Psychedelics and Spirituality: The Quest for Meaning
Notes From the Journey Room
The Psychedelic Revolution, WOW! This phrase is appearing more and more in the mainstream media reflecting the new attitudes toward these powerful healing medicines. It reminds me of the Wizard of Oz where something magic was happening, but nobody could see behind the curtain. From the history of western understanding we have moved from original indigenous use of these plants, (First Wave) to the 1960s and 70s of tune in, drop out where the cultural exposure led to political upheaval and ultimately the prohibition of all use and research (Second Wave), to the current exploration of these medicines for true examination of the brain and the many possibilities for healing and expansion of consciousness to creating a happier, joyful, and fulfilling life experience. (Third Wave).
In 2015 I went down the “rabbit hole” of exploration of psychedelics in search of a solution for my husband’s debilitating cluster headaches . I was impressed with the body of evidence I found within the psychedelic literature as well as the integrity of the psychedelic community. I found a vast body of professionals willing to risk careers and reputations in the search of new treatments that were clearly and profoundly effective. Additionally, I found evidence of misinformation dating back years meant to discourage a reinvestigation of a wide body of profoundly important data. The suppression of information combined with laws prohibiting the use of promising treatments, prevented the discovery of what is now shown to provide many with profound and safe relief from debilitating disorders and emergence into a more joyful life .
Now, having been trained as a Psychospiritual Integrator, I have 8 years of saddle time working almost daily with clients, my own body of “anecdotal” evidence is growing and reflecting so much more than the formal research is able to define at this time. Still, formal research continues at a fast and furious rate and the data is heavily weighted to mind-boggling positive results including data supporting the remarkable safety and efficacy of these medicines.
Current formal research includes relief from:
- Depression
- Treatment-resistant depression
- PTSD
- Complex PTSD,
- Anxiety disorders
- Pain
- Smoking cessation
- Varieties of chronic fatigue syndromes
- Anorexia/Bulimia
- Alzheimer’s
- Alcohol use disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Cancer distress
- End of life distress
As a facilitator I have worked with all these situations and my experience coincides with information from other practitioners with additional evidence including:
- Age related anxieties and fear for those facing the last portion of life.
- Grief, long and short-term
- Unresolved grief that lurks in our subconscious outside of our awareness
- Finding purpose and meaning in life
- Spiritual expansion
- Procrastination and creative expression blocks
- Uncovering mental, emotional, and behavior patterns that interrupt productive expressions of joy and well-being
- Self-love and forgiveness
- Irritability and isolation
- Judging self and others
- Existential malaise and dread
- A wide range of developmental adaptations that no longer serve well-being.
- Looping negativity
- Loneliness
- And more
As the formal research marches on so does the deepening of the experience of treatment facilitators, bringing more positive results and unexpected outcomes that give promise to a better possibility for healing and fulfillment as these medicines gain wider popularity and ultimately legalization. The grass roots explosion will make it impossible to stop this fast-moving train and we are going to see a world where mental health practitioners will find the psychedelic modality to be a ready tool in their box of tools.
I am readily available for consultations, education, and illustrations of the workings of these great medicines. Even if you just want to take a peek behind the curtain to see what the Wizard of Oz is up to, we invite you to open your mind and heart to the Psychedelic Revolution.
Disclaimers:
- We don’t promote doing anything illegal.
- Our discussions refer to therapeutic use rather than recreational.
- Use is promoted that is Safe, judicious, and intentional.
- Using a practitioner is recommended
- Careful oversight of treatment modalities: You know what substance you are taking, how it is sourced, if it is pure, and how the dosing is determined.
- Judicious: you are doing it with the right “set and setting.” Set refers to mindset going into the experience and setting refers to the environment that you are engaged in.
- Intentional: you are clear on your intentions and goals for the work which is very results oriented.