treating conditions such as PTSD, substance abuse, end-of-life anxiety, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression. Psychedelics are particularly well-suited to treating these psychological conditions because of their ability to bring a person to an unprecedented state of openness and self-reflection outside of their normal, everyday ego-consciousness. In this revelatory state, people can see things about themselves, such as chronic behaviors, past traumas, addictions, and judgments, that normally operate below the radar of awakening consciousness. After such a revelatory experience, people are often empowered to make fundamental changes in how they live and how they see themselves and the world. Harnessing the power of this "peak experience" that psychedelics offer is the essence of what makes them so unique and effective. Psychedelic therapy often involves not only taking a psychedelic substance, but also doing so with a trained "trip coach" who can help a person open up and experience their experience in a supportive environment. This applies not only to clinical psychedelic treatments, but also to the realm of psychospiritual therapy found in indigenous psychedelic ceremonies or places like ayahuasca retreat centers, where trained shamans guide people through their experience, keeping them grounded and supported. Psychedelics don't offer healing in themselves, but they create a visionary experience that people can use to heal themselves. Because they are so incredibly powerful, both psychotherapists and shamans agree that they should rarely, if ever, be used alone.
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