psychedelic trip therapist

Our Locations

Cutting edge care for emotional trauma and mental health challenges.

Our protocols pair in-office medical treatments for mental health with virtual integration therapy to bring dramatic healing in the window of transformation following treatment. 

Today only!

Try a month of our new Hybrid Program FREE . If you're suffering, let this be the beginning of your journey.

In-person Program

Accelerate your healing.

Our immersive in-person ketamine programs are the fastest track to help you reach deep breakthroughs and heal the root of your pain.

Hybrid Program

Start your path to lasting change.

Our holistic, hybrid journey blends ketamine, therapy, meditation, and wellness support in a flexible program that you can complete in-clinic or from the comfort of your home.

Stellate ganglion block

Dual Sympathetic Reset

Field Trip will soon be offering Stella's Dual Sympathetic Reset (DSR) protocol, an advanced Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) treatment, at its NY and DC locations. This treatment has been shown to relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD/PTSI.

TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION (TMS)

FDA-approved treatment for depression.

Biological treatment for depression that’s rooted in brain science. Shown to provide relief for symptoms of major depression disorder through magnetic pulses that regulate activity in the prefrontal cortex.

Self-Guided Program

Explore your inner-self.

Our Field Trip app guides you in connecting with yourself and transcending consciousness, through music, meditations, and tools, created by leaders in mindfulness and psychedelics.

Stay Connected.

Sign up for our email newsletter where we share the latest news, education, events, and research in the psychedelic space.

What is Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy?

We’re on the verge of a major breakthrough in psychotherapy — and it’s riding on psychedelics. 

Psychedelic Therapist vs. Psychedelic Facilitator: What’s The Difference?

The importance of integration, online psychedelic-assisted therapy, mdma-assisted therapy, ketamine-assisted therapy, psilocybin-assisted therapy, lsd-assisted therapy, ibogaine-assisted therapy, ayahuasca retreats, bufo toad ceremonies, 1. finding a psychedelic therapist near you, 2. finding a psychedelic coach or facilitator near you, 3. finding an entheogenic retreat center near you, 1. formal route: psychedelic therapist, 2. informal route: psychedelic facilitator or coach, subscribe to get a weekly dose of psychedelics in your inbox 🌈 🍄 💫 🧠.

Psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, and ibogaine are already being used in a clinical setting to help patients with anxiety, depression, addiction, and more.

Here, we’ll explore the role of psychedelic substances in professional psychotherapy.

We’ll cover how it works, what to expect for your first session, and what steps you can take if you’re interested in becoming a psychedelic facilitator yourself.

We’ll also cover the differences between psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and psychedelic coaching.

What is Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP)?

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a technique that incorporates psychedelic substances such as LSD, MDMA, ketamine, psilocybin, or other compounds as a part of the therapeutic process.

Currently, the most widely-accepted substances for PAP are ketamine for managing depression and addiction and psilocybin for existential anxiety, depression , and addiction .

MDMA is on its way to becoming approved for use in the treatment of PTSD and couples therapy in the near future as well.

Psychedelic substances temporarily alter our conscious experience. When combined with proper psychotherapy, mediation, and integration, these substances can provide deeply meaningful and life-altering experiences. These states lead to lasting changes in behavior, a sense of meaning and purpose, and outlook on life.

There’s been a lot of research coming out in this space over the past couple of years — largely led by non-profit organizations like MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) and Compass Pathways , or university programs like John Hopkins’ Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness .

Studies support the idea that PAP is more effective and has faster outcomes for certain mental health disorders than currently available treatments — including conditions deemed “treatment-resistant” [ 2 ].

There’s a distinction to make between a psychedelic facilitator and a psychedelic therapist.

A psychedelic facilitator is someone who isn’t necessarily formally trained in psychotherapy who helps people on their psychedelic journey. They can’t legally treat any illnesses or provide psychotherapy — but act as both a trip sitter during the experience and a coach or guide afterward to assist with the psychedelic integration process.

A psychedelic therapist is a psychotherapist who has undergone additional training and approval from local regulators to use certain psychoactive substances for the purposes of providing treatment for specific mental health disorders.

A lot of the media attention on psychedelics focuses on the substance itself — and of course, the psychedelics are an integral part of the experience. But this isn’t the whole picture. It’s the days, weeks, and months after the experience that really illicit the lasting changes in your life.

This is what we call psychedelic integration — it’s the mental processing done after the trip and time spent incorporating the lessons you’ve learned into your daily life.

There are companies popping up that offer online integration and trip sitting as a service — such as Mindleap — which is an app that connects you with a psychedelic facilitator to coach you after your experience.

Related: 100 Shadow Work Journal Prompts To Use For Self-Discovery .

How Psychedelic Therapy Works: What To Expect

A psychedelic therapy session can vary depending on the practitioner and the substance being used.

Usually, the process starts with a few drug-free sessions first, as well as several drug-free sessions afterward to help integrate the experience.

Sometimes the psychedelic experience is repeated two or more times. For psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD, most people only need one or two sessions to elicit lasting changes in mood, mindset, and outcome in life. Other substances require more, such as ketamine which can take up to 12 sessions.

Here are the current guidelines for psychedelic therapies [ 1 ]:

• Health prescreen to search for underlying health issues that would contraindicate using psychedelics
• Set & setting are carefully designed to create a sense of comfort & safety
• Instrumental evocative music is usually played in the background
• Patients start out wearing eyeshades to promote introspection & limit outside influence
• Patients are encouraged to remain introspective and open to feelings that may arise
• Psychotherapy should remain available to engage at any moment
• If the patient needs to use the bathroom, the practitioner or another staff member should accompany them
• Follow-up treatments involving non-drug sessions are important, usually starting the following day

The pandemic has forced a lot of these sessions to move online. This has several benefits aside from social distancing. It helps the patient remain in an environment that’s comfortable, familiar, and safe (their home), which many practitioners suggest can even help the therapeutic process.

It’s very likely there will always be a market for online sessions.

These sessions usually work by first setting up a preparation session that involves no substance. When the practitioner and patient are both ready to commence the treatment, a dose is mailed directly to the patient’s house. The patient is then instructed to take the dose during a virtual meeting and is coached or talked through the initial stages of the trip.

Follow-up treatments are employed after the fact to integrate the experience.

Types of Psychedelic Therapies

There are many different psychedelic substances that can be of use in the therapeutic process. The most common substances are ketamine, psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD.

Outside of formal psychedelic therapy, other entheogenic substances are often administered by traditional shamans and healers at retreat centers. These groups often use natural substances such as ayahuasca, magic mushrooms, ibogaine, peyote, san pedro, or bufo toad venom.

Let’s cover the different substances commonly used for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy:

MDMA has a long and complicated history in the world of psychotherapy. It was common practice in the 70s and 80s to use MDMA to improve the patient-therapist relationship and remove inhibitions that may be interfering with the therapeutic process.

This substance was later banned in the 1980s — effectively shutting down the practice of MDMA-assisted therapy for several decades.

Recently, there’s been a push towards integrating this medicine back into the clinic. The non-profit psychedelic research organization — MAPS — has been the major driving force behind this change. MAPS recently submitted a protocol for training and applying for the use of MDMA for licensed health clinics. The protocol is currently awaiting approval from the FDA.

MAPS has led several phase I, II, and III clinical trials involving MDMA to date. Some of this research has led the FDA to announce MDMA as a “breakthrough therapy” for treating post-traumatic stress disorder.

It’s very likely that MDMA will re-emerge in psychotherapy clinics for the use of PTSD, anxiety, trauma, and in couples therapy by the end of 2021.

Ketamine-assisted therapy is currently the most well-accepted form of psychedelic therapy in the developed world. There’s been well over 70 phase II clinical trials involving the substance for psychiatric disorders to date and several phase II clinical trials for managing depression.

Studies have also been done exploring the effects of ketamine for obsessive-compulsive disorder, suicide, alcohol, and cocaine abuse disorders, PTSD, and much more.

There are dozens of ketamine clinics in the United States today offering IV injections of ketamine. This treatment is primarily centered around the treatment of depression.

Ketamine has been shown to induce a neuroplastic state in the brain — but the effects only last about a week. The important work comes from the integration after the treatment to take advantage of that neuroplastic state and establish new, healthy habits to help get out of a slump or break the cycle of addiction.

There are a few clinics that will hook you up to a ketamine IV, sit you behind a curtain, wait until your time is up and send you one your way to await the next treatment.

Avoid clinics like this at all costs.

Effective ketamine therapy involves multiple sessions both with and without the ketamine. There should always be a strong focus on integration after the session.

Some clinics operate online — such as MindBloom . This model works by sending a ketamine lozenge to use at home and organizes online sessions with licensed psychiatrists to provide integration and other forms of talk therapy before, during, and after taking a dose of ketamine.

Other clinics rely on in-person treatments, such as Field Trip Health , which has locations in Toronto, Amsterdam, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta.

Psilocybin is the third most studied psychedelic substance for clinical applications. It’s been studied for use with major depression, cigarette, alcohol, and cocaine use disorders, cluster headaches , obsessive-compulsive disorder, and existential anxiety .

A company called Compass Pathways is currently leading the charge of bringing psilocybin-assisted therapy back into the medical system.

Compass Pathways started out as a not-for-profit with the goal of setting up psychedelic hospices but has since pivoted to a for-profit company after receiving funding from a variety of venture capital funds, including the likes of Peter Thiel. While the motives of this company aren’t always pure (they’re trying to patent psilocybin and several aspects of the experience they didn’t invent), they’ve made a lot of progress in giving access to licensed health practitioners to this useful chemical.

There are lots of other companies in this space working to move the needle as well — including Usona, John Hopkins University, and MAPS.

Psilocybin-assisted therapy is already legal in the state of Oregon, as well as Canada. Check out the ATMA Journey Center currently operating in Calgary, Alberta. These clinics currently offer treatments for patients going through end-of-life care at a hospice or other care facility.

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) was used in psychotherapy briefly in the 1960s before it was promptly banned by the federal government. The benefits of LSD therapy have a lot of overlap with psilocybin for managing addiction, existential anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

There’s a push to bring LSD back into the clinic, led by groups like MAPS and Mind Med, but these changes are much further down the pipeline than other psychedelic substances. It’s likely going to be a year or longer before LSD makes a reappearance into the clinic.

Mind Med is currently conducting a clinical trial on the effects of microdosing LSD for the treatment of ADHD.

Ibogaine is an alkaloid derived from a variety of African plant species — primarily Tabernanthe iboga . It’s used primarily for the treatment of addiction and abuse disorders.

This plant was very popular in the late 80s, and there was a big push to conduct more research on the effects of the plant during this time. Unfortunately, safety concerns around cardiovascular risks while using this substance forced the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to cancel its efforts to bring this substance to medical clinics in the 1990s. There were several reports of people suffering heart attacks while under the effects of ibogaine.

More recently, a company called Mindmed is working to develop a new form of ibogaine that doesn’t bring this high level of cardiovascular risk. The compound they’ve been developing is called 18-MC. It’s non-psychoactive and non-toxic, but preliminary research suggests it offers the same level of benefits towards treating addiction disorders.

This begs the question — ”is the mystical experience a necessary part of the healing process from psychedelics, or not?”

This is one of the biggest questions researchers, psychologists, psychonauts, and philosophers are still trying to understand in the psychedelic medicine space.

Ibogaine is still at least a year away from making an entrance in the clinical setting. 

Entheogenic Retreats & Traditional Healing Ceremonies

Entheogen is a term that refers to hallucinogenic plants and fungi that are used for the purpose of inducing a mystical experience. There’s a big spiritual component with these substances, which usually only include living plant, animal, or fungi extracts. Not all psychedelics are considered entheogens.

These substances come with a long history of traditional use and are used to provide a similar outcome as more modern psychotherapy-centered psychedelic therapy, but with a stronger focus on the mystical and spiritual use of these substances rather than protocol-based psychotherapy.

There are a lot of retreat centers and psychedelic facilitators employing the use of psychedelics as a means of inducing a “religious” experience. The practitioners of psychedelic facilitation come from many different backgrounds and experiences.

For example, a traditional ayahuasquero or shaman trains for 30 or 40 years before being allowed to use the medicine. Instead of studying the plant’s chemistry, they explore the mystical side of the plant and obtain dosage information from the plant itself.

Ayahuasca is a psychedelic mixture of two Amazonian plants — the ayahuasca vine and chacruna ( Psychotria viridis ). Sometimes other species are used in place of chacruna, such as Mimosa spp.

This traditional plant medicine produces intense visions and out-of-body experiences that can last several hours. The active ingredients in the brew are N,N,DMT , and various harmala alkaloids.

Ayahuasca is a powerful plant medicine when used in the right context and with the right integration. The best way to use this medicine is to visit a traditional retreat center somewhere in the Amazon rainforest led by a trained shaman (AKA ayahuasquero).

The bufo toad ( Bufo alvarius ) or “Sonoran Desert Toad” is a species of toad that secretes a high concentration of the powerful psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT through pores on its back.

The secretions are either smoked or ingested orally to produce intense visions and out-of-body experiences. The experience is a very high celerity — meaning it comes on very quickly, but finishes just as fast.

Within seconds of ingesting bufo toad venom, you’re blasted off into a completely different dimension. Most people who use partake in a bufo toad ceremony report this substance as being one of the most profound experiences in their life.

Just as quickly as it starts, the effects come to an end. The whole trip can last anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. Usually, the effects have worn off completely by about 30 minutes.

A bufo toad ceremony involves a situation similar to ayahuasca — everyone sits in a circle with a shaman in the middle. Unlike ayahuasca, only one person takes the medicine at a time as it moves around the circle. The shaman remains closeby to guide the explorer through their visions.

Most of these centers operate on a multi-day experience, spending a few days leading up to preparation for the ceremony, and a few days after to help with integration.

Many centers are using synthetic forms of 5-MeO-DMT these days due to issues with wild populations of bufo toads. The synthetic form feels the same as the natural form but is much less damaging to the environment.

Related: Colorado I-58 Paves the Way for Magic Mushroom Healing Centers .

How to Find Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Near You

You should always have a meet and greet with your practitioner to see whether they will be a good match for you. As time goes on and more people and government agencies warm up to the benefits of psychedelics, the choices are only going to increase.

Here are some tips for finding a psychedelic facilitator or psychotherapist near you.

A psychedelic therapist is a licensed health practitioner with formal academic training in psychology or western medicine. Visiting a psychedelic therapist can involve online sessions with a doctor or visits to a clinic.

Currently, there are only a few registered psychedelic therapists to choose from. Companies like Field Trip , Synthesis , and Mindbloom are leaders in this space. This industry is rapidly evolving, and there are new clinics opening up every month.

→ Check out our list of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapists & clinics

A psychedelic coach, aka psychedelic facilitator or integration specialist, is not a licensed health practitioner but has training in the use of psychedelics as therapy. They can guide you through the entire process of using psychedelics, from preparation to integration.

This modality is unregulated — which means there’s nothing stopping someone from deeming themselves a practitioner despite little to no formal training or experience. Until these substances become legal, we’re going to continue to have this issue. It’s important to vet your coach before you decide to use them.

A facilitator can be extremely useful in the healing process, and there are many excellent coaches and facilitators out there.

Making matters even more complicated, a coach that may be a great fit for one person may not mesh well with another. It’s important that you’re able to form a connection with the coach for the process to be as effective as possible. You may need to “shop around” a little bit until you find someone you like and trust.

→ Check MAPS list of approved psychedelic coaches and integrators here

How to Evaluate a Psychedelic Coach

There are a few key qualities to look for when vetting a potential psychedelic coach.

You should always have a meet and greet before starting to get a feel for the practitioner and to see whether they’re going to be a good match for you or not.

A good coach should have a high capacity for empathy, strong spiritual awareness, strong knowledge about psychedelics, and an ability to inspire trust.

If you get a “bad vibe” from a practitioner, look elsewhere. Not every practitioner is suitable for everybody, and it’s integral that you find someone that can work well with you.

A retreat center or traditional healing ceremony works a little differently than the above modalities. They rely on longstanding traditional protocols to administer entheogenic plants and fungi for the purpose of spiritual healing.

Retreat centers are usually located in areas where the medicine was used historically, such as the Amazon rainforest for plant medicines like ayahuasca, in Mexico for the psychedelic bufo toad, or peyote ceremonies. You’ll likely have to travel in order to visit one of these retreats.

These centers usually employ a variety of different healing modalities to support the use of entheogens, such as yoga, nutritional medicine, herbalism, energy work, holotropic breathing , meditation, kambo frog medicine , or other traditional healing techniques.

→ List of entheogenic retreat centers

How to Become a Psychedelic Facilitator

There are two paths to becoming a psychedelic therapist, facilitator, or coach . There’s the formal academic route (psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy) and the informal route (psychedelic facilitators and coaches).

This path involves first becoming a licensed psychologist, therapist, naturopathic doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician.

From here, you can apply to an accredited certification program, such as the Certificate Program in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies & Research offered by the California Institute of Integral Studies. This program is the premier academic path for psychedelic therapy.

This program has strict eligibility criteria:

• Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
• Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
• Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC/LPC)
• Naturopathic Doctors (ND)
• Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (Ph.D./PsyD)
• Physicians and Psychiatrists (MD/DO)
• Physician Assistants (PA)
• Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners (TCM with MA/MS)
• Registered Nurses (BSN or higher)
• Nurse Practitioners (NP with MS)
• Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM with MS)
• Ordained Clergy and Commissioned Chaplains (with M.Div. and four units of CPE)
• Attorneys in counseling specialties (JD)
• Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LAADC with MA)
• Physical Therapists (PT with MA)
• Occupational Therapists (OT with MA/MS)

This program involves six-weekend intensives and a 5-day in-person retreat.

There are other programs as well, such as the Synthesis Institute 12-month training program, a 120-hour program by Fluence , the Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Course from Psychedelic Support , or psilocybin-specific training offered by Compass Pathways . 

Once you’ve completed a certificate program for using psychedelic medicines, you can apply for expanded access to begin incorporating psychedelics into your clinic.

At the moment, the only psychedelics that have been approved in the United States and Canada are psilocybin and ketamine. MDMA is very likely to be approved for expanded access by the end of 2021, and LSD, ayahuasca, and ibogaine are in the pipelines as well.

Unlike a psychedelic therapist, a psychedelic coach may or may not be a licensed medical practitioner. As a result, coaches are not allowed to treat any specific illness and can’t gain approval from regulators to incorporate psychedelic medicines into their practice.

However, formal education isn’t necessary to be able to provide the necessary support to the psychedelic explorer as they engage on their journey. There are dozens of unofficial training programs available to train coaches and facilitators about how to effectively guide people undertaking psychedelic experiences.

A trip sitter is responsible for maintaining the set and setting, keeping an eye on the psychedelic journeyer to protect them from physical harm and serve as an interface with the external world. They are not there to guide or coach the explorer.

A coach is the next step up. They’ve received more education on the role of the psychedelic guide and can offer more in-depth support throughout all stages of the process. This includes the preparation stage prior to the psychedelic experience, during the experience, and afterward as the explorer works to integrate the experience into their life.

Many people who get into psychedelic coaching have a background in other healing modalities, including conventional therapies like counseling or naturopathy or more traditional modalities such as herbalism, reiki, kambo, or art therapy.

Training in other modalities is not a requirement, but it is important to have experience using psychedelics and an ability to empathize and connect with others.

Coaches often choose to specialize in a particular type of psychedelics, such as magic mushrooms, LSD, mescaline, or microdosing .

Some coaches do purely the integration part of the experience; others provide support throughout the entire process. It’s really up to the practitioner and what they’re most comfortable with.

Here are some of the best in-person and online training programs to becoming a psychedelic coach or facilitator:

• Psychedelic Support —  Foundations in MDMA Safety, Therapeutic Applications & Research (CE Credit Available)
• Psychedelic Support —   Understanding Psilocybin: Effects, Neurobiology, and Therapeutic Approaches (CE Credit Available)
• Aya Healing Retreats —  Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine Facilitation Online Training
• Being True To You —   Online Transformational Coach Training focused on addiction recovery and psychedelic integration

Final Thoughts: The Future of Psychedelic Therapy

The world of psychedelics is booming right now.

While they’re still illegal in most parts of the world, there’s a lot of pressure mounting to prompt changes in the regulatory structure of these substances. As more research is published every year proving that many of these substances are not only safe but also offer a great deal of medicinal value when used in the right context and with effective integration.

Ketamine therapy is already widely available in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. MDMA-assisted therapy isn’t far behind and is on the brink of becoming a widespread practice in the United States within the next few months.

Psilocybin clinics are popping up one by one in places like Oregon and Canada, where the practice is legal, and there are numerous entheogenic retreat centers in places like Peru, Brazil, and Mexico.

As momentum continues to build behind the application of psychedelics for personal growth and development and mental health treatments, it’s looking more likely every year that psychedelics will soon be a standard part of the therapeutic practice.

This space is rapidly evolving. Stay up to date on changes in this industry by signing up for our newsletter below.

• Johnson, M. W., Richards, W. A., & Griffiths, R. R. (2008). Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of psychopharmacology, 22(6), 603-620.
• Schenberg, E. E. (2018). Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: a paradigm shift in psychiatric research and development. Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 733.

How to Take Magic Mushrooms: A Comprehensive Guide

Buying Drugs in Portugal: The Effect of Decriminalization on Clandestine Drug Sales

Tripsitter Safe Tripping Guidelines

How to be A Good Trip Sitter

Exhaustive List of Adderall Interactions

How to Talk to Your Kids About Psychedelics, & Why It’s So Crucial

Is LSD Addictive?

Complete List of Smokable Herbs (A-Z)

• Conditionally
• Newsletter Signup

Health Conditions Chevron

Mental Health Chevron

• Panic Attacks

What’s the Safest Way to Try Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Right Now?

By Nikesha Elise Williams

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Therapy and medication are currently the most powerful tools we have to treat mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety, among so many others. But for some people—especially those who do not respond to these conventional treatments—researchers are discovering a promising new pathway to transformative mental health care: psychedelic therapy .

This isn’t the free-for-all glory days of Woodstock psychedelics that you might be imagining. We’re specifically talking about psychedelic- assisted therapy, which is practiced under the careful guidance of a trained clinician, who administers a controlled amount of a psychoactive substance to induce a person into an altered state of consciousness. In theory, this type of therapy encourages you to mentally explore the underlying roots of certain mental health issues. 1

It’s important to understand which drugs fall under the psychedelic umbrella: lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD, a synthetic chemical with hallucinogenic properties), 2 psilocybin (the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms), 3 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, often referred to as ecstasy or molly), 4 and ayahuasca (a mind-bending brew made from specific plants, which originated from Indigenous people in the Amazon Basin). 5 Because these are Schedule I drugs in the U.S., they are illegal at federal level due to their high potential for misuse and dependence, as well as having no accepted medical uses currently.

Then there’s ketamine, a Schedule III substance that is not typically seen as a genuine psychedelic. Instead it is viewed as a “dissociative anesthetic.” Currently, ketamine is the only substance with psychedelic properties with legalized, medically-accepted uses in the U.S. 6

Psilocybin is also on the path to legalization for therapeutic use, at least in Oregon , where it has already been decriminalized. Practically, that means the Oregon Health Authority will be responsible for licensing and regulating the manufacturing and sales of psilocybin products, as well as creating the country’s “ first regulatory framework for psilocybin services ” by January 2023.

The type of research experts have been able to do with these drugs has historically been limited—but significant strides are being made. In new and ongoing clinical trials, these substances have shown promise in treating everything from PTSD 7 to treatment-resistant depression 8 to substance use disorders. 9

Generally, in the future, once these drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specific mental health conditions, psychedelic-assisted therapy might be considered when other largely effective treatments haven’t worked well for a person.

“We are entering a period where we can do expanded access treatment or compassionate use,” Monnica Williams, PhD , a clinical psychologist and training director of the Behavioral Wellness Clinic in Tolland, Connecticut, and a leader in the field of psychedelic science who has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, tells SELF. “That’s when a drug is made available in advance of final approvals to people for whom nothing else has worked.” (We’ll dive more into this below.)

The experts SELF spoke with estimate it could take between 4 to 10 years for these drugs to receive FDA approval. But you shouldn’t let that timeline discourage you. Here’s everything you need to know about exploring this type of therapy right now.

What’s the safest way to access psychedelic-assisted therapy?

There are still a lot of hoops to jump through, but you have some options.

Ketamine is an injectable anesthetic that has traditionally been used for short-term sedation and anesthesia. But due to its dissociative and hallucinogenic effects, it’s been lumped in with other exploratory psychedelic research in the mental health space.

By Korin Miller

By Julia Ries

By Mara Santilli

The FDA first approved esketamine , a ketamine-based nasal spray, for treatment-resistant depression in 2019. It is currently the only form of ketamine that is FDA-approved to treat a mental health condition and it is meant to be used in conjunction with antidepressants. Since esketamine can cause sedation, impaired judgment, and has the potential for misuse, there are strict guidelines around its use. It must be administered under the supervision of a doctor and you may need to convince your insurance to cover the cost by providing proof that you’ve tried other medications and therapies, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine .

Because ketamine is not a Schedule I drug, it is also prescribed for off-label use—say, to help treat other mental health conditions it was not specifically approved to treat, like PTSD. That loophole has given rise to ketamine-assisted therapy clinics all over the country, where ketamine is typically available via I.V. infusion.

You can walk into one of these clinics on your own, but you will need to do a mental health and medical evaluation to be approved for treatment. While these clinics are run by health professionals, concerns around safety and efficacy protocols—such as proper dosing—have been raised, as there is no regulated framework for ketamine-assisted therapy yet. 10 At these clinics patients are required to pay out of pocket since the use is considered off-label, and the price can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, Peter Hendricks, PhD , a clinical psychologist and professor who specializes in substance abuse treatment and prevention and hallucinogenic therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham , tells SELF.

If you’re interested in ketamine, a good place to start is the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners (ASKP3) directory, as members of this organization pledge to uphold standards of practice and ethical principles when providing health care services.

One of the safest ways to try psychedelic-assisted therapy—whether you’re exploring MDMA, psilocybin, LSD, or other substances—is by participating in a clinical trial. That’s because the trials are done in a safe, controlled environment under the guidance of trained clinicians before, during, and after the psychedelic experience.

But being accepted into one of these clinical trials isn’t as easy as simply signing up. It’s a competitive space right now, Dr. Williams says. One clinical trial she’s leading, which is currently investigating MDMA for the treatment of PTSD, can only accept five people.

You also have to meet strict criteria to be considered as a trial participant, she says, which could involve having symptoms for a certain period of time, agreeing to all study rules and regulations, setting time commitments, and more. (While this looks different for each trial, here’s a snapshot of the qualifications you would need to meet to participate in trials spearheaded by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) , a nonprofit research organization that investigates therapeutic uses for psychedelics and marijuana.)

To find a clinical trial near you, ask your doctor or therapist about any studies they might be aware of in your area. ClinicalTrials.gov is also a good resource; you can tailor your search to the type of psychedelic-assisted therapy and mental health issue you’re interested in, as well as your location. You can also look into accredited universities and medical centers that have research teams dedicated to psychedelics. Here are a few helpful places to start:

• Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
• Massachusetts General Hospital Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics
• NYU Center for Psychedelic Medicine
• The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research at Mount Sinai
• The University of Texas at Austin Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances
• U.C. Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics

Expanded access means the FDA recognizes that a person has a serious or life-threatening condition that has not responded to other effective therapies, and the use of an “investigational medical product” could be appropriate to try if the potential benefits to the person’s quality of life outweigh the risks.

Unfortunately, it’s not a simple process. To get approval for expanded access treatment, you and your doctor will need to have a conversation about whether the treatment is a good choice for you, including the risks and costs to be aware of, according to the FDA . From there your doctor will need to seriously advocate for you by agreeing to oversee and monitor your treatment, reaching out to the company providing the medical product in order to receive its agreement, and submitting the necessary paperwork to the FDA. Once all parties agree to the expanded use request, treatment can begin.

For example, when it comes to expanded access to MDMA-assisted therapy to treat PTSD, at least two study sites are screening people for this purpose: Sage Integrative Health in California and the Pearl Psychedelic Institute in North Carolina. If your doctor believes this type of therapy may be the only way to treat your PTSD, they will need to contact an official expanded-access site on your behalf. Once the request and required medical information are received, the site will acknowledge the request within 10 business days and make a decision. Access is not guaranteed, even with a formal request, according to MAPS .

Let’s say you have already tried psychedelics on your own, in whatever capacity that may have looked like, and now you’ve got feelings about it. Thankfully, there are therapists who specifically work with people who have tried these drugs on their own and then felt like they needed to process the experience and the emotions it uncovered, Dr. Williams says. “We call it integration therapy,” she explains. “We do offer that because it happens a lot.”

The formal name for this type of therapy is psychedelic harm reduction and integration (PHRI). While many therapists work with people to process their psychedelic experience, there is no formal guidance on how to do this, according to a 2021 paper published in Frontiers in Psychology , which does provide a suggested framework. 11

According to the article’s authors, your therapist should help you process feelings that manifested during or after your experience, like anxiety, fear, or depression . Essentially, they should safely guide you through feelings of vulnerability, increased sensitivity, and other insights that arise. 11

When looking for an integration therapist, consider one who is trained in PHRI. Since it’s rooted in harm-reduction therapy—rather than abstinence-based approaches—PHRI-trained therapists won’t make moral judgments about drug use, so you should feel safe talking with them about your experience with psychedelics. 11 You may also want to ask about their knowledge of, or experience with, psychedelic-assisted therapy—as well as factors like their background and credentials, approach to treatment, and commitment to cultural competency —to determine if they may be a good fit for your personal needs and preferences.

Not sure where to begin? Inclusive Therapists has a directory that allows you to filter for experts who have experience in psychedelic-assisted or integration therapy in your area. Psychology Today and the American Psychological Association also have helpful directories for finding a therapist or psychiatrist in general.

As you may have noticed, we haven’t recommended obtaining or trying psychedelic drugs on your own to self-treat. Accessing them illegally and experimenting with them alone can be dangerous in various ways, Dr. Williams says.

There is a reason these substances are being explored carefully in the controlled setting of a clinical trial. Receiving the appropriate dose and working through your experience with a trained clinician is important for your physical and emotional safety and the effectiveness of the treatment itself. Outside of medically-approved settings, there’s no quality control for the substances being used and there’s no accountability for people who administer these drugs in a harmful way, Dr. Williams explains, even if any harm done is an accident. Unregulated practices can lead to a bad “trip” which has the potential to trigger or exacerbate mental or physical health issues—the opposite of what these drugs should be doing when used responsibly. In general, Dr. Williams says it’s just not worth it.

How are experts working to make psychedelic-assisted therapy more accessible in the future?

While researchers work to get these drugs closer to FDA approval, there’s been lots of buzz around future accessibility. Three big barriers include cost, therapy deserts, and a lack of diversity in researchers and trained professionals. Here’s where things stand now.

Like many novel treatments, psychedelic-assisted therapy is expensive. These sessions can run up to $20,000 to $40,000 or more, Dr. Williams, who has sought out grant funding to help lower the cost for her patients, says.

One way to lower cost, she says, is to tweak protocols without compromising efficacy, like reducing the number of required therapists in the room or the number of required sessions. Dr. Hendricks adds that telehealth psychotherapy sessions, subsidizing treatment for people who need financial assistance, or offering a sliding scale payment option could also help.

FDA approval could open the door to insurance coverage too. There are advocacy groups who are working to make sure that the necessary medical codes and billing procedures are ready, so these treatments can be billed to insurance when the time comes, Dr. Williams says.

Mental health care deserts continue to be a major problem in the U.S. 12 Add in the specialized training that will be required for psychedelic-assisted therapy, and the issue becomes even more challenging. When a framework for training is regulated and made accessible, it will be imperative to reach qualified practitioners and clinicians in all areas of the country.

There is also the question of how this training will be regulated. All eyes are on Oregon right now, Dr. Williams says, as the state’s health department has released draft guidelines for testing products and training requirements for people administering psilocybin. Currently, the draft guidelines state that facilitators will need a minimum of 120 hours of instruction, 25% of which needs to be in-person training, but the details are still being hammered out.

Dr. Williams says she once went to a research training and realized she was the only Black person in the room. “People were asking me, ‘How do we get more diverse participants in our studies?’” she recalls. For her the answer was simple: Diversify the study teams.

Diversifying the practitioners who are trained to administer these treatments is also imperative, she says. This means training people of all races, ethnicities, gender expressions, sexual orientations, and religious faiths.

If you’re from a marginalized community and have felt disrespected or dismissed by a health care provider in the past, then you understandably might have reservations about trying these therapies, “considering that you’re very vulnerable when you’re under the influence of psychedelics,” Dr. Williams says. “You’ll want to make sure you’re with somebody you can trust.”

• Frontiers in Pharmacology, Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development
• StatPearls, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
• Molecules, The Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin
• StatPearls, 3,4-Methylenedioxy-Methamphetamine Toxicity
• Currents of Neuropharmacology, Ayahuasca: Psychological and Physiologic Effects, Pharmacology and Potential Uses in Addiction and Mental Illness
• Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration, Ketamine
• Nature, MDMA-Assisted Therapy For Severe PTSD: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study
• Journal of Psychopharmacology, Efficacy and Safety of Psilocybin-Assisted Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: Prospective 12-Month Follow-Up
• International Journal of Drug Policy, Classic Psychedelics in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder: Potential Synergies With Twelve-Step Programs
• Psychopharmacology Bulletin, Developing an IV Ketamine Clinic for Treatment-Resistant Depression: a Primer
• Frontiers in Psychology, Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice
• National Rural Health Association, The Future of Rural Behavioral Health
• 13 Tips for Getting the Absolute Most Out of Therapy
• The Definition of Trauma Is Evolving—Here’s How That Can Help Us Heal
• 8 Things to Know Before You Try Ingestible Cannabis Products

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

• Backchannel
• Newsletters
• WIRED Insider
• WIRED Consulting

Margaret Rhodes

On Your Next Psychedelic Journey, Let an App Be Your Guide

“What type of Trip are you taking?”

The question appears on a phone screen, atop a soft-focus illustration of a dusky, Polynesian-seeming landscape. You could type in meditation or breathwork, or label it with a shorthand wink, like a mushroom emoji. The next question asks, “How far are you looking to go?” You choose “moderate”—you’re planning to ingest, say, 1.5 grams of magic mushrooms, which is still enough to make the bathroom floor tiles swirl like marbled paper. Select one of five prerecorded ambient soundtracks, and answer a few gentle questions about your state of mind. Soon you’ll be plumbing the depths of your consciousness, with an app as your guide.

It’s a capital-T Trip because the app belongs to Field Trip Health , a Toronto-based venture focusing on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. The Trip app , which begins a soft launch this week, is a digital companion to Field Trip’s clinics in New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto, where patients settle into rooms filled with Svago zero-gravity leather recliners and weighted blankets and take an ego-quieting psychedelic substance under the supervision of a Field Trip-trained therapist.

Field Trip belongs to a new and growing class of for-profit companies using psychedelic drugs (namely MDMA, ketamine, and psilocybin, the alkaloid that makes magic mushrooms magical) to treat depression, anxiety, and other obstinate mental illnesses. Unlike most players in that for-profit cohort, Field Trip is open for business. Field Trip isn’t dosing patients with MDMA or psilocybin; both are still listed by the government as Schedule 1 substances . But it’s also not waiting for legalization to find its customers. Instead, in New York and Toronto, Field Trip is treating select patients with ketamine, a dissociative drug that has FDA approval for off-label use right now. (The Los Angeles clinic opens later this month.)

And for those sheltering in place in the safety of the home, Field Trip's new app handily distills its consciousness-expanding protocols, making a guide—or at least a facsimile of one—accessible whether you can visit a clinic or not.

Psilocybin legalization is likely years away, but Field Trip cofounder Ronan Levy, a former executive at two Canadian cannabis companies, says the company plans to open 75 clinics in North America by 2024, if not sooner. “We’re building the infrastructure to support the coming wave, when psilocybin legalization efforts get across the line,” he says. “These experiences can be four, six, eight hours, and most doctor’s offices aren’t designed for that. You need a very different experience.”

For centuries, indigenous societies around the world have used psychedelic plants like psilocybin and ayahuasca in religious and societal ceremonies. The idea to study these substances and develop “best practices” for their use emerged in the United States in the late 1950s.

In 1957, a New York banker named R. Gordon Wasson wrote an article for Life magazine called " Seeking the Magic Mushroom ," based on several trips from deep in Oaxaca, Mexico. The article introduced untold Americans to the therapeutic possibility of psilocybin mushrooms, and a new avenue for self-improvement materialized. Psychedelics piqued the interest of researchers.

One such research initiative was Timothy Leary’s infamous Harvard Psilocybin Project, which administered doses of the drug to Boston-area graduate students between 1960 and 1962. Leary’s most lasting legacy (aside from coining the phrase “turn on, tune in, drop out,” and freaking the bejesus out of parents and politicians) is the concept of “set and setting.” Set refers to the mental state a person brings to the trip; setting refers to physical surroundings. Both require careful consideration for a trip to feel safe and insightful.

Nena Farrell

Reece Rogers

Sam Kieldsen

Amy Paturel

In many ways, Field Trip is packaging and franchising a kind of “set and setting.” This version includes carefully designed protocols (a consultation plus six ketamine-infusion sessions, combined with nine therapy sessions, for $4,700), digital touch points (an online portal where patients can prepare for their trips and chart their progress afterward), and ambiance (mid-century modern furniture, jute rugs, many, many potted plants). Soon, a Field Trip session might be like a Sweetgreen salad or a Heyday facial—it doesn’t matter which location you go to, because you’ll find the same menu of services and the same airy, placid ambiance wherever you end up. “You’ll never be walking into a room with tie-dye T-shirts and patchouli floating in the background,” Levy says. “We’re developing an experience that’s 100 percent controlled by us.”

Until recently, practitioners of psychedelic therapy clung to a loose set of aesthetics—hand-me-down tropes from the counterculture that grew slightly less cartoonish over time. In Michael Pollan’s 2018 book How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence , the therapeutic spaces he visits—at New York University and Johns Hopkins University, or in the homes of underground guides—almost invariably feature a Buddha figure or a ceramic mushroom in an otherwise unremarkable room.

These nostalgic, unpretentious environments make sense, given the landscape within which psychedelics have existed so far. Neither a clinical trial nor an underground (i.e., illegal) trip is much of a capitalistic venture. The marketplace is inherently limited: If you want to trip in the controlled company of a person, you either have to seek enrollment in a clinical trial or travel to a retreat in Mexico, Jamaica, or another country with different substance laws.

A theoretically more accessible option is an underground guide, but they’re hard to come by. “Even as someone who had their foot in the community, I had a hard time finding someone,” says Michelle Janikian, author of Your Psilocybin Mushroom Companion: An Informative, Easy-to-Use Guide to Understanding Magic Mushrooms . This is largely because psychedelic substances are illegal, but also because the resurgent attention to psychedelic therapy has led to a new crop of guides, many of whom lack training but still charge upwards of $1,000 for a session. Janikian describes meeting one such self-styled professional guide at a psychedelics conference. “When I got to know him he was just a normal person”—a guy in his forties, an ex-engineer—“who was changed by mushrooms and wanted to share them with others.”

Ketamine is only slightly more attainable. Patients with a doctor’s referral can visit one of many ketamine clinics across the United States, some more reputable than others. The Polaris Insight Center in San Francisco, for instance, was founded by clinicians from the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and takes care to customize ketamine treatments for patients with varying dosages and talk therapy after a trip. On the flip side, a 2018 investigation by the science publication STAT found that many freestanding ketamine clinics fail to thoroughly screen patients, skip the integration step, and tend to oversell and overpromise, touting treatments like custom ketamine infusion “blends” based on a patient’s DNA.

Field Trip and its competition—companies like Compass Pathways , Mindbloom , and MindMed —present a new model for this kind of therapy, although actual access to these services varies. Compass has raised $116 million to run clinical trials for psilocybin treatment; MindMed is in the lab, developing medications based on psychedelic substances. Mindbloom, like Field Trip, offers in-clinic ketamine sessions as well as an at-home option; in that case, Mindbloom mails ketamine lozenges to its patients. (Field Trip will only administer ketamine in its clinics. If you use the Trip app to explore with drugs, you’ll have to procure your own substances.)

By Matt Simon

Ketamine has weathered a difficult reputation, first as a horse tranquilizer and then as a raver party drug, but it’s also widely used as an anesthetic and as an anti-inflammatory medication. It won’t occasion a colorful, hallucinogenic experience (like mushrooms do), but the right dose can put a person in a trance-like, dissociative state. “This facilitates the loosening of the habits in the mind,” says Joseph De Leo, Field Trip’s lead psychologist. “When an individual has a mystical experience, it provides them with a lot of material to process.”

Research on ketamine dates back decades. The Ketamine Papers , edited by Phil Wolfson (who has godfather status with the drug) and published by MAPS, documents those findings, many of which describe ketamine as an agent for spiritual processing. More recent studies from Yale and the National Institute of Mental Health home in on ketamine as a fast-acting treatment for depression. “For that, the science is good,” says Adam Kaplin, director of the Johns Hopkins Psychiatric Esketamine Clinic, before pointing out the problems: “We don’t yet know the best way to sustain the long-term benefits. It’s virgin territory. If patients don’t want to keep coming in and sitting in the clinic, what do we replace it with? We don’t know.”

Psychedelics can easily acquire an enticing sheen of before-and-after; even the very people developing long-range therapy programs will cite “an experience” that ended a depression or rewired a sense of self. The trick is what you do with the trip once it’s ended. In psychedelic-assisted therapy this is called integration, and it involves talk therapy, journaling, and goal-setting. “There’s actual work involved,” Levy says. “It’s not just, take this antidepressant and you’ll feel better .”

With Field Trip, much of that work takes place online, via a dashboard that tracks scheduled sessions, daily moods, goals, tasks, and perceived results. “It’s kind of like how One Medical has their own app,” says Kori Harrison, Field Trip’s head of product. A self-described “Silicon Valley type A person who saw the lights” after a few formative psychedelic experiences at Burning Man, she’s the bridge between Field Trip’s psychologists and its slate of tech products, including the Trip app.

Trip takes cues from journaling apps like Jour and Reflectly , and prompts users to take notes on their “narrative identity.” Harrison worked with Lucid—a company that uses machine-learning programming to compose music for “mental wellness”—on five custom, preprogrammed soundtracks. Each 45-minute track plays on a loop, mixing ambient music with nature sounds. Each selection is meant to facilitate a slightly different kind of emotional experience, from processing to healing to growth. (This is a theme among these new companies; Mindbloom also offers custom music.)

A red Record button sits front and center on the app's screen to let users take audio notes. Harrison heard from guides that patients find voice memos less overwhelming than journals. (“I wanted the app to feel like a beautiful oasis,” she says.) Trip technically doesn’t tout itself as a how-to guide for ingesting illegal substances—that would be against the rules of the App Store—but it mimics the work of a human guide, presenting calming visuals and encouraging introspection with multiple-choice questions like “How are you feeling right now?” Answers get saved in a journey log that can be accessed later.

Screens are a relatively new prop for psychedelic-assisted therapy. Experienced trippers caution against keeping a device around, for obvious reasons—just imagine picking up your phone to use Spotify, and instead winding up in a Twitter doomscroll while your drugs take hold—but digital interfaces could influence a trip in other, subliminal ways. In How to Change Your Mind , Pollan recounts a curious incident of looking at a computer during a guided mushroom trip. In an effort to try out some heady psycho-visual experiment, Pollan watches a video on his laptop mid-trip. Afterwards, eyeshades back on, he mentally finds himself in an “urban landscape that appeared to have been generated by a computer.” During his processing session the next day, Pollan’s guide suggests that the laptop screen inspired the computer-rendered hallucinations. “Could there be a better demonstration of the power of set and setting,” he asks.

If you follow that logic, then the media that’s consumed during a trip has a profound impact in shaping the visual tenor of what is typically an ineffable and unpredictable journey of the mind. Follow that logic further, and a more existential question emerges: With a specific animation and soundtrack in place, can you engineer a certain kind of trip? Would you want to?

For now, the Trip app makes a rarified toolkit much more accessible than before. While the app is useful for any kind of mood-tracking, Levy says it would be naive and insincere to pretend that people don’t self-medicate or explore at home—especially while many of us are stuck indoors, grappling with the ripple effects of a global pandemic. “This way, at least, we can make sure you have well-considered instructions,” Levy says. “I like to say we’re like Home Depot for self-exploration. You can do it, we can help.”

• How to outrun a dinosaur (just in case)
• Inside Citizen, the app that asks you to report on the crime next door
• The age of mass surveillance will not last forever
• A study finds sex differences in the brain. Does it matter ?
• These Black founders succeeded in spite of Silicon Valley
• 🎙️ Listen to Get WIRED , our new podcast about how the future is realized. Catch the latest episodes and subscribe to the 📩 newsletter to keep up with all our shows
• 💻 Upgrade your work game with our Gear team’s favorite laptops , keyboards , typing alternatives , and noise-canceling headphones

Julian Chokkattu

Boone Ashworth

Jennifer Billock

Elissaveta M. Brandon

WIRED COUPONS

Extra 20% off sitewide - Dyson promo code

GoPro Promo Code: 15% off Cameras and Accessories

Up to +30% Off with your Samsung promo code

10% Off Everything w/ Dell Coupon Code

New customers Get 25% off With this Vistaprint coupon

15% off Sitewide - Newegg promo code

How to Survive a Bad Trip, According to a Psychedelic Therapist

How to set an intention for your drug trip.

Dr Andrea Jungaberle.

At-Home Genetic Testing Can’t Tell You If You’re Going to Have a Bad Trip

Psychedelic use on the rise as gen z seeks to ‘enhance connectedness’, tripping on your lunch break: inside the rise of casual dmt use, is it possible to create an ethical psychedelics company, original reporting on everything that matters in your inbox..

By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Vice Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content.

Photo by Gravity Images/Getty

How to have a safe psychedelic trip

A psychedelic experience can be deeply rewarding, but also carries real risks. here’s how to avoid a bad trip.

by Christian Jarrett   + BIO

is the editor of Psyche. A cognitive neuroscientist by training, his books include The Rough Guide to Psychology (2011), Great Myths of the Brain (2014) and Be Who You Want: Unlocking the Science of Personality Change (2021).

Edited by Sam Dresser

Listen to this Guide.

Need to know

Humans have consumed substances with consciousness-altering properties for millennia. Traditional societies used them in healing rituals, initiation ceremonies and to make contact with the gods and the dead, among other practices. Today they are known as psychedelics, and include the naturally occurring compounds psilocybin (found in ‘magic mushrooms’), DMT and mescaline; the hallucinogenic tea Ayahuasca, used by indigenous peoples in the Amazon basin; and the hallucinogenic shrub iboga, found in West Africa.

Synthetic hallucinogenic compounds, most famously LSD, emerged in the 20th century. The synthetic ‘party drugs’ MDMA (also known as ecstasy) and ketamine (used in medicine as an anaesthetic) are not technically classified as psychedelics, but they also produce consciousness-altering effects and are often considered under the same broad umbrella as the classic psychedelics.

In the industrialised West, psychedelic substances, especially LSD and magic mushrooms, burst on to the scene in the 1950s and ’60s with intense research interest in their therapeutic potential. However, an establishment backlash began in the late-1960s as the drugs became associated with the counterculture movement and opposition to the Vietnam War. Fermenting the eventual clampdown, the psychedelics-researcher-turned-evangelist Timothy Leary exhorted American youth to ‘turn on, tune in, drop out’. Tales spread of ‘bad trips’ and associated suicides, and the field of psychedelic research fell silent for decades.

We are now living through what’s been described as a ‘psychedelic renaissance’ that began in the 1990s. Research groups around the world, notably at Imperial College London and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, have been pumping out studies uncovering the neural basis of the drugs’ effects and exploring their apparent therapeutic benefits, especially when used as an adjunct to psychotherapy.

Research trials suggest that, when used as part of psychotherapy, the benefits of psychedelics include, but are not limited to, alleviating depression and anxiety (including for people who have not benefited from other forms of therapy or drug treatment), tackling longstanding symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, treating addiction, and calming existential distress in people with terminal illnesses.

Superior trial outcomes correlate with participants’ reports of having a mystical or transcendent experience during their psychedelic session. In fact, many people who take a psychedelic drug describe the experience as among the most personally meaningful of their lives. Many are changed by their trip, displaying greater open-mindedness, humility and feelings of connectedness with humanity and the wider world.

Although they can lead to subjectively similar experiences, different psychedelic drugs exert their effects in the brain via different mechanisms. For instance, psilocybin, mescaline and LSD act principally via the 5-HT2A receptor system (5-HT, also known as serotonin, is a neurotransmitter involved in mood and perception), whereas DMT acts on the 5-HT2A system and sigma-1 receptors involved in neuronal signalling. Meanwhile, ketamine interacts with another brain chemical called glutamate by blocking the NMDA receptors that this neurotransmitter usually binds with.

At a global level, psychedelic drugs have in common that they increase levels of entropy in the brain by allowing for communication between neural regions that don’t usually interact, and reducing the activity of a group of neural areas known collectively as the ‘default mode network’, which is involved in self-conscious thought. It’s believed that these neural changes lead to ‘ego dissolution’ and facilitate the mystical feelings of oneness and transcendence that are common to many trips.

The upsurge in research interest in psychedelic drugs and reports of their transcendent, life-changing effects have led to a steady flow of newspaper stories documenting their potential, and the publication of a spate of popular books about psychedelics. As curiosity about these drugs and their beneficial effects continues to grow, it raises the question of whether it’s possible for individuals to take these substances safely – and, if so, how?

Safety and legality issues

There are certain physical and mental health conditions that make it inadvisable to experiment with psychedelics, including heart problems and a history of psychosis or bipolar disorder. Antidepressant or antipsychotic medication could also interact unpredictably with the psychedelic. ‘Chronically, SSRIs [a form of antidepressant] may reduce the effect of psychedelics while other antidepressants may have other effects. But at this point there’s just not enough known about the effect of other psychoactive drugs on psychedelics,’ explains Sandeep Nayak, a psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins who has trained as a facilitator in psychedelic research studies.

‘If you have underlying mental health concerns or are experiencing depression, anxiety, or any medical issues, talk to a psychedelic-friendly therapist or doctor before taking substances,’ advises Sara Gael, director of harm reduction at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in the United States.

Even if you are fully fit and healthy, experts unanimously say that it’s a bad idea to take a psychedelic drug on your own, especially if it’s your first time. Ben Sessa is a psychiatrist, based in the United Kingdom, who has been researching the therapeutic effects of psychedelics for more than 15 years. He rejects the framing of the question in terms of whether it is possible to have a safe trip. ‘It’s like: “Is a knife safe or dangerous?”, it’s a ridiculous question. It’s about risk/benefit analysis.’ But he, like others, warns against journeying solo.

‘There are more risk factors [on your own] because there isn’t somebody there to manage your feelings or your behaviour,’ he says. ‘More importantly, you could be disorientated, and try to get in your car and drive away. Anything from the most benign behaviour – going online and buying 200 kg of avocados – to much more dangerous, there’s nobody who is not high who is able to temper your behaviour and make sure things are okay.’ Psychedelics have a profound effect on cognition, perception and coordination and you should take care to be in a physically safe, controlled environment. You should not plan to be driving, walking in traffic, be in high places or other dangerous environments which require you to be alert and coordinated.

Ideally you should identify an experienced and trusted guide or therapist to work with you before, during and after your psychedelic experience. Many cities in the US, Europe and elsewhere have psychedelics societies and these can be a good place to begin your search for a guide. At a minimum, make sure you are with a trusted and competent friend to keep you as safe as possible for the duration of the drug’s effects (consider, for instance, that the mind-altering effects of LSD can typically last up to 12 hours).

Another glaring practical issue is that, in most jurisdictions around the world, psychedelic drugs are illegal and if you are caught in possession, you will face criminal charges. This also has important implications for sourcing drugs safely. Françoise Bourzat, who has worked as a psychedelics guide in California for decades and is the author of the book Consciousness Medicine (2019), says that to source the drugs you will have little option other than to rely on word of mouth. ‘Always test your drugs,’ adds Gael. ‘Test kits are available on the DanceSafe website.’

If you decide to go ahead and it’s your first time, it’s sensible to start out with a weaker dose and, as mentioned, to pay due attention to the duration of the drug’s effects. The PsychonautWiki community encyclopaedia has information on dosing, duration and other practical issues.

However, even if you take these practical precautions, other experts urge an even more cautious stance. ‘I can’t and don’t endorse the use of psychedelics outside of research settings,’ says Nayak.

Fortunately, the physiological risks from the classic psychedelics are low to zero. ‘LSD and psilocybin are virtually inert physically – they have very low physical toxicity profiles so there are minimal physical risks,’ says Sessa. ‘They’re also not moreish,’ he explains. ‘You can see this in animal trials, they won’t repeatedly self-administer psychedelic drugs, they’ll take a single dose and then just largely ignore options to redose. So, the risk of addiction to psychedelics is low. Taking MDMA repeatedly long-term can be more harmful, but studies show that the physical risks go down after stopping.’

The main risks are psychological, and this is why preparation is so important. As safety guidelines for psychedelics trials from Johns Hopkins University put it: ‘The most likely risk associated with hallucinogen administration is commonly known as a “bad trip” and is characterised by anxiety, fear/panic, dysphoria, and/or paranoia.’

The most effective way to minimise the risk of a bad trip occurring is to prepare well. The Johns Hopkins advice is for guides and therapists to discuss the broad range of psychological effects that can be experienced under the influence of a psychedelic, including out-of-body sensations, the evocation of powerful memories, distortions to time and space, and feelings of oneness with the world, to name but a few. It’s also important to pay due attention to what Leary called ‘set and setting’. Most relevant to the preparation phase, ‘set’ describes the mindset and intention you bring to the psychedelic journey, and an experienced guide will work on this with you. The ‘setting’ refers to the physical, social and cultural environment in which the user takes a psychedelic drug.

‘Are you entering the experience with a certain need in your life? Do you want to explore something? Do you need healing? Do you have an emotional relationship that is problematic, burdened by childhood issues?’ asks Bourzat. ‘Do you want to be connected more with spirits or explore your relationship with nature? You don’t have to have a pathology to have an experience, but it’s a good idea to know why you’re doing it. What are you looking for in the journey? That’s the preparation.’ Other basic aspects of preparation, she adds, include writing a journal and preparing the body by fasting and avoiding alcohol.

The journey

Researchers have known about the importance of the ‘setting’ in the psychedelic experience for decades . In a series of studies published in 1960, Robert Hyde, a doctor at Boston Psychopathic Hospital, spent three years observing how the effects of LSD varied in different contexts. For instance, in the second year of his research, volunteers were treated as ‘research objects’ and given structured tasks to complete, whereas in the final year, the experience involved more chance for relaxation and personal support from and rapport with the researchers. Needless to say, the final year was generally associated with positive psychedelic experiences whereas the second year led to more unpleasant outcomes.

If you take a hallucinogenic drug at a party, even the attitude – the ‘set’ – of your friends could influence the ‘setting’ and thereby make a difference to your own experience. A field study in 2002 found that, on the rare occasions when people taking MDMA/ecstasy at parties reported bad experiences, this usually coincided with the user’s friends having pessimistic expectations or concerns about the trip. ‘A sense that another user, particularly a friend or acquaintance who is part of the collective, is not having a pleasant experience may have a deleterious effect on the group as a whole,’ the researchers said.

When it comes to a more formal, guided psychedelic journey, Bourzat explains that the setting is literally where the journey is happening: ‘What is the location? Who is sitting with you? Who is helping? What is the expertise and style of the guide? It also includes the length of time … What is guiding the work? Is it nature? Is it someone singing for you? Is there music playing? Is it quiet? All these different elements create the setting.’

She adds that commonsense steps to take include ensuring that the room is comfortable with soft furnishings and that any music is conducive to a pleasant experience. ‘I wouldn’t play rock and roll or house music. It should be expansive, not just classical but also more contemporary, or new age or tribal, African, Tibetan – anything ambient that’s conducive to introspection,’ says Bourzat.

If you have any frightening experiences or difficult overwhelming emotions, the usual advice is to surrender to these rather than trying to suppress them or run away from them. ‘Whether the disturbance consists of frightening illusions or internal imagery, difficult thoughts and feelings about some past or present personal issue, or anxiety related to a radical change in sense of self (eg, temporary loss of self-identity), the volunteer is encouraged to mentally surrender to the experience, trusting that her or his usual state of consciousness will return when the drug effects resolve,’ state the safety guidelines from Johns Hopkins University.

Integration

Following your psychedelic journey, it’s critical that you process the meaning of your experience with a guide or therapist. This ‘integration’ should take place during the two to three months after your experience. ‘When people take drugs recreationally, like just go to a festival and take LSD and then go home, that’s where they tend to run into problems because there’s a lack of integration of the experience,’ says Sessa.

One of the key aims of integration, Bourzat explains, is to carry the beneficial aspects of the psychedelic journey into everyday life. ‘If someone had a beautiful experience of nature, and in the journey they experienced beautiful birds, a meadow, then I would say you actually need to do that in your life. You need to cultivate that experience, and maintain that goodness that you connected with in the journey,’ she says. ‘Or say someone connected with a loved one they had lost, and felt love and tenderness and dealt with unfinished business in the journey, then I would suggest some ritual in real life – writing to the deceased person or beginning a journal and making that part of their life.’

Gael notes that integration therapists have different approaches and backgrounds. It’s important to find a guide or therapist whom you trust and who is nonjudgmental. ‘One helpful resource for finding integration support is the Psychedelic Support [network],’ she says.

Key points – How to have a safe psychedelic trip

• Remember that psychedelic substances are illegal in most jurisdictions.
• If you have physical or mental health issues, speak to a sympathetic doctor before experimenting with psychedelics. People with a history of psychosis or bipolar disorder are usually not allowed to participate in psychedelic research trials because they face heightened risks.
• Ensure you are in a physically safe, controlled environment. Always start with a low dose.
• Don’t take psychedelic drugs on your own. Find an experienced guide or therapist whom you trust.
• Use word of mouth at psychedelic societies and elsewhere to source psychedelic substances safely, and use online testing kits to ensure their quality. Alternatively, for greater safety, consider signing up to a research trial conducted at a university.
• Remember the importance of set and setting. Work with a guide who will help you prepare for your psychedelic journey, sit with you during the experience, and conduct integration with you for several weeks or months afterwards.

The main safety challenges confronting anyone who wishes to experiment with psychedelics stem from their illegality, meaning that there is no formal regulation of the training of psychedelic guides, nor is there a reliable way to source the drugs safely. Many researchers in the field, including Sessa, have been campaigning for drug-law reforms for decades. ‘The current situation is a total practical folly and extremely dangerous, utterly immoral and totally unpoliceable,’ he says. ‘It’s putting our heads in the sand and not addressing the fact that many people will take these drugs. It’s like the prohibition era in the States but on a much larger scale. The only way to control potentially dangerous drugs is through appropriate regulation. Imagine if scuba diving were outlawed – people would still do it, but now there were would be poor training, poor equipment and loads of people dying.’

Until the laws are changed, and outside of a research environment, the best route to a safe experience lies in finding a suitably trustworthy and experienced guide – someone who is vouched for by others. And it’s key that this guide will work with you before and after your psychedelic journey.

‘There’s lots of underground therapists in this country and elsewhere, these so-called healer/shaman/guru-type people who will quite happily take you down to Totnes and take four grand off you and take you into their yurt and give you a bag of mushrooms, but they won’t give you the other stuff; they won’t do the preparation and they won’t do the integration, so people are left hanging high and dry,’ says Sessa. ‘I always say to people who’ve found a so-called shaman or healer: “Ask this guy if he will see you for three weeks before and three weeks afterwards, and I bet he won’t.” That’s the bit that’s missing, not only from recreational use, but also from underground use.’

Until the laws change, signing up to a research trial is probably the least risky way to experience a psychedelic trip. These are being conducted at various research institutions around the world, principally: the University of Bristol, Imperial College London, Newcastle University and Manchester University in the UK; and at Johns Hopkins University in the US.

Links & books

Erowid is a US-based organisation that provides ‘reliable, nonjudgmental information about psychoactive plants, chemicals, and related issues’.

Bluelight is an ‘international, online, harm-reduction community committed to reducing the harms associated with drug use’.

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is a US-based ‘non-profit research and educational organisation that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana’.

DanceSafe is a public health organisation, founded in California, that provides ‘a nonjudgmental perspective to help support people who use drugs in making informed decisions about their health and safety’.

PsychonautWiki is a ‘community-driven online encyclopaedia that aims to document the field of psychonautics in a comprehensive, scientifically grounded manner’.

The Psychedelic Renaissance (2nd ed, 2017) by Ben Sessa is an excellent introductory textbook that describes the cultural history of psychedelics, and is the most up-to-date review of contemporary work in the field.

Consciousness Medicine: Indigenous Wisdom, Entheogens, and Expanded States of Consciousness for Healing and Growth (2019) by Françoise Bourzat with Kristina Hunter is a ‘comprehensive guide to the safe and ethical application of expanded states of consciousness for therapists, healing practitioners, and sincere explorers’.

How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence (2018) by Michael Pollan is a ‘brilliant and brave investigation into the medical and scientific revolution taking place around psychedelic drugs ­– and the spellbinding story of his own life-changing psychedelic experiences’.

How to control your gambling

What’s fun at first can all too easily get out of hand. Learn the warning signs and use these tips to rein things in

by Luke Clark

How to express your grief

The initial shock might be over. But you need time and space to ‘ride the wave’ of grief if you are to find a sense of peace

by Sue Morris

Photography

How to take better photos

Anyone can learn the principles that are essential to capturing quality images. Follow these tips and see the difference

by Paul Pope

Celebrating 25 Years

• Join ADDitude
•  | 

• What Is ADHD?
• The ADHD Brain
• ADHD Symptoms
• ADHD in Children
• ADHD in Adults
• ADHD in Women
• Find ADHD Specialists
• New! Symptom Checker
• ADHD Symptom Tests
• All Symptom Tests
• More in Mental Health
• Medication Reviews
• ADHD Medications
• Natural Remedies
• ADHD Therapies
• Managing Treatment
• Treating Your Child
• Behavior & Discipline
• School & Learning
• Teens with ADHD
• Positive Parenting
• Schedules & Routines
• Organizing Your Child
• Health & Nutrition
• More on ADHD Parenting
• Do I Have ADD?
• Getting Things Done
• Relationships
• Time & Productivity
• Organization
• Health & Nutrition
• More for ADHD Adults
• Free Webinars
• Free Downloads
• ADHD Videos
• ADHD Directory
• eBooks + More
• Newsletters
• Guest Blogs
• News & Research
• For Clinicians
• For Educators
• Manage My Subscription
• Get Back Issues
• Digital Magazine
• Gift Subscription
• Renew My Subscription
• ADHD Medication & Treatment

“How a Psychedelic Trip Changed My Life”

A psychedelic trip on magic mushrooms led me to embrace my neurodiversity, and now, i help others do the same as a psychedelic-assisted therapy facilitator..

Twelve years ago, I embarked on a transformative psychedelics journey that opened my eyes to my true self. I did not know then that this trip into my subconscious would completely change my perception of the world, make my then- undiagnosed ADHD more manageable, and lead me to help others experience similar life-changing revelations.

On that fateful day, my psychedelic guide gave me magic mushrooms and said, “Look at the forest one last time; you will never see it the same way again.”

To say he was right would be an understatement.

I arrived with a simple intention: to get to know myself better. What emerged were aspects of myself that I never knew existed. The psychedelic experience revealed the roots of my depression and provided insight about how to regulate my emotions — a godsend for me as I struggled with intense mood swings and disorders. Whereas therapy had failed, this journey transformed me entirely.

To be clear, it was not a magical solution that solved all my problems overnight. But my psychedelic journey gave me a vision of the destination to drive toward. It filled me with an intrinsic motivation to change the patterns that were keeping me stuck.

[ Read: The Truth About Lion’s Mane, Psychedelics & Caffeine ]

Fast-forward 12 years, following numerous psychedelic experiences combined with therapy: I have achieved a state of emotional stability. Severe mood swings and depression are a distant memory.

I was diagnosed with ADHD last year, and I consider this revelation the last missing piece of my puzzle. Today, I find it easy to love myself for who I am. I have developed new ways to live and embrace my ADHD brain without using medication.

Helping Others Follow the White Rabbit

In 2016, I decided that I wanted to help others by becoming a psychedelic-assisted therapy facilitator. At the time, psychedelic facilitator training programs didn’t exist, so I pursued extensive training in various modalities. I trained in inner child work and trauma integration therapy. I attended workshops and seminars conducted by experts in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Since then, I have co-founded a psychedelic-assisted therapy company and guided hundreds of people through psilocybin journeys in the Netherlands, where this work is legal. The changes I have witnessed in people, especially those with ADHD and neurodiversity, have been nothing short of astounding.

[ From WebMD: A Long, Strange Trip — Psychedelics Meet Mainstream Medicine ]

Most of the people undergoing this form of therapy experience significant changes in their lives, overcome addictions and depression, transform their self-doubt , and reduce their rejection sensitivity .

It is important to say that this therapy is not for everyone, nor is it a one-size-fits-all solution. Individuals who are prone to psychosis, diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder , or who have a family history of these conditions should abstain from this therapy.

That said, it helped me to redefine my life, and I hope it can benefit others like me.

Psychedelic Assisted Therapy: Next Steps

• Free Download: Free Guide to the Top 5 Vitamins and Supplements for ADHD
• Read: LSD, MDMA, Magic Mushrooms Clinical Trial Guidelines Released by FDA
• Read: Real Stories of Using Ketamine for Depression, Anxiety, PTSD
• Read: “Therapy Helped Me…”

Alice Smeets is a neurodivergent psilocybin-assisted therapy facilitator and co-founder of A Whole New High , which offers guided, private psilocybin therapy sessions and group retreats in the Netherlands.

SUPPORT ADDITUDE Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing . Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

ADHD Therapies: Read These Next

Right Goal, Wrong Strategy — 11 New Treatment Ideas

Treatments for Depression and ADHD: New and Forthcoming Approaches

ADHD Therapy Overview: The 9 Best Treatments for Children and Adults

Somatic Therapy: Understanding the ADHD Brain, Body & Trauma

Adhd newsletter, treating adhd, food and nutrition, medication, supplements, natural therapies, and more..

It appears JavaScript is disabled in your browser. Please enable JavaScript and refresh the page in order to complete this form.

9 Conditions Often Diagnosed with ADHD

Psychedelic Directory

Explore and connect with people, organizations, and communities in psychedelics. This list is built by the community, for the community. If something should be added, changed, or removed, please let us know at [email protected]. Please note: We do not explicitly endorse or support any individual or organization listed. You explore at your own risk.

U.S. Psychedelic Communities

These communities and meetup groups vary in age, size, financial stability, activity level, web presence, and leadership ability. Each reflects its founders' or current leaders' energies, philosophies, and organizational skills. You can get involved in existing organizations or consider starting your own. We list organizations by state; some organizations offer online events and can serve an international crowd. ‍ Last major update: Feb 2023

Please note: many of these groups are not places to seek, encourage, or participate in procuring controlled substances. Do not bring, buy, sell, or transfer any illegal substances or swap information on how to do so.

‍ Autistic Psychedelic Community Tam Integration Graduate Student Association for Psychedelic Studies Shefa Jewish Psychedelic Support Jewish Entheogenic Society Navigating the Liminal Psychedelic Club Intercollegiate Psychedelics Network Association of Entheogenic Practitioners North American Mycological Association Whole Human Embodiment Network (WHEN) Psychedelic Access Fund Asian Psychedelic Collective Blacks in Psychedelics Psoiree Moms on Mushrooms American Psychedelic Society

Alabama   Psychedelic Discussion & Integration Group (Birmingham) ‍

Alaska  Alaska Psychedelic Society Gated Community

Arizona   Arizona Psychedelic Society ‍ Tucson Psychedelic Society ‍ Phoenix Psychedelic Society ‍ Psychedelic Club of Phoenix Phoenix Psychedelics ‍ Phoenix Ayahuasca Meetup Group Phoenix Women in Psychedelics Southwest Psychedelic Society Tucson Cannabis-Assisted Psychedelic Healing Meetup Group Entheogenic Elders of Southern Arizona Toad, Plant Medicine, and Sound Healing Integrative Confluence Arizona

Arkansas   NWA Psychedelic Society ‍ ‍

Northern California ‍ Davis Psychedelic Club ‍ Psychedelic Science at Berkeley ‍ Berkeley Entheogenic Society ‍ San Francisco Psychedelic Society Psychedelic and Entheogen Academic Council Chacruna Institute ‍ Psychedelic Club of San Mateo ‍ Santa Cruz Psychedelic Society ‍ Silicon Valley Psychedelic Society East Bay Psychedelic Healing Collective MycoRising Entheogenic Medicine Circles Humbolt Psychedelic Society Bay Area Mycological Society Haight Street Shroom Shop Stanford Psychedelic Science Group Mycelial Mass Mushroom Meetup San Francisco Psychedelic Healing and Spiritual Community Sacramento Psychedelic Society Sacred Psychedelic Gatherings in Napa County

Southern California ‍ ‍ Santa Barbara Psychedelic Integration Circle ‍ LAMPS: Los Angeles Medicinal Plant Society InnerSpace Integration ‍ Psychedelic Society of Los Angeles (PSOLA) ‍ PsychedeLiA Integration Aware Project: Rethinking Psychedelics ‍ Aware Project: San Diego Psychedelic Society Aware Project: Los Angeles Psychedelic Society - Meetup ‍ ‍ The Sacred Psychedelic Society ‍ Cosmic Glue ‍ ‍ Orange County Psychedelic Integration Group Spirit Sisters Spirituality and Psychedelics Los Angeles Psychedelic Healing and Spirituality Community Zenhuasca Temple Magic Mushroom Journey Love Earth Church: Sacred Plant Medicine - Los Angeles Los Angeles Psychedelic Culture Exploring Psilocybin for Mental Health & Self-Exploration Psychedelic Integration and Information Circle Sacred Psychedelics Palm Springs Psychedelic Integration Community Riverside Psychedelic Integration Meetup San Diego Psychedelic Healing and Spirituality Community

Colorado ‍ The Nowak Society ‍ SPORE: Society for Psychedelic Outreach, Reform, and Education ‍ Psychedelic Club of Denver Denver Mushroom Cooperative Colorado Psychedelic Community Psychedelic Club of Colorado Springs ‍ Naropa Alliance for Psychedelic Studies ‍ Denver Psychedelic Healing and Spirituality Community Psychedelic Book Club Consciousness Hacking Colorado Colorado Psychedelic Society Aliento Medicinals - Alternative Healing Psychedelic Creativity, Problem Solving, and Innovation

Delaware Wilmington Psychedelic Society

Washington DC D.C. Psychedelic Society ‍ DC Psychedelic Integration Circle DC Psychonauts D.C. Friends of Psychedelic Science ‍ Temple Mother Earth

‍ ‍ ‍ Florida South Florida Psychedelic Society Orlando Psychedelic Society Psychedelics and Limitless Personal Growth: Microdosing Miami Miami Shamanism and Ceremonies Tampa Bay Psychedelic Community Saint Petersburg Ayahuasca / Psychedelic Integration Healing

Georgia  PsyAtlanta Decriminalize Nature GA Psychedelic Society of Atlanta Entheo Temple - Atlanta Psychedelic Mushroom Church Temple of Umi

‍ Hawaii  Sacred Plants and Psychedelics Meetup ‍

Idaho   Boise Psychedelic Society

Illinois Chicago Psychedelic Community Sana Healing Collective Earth Medicines Chicago Psychedelic Education & Integration ‍ Psychedelics and Limitless Personal Growth ‍ ‍ Illinois Psychedelic Society ‍

Indiana  The Psychedelic Society of Southern Indiana & Western Kentucky 

Oklahoma Psychedelic Society of Oklahoma

Iowa  Psychedelic Club of Iowa City ‍

Maine Dirigo Psychedelic Society ‍

Maryland   Baltimore Psychedelic Society The Ancestor Project Montgomery County Psychedelic Society Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Society

Massachusetts   Boston Entheogenic Network (BEN) Psychedelic Society of New England Harvard Undergraduate Science of Psychedelics Club Psychedelic Integration of Boston Ayahuasca Integration Support Group Somerville Psychedelic Preparation and Integration Middlesex County Psychedelic Discussion Circle

Michigan ‍ Detroit Entheogen Circle Michigan Psychedelic Society Grand Rapids Psychedelic Society

Minnesota   Psychedelic Society of Minnesota Psychedelic Neuroscience Psychedelic Healing Collaborative Open Mind Integration

Missouri  Kansas City Psychedelic Society Psychedelic Society of St. Louis

Nebraska   Psychedelic Society of Omaha

Nevada ‍ Sierra Psychedelic Society Las Vegas Psychedelic Society Reno Entheogens & Plant Medicine Meetup Craft Motions Creative Arts and Wellness Center ‍

New Jersey Princeton Science of Psychedelics Club Jersey City Psychedelic Club South Jersey Psychedelic Meetup Group ‍ ‍

New Mexico   New Mexico Psychedelic Science Society Church of the Natural Law: Shamanic and Psychedelic Quests

New York Brooklyn Psychedelic Society ‍ Sacred Plants NY Westchester Psychedelic Society Meetup Group Psychedelic Sangha Plant Medicine and Psychedelic Retreats, Training New York & NM Psychedelic Access Fund Queens Psychedelic Society Hudson Valley Psychedelic Society The Psychedelic Sisterhood The Ithaca Psychedelic Spirituality Society IPSS Psychedelic Access Fund Psychedelic Brotherhood NYC Long Island Consciousness Collective

North Carolina   Psychedelic Club of UNC Asheville Asheville Psychedelic Preparation and Integration ‍ ‍ Psychedelic Society of Asheville Somatic Psychedelic Integration

North Dakota   Fargo Moorhead Psychedelic Society

Ohio Ohio Psychedelic Society

Oklahoma White Rabbit Collective

Oregon ‍ Portland Psychedelic Society Psanctum Psychedelic Education Center Entheogenesis: A Psychedelic Integration Community Into the Looking Glass: Psychedelic Integration Services Hekati's Network Eugene Psychedelic Healing Community Edelic Center For Ethnobotanical Services ‍ ‍ Psychedelic Professionals of Willamette Valley ‍ Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association Meetup Group Central Oregon Psychedelic Society Bend Conscious Psanctuary and Psychedelic Healing Network Eugene Sound Bath (Psilo Temple)

Pennsylvania ‍ ‍ ‍ Philadelphia Psychedelic Society Psychedelic Club of Pittsburgh Lehigh Valley Psychedelic Society Lancaster Psychedelic Community ‍ ‍

Rhode Island A Psychedelic Conversation for Women & Mothers Psychedelic Society of Rhode Island

South Carolina  Society for the Exploration of Altered States (SEAS) ‍

Tennessee Nashville Psychedelic Society

Texas Austin Psychedelic Society Dallas Psychedelic Society Houston Psychedelic Society ‍ Psychedelic Society of Texas ‍ San Antonio Psychedelic Society Psychedelic Club of San Antonio Entheogenic Medicine Circles. Sacred Plant Medicine. ATX Altered Practitioners Psychedelic Integration ATX Psychedelics for Healing

Utah Utah Psychedelic Society ‍ Psychedelic Society of Salt Lake City

‍ Vermont Psychedelic Society of Vermont

Virginia ‍ Chesapeake Psychedelic Society Newport News Psychedelic Integration Group

Washington Seattle Psychedelic Society Port Townsend Psychedelic Society Seattle Mind Travelers Sacred Heart Medicine Sanctuary Meetup Cascadia Psychedelic Community EntheoWisdom Northwest Spokane Area Psychedelic Society (SAPS) Vancouver Integration Circle Trippy Triangle Club Olympia Psilocybin Meetup Group EPIC - Elder's Psychedelic Inquiry Circle

Wisconsin  Madison Psychedelic Society Milwaukee Psychedelic Society ‍ N.E.W Sacred Plant Medicines (North East Wisconsin) Explorations in Expanded Consciousness w/ Allan Ajaya, PhD ‍

International Psychedelic Communities

These communities and meetup groups vary in age, size, financial stability, activity level, web presence, and leadership ability. Each reflects the energies, philosophies, and organizational skills of its founders and/or current leaders. You can get involved in existing organizations or you may consider starting your own. We list organizations by country (and province for Canada); some organizations offer online events and have the ability to serve an international crowd. Last major update: August 2022

Online Nectara

Australia Australian Psychedelic Society Australian Psychedelic Society - Brisbane Melbourne Third Eye

Austria Psychedelic Society of Vienna

Belgium ‍ Psychedelic Society Belgium Conscious Mind Club Brussels

‍ Brazil Associação Psicodélica do Brasil

Cambodia Psychedelic Cambodia Society

Canada Canadian Psychedelic Association

Alberta Psychedelic Discussions (Calgary) ‍ Edmonton Psychedelic and Hiking Society Magick Practices and Altered States Calgary Psychedelic Integration Group Canadian Rockies Psilocybin Community +Retreats

British Columbia Kamloops Psychedelic Society ‍ Okanagan Psychedelic Society UBC Psychedelic Society ‍ Kootenay Psychedelic Society Victoria Entheogen Discussions and Support ‍ Vancouver Psychedelic Society Preparation and Integration of Life, Death, & Transformation Psychedelic Integration - Vancouver Vancouver Women in Psychedelics Victoria Association for Psychedelic Studies Vancouver Psychedelic Healing Circle Women's Psychedelic Integration Circle The Flying Sage Psychedelic Salons

‍ Manitoba Psychedelic Society of Manitoba

Newfoundland and Labrador ‍ Psychedelic Society of Newfoundland and Labrador

Nova Scotia Halifax Psychedelic Society

Ontario Ottawa Psychedelic Education Network Sudbury Psychedelic Society Entheogenic Research Guild Of Toronto (ERGOT) Toronto Psychedelic Society Forest City Psychedelic Community KWCG Psychedelic Society Kingston Psychedelic Society Barrie Psychedelic Society Hamilton Entheogenic Society

Quebec Montreal Psychedelic Society Ayahuasca, San Pedro - Sacred Plant Medicines Montreal

Costa Rica Psychedelic Community Costa Rica

Czech Republic Česká psychedelická společnost

Denmark Psykedelisk Samfund

Egypt Egyptian Psychedelic Scene

Finland Psykedeelisen Sivistyksen Liitto Finnish Association for Psychedelic Research

France La Communauté Psychédélique Francophone Société Psychédélique Française

Georgia ‍ ‍ Georgian Psychedelic Community 

Germany Psychedelic Society Berlin Psychedelic Society Germany ‍ Psychedelic Society Hamburg

Hungary Multidiszciplináris Társaság a Pszichedelikumok Kutatásáért

India ‍ Psychedelic Society of India

Ireland Psychedelic Society of Ireland ‍ ‍

Israel ‍ Safe Shore Israel

Italy Italian Psychedelic Society ‍

Jamaica Diaspora Psychedelic Society

Latvia Psychedelic Latvia

Malta Malta Ayahuasca Community

Mexico Sociedad Mexicana de la Psilocibina A.C.- Psilocybe México Mindsurf ‍ Puerto Vallarta Psychedelic Society

Morocco Psychedelic Society Morocco Psychedelic Society Morocco 2

Netherlands Amsterdam Psychedelic Research Association Psychedelic Society of the NL

New Zealand Psychedelics New Zealand ‍

Norway Norway Psychedelic Society

Pakistan Psychedelic Pakistan

Philippines Psychedelic Philippines

Poland Polskie Towarzystwo Psychodeliczne ‍

Portugal ‍ Lisbon Psychedelic Society Portuguese Plant Medicine and Psychedelic Society

‍ Scotland ‍ Psychedelic Society Edinburgh ‍ Psychedelic Scotland

‍ South Africa Psychedelic Society South Africa

Spain La Sociedad Psicodélica Psychedelic Society of Madrid

Sweden Nätverket för Psykedelisk Vetenskap

Switzerland Euleusis Society Zurich Psychonauts ‍ PALA - Psychedelics Association of Lausanne for Awareness

United Kingdom The Psychedelic Society of Birmingham Institute of Psychedelic Therapy The Psychedelic Research Society of the University of Sussex The Psychedelic Society UK Cambridge Psychedelic Society  Psychedelic Society of Bristol Oxford Psychedelic Society UCL Society for the Application of Psychedelics   The Psychedelic Society of Manchester ‍ ‍ The Maudsley Psychedelic Society Integration Group London Psychedelic Community Manchester Psychedelic Society ‍ London DMT, Psilocybin, LSD, Psychedelic Integration Meet Up Ayahuasca and Self Development Discussion Meetup Group ‍ University of Greenwich Psychedelic Society Durham University Psychedelic Society Norwich Psychedelic Group HowzYou Men's Wellness Group Shift Happens Psychedelic Integration & Meetup Group Psychedelics and Faith Discussion Group Psychedelic Integration Group The Black Psychedelic Circle Birmingham Psychedelic Culture & Plant Medicine Meetup Group ‍

Retreats & Tripsitters

When using psychedelic substances, you may consider employing the services of an experienced ceremony leader or psychedelic guide. Facilitators represent a variety of philosophies, modalities, attitudes, and backgrounds, so please use your utmost discretion to find a practitioner that meets your needs. Facilitators should be compassionate, honest, and knowledgeable about what to do in emergencies. They should follow a code of ethics at all times. ‍ Tripsitters.org does not screen or endorse those who are listed. The following individuals and organizations offer their services publicly. If you contact and employ an individual or organization on this list, you do so 100% at your own risk. Please let us know if something should be added or changed to this list. Last major update: Feb 2023

Australia Voytek Bereza

Bahamas Oceanside Ibogaine Psilocybin Therapy Bahamas

Belgium Truffle Tripsitters BE - NL

Bolivia Pisatahua

Brazil Ad Anima

Canada Arcadia Healing ‍ Dimensions Retreats Divine White Magic ‍ Guided Mushroom Journey Melanie Waterfall - Divine Light Integration ‍ ‍ Odette Peek Laurie ‍ One People TO ‍ Soma Healing ‍ Rooted Psych Journeys Rooted Waters Salimeh Tabrizi - Vibrant Life Counseling

Colombia Caminamos con CoRazón Onowa

Costa Rica Be Here Now with Neten Colandi Sanacion Holisitica ‍ Costa Rica Jungle Retreats ‍ Costa Rica Surf Wellness Divina Vida Organic Farm Embracing Your Light GdFlou Holos Global India Mayorga Inwardbound ‍ Meghan Tati ‍ Microdosing Guru Mundo Gente Medicina ‍ Mushroom Awakening ‍ Odette Peek Laurie OM Jungle Medicine ‍ One Spirit Infinite Journeys ‍ Reunion Experience Sage and Saints Salimeh Tabrizi - Vibrant Life Counseling

Ecuador Bromelia Lodge Sachi Wasi Vortex Retreats

International Behold Retreats ‍ Venture Beyond Our Future is Ancient

Jamaica Atman Retreats ‍ Beckley Retreats ‍ ‍ Blue Portal ‍ ‍ Cardea ‍ Diaspora Psychedelic Society Elevate with Evelyn ‍ ‍ Equanimity Retreat ‍ Evolution Retreats ‍ Finally Detached ‍ ‍ ‍ Gaia Sagrada ‍ Healing Escapes Foundation ‍ MycoMeditations Natural Mystic ‍ One Psilocybin Retreats Silo Wellness ‍ Sophrodelic ‍ Wake Clinical Retreats ‍ ‍ Zion Life ‍

Mexico Arcadia Healing Sanctum Bernice Andersen IXCA ‍ ‍ ‍ Bliss Eden ‍ The Buena Vida ‍ ‍ Colter Wild ‍ Con Ciencia Indigena Corason ‍ ‍ Cluster Dave (for cluster headaches) ‍ Earth Movement Eleusinia Retreat Life Synergy Retreat Maliollin Maria Camille Melissa with Guided Tripping ‍ Mexico Psychedelic OaxacaVida ‍ ‍ ‍ One Spirit Infinite Journeys Our Future is Ancient ‍ Root of the Gods ‍ Sacred Heart Sonora ‍ Sacred Mushroom Journey ‍ ‍ Sayulita Wellness Retreat ‍ Tao Yucatan ‍ Transformational Immersions ‍ TrueISense Xanga Guru

Netherlands A Whole New High Acsauhaya ‍ Alalaho Awaken the Medicine Within ‍ ‍ Beautiful Space ‍ Beckley Retreats ‍ ‍ Brighter Pathways Compassionate Self ‍ Dr. Tharcila Chaves Earth Awareness Eleonora "Eta" Liparoti - MYR ‍ Essence Institute Evolute Institute ‍ FLO Coaching Guided Tripping House of Louise Inner Journey Inward Bound Jennifer Virginia ‍ Katharsis Journeys ‍ Kiyumi ‍ Krakti ‍ Lenna -Shift Happens ‍ ‍ The Lighthouse Maguey -- Psychedelic Assisted Self-Discovery Maps of the Mind ‍ Metamorphogenesis Mindfulness Training ‍ Mother's House The Medicine Tribe ‍ ‍ Navigated Tripping ‍ Numinous Ways ‍ ‍ Odin Pepper ‍ Oyasin Journeys Psilohuasca ‍ Psilomorphosis ‍ Psychedelic Exploration Psychedelic Health Professionals ‍ Psychedelic Insights ‍ ‍ ‍ Rooted Healing Shamanic Space Soma Institute ‍ ‍ Spinoza Tangerine Retreat Therapeutic Sitting Service Tripsitter Amsterdam TripTherapie True Nature Vrouwen met Lef The Yogologist

Peru Entheogens Peru - Soul Sanctuary

Portugal Alchemy of Clarity Animate Healing Awaken the Medicine Within Consciousness Retreat ‍ Coracao Medicina ‍ Guided by Martin ‍ Intuitive Kasham Lighthouse Retreats ‍ Numinous Ways ‍ ‍ Psychedelic Therapy Retreat Lucid Retreats ‍ ‍ Our Future is Ancient RECEIVE Retreat

‍ ‍ Spain Astraea Flora Avalon Casa Curacion Dragonfly Journeys ‍ ‍ Esencia Plant Medicine & Therapy ‍ ‍ Flying Dutchman Ibiza INME Wellness Inner Wisdom Retreat ‍ ‍ Jewish Center for Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy ‍ La Mezquita La Sociedad Psicodelica ‍ Magic Mushroom Healing Retreat ‍ ‍ Mycosomatic Magic ‍ Primal Nature

United States Akasa Journeys (CA) Allison Lorne (Atascadero, CA) ‍ Amber Helgeson, Somatic Psychedelic Coach (CO, ID, TX) ‍ American Psychedelic Society (East Coast) Amy - Big Tree Counseling (DMV area) ‍ ‍ Andrew Phillips (NC) ‍ Beyond Limits Expressive Arts Therapy (GA) Brooklyn Balance (NY) ‍ ‍ ‍ Bryant Pettey (UT) [email only] Chuck Roundtree (TX) ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ Church of Sacred Sacraments ‍ ‍ Colorado Psychedelic Support (CO) ‍ ‍ Colter Wild (NC, CA, UT, TX) ‍ The Divine Assembly (UT) Dr. Nick Atlas (MA) ‍ Dr. Cresencia Felty (IL) Elevate with Evelyn (OR) ‍ ‍ Entheo Coach (GA) ‍ Entheo Healing (VA) ‍ Entheo Temple - Atlanta Psychedelic Mushroom Church (GA) EntheoGenesis: Psychedelic Integration (WA, & OR) Expansive Guidework (NC) ‍ Finally Detached (Various) ‍ Forest Medicine Coaching (CO) Gina Devani (NM, NorCal) Global Curandera (CA West Coast) ‍ ‍ ‍ Haux Gatherings (SD, CA) ‍ Healing with Kat (SD, CA) ‍ High Funguy Homies (UT) ‍ I Shine Healing (OR, WA) ‍ Igniting Unity (CA) ‍ The Integral Journey (OR) ‍ ‍ Isabel Santis (CA) ‍ ‍ Jonathan “Quest” Brown - Sacred Facilitator & Integration Coach (PA) ‍ Jorge - The Caring Cove (NY, CT) ‍ ‍ Journey with Jai (CO) ‍ Juliana Rose - Boldly Embodied (VT) Kavana Journey (CA) ‍ ‍ ‍ Leo Teles [guide and therapist] (CA) ‍ ‍ Lucid Mind (Sebastopol, CA) ‍ ‍ Mama De La Myco - MushWOMB (CA) ‍ Mourning Cloak Sacred Care (CA, OR, WA) ‍ Mushroom Tao (At Home) ‍ Mycophoria (SD, CA) ‍ Myco-Vision (OR) ‍ ‍ Mystical Reflections (RI) ‍ ‍ Nicole Lilly (NC) North Star Council (OR; WA) ‍ Pachamama Ayahuasca Sanctuary (NH) PHiREworks (Chico, CA) Pivot Psychedelics (SD, CA) Psanctuary (KY) ‍ Psychedelic Facilitators (PA) ‍ Psychedelic Passage (Various) ‍ Psychedelic Tripsitting (CO) Revitalizing Moments (SD, CA) ‍ Rootstock Retreat (VT) Row and Release Ministry (CA, WA, OR) ‍ ‍ Sacred Earth Sanctuary (MA) ‍ Sacred Heart Medicine (WA) The Sacred House of Eden (CO) Sage and Saints (NY, NJ) The Space Between (OR) ‍ ‍ Spiral Path (WA) ‍ ‍ Therapeuthic Psychedelic Trip Sitting (DC) ‍ ‍ ‍ Time to Heal Us (NH) ‍ Twocats (NY)

Sweden Minnoria Taita Inti

United Kingdom Brighter Pathways Gaia Spiritual Wellness ‍ Maguey -- Psychedelic Assisted Self-Discovery ‍ Psychedelic Therapy UK ‍ ‍ Soul Sanctuary - South West UK

Meditation Retreats (Non-Psychedelic) By-Donation Vipassana Retreats (Worldwide) Gaia House (UK) Nine Gates Mystery School

Directories Retreat Guru Aya Advisors Clinial Trials Database ‍ PubChem Clinical Trials Psychable

Education & Training

Organizations and individuals offer training programs for prospective psychedelic therapists, guides, facilitators, and journeyers seeking healing and support. Tripsitters does not endorse any individual or organization listed. This list contains information that is openly available on the internet. Please do thorough research before choosing a program.

For Therapists, Guides, Facilitators

• Alef Trust -- various training, and degree and certificate programs in consciousness, transpersonal and spiritual psychology
• Alien Insect -- youtube video series called Psychedelics and Brain Master Course
• Altered Practitioners -- consultations groups, peer support, and community for practitioners.
• Atma Academy Canada -- Accredited Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy Training Programs for Mental Health Professionals
• AWE -- hybrid three-year Psychedelic Therapy Training program offering MA and PhD tracks
• ‍ ‍ Aya Healing Retreats -- Various online and in-person training programs and apprenticeships, such as Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine Training Program and Somatic Plant Medicine Integration Training
• Being True to You -- Online Addiction Recovery and Psychedelic Integration Coaching Training
• Blossom Psychedelic Courses -- directory of courses and training programs
• Julie Barron - Blue Sage Health Consulting -- Psychedelic therapy training program for healthcare professionals
• California Institute of Integral Studies -- Hybrid Residential and Online Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research Certificate Program (Boston or SF), 150 hours. Must have an advanced degree and licensure
• Caminamos con CoRazón -- Experiential training programs in Sacred Medicines, Trip Sitting, Psychology and Transpersonal Therapy. Provides know-how and tools to provide a Potent, Amiable, Safe (PAS) psychedelic experience.
• Canadian Psychedelic Assocation -- directory of courses and training programs
• Ceiba Ibogaine -- 4-part recorded series about Gabonese culture and the spiritual practice of Bwiti to educate and inspire anyone with an interest in the use of iboga
• Center for Optimal Living -- Live Online Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy Certificate Program, and Intensive Trainings, CE credits available
• Center for Psychedelic Medicine (NYU) -- training programs in a clinical setting
• Chiron Learning Academy -- training programs in Toronto, Canada
• ‍ Compass Pathways -- Online and clinical training for psilocybin therapy ‍ ‍
• EntheoNurse -- various educational programs such as Psychedelics in Psychiatry
• Evolutionary Education -- live and online, trauma-informed training for helping professionals.
• Fluence -- various educational courses, workshops and certificates such as Postgraduate Certificate in Psychedelic Integration Therapy.
• Forest Medicine Coaching -- various courses, workshops, and retreats, such as Medicinekeeper Immersion, based in Colorado
• Gabor Mate -- various courses, events and training programs with emphasis on compassionate inquiry, and healing trauma and addiction
• The Guiding Presence -- pre-recorded online course with teachings from various practitioners
• Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai -- lectures and clinical training for therapists
• Innate Path -- 8-week Experiential, Cohort-based Psychedelic Training
• Institute of Psychedelic Therapy -- upcoming two-year psychedelic assisted therapist training starting March 2022
• Integrative Psychiatry Institute -- Year-Long ​​Online Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Training with optional in-person ketamine experiential retreat
• IFS (Internal Family Systems) -- online courses and in-person trainings
• Inward Bound -- Online Introduction to Psychedelic Therapy Training Program
• Jewish Psychedelic Meditation -- Jewish Meditation Begins where Transcendental Meditation Ends. Discover the secrets of the Meditative Kabbalah. Reach the highest level of consciousness through Meditation and Psychedelics. Understand your religion and tradition from a mystical perspective.
• Ketamine Training Center -- in-person workshop program is designed for experienced professionals
• MAPS Compilation of Institutions Offering Programs ‍ -- list of courses, programs, and institutions that offer education in areas involving psychology, psychedelics, transpersonal studies, etc.
• Maps MDMA Therapy Training -- virtual MDMA Therapy Training Program enrolls compassionate and experienced clinicians who are committed to health and well-being. Plans to host future in-person programs
• Maps of the Mind -- Facilitating Psychedelic Experiences is a 4-hour online workshop for enthusiastic beginners and those with experience looking to connect with like-minded others.
• MBP Health -- customized 4 day (3 night) experiential trainings to journey and practice serving as a co-guide.
• Microdose (Science of Psychedelics) -- accredited Professional Training in Psychedelic Medicine
• Mind Foundation -- various offerings such as in-person training in Germany and Amsterdam, and recorded webinars and courses online
• Mind Medicine Australia -- Certificate In Psychedelic-assisted Therapies (CPAT), 90-hours hybrid program
• Naropa University -- The Naropa University Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies is a ten-month, 200-hour non-degree training program featuring a hybrid delivery of online and retreat-based learning launching in 2022
• Nine Gates Mystery School -- In-person training. Ten master teachers from the world's wisdom traditions. Embodied introspection. Mind stabilizing skills. Proper preparation for, and integration after, plant medicine experiences.
• Nursing & Sacred Medicine -- online courses specifically for nurses of all levels of practice. ‍
• Phoenix Academy -- training programs, retreats, and workshops based in Vancouver.
• Polaris Insight -- Ketamine and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Training
• Portland Psychotherapy Training -- Workshops and Classes for Therapists
• Psychedelic Coalition for Health -- in-person training in Los Angeles for heathcare professionals
• Psychedelic Insights -- experiential psilocybin retreat in Netherlands for those who want experience sitting for others
• Psychedelic Medicine Association -- directory of courses and training programs
• ‍ PRATI (Psychedelic Research and Training Institute) -- In-person programs such as Ketamine and Psychedelic Medicine Training, for physicians and professionals
• Psychedelic Science at Berkeley -- Introduction to Psychedelic Science video series
• Psychedelics Sitter School -- several levels of online and in-person courses focused on therapeutic cannabis use, but with broader applications to other psychedelics
• Psychedelic Somatic Institute -- Psychedelic Therapy Training and Apprenticeship
• Psychedelic Support -- Accredited courses to advance professional development and knowledge of psychedelic safety, therapeutic applications, and research findings
• Psychedelics Today -- a range of courses for practicing professionals and the psychedelic-curious.
• ‍ Sage Institute -- two-year internship training program, and a hybrid Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Program
• ‍SCPTR (Salt City Psychedelic Therapy & Research) -- 8-week online Psychedelic Therapy Training Program
• Somastery -- trauma training for psychedelic facilitators
• Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute -- training in the Somatic Experiencing modality
• Sophia University -- MA, PhD, PsyD and certificate programs in various fields of Psychology
• SoundMind Center -- ten-week graduate-level training course for clinicians and other professionals
• Therapsil -- training program designed to train healthcare providers in how to safely and effectively guide a client on a therapeutic psilocybin experience
• University of Ottawa -- 9-credit Microprogram in Psychedelics and Spirituality Studies
• University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy -- offering a masters-level program in Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation, and an online Capstone Certificate in Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation
• ‍ Zendo Project -- variety of harm reduction resources ‍ ‍

For Journeyers

• The Conscious Psychedelic Explorer -- for psychedelic explorers to go from enthusiastic adventureres to expert exploreres in 6 weeks.
• DoubleBlind Magazine -- affordable online classes on growing mushrooms and using psychedelics
• Evolutionary Education -- live and online, trauma-informed training for helping professionals
• Fungi Academy -- online and in-person courses and community for cultivation and using psilocybin mushrooms
• IAI Academy -- two-part Science of Psychedelics course 
• Idler -- The Science Of Psychedelics Online Course with Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris
• Juan Manuel Burgos -- Preparation and integration sessions & microdosing workshops, coaching programs and free guide
• Juanness -- Provides 1:1 sessions and courses on working with a therapist, integration, and microdosing. English and Spanish.
• Julianne Keu -- Microdosing for Mental Wellness course
• Live Free Laura D -- Microdosing Mastermind Program and Free 8-Day Microdosing Course
• The Luminous Guide -- offers apprenticeship in soul-centered, life enhancing practices that expand your consciousness to reveal truth and wholeness – your Inner Guiding Light.
• ‍ Microdosing for Healing -- self-guided virtual microdosing course with supportive group coaching ‍
• Microdosing Institute -- Explore Microdosing video course ‍
• Microhuasca -- Introduction to Ayahuasca Microdosing for Professionals (Spanish, subtitles in English)
• ‍ Nine Gates Mystery School -- In-person training. Ten master teachers from the world's wisdom traditions. Embodied introspection. Mind stabilizing skills. Proper preparation for, and integration after, plant medicine experiences. ‍
• Psychedelic Conversations -- Microdosing Reset Program 
• Psychedelic Society of UK -- online mushroom cultivation course for beginners
• San Francisco Psychedelic Society -- Microdosing Movement course and community
• Somastery -- courses and workshops focused on trauma relief and support
• Tam Integration -- various courses such as Sitting for Psychonauts Meditation Intensives, and Mushroom Culitvation and Microdosing Intensive
• The Third Wave -- various microdosing courses and programs
• Thrive with Jeremy -- Microdosing Masterclass
• UMASS Memorial Health Center for Mindfulness -- Mindfulness programs and community
• ‍ Zendo Project -- variety of harm reduction resources

Therapy, Support & Coaching

Organizations and individuals that offer therapy, support, and coaching for journeyers. Many do not provide medicine, connect people with underground guides, or encourage other illegal activities. Please make sure to read all disclaimers on each website before making contact. Tripsitters.org does not screen or endorse those who are listed. The following individuals and organizations offer their services publicly. If you contact and employ an individual or organization on this list, you do so 100% at your own risk. Psychedelics is a rapidly growing field. Please let us know if you have something to add.

Directories MAPS Integration List Psychedelic Support Being True to You It’s Complicated Innerspace Integration Counselling Directory UK Inclusive Therapists Being Seen Psychable PSYCLE ‍ Nectara ‍ ‍ Psychedelics Integration ‍

Integration Therapists, Counsellors, Coaches by Location (Please note many practitioners now offer online sessions, so feel free to contact them regardless of location)

Australia Inner Focus Therapy Sean O’Carroll -- Wild Mind Gold Cap Integration Network ‍ The Transparent Company ‍

Belgium Psilomorphosis

‍ Canada Alberta Jill Koziey Soma Healing ‍ Juan Tellez Navi Grewal -- Psychedelic Essence ‍

British Columbia ‍ Strength in Heart Salimeh Tabrizi -- Vibrant Life Counseling Lauren Shay Charlotte Jackson Eleonora Molnar Cora Bilsker ‍ Ana -- Microdosing Guru Melanie Waterfall - Divine Light Integration

Nova Scotia Deborah Conner ‍

Ontario James Jesso Karen E Jeffrey Chiron Academy Maria Amelchenko Navi Grewal -- Psychedelic Essence ‍ ‍ Odette Peek Laurie

Quebec Paul Jozsef Divan Bleu

Costa Rica Carla Keiffer -- Kairos Integration Odette Peek Laurie ‍ Mushroom Awakening

Colombia Caminamos con CoRazón

‍ Czech Republic Alessio Faggioli ‍ ‍ Psyon

Germany Jascha Renner Katja Wallisch

Ireland Elemental Empress Medicine

Italy ‍ Alessio Faggioli

Indonesia Juan Manuel Burgos

Mexico Johnathan Dickinson -- Ceiba Ibogaine Katja Wallisch ‍ ‍

Netherlands ‍ Maguey -- Psychedelic Assisted Self-Discovery The Microdosing Coach -- Alicia Vera Garcia Navigated Tripping FLO Coaching ‍ Truffle Ceremony -- Psychedelic therapy -- Program for Transformation ‍ Odin Pepper

‍ Portugal Psychedelics Coach

Spain Sandra Borras

United Kingdom Yannick Jacob Justine Corrie Psychotherapy Greg Donaldson -- Emerging Purpose Rob Radcliffe Adam Knowles Safa Boga -- Kimiya Healing Dr. Alex Pardhy -- Alchemy with Alex Richard Tyo -- Kingston Outside the Box Brighter Pathways ‍ Maguey -- Psychedelic Assisted Self-Discovery ‍ ‍ Lenna Sachinis -- Shift Happens ‍ Numinous Ways ‍

United States

Multistate ‍ Beyond Borders CBT ‍ ‍

Alabama Kenton Bartlett Counseling

Arizona Tucson Counseling Associates

California Shiri M. Godasi -- Psychedelic Integration Coach Ben Malcolm -- Spirit Pharmacist John Germain Leto Kristin Fialko Jennifer Allen -- Bone Knowing Tam Integration Greg Lawrence Psychedelic School Anne Frank -- Psychedelic Integration OC California Center for Psychedelic Therapy Sage Institute Sara Ouimette Psychotherapy Dr. Denise Reyne -- Whole Person Integration Ian McCall -- The McCall Method Carol Benton Dr. Gregory Wells Jan Stein Maleya Tran ‍ Dr. Leanne Whitney Valerie Rosenfield Emily Williams, MD Helen Star Matt Brennan -- Integrated Psychedelics ‍ Haux Gatherings Kathryn Laroe Kat Kurner Paul Antico -- Panimus Integration Sacred Garden Liberation Institute Christina Sandwen Brenna Gebauer Pilar Brooks Kayse Gehret -- Microdosing for Healing Matthew Sanderson -- Lucid Mind Mama De La Myco - MushWOMB ‍ Colter Wild ‍ Laura Merritt Awakened Self-Healing ‍ Isabel Santis Alex Theberge Mycophoria Global Curandera ‍ ‍ Row and Release Ministry

Colorado Sarah Hope Center for Medicinal Mindfulness ‍ Kairos Integration -- Carla Kieffer Dr. Danielle Wise Shosana Aal Sara Lewis Collaborative Services for Change Innate Path Center of All Directions Jenna -- Venture Beyond ‍ Intuitive Life Wellness ‍ A Perfect Tribe ‍ Journey with Jai ‍ Lyndsey Lyons ‍ ‍ Amber Helgeson, Somatic Psychedelic Coach

Connecticut Brooklyn Balance Jorge - The Caring Cove ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍

Florida Love Discovery Institute Matt Simpson ‍ Church of the Sacred Plants ‍

Georgia Carolyn Tucker Deva Joy Gouss Jennifer Carter

Hawaii Laura Dawn

Idaho Amber Helgeson, Somatic Psychedelic Coach

Illinois Amy Pico Sana Healing Collective Holistic Living Studio Dr. Cresencia Felty

Iowa Shannon Myers -- The Integrative Counselor

Kansas Brockus Therapy

Maine Selma Holden -- Holistic Einstein Colin Reid

Maryland Deborah Servetnick -- Psychedelicoach True North ‍ Amy - Big Tree Counseling

Massachusetts Dr. Nick Atlas

Michigan Psychedelic Integration Therapists in Michigan Julie Barron - Blue Sage Health Consulting

Minnesota Dr. Ryan Westrum Institute for Psychedelic Therapies ‍ Igniting Unity ‍ ‍

Nevada Tina “Kat” Courtney -- Afterlife Coach

New Jersey Joseph M. Springer Brooklyn Balance

New York Adam O’Brien -- Mutual Arising Mental Health Counseling Matthew Wright Butcher -- Wright Paths Ingmar Gorman, Ph.D The Center for Optimal Living Robert Szczepanski -- Somatic Spiritual Evolution Miriam Eisenberg -- Mindful Element Dr. Laurie Greenberg -- Soul Centered Therapy Josh Liveright Beth A. Weinstein ‍ Ronni Umles -- Vibe and Thrive Therapy ‍ Using with Intention Integration / Harm Reduction Group Brooklyn Balance Jorge - The Caring Cove Twocat ‍ Yaqui Rodriguez ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ Lindsey Pratt - Intuitive Healing ‍

North Carolina Lawrence Reyes -- Peace of Mind Stress Management Studio ‍ ‍ Colter Wild ‍ ‍ The Sparc -- Ehren Cruz Andrew Phillips ‍ ‍ ‍ Nicole Lilly ‍ ‍

Oregon ‍ Texture Coaching Carola Marashi Portland Psychotherapy Mira Drummond Davis -- Nondual Psychedelic Integration Eleanor Hooper -- The Makaranda Method ‍ Elizabeth Hoke -- Liberation Institute North Star Council EntheoGenesis: Psychedelic Integration I Shine Healing ‍ Row and Release Ministry ‍ The Integral Journey ‍ ‍

Pennsylvania ‍ Sound Mind Center ‍ Jonathan “Quest” Brown - Sacred Facilitator & Integration Coach

Tennessee Nashville Psychedelic Center

Texas Sinclair and John -- Mystical Heart Collective Cliff Hamrick -- Havamal Therapy Dean Sims -- Fifth Direction Dave Woffard Jenn Miller -- Warrior Heart Wisdom (works with cancer survivors) Colter Wild Laura Merritt Chuck Roundtree ‍ Amber Helgeson, Somatic Psychedelic Coach

Utah Gina Searle ‍ ‍ Colter Wild ‍ ‍ ‍

Vermont Dr. Rick Barnett ‍ Juliana Rose - Boldly Embodied

Washington Laura Merritt -- Golden Path Journey Terrance Wolf Danielle LeVee Angela Ward -- Guardian at the Gateway North Star Council ‍ Robert Espiau -- Heart Centered Therapeutics ‍ I Shine Healing ‍ ‍ Spiral Path ‍ Row and Release Ministry

Wisconsin Matt Simpson

Policy & Advocacy

Organizations that advocate for policy changes and harm reduction.

Australia Entheogenesis Australis (EGA) -- providing opportunities for critical thinking and knowledge sharing on ethnobotanical plants, fungi, nature and sustainability.

NORML Canada -- focusing its efforts on policy reform and public outreach. Psychedelic Association of Canada -- Access to Psychedelics for All Canadians

Europe EuroNPUD -- supports growth and development of drug user networking and advocacy across EU and its Neighbourhood, and represents the interests of people who use drugs to European institutions. ‍

European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies (ENCOD) -- fights for fairer drug policies respecting the rights of users, providing information and education. ‍

France NORML France -- informs citizens, supports cannabis users towards access to rights and to health, promotes scientific research and brings together civil society actors in favor of 'reform of cannabis legislation’

Germany Deutscher Hanfverband (DHV) -- striving for a legal, consumer-friendly market regulation of cannabis. ‍

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Deutschland (LEAP Deutschland) -- nationwide and global network of people who advocate the legal regulation of drugs and harm reduction. ‍

International Ayahuasca Defense Fund (ADF, ICEERS project) -- an ICEERS program dedicated to addressing the challenges presented by the growing criminalization of practices with ayahuasca and other teacher plants. ‍

International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research Services (ICEERS) -- dedicated to transforming society’s relationship with psychoactive plants. ‍

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) -- global network of 192 NGOs that focus on issues related to drug production, trafficking and use. ‍

Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) -- Unite and mobilize the voice of law enforcement in support of drug policy and criminal justice reforms that will make communities safer by focusing law enforcement resources on the greatest threats to public safety, promoting alternatives to arrest and incarceration, addressing the root causes of crime, and working toward healing police-community relations. ‍

Thank You Plant Medicine - working for the de-stigmatization of psychoactive plant medicines and psychedelics, and their responsible integration into mainstream society.

Israel Ha Kaleidoscope -- Information in Hebrew about psychedelic substances, harm reduction

Netherlands Fair Trade Coke -- platform that opens up the debate on cocaine trade and is looking for constructive, sustainable and humane alternatives for the War on Drugs.

Legalize.net -- Foundation to promote debate about drug policy. We believe policy can not be based on illegality. Focuses on  rights and needs of drug users, producers and society as a whole.

Women on Psychedelics -- advocates for women’s rights and choices while bringing them to work together towards the end of the stigmatization around women and drugs, and the normalization of the use of psychedelics for its therapeutical potential and healing capacities.

New Zealand NORML New Zealand -- moving public opinion sufficiently to legalise the responsible use of cannabis by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high quality cannabis that is safe, convenient and affordable.

Norway Emmasofia -- works to get Norway into a drug policy based on research and respect for human rights.

Pakistan Legalize Cannabis in Pakistan

Philippines No Box -- working on reforming drug-related policies and laws.

Romania Awaken -- project that focuses on harm reduction strategies, promoting the health and safety of the festival community.

Sweden Föreningen för Holistisk Missbruksvård -- spread information about ibogaine and its effects by arranging lectures and having a dialogue with politicians and authorities.

Switzerland Schweizerische Ärztegesellschaft für Psycholytische Therapie (SÄPT) -- make the psychoactive substances usable for psychotherapeutic use, to control their handling, to encourage further research and to offer the theoretical and practical training necessary for their handling.

United Kingdom ‍ Beckley Foundation’s Global Initiative for Drug Policy Reform -- promotes the development of alternative approaches to drug control in order to create more humane, cost-effective, and evidence-based policies. It achieves these aims by collecting, commissioning, and disseminating evidence to the public and governments. ‍

Drug Equality Alliance (DEA) -- mission is to use domestic and international legal jurisdictions to interrogate the law and its application to those who produce, commerce, possess and consume such drugs.  ‍

Transform Drug Policy Foundation -- dedicated to reducing the risks associated with drugs, promoting evidence-based policy, and improving the lives of those harmed by ineffective drug laws.

Volteface -- seeks to reduce the harm drugs pose to individuals and society, through evidence-based policy and reform.

United States Ayahuasca Foundation -- supports the preservation of indigenous wisdom and culture, offering healing retreats and educational courses, and conducting research focused on the ayahuasca healing tradition used for millennia by indigenous healers of the Peruvian Amazon. ‍

Bay Staters for Natural Medicine -- a grassroots team of scientists, clinicians, and patients advocating for commonsense legislation in MA. ‍

Clarity Project -- Expanding Legal  Therapeutic Access to Psychedelics in Hawai'i

Cosmic Sister -- an environmental feminist educational advocacy group founded in 2007 by cultural activist Zoe Helene, who coined the term Psychedelic Feminism. ‍

Decriminalize Nature (multi-state) -- improving human health and well-being by decriminalizing and expanding access to entheogenic plants and fungi through political and community organizing, education and advocacy.

‍ Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) -- mission is to advance those policies and attitudes that best reduce the harms of both drug use and drug prohibition, and to promote the sovereignty of individuals over their minds and bodies. ‍

Erowid Foundation -- member-supported organization providing access to reliable, non-judgmental information about psychoactive plants, chemicals, and related issues. ‍

Heroic Hearts Project (HHP) -- non profit organization that connects military veterans struggling with mental trauma to psychedelic therapy options including ayahuasca, psilocybin, and ketamine.  ‍

The Hood Incubator -- seeks to disrupt and undo the harm created by centuries of racist policies and practice beginning with chattel slavery and continuing through the war on drugs.

Limina Foundation -- support the betwixt and between states of consciousness where transformation, change, and renewal takes place. ‍

Niskanen Center -- works to advance an open society by active engagement in the war of ideas, direct engagement in the policymaking process, and through the courts with amicus briefs and pro bono representation. ‍

NORML -- move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable. ‍

North Star -- shaping psychedelic business around psychedelic wisdom, to not only change mental healthcare but to develop role models in the needed transformation of business as a whole.

Plant Medicine Coalition -- Washington DC-based organization whose mission is to create, protect, and promote safe, equitable access to natural and synthetic psychedelic and plant medicines through local and national advocacy.

Samadhi Today -- creates a global movement towards an evolution of humankind .

Scales -- To promote solidarity between psychedelic users, researchers, indigenous entheogenic communities, and other psychedelic advocates and people that are in prison as a result of their relationship with psychedelic substances.

Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC) -- nonprofit educational and scientific society of physicians and health care professionals dedicated to the education and research support of cannabis for medical use. ‍

SPORE (Society for Psychedelic Outreach, Reform, and Education) --  develop public education, build community, and foster diverse leadership towards respecting, liberating, reclaiming, and responsibly integrating psychedelics into our society. ‍

Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) -- replacing the disastrous war on drugs with policies rooted in evidence, compassion and human rights. ‍

The Clarity Project -- seeks to create a legislative framework for legally accessing psilocybin-assisted therapy in Hawai'i.

VETS (Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions) -- working to transform veteran healthcare by finding meaningful alternative solutions for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress (PTS).

Women’s Visionary Council -- expands the inclusion of women in critical discussions about mental health and community wellness. 

BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Veterans

Organizations and individuals that support these special interest groups. Please reach out to [email protected] if you would like to see something added.

BIPOC Urban Indigenous Collective -- supports access to culturally-tailored health and wellness services for self-identified Indigenous peoples in Lenapehoking and the greater NYC area (NY, NJ, CT, PA) through community-based participatory research, advocacy, community programming, and direct services. ‍ Psychedelic Access Directory -- Network of Queer or BIPOC psychedelic providers. Therapy for Black Girls -- online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. ‍ National Queer & Trans Therapist of Color Network -- Advancing healing justice by transforming mental health for queer and trans POC. ‍ Latinx Therapy -- Latinx therapists and speakers ‍ Black People Trip -- provides education, advocate for equity and create safe spaces for the Black community, specifically Black womxn. Free Black Therapy -- Connecting Black therapists with Black and African American individuals who lack adequate funds or health insurance. Absolutely free. ‍ Blacks in Psychedelics -- online group open worldwide for people of African descent. The purpose of this group is to provide a forum for people of African descent, to discuss psychedelics. The Psychedelics Guild -- black, woman run psychedelic education group that aims to educate BIPOC Communities on Psychedelic substances and their place in society. The Psychedelic Sisterhood -- BIPOC-founded, womxn-led community dedicated to creating safe spaces for womxn and gender non-conforming persons to rediscover their relationship to the cosmos and the divine feminine through altered states. One People TO -- Holistic wellness group and individual healing, 1-on-1 and group experiences in Toronto and Jamaica.

Faciliators Amy - Big Tree Counseling (DMV area) ‍ Yaqui Rodriguez (NY) ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍

LGBTQIA+ Queerly Psychedelic -- Denver-based meetup The Trevor Project -- Provides information & support to LGBTQ young people 24/7, all year round. ‍ Sage -- SAGE works to achieve a high quality of life for LGBTQ+ older people, supports and advocates for their rights, fosters a greater understanding of aging in all communities, and promotes positive images of LGBTQ+ life in later years. ‍ SAIGE (Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities) -- Building competence for all mental health specialists so that all LGBTGEQIAP+ individuals can find a safe and affirming space to heal. ‍ Trans Lifeline -- provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one. Run by and for trans people. ‍ National Queer & Trans Therapist of Color Network -- Advancing healing justice by transforming mental health for queer and trans POC. ‍ Gender Spectrum -- works to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. An LGBTQ Guide to Ayahuasca Tourism in South America The Psychedelic Sisterhood -- BIPOC-founded, womxn-led community dedicated to creating safe spaces for womxn and gender non-conforming persons to rediscover their relationship to the cosmos and the divine feminine through altered states.

Facilitators Colter Wild ‍ One People TO ‍ Spiral Path ‍ ‍ Mira Drummond Davis - Nondual Psychedelic Integration ‍

Veterans Heroic Hearts Project -- healing community that helps veterans suffering from military trauma recover and thrive by providing them with safe, supervised access to psychedelic treatments, professional coaching, and ongoing peer support. ‍ Veterans Walk & Talk -- community of veterans who advocate for the outdoors, psychedelic therapy and cannabis. ‍ Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) -- provides resources, research, and advocacy for U.S. military veterans seeking treatment with psychedelic-assisted therapies. ‍ Veterans of War -- connects teams of veterans to psychedelic-assisted guided group therapy designed to heal the scars of war in community. ‍ Stop Soldier Suicide (SSS) -- connecting veterans with wellness coordinators who provide personalized attention, support, and assistance. ‍ Heroic Hearts Project UK -- connects military and emergency services veterans struggling with mental trauma to leading therapy services in the UK and retreats around the world. ‍ From Shock to Awe (film) -- follows the transformational journey of two combat veterans suffering from severe trauma as they abandon pharmaceuticals to seek relief through the mind-expanding world of psychedelics. ‍ Hippie and a Veteran -- funds and helps veterans navigate alternative therapies not offered through the VA. The Mission Within -- 6-week clinical psychedelic program that pairs online therapy, coaching, preparation, & integration with a 4-day in-person medicine retreat. The Hope Project -- community for Veteran Women, Veteran Spouses & Gold Star Wives by supporting them with grants to wellness retreats, preparation & integration coaching and scholarships for mission aligned certificates. ‍ Wounded Warrior Project -- community and free services for veterans ‍ Home Front Military Network -- community and free services for veterans

Facilitators Kairos Integration ‍ Jewel Peot Church of Sacred Sacraments ‍ ‍

Harm Reduction

Organizations that focus on harm reduction.

Argentina Proyecto de Atención en Fiestas -- harm reduction for music festivals

Austria PsyCare Austria -- peer-led harm reduction services that provide support to those who are having or have had overwhelming experiences with psychoactive substances. Hubs in Vienna and Graz. Regular integration circles and communities.

Colombia Echele Cabeza -- harm reduction for music festivals

German ChEckiT -- anonymous, free, and confidential drug testing and advice/information center. Saferparty -- provides neutral information about mind-altering substances and associated risks, and offers advice by email.

Dutch ‍ ‍ Safe’n Sound -- provides information booths at parties that educate people on substance use and harm reduction.  ‍

Unity -- provides information to partygoers about alcohol and drugs and the associated risks.

Fireside Project -- Psychedelic Peer Support Line (62-FIRESIDE > 623-473-7433) and App providing free and confidential real-time peer support for people during and after psychedelic experiences.

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) -- provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. ‍

Crew -- harm reduction and outreach charity based in Scotland. ‍

International Energy Control (IEC) -- develops Harm Reduction strategies, offers information, personal advice and education regarding drugs in order to diminish risk and harm related to their use. ‍

DrugsAnd.Me -- provides accessible, objective and comprehensive educational material to help reduce the short and long term harms of drugs. ‍

DrugWise -- promoting evidence-based information on drugs, alcohol and tobacco. ‍

Harm Reduction Australia -- committed to reducing the health, social and economic harms potentially associated with drug use. ‍

International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) -- dedicated to reducing the negative health, social and legal impacts of drug use and drug policy. ‍

The Loop -- provides drug safety testing, welfare and harm reduction services at nightclubs, festivals and other leisure events.  ‍

PsyCare UK -- provides welfare and harm reduction services at music festivals and events throughout the UK and internationally. ‍

Dance Safe -- promoting health and safety within the nightlife and electronic music community. ‍

Drugs Data -- independent anonymous laboratory drug testing program of Erowid Center that collects, reviews, manages, and publishes laboratory testing results and republishes from other analysis projects worldwide. ‍

Kosmicare -- promoting research and intervention aimed at the caring for the people who use drugs. National Harm Reduction Coalition -- building power and equity with people who use drugs through access, advocacy and action. ‍

Pill reports -- global database of Ecstasy" pills based on both subjective user reports and scientific analysis.  ‍

Zendo project -- provides a supportive environment and education to help transform difficult psychedelic and emotional experiences into opportunities for learning and growth. ‍

Welsh Emerging Drugs and Identification of Novel Substances (WEDINOS) (Public Health Wales project) -- tests substances to give individual users and others rapid and accurate information to reduce harms. ‍

Tripby -- aimed to provide harm reduction information on psychoactive drugs.

Harm Reduction Circle -- providing no-cost harm reduction services, street outreach services, & advocacy & education efforts to reduce drug-related harm at nightlife events & support underserved populations.

Polish Spoleczna Inicjatywa Narkopolityki (SIN; Social Initiative of Drug Policy) -- working for drug policy based on facts and human rights.

Slovenian DrogArt -- vision is to reduce the risks associated with drug and alcohol use in Slovenia.

Research Organizations

Organizations that focus on science and research.

Australia Psychedelic Research In Science and Medicine (PRISM) -- collaborating with MAPS to establish research on MDMA / PTSD in Australia. Also involved in harm reduction and drug law reform. ‍

Mind Medicine Australia -- focused on clinical application of psilocybin and MDMA for certain mental illnesses. ‍

Medicinal Psychedelics Research Network (MPRN) -- University of Melbourne organization aims to facilitate collaboration between Australian and international colleagues to further research.

Brazil Insituto Phaneros -- aims to contribute to the evaluation, research and development of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Brazil.  ‍

Wasiwaska -- Research center for study of psychoactive plants, visionary art and consciousness.

Canada Ketamine Research Institute (KRIYA) -- devoted to understanding the therapeutic properties of ketamine (and related medicines). ‍

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Canada -- scientific research and education supporting the beneficial uses of psychedelic medicines, including treatment for medical conditions, neuroscience, creativity and spirituality.  

Europe MIND - European Foundation for Psychedelic Science -- science and education organization that promotes psychedelic research and therapy. ‍

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Europe -- sponsors clinical trials in Europe that offer volunteers the opportunity to participate in research studies.

India International Society for Ethnopharmacology (ISE) -- small, collaborative, interdisciplinary group of scientists fascinated by the study of the global use of medicines.

International Alius Research Group -- international interdisciplinary research group dedicated to investigation consciousness, with specific focus on non-ordinary or understudied conscious states traditionally classified as altered states of consciousness. ‍

Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness (ASSC) -- academic society that promotes research and coordinates conferences directed toward understanding nature, function, and underlying mechanisms of consciousness.  ‍

International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) -- non-political, non-religious organization dedicated to scientific research in all fields of the cannabinoids. ‍

International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research Services (ICEERS) -- dedicated to transforming society’s relationship with psychoactive plants by engaging with some of the fundamental issues resulting from the globalization of ayahuasca, iboga, and other ethnobotanicals. ‍

Psychedelic Survey -- collaborative platform focused on knowledge sharing and giving people the ability to help psychedelic science with their own meaningful experiences.

Netherlands OPEN Foundation -- dedicated to solidifying professional quality of psychedelic psychotherapy and to ensure its potential is optimized in mental health care.

Norway Norwegian Psychedelic Science -- aims to build a network of scientists, academics and students, and organize activities that enhance the development of scientific research on psychedelics.

Russia The Moscow Center for Consciousness Studies (MCCS) -- Moscow State University research unit studying the problem of mind-body, free will and moral responsibility, artificial intelligence and personality identity.

Switzerland Schweizerische Ärztegesellschaft für Psycholytische Therapie / Swiss Medical Association for Psycholytic Therapy (SÄPT)   -- aims to make psychoactive substances available for psycholytic and psychedelic psychotherapy, to control their use, to stimulate further research and to offer theoretical and practical training. 

Ukraine Ukranian Psychedelic Research Association -- committed to advancing legal therapeutic use and scientific research  of psychedelics in Ukraine

United Kingdom Beckley Foundation -- collaborates with leading scientific and political institutions worldwide to design and develop ground-breaking research and global policy initiatives. ‍

COMPASS Pathways -- mental health care company researching how psilocybin therapy can help treatment-resistant depression. ‍

DrugScience -- leading independent scientific body on drugs in the UK, working to provide clear, evidence-based information without political or commercial interference. ‍

Imperial College London / Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research (CPR) -- focuses on the action and clinical use of psychedelics, with a particular focus on researching the treatment of depression.

United States Alexander Shulgin Research Institute (ASRI) -- preserves and continues work of biochemist Sasha Shulgin, by performing basic biochemistry and neuroscience research; providing support services to scientists and professionals; and conserving and disseminating 50 years of existing research. ‍

Ayahuasca Foundation -- supports preservation of indigenous wisdom and culture, offering healing retreats and educational courses, and conducting research focused on the ayahuasca healing tradition used for millennia by indigenous healers of the Peruvian Amazon. ‍

Boston Psychedelic Research Group -- committed to the promotion, dissemination, and advancement of psychedelic research. Hub for education about the powerful benefits psychedelic-assisted therapy can have in the treatment of a wide variety of mental health issues.

Council on Spiritual Practices -- collaboration among spiritual guides, experts in the behavioral and biomedical sciences, and scholars of religion, dedicated to making direct experience of the sacred more available to more people.  ‍

Delos Psyche -- Passionate volunteers committed to developing and implementing rigorous scientific studies with psychedelic substances. Developing a controlled, scientific study of the effects of sub-perceptual doses of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, a psychoactive chemical.

Edelic Center For Ethnobotanical Services (ECFES) -- works with the research and practitioner community to educate the public on safety around “medicinal” plants, modernize psycho-pharmacopeia protocols, and champion the individual’s right to access whole plants for health and healing. ‍

Erowid Center -- helping to improve available information about psychoactive plants, chemicals, medicines, and technologies.  ‍

Heffter Research Institute (HRI) -- Advancing studies on psilocybin for treatment of addictions and other mental disorders, with the highest standards of scientific research. ‍

Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Research Unit (JHPRU) -- research focused on how psychedelics affect behavior, mood, cognition, brain function, and biological markers of health. ‍

Modern Spirit Epigenetics Project (MSEP) -- Dedicated to demonstrating the value of spiritual healing in modern healthcare by illuminating the intersection between biology, emotion, and spirituality.  ‍

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) -- research and educational organization developing medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. ‍

Out of Body Experience Research Foundation (OBERF) -- for all other experiences that are not an ADC (after death communications) or an NDE (near death experience), such as spiritually transformative event, power of prayer, out of body experience, meditation experiences, premortal existence, precognitive dreams, etc.  ‍

Salt City Psychedelic Therapy and Research (SCPTR) -- Utah-Based organization dedicated to advancing the field of Psychedelic Medicine.

Society of Ethnobiology -- professional organization dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of the relationships of plants and animals with human cultures worldwide, including past and present relationships between peoples and the environment. 

Source Research Foundation (SRF) -- aims to connect, inspire, and support students who study the epidemiology, phenomenology, and the environmental, cultural and clinical contexts of psychedelic use, and to develop a virtual collaboratory of students, scientists, and community members who are passionate about psychedelic science. ‍

Unlimited Sciences -- psychedelic research nonprofit that combines the power of data and lived experiences to serve the community, educate the public, and inform common sense practices and policies. ‍

Usona Institute -- conducts and supports pre-clinical and clinical research to further the understanding of the therapeutic effects of psilocybin and other consciousness-expanding medicines. 

Yale Psychedelic Science Group

Research Tools

Websites that may be helpful in your research into the field.

Neuly -- data and Insights for the psychedelic industry.

PsychonautWiki -- community-driven online encyclopedia that aims to document the field of(i.e. exploration of altered states) in a comprehensive and scientifically-grounded manner. ‍

Blossom -- database to find the papers, people, companies, and books that make a difference in the blossoming field of psychedelic research.

Michael Pollan's Resources -- list of resources for the psychedelics space.

Effect Index -- resource containing formalised documentation of the vast number of distinct subjective states that may occur under the influence of hallucinogens.

PsychedelicLaw.ca -- aims to serve as a guide for the perplexed looking to understand Canada’s psychedelic laws, both in their historic context and as they develop.

EntheoMedicine ‍ ‍

Media Organizations

Organizations that write and share news about psychedelics.

Double Blind -- biannual print magazine and media company covering timely, untold stories about the expansion of psychedelics around the globe.

Intercollegiate Psychedelics Network (IPN) -- youth-led organization dedicated to fostering the development of students into the next generation of diverse and interdisciplinary leaders in the field of psychedelics. 

Kahpi -- publishes academic, esoteric and real-world knowledge about ayahuasca in language that ordinary people can understand.

Lucid News -- provides informed, honest and transparent journalism that covers the growing integration of psychedelics into society and their broad implications for human wellness. ‍

The New Health Club -- lifestyle platform for the new use of psychedelics.

Psychedelic Frontier -- blog dedicated to safe and responsible consciousness exploration.

Psychedelic Times -- provides fact-based education and build community around the therapeutic benefits and transformational power of psychedelics and plant medicines.

Psychedelics Today -- dedicated to exploring and discussing the important academic/scientific and other research in the field of psychedelics.

PsychedelicSpotlight -- covers the latest stories in the emerging psychedelics industry including breakthrough discoveries, investor news and cultural reform, to develop a powerful and intuitive network for collaboration with industry leaders, researchers and investors who are transcending the way the world regards what is possible in mental health, the mind and human consciousness.

Psymposia -- media organization that uses adversarial journalism to shine a light on the complex connections between drugs and society, psychedelics and mental health, science and capitalism, technology and politics, mass incarceration, culture, conflict, cartels, and everything in between. 

Reality Sandwich -- serves the most up to date information on psychedelic science, art, culture, news and substances.

Sociedelic -- non-profit community dedicated to promote knowledge and responsible use of psychedelic compounds and provides journalism on natural therapies and medicines to enhance the mind, body, and spirit.

The Third Wave -- shares trusted, research-based content that helps you feel safe, supported, and empowered as you follow your path towards personal transformation.

Books Acid Dreams: The Complete Social History of LSD – Martin A. Lee and Bruce Shlain ‍ Tells the full and astounding story—part of it hidden till now in secret Government files—of the role the mind-altering drug played in our recent turbulent history and the continuing influence it has on our time.

The Adventure of Self-Discovery - Stanislov Grof Presents a useful model of the psyche―a model extended by his thirty years of studying non-ordinary states of consciousness. It is useful for understanding such phenomena as shamanism, mysticism, psychedelic states, spontaneous visionary experiences, and psychotic episodes. The model is also useful in explaining the dynamics of experiential psychotherapies and a variety of sociopolitical manifestations such as war and revolution.

Allies for Awakening - Ralph Metzner Based on 50 years of experience as a participant-observer in the international underground sub-culture involved with entheogenic, consciousness-expanding substances. The author discusses the uses and values of such substances when the explicit intention or purpose is for spiritual awakening, psychotherapy, healing, increased understanding and the enhancement of creativity.

The Art of Being a Healing Presence - Susan Cutshall, James E Miller On being with others in a compassionate, nurturing, healing way. 

The Art of Losing Control - Jules Evans Piecing together interviews, analysis of ancient and modern philosophy, and his own eclectic encounters with the sublime, philosopher Jules Evans mounts an investigation into what we can gain from mastering the art of losing control.

Autism On Acid: How LSD Helped Me Understand, Navigate, Alter & Appreciate My Autistic Perceptions – Aaron Paul Orsini Personal telling of the unprecedented degree to which LSD helped autistic author Aaron Paul Orsini navigate an otherwise chaotic swirl of formerly inaccessible — and therefore, unfamiliar — social cues and interoceptive sensory signals. Includes curation of relevant research publications and reflections on potential therapeutic protocols.

A Really Good Day - Ayelet Waldman The true story of how a renowned writer’s struggle with mood storms led her to try a remedy as drastic as it is forbidden: microdoses of LSD. Her revealing, fascinating journey provides a window into one family and the complex world of a once-infamous drug seen through new eyes.

Becoming a Person - Carl Rogers  A personal account of how Carl Rogers sees client-centered psychotherapy. Friendly read, very insightful, and lots of case studies to learn from.

Become What You Are - Alan Watts In this collection of writings, including nine new chapters never before available in book form, Watts displays the intelligence, playfulness of thought, and simplicity of language that has made him so perennially popular as an interpreter of Eastern thought for Westerners. He draws on a variety of religious traditions, and covers topics such as the challenge of seeing one's life "just as it is," the Taoist approach to harmonious living, the limits of language in the face of ineffable spiritual truth, and the psychological symbolism of Christian thought.

Be Here Now - Ram Dass A vehicle for sharing the true message, and a guide to self-determination. With over 150 pages of metaphysical illustrations, practical advice on how to implement a yogic regiment, and a chapter dedicated to quotes and book recommendations, Be Here Now is sure to enrich your emotional, physical, and spiritual life.

The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity.

The Book - Alan Watts At the root of human conflict is our fundamental misunderstanding of who we are. The illusion that we are isolated beings, unconnected to the rest of the universe, has led us to view the “outside” world with hostility, and has fueled our misuse of technology and our violent and hostile subjugation of the natural world. To help us understand that the self is in fact the root and ground of the universe, Watts has crafted a revelatory primer on what it means to be human—and a mind-opening manual of initiation into the central mystery of existence.

Brave New World - Aldous Huxley Presents Aldous Huxley's vision of the future--of a world utterly transformed. Through the most efficient scientific and psychological engineering, people are genetically designed to be passive and therefore consistently useful to the ruling class. This powerful work of speculative fiction sheds a blazing critical light on the present and is considered to be Huxley's most enduring masterpiece.

Breaking Open: Finding a Way Through Spiritual Emergencies - Jules Evans and Tim Read The first book in which people discuss their own spiritual emergencies and share what helped them through. Our authors are the experts of their own experience, and they share their wild journeys with courage, insight and poetry.

Cave and Cosmos: Shamanic Encounters with Another Reality - Michael Harner Written by the leading authority on shamanism, Cave and Cosmos is a must-read not only for those interested in shamanism, but also for those interested in spirituality, comparative religion, near-death experiences, healing, consciousness, anthropology, and the nature of reality.

Confrontations with the Unconscious - Scott J. Hill Intertwines psychedelic research, personal accounts of psychedelic experiences, and C. G. Jung's work on trauma, the shadow, psychosis, and psychospiritual transformation - including Jung's own confrontation with the unconscious - to show the relevance of Jung's penetrating insights to the work of Stanislav Grof, Ann Shulgin, Ronald Sandison, Margot Cutner, among other psychedelic and transpersonal researchers, and to demonstrate the great value of Jung's penetrating insights for understanding difficult psychedelic experiences and promoting safe and effective psychedelic exploration and psychotherapy.

Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge - Jeremy Narby This adventure in science and imagination, which the Medical Tribune said might herald "a Copernican revolution for the life sciences," leads the reader through unexplored jungles and uncharted aspects of mind to the heart of knowledge.In a first-person narrative of scientific discovery that opens new perspectives on biology, anthropology, and the limits of rationalism, The Cosmic Serpent reveals how startlingly different the world around us appears when we open our minds to it.

The Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom - Andy Letcher The world of the magic mushroom is a place where shamans and hippies rub shoulders with psychiatrists, poets, and international bankers. Since its rediscovery only fifty years ago, this hallucinogenic fungus, once shunned in the West as the most pernicious of poisons, has inspired a plethora of folktales and urban legends. In this timely and definitive study, Andy Letcher chronicles the history of the magic mushroom—from its use by the Aztecs of Central America and the tribes of Siberia through to the present day—stripping away the myths and taking a critical and humorous look at the drug's more recent manifestations.

Decomposing the Shadow - James W Jesso Presents a psychological model for the experience of the magic psilocybin mushroom. It explores what the experience of this psychedelic medicine exposes to us about the nature of mind, emotion, society, psychospiritual maturity, and reality itself.

DMT and My Occult Mind - Dick Khan The DMT (dimethyltryptamine) experience represents some of the most important and interesting research in our world. Unsanctioned DMT researcher Dick Khan investigates the mind manifesting realities of hidden nature and attempts to understand what's at play with the deeply mystical and mysterious DMT experience.

The Doors of Perception - Aldous Huxley The author of Brave New World explores the mind's remote frontiers and the unmapped areas of human consciousness.

The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and its Applications - Chistian Ratsch The most comprehensive guide to the botany, history, distribution, and cultivation of all known psychoactive plants.

Entangled Life - Merlin Sheldrake A mind-bending journey into the hidden universe of fungi.

The Ethics of Caring - Kylea Taylor Written for all caregivers, including psychotherapists, bodyworkers, medical practitioners, clergy, hypnotherapists, and acupuncturists, who want to become more conscious in their relationships with clients. It provides unique help to volunteer and professional caregivers who want to sort out confusing ethical dilemmas in seven categories including love, truth, insight, and oneness as well as the more well-known ethical issues of money, sex, and power. Ethical issues pertain to longings, feelings, and motivations which resonate at our very core.

Food of the Gods -  Terence McKenna An exploration of humans' symbiotic relationships with plants and chemicals presents information on prehistoric partnership societies, the roles of spices and spirits in the rise of dominator societies; and the politics of tobacco, tea, coffee, opium, and alcohol.

Grace Unfolding: Psychotherapy in the Spirit of Tao-Te Ching - Greg Johanson, Ron Kurts A sensible and compassionate book that will help those involved in any form of therapy make the best possible use of their time, effort, and money.

Guide to The Bodhisattva’s Way of Life -- Shantideva Composed in the eighth century by the Indian Bodhisattva Shantideva, it became an instant classic in the curricula of the Buddhist monastic universities of India, and its renown has grown ever since. Shantideva presents methods to harmonize one's life with the Bodhisattva ideal and inspires the reader to cultivate the perfections of the Bodhisattva: generosity, ethics, patience, zeal, meditative concentration, and wisdom.

High Priest - Timothy Leary Back in print after 20 years, this text from the earliest days of psychedelia chronicles the experiences on 16 acid trips taken before LSD was illegal. The trip guides or "high priests" included Aldous Huxley, Ram Dass, Ralph Meltzner, Huston Smith and a junkie from New York City named Willy. 

How to Change Your Mind - Michael Pollan When Michael Pollan set out to research how LSD and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are being used to provide relief to people suffering from difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction, and anxiety, he did not intend to write what is undoubtedly his most personal book. But upon discovering how these remarkable substances are improving the lives not only of the mentally ill but also of healthy people coming to grips with the challenges of everyday life, he decided to explore the landscape of the mind in the first person as well as the third.

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts - Gabor Maté The essential resource for understanding the roots and behaviors of addiction.

Island - Aldous Huxley The final novel from Aldous Huxley, Island is a provocative counterpoint to his worldwide classic Brave New World, in which a flourishing, ideal society located on a remote Pacific island attracts the envy of the outside world.

Journey of Awakening: A Meditor’s guidebook - Ram Dass Ram Dass is an American psychologist and spiritual teacher who has studied and practiced meditation for many years. Here he shares his understanding and suggests how you can find methods suitable for you. He illuminates the stages and benefits of meditative practice, and provides wise and often humorous advice on overcoming difficulties along the way.

The Joyous Cosmology: Adventures in the Chemistry of Consciousness - Alan Watts Exploration of the insight that the consciousness-changing drugs LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin can facilitate “when accompanied with sustained philosophical reflection by a person who is in search, not of kicks, but of understanding.” 

The Long Trip - Paul Devereux Using a slew of disciplines - including archaeology, anthropology, linguistics, ethnobotany, biology and other fields - The Long Trip strips bare the evidence for the psychedelic experiences of various prehistoric societies and ancient, traditional cultures.

LSD and the Mind of the Universe - Christopher M. Bache Pushing the boundaries of theory and practice, the author shows how psychedelic experience can take you beyond self-transformation into collective transformation, beyond the present into the future, revealing spirit and matter in perfect balance.

LSD: Doorway to the Numinous - Stanislav Grof A pioneering book that explores the unknown landscape of human consciousness induced by LSD and other psychedelics.

LSD: My Problem Child - Albert Hoffman This is the story of LSD told by a concerned yet hopeful father, organic chemist Albert Hofmann, Ph.D. He traces LSD's path from a promising psychiatric research medicine to a recreational drug sparking hysteria and prohibition. In LSD: My Problem Child, we follow Dr. Hofmann's trek across Mexico to discover sacred plants related to LSD, and listen in as he corresponds with other notable figures about his remarkable discovery.

LSD Psychotherapy - Stanislav Grof A complete account of a remarkable chapter in the ever-continuing inquiry into our transpersonal nature and origins. The controlled studies described in this book reveal exciting and challenging data about the nature of human consciousness, perception, and reality itself. Drawing on this work, Stanislav Grof outlines a new cartography of the human mind, one which accounts for experiences such as shamanic trances, near-death experiences and altered states of consciousness. This vision is also the foundation for Dr. Grof's revolutionary Holotropic Breathwork techniques.

Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World - Paul Stamets Manual for the mycological rescue of the planet. That’s right: growing more mushrooms may be the best thing we can do to save the environment, and in this groundbreaking text from mushroom expert Paul Stamets, you’ll find out how.

Pikhal - A Chemical Love Story - Alexander (Sasha) Shulgin A foundational work in the genre and was the first book to fully impart the how-to chemistry, and convey the effects, of many of the entheogenic drugs that are currently being studied and used to heal trauma and deal with death.  ‍

Plants of the Gods - Richard Evans Schultes, Albert Hofmann & Christian Rätsch  Three scientific titans join forces to completely revise the classic text on the ritual uses of psychoactive plants. They provide a fascinating testimony of these "plants of the gods," tracing their uses throughout the world and their significance in shaping culture and history.

Psilocybin: Magic Mushrooms Grower’s Guide - Terence McKenna, Dennis McKenna In the 1970s two of the most influential thinkers of the psychedelic era gathered what was then known about psilocybin botany and culture and presented it in Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide. Writing under pseudonyms, the McKenna brothers provided simple, reliable, and productive methods for magic mushroom propagation, including black-and-white photographs that showed the techniques of the time. 

The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible - Dr. K Mandrake Details every step of the complex mushroom cultivation process, making it hands down the largest and most comprehensive book ever written on the subject

Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World - Paul Stamets Identification guide exclusively devoted to the world's psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Detailed descriptions and color photographs for over 100 species are provided, as well as an exploration of their long-standing (and often religious) use by ancient peoples and their continued significance to modern-day culture. Some of the species included have just been discovered in the past year or two, and still others have never before been photographed in their natural habitats.

The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide - James Fadiman Psychedelics for spiritual, therapeutic, and problem-solving use.

Psychedelic Medicine - Richard Louis Miller Explores the potential of psychedelics as medicine and the intersections of politics, science, and psychedelics.

Psychedelic Mysteries of the Feminine - multiple authors An exploration of the connections between feminine consciousness and altered states from ancient times to present day.

Psychedelic Psychotherapy - R. Coleman  Comprehensive, easy-to-read resource for therapists and laypeople who need practical guidelines for psychedelic drug-assisted psychotherapy. This book contains valuable insiders' information for those using psychedelics for their own healing, and for practitioners who facilitate their sessions. Its focus is the nitty-gritty of healing trauma using MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin. It includes step-by-step guidance on how to safely and effectively navigate through the psychedelically-enhanced healing process.

Psychedelics in Mental Health: Psilocybin - George G. Lake Esq Examines the modern scientific literature evidencing the mental health benefits of various psychedelic substances. This first book entitled “Psilocybin,” is a comprehensive guide to all current scientific literature and studies regarding psilocybin and mental illness. This book is an essential resource for all psychedelic and mental health advocates.

Radical Acceptance - Tara Brach Buddhist teachings and lots of examples from her practice on learning to trust and accept ourselves. Comes with instructions for a few guided meditations.

Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences - William A. Richards The first well-documented, sophisticated account of the effect of psychedelics on biological processes, human consciousness, and revelatory religious experiences. Based on nearly three decades of legal research with volunteers, William A. Richards argues that, if used responsibly and legally, psychedelics have the potential to assuage suffering and constructively affect the quality of human life.

The Secret Chief Revealed: Conversations with Leo Zeff, pioneer in the underground psychedelic therapy movement - Myron Stolaroff Dedicated to the memory of Leo Zeff, with the fervent hope that the revelation of his work will help bring understanding and sanity to a confused world. The Secret Chief Revealed reveals for the first time the identity of pioneering psychedelic therapist Leo Zeff, which was kept secret in the original The Secret Chief.  

Spiritual Emergency: When Personal Transformation Becomes a Crisis - Christina and Stanislav Grof Foremost psychologists, psychiatrists, and spiritual teachers address the following questions: What is spiritual emergency? What is the relationship between spirituality, “madness,” and healing? What forms does spiritual emergency take? What are the pitfalls — and promises — of spiritual practice? How can people in spiritual emergency be assisted by family, friends, and professionals? This groundbreaking work reveals that within the crisis of spiritual emergency lies the promise of spiritual emergence and renewal.

The Stormy Search for the Self - Christina and Stanislav Grof Guidebook for anyone going through a spiritual emergence/emergency or who wants to support a friend going through it. Filled with practical advice for any type of transformation. ‍

Taking Back My Mind -- Gerardo Urias Details the author's journey overcoming severe clinical depression with the use of psilocybin mushroom.

Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu A series of meditations and poems on the mysterious nature of the Tao -- the Way, the guiding light, the very source of all existence. Most translated book after the Bible.

Tao: The Watercourse Way - Alan Watts At the root of human conflict is our fundamental misunderstanding of who we are. The illusion that we are isolated beings, unconnected to the rest of the universe, has led us to view the “outside” world with hostility, and has fueled our misuse of technology and our violent and hostile subjugation of the natural world. To help us understand that the self is in fact the root and ground of the universe, Watts has crafted a revelatory primer on what it means to be human—and a mind-opening manual of initiation into the central mystery of existence.

The Thirst for Wholeness - Christina Grof Carl Gustav Jung described the addict's craving as a 'thirst for wholeness.' Christina Grof, a pioneer in the transpersonal psychology movement, draws on her own spiritual journey and addictive experience to explore the issues at the very heart of that craving--the longing for spiritual identity and the yearning to know the true self.

Tikhal - A Continuation - Alexander (Sasha) Shulgin Sequel to PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story but can stand alone to any reader. Where PiHKAL focuses on a class of compounds called phenethylamines, TiHKAL is written about a family of psychoactive drugs known as tryptamines with TiHKAL being an acronym for "Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved”.

Trip: Psychedelics, Alienation, and Change - Tao Lin Takes readers on a trip through psychedelic culture, from D.A.R.E. to Aldous Huxley, from NYU's Bobst Library to a plant-drawing class in Santa Rosa, California. Drawing on first-person exploratory journalism as well as in-depth research, Tao details the experience of taking psilocybin, DMT, and cannabis, studies their chemical composure and legality, and ends his story with a pilgrimage out West, where he communes with McKenna's ex-wife and fellow "ethnobotanist," Kathleen Harrison.

True Hallucinations - Terrence McKenna A mesmerizing account of ethnobotanist Terence McKenna's extraordinary encounters with hallucinogens and shamanism in the Amazon Basin.

Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma - Peter Levine Offers a new and hopeful vision of trauma. It views the human animal as a unique being, endowed with an instinctual capacity. It asks and answers an intriguing question: why are animals in the wild, though threatened routinely, rarely traumatized? By understanding the dynamics that make wild animals virtually immune to traumatic symptoms, the mystery of human trauma is revealed.

Way of the Psychonaut Vols 1&2 - Stanislav Grof One of the most important books ever written about the human psyche and the spiritual quest. This comprehensive work is a tour de force through the worlds of psychology, psychotherapy, Holotropic Breathwork, maps of the psyche, birth, sex, and death, transpersonal experiences, psychospiritual death and rebirth, reincarnation, karma, mystical states, archetypes, spiritual emergency, art, artists, and higher creativity. 

The Way of the Shaman - Michael Harner This classic on shamanism pioneered the modern shamanic renaissance. It is the foremost resource and reference on shamanism. 

The Way of Zen - Alan Watts In his definitive introduction to Zen Buddhism, Alan Watts explains the principles and practices of this ancient religion.

The Wisdom of Insecurity - Alan Watts Shows us how — in an age of unprecedented anxiety — we must embrace the present and live fully in the now in order to live a fulfilling life.

Your Psilocybin Mushroom Companion - Michelle Janikian A comprehensive yet friendly guide to everything there is to know about magic mushrooms.‍

Movies & Videos

Movies Dosed (2019) -- After many years of prescription medications failed her, a suicidal woman turns to underground healers to try and overcome her depression, anxiety, and opioid addiction with illegal psychedelic medicine such as magic mushrooms and iboga.

Fantastic Fungi (2019) -- A descriptive time-lapse journey about the magical, mysterious and medicinal world of fungi and their power to heal, sustain and contribute to the regeneration of life on Earth that began 3.5 billion years ago.

From Shock to Awe (2018) -- Two combat veterans abandon traditional medicine and begin experimenting with psychedelics to treat their post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Kingdom: How Fungi Made Our World (2018) -- Hidden from sight is a kingdom that rules life on land. It’s an alien world with the largest and oldest organisms alive today. Fungiform the 5th Kingdom of Life.

Magic Medicine (2018) -- Over 4 years, filmmaker Monty Wates was given exclusive access to the first ever medical trial to give psilocybin (the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms) to a group of volunteers suffering from clinical depression. 

Neurons to Nirvana (2013) -- Richly illustrated feature documentary about the resurgence of psychedelics as medicine. Through interviews with the world's foremost researchers, writers, psychologists and pioneers in psychedelic psychotherapy, the film explores the history of five powerful psychedelic substances (LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, Ayahuasca and Cannabis) and their previously established medicinal potential.

Numen: The Healing Power of Plants (2009) -- Numen, defined as the animating force in nature, is a 75-minute documentary film focusing on the healing power of plants and the natural world.

Orange Sunshine (2016) -- A small group of surfers and hippies from Southern California forms a church called the Brotherhood of Eternal Love and go on to become the largest suppliers of psychedelic drugs during the 1960s and '70s.

The Psychedelic Renaissance (2021) -- A documentary feature about the worldwide re-emergence of the psychedelic movement and the crucial role of psychedelic substances in human culture.

Psychedelic Soldiers (2016) -- The film tells the story of two American Veterans and their haunting battle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. After having tried every form of treatment made available to them without success, they turned to MAPS and MDMA-Assisted therapy. That decision allowed them to work towards gaining back control of their lives in a way they had never experienced.

Soviet Hippies (2017) -- The hippie movement that captivated hundreds of thousands of young people in the West had a profound impact on the other side of the Iron Curtain. The journey through time and dimensions goes deep into the psychedelic underground world in which these people strived for freedom.

Videos 61 Year Old Tries "Magic Mushrooms" (psilocybin) (2016) -- In this short documentary a 61 year old woman tries mushrooms. Will she get the “Spiritual Experience” she’s after? Or will things become too intense for her to handle it? 

6 ways mushrooms can save the world - Paul Stamets (TED 2008) -- Mycologist Paul Stamets lists 6 ways the mycelium fungus can help save the universe: cleaning polluted soil, making insecticides, treating smallpox and even flu viruses.

Can Magic Mushrooms Cure Addiction? (2016) -- Kathleen Conneally successfully quit smoking, after a decades-long habit, with the help of psilocybin. Conneally was a participant in a study at Johns Hopkins University looking at whether nicotine addiction could be treated by psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms. In this short video, staff writer Olga Khazan speaks with Conneally about her experience and uncovers the science of how psychedelics work in the brain to make this possible.

Can Magic Mushrooms Unlock Depression? - Rosalind Watts (TEDxOxford 2017) -- A clinical psychologist from Imperial College describes how Magic Mushrooms (Psilocybin), when used in a therapeutic setting, have been found to be a very effective treatment for depression. In this talk she draws on her experiences as working as a therapist on the groundbreaking  Psilocybin for Depression study, and introduces us to some of the patients and their stories of transformation. ‍

How Denver Decriminalized Magic Mushrooms - Vice News (2019) -- Denver became the first city in the country to decriminalize the use and possession of psilocybin mushrooms, after a ballot initiative squeaked through with 50.6% of the vote, according to election officials.

Joe Rogan & Paul Stamets (2020) -- Conversation between two beings.

Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Legend Bill Richards in conversation - Psychedelic Seminars (2019) -- Bill Richards is a clinical psychologist who has been involved in psychedelic research since 1963. Talk about the parallel arcs of Bill's career and the movement, mystical experiences, what makes a good psychedelic therapist, and the concerns related to for-profit psychedelic business.

Michael Pollan and Tim Ferris - SXSW (2019) -- A renaissance is underway in the scientific study of psychedelics, both as a mode of therapy for mental illness and as a tool for understanding the mind. Tim Ferriss takes up these issues and more in a conversation with Michael Pollan, the author of How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics teaches us about Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression and Transcendence.

Psilocybin Mushrooms & The Path to Higher Consciousness - Vice TV (2018) -- On MISTER TACHYON: Micro-dosing has been on the rise. But does really it work? Where's Hamilton when you need him

Psychedelic Medicine: From Tradition to Science - Harvard Medical School (2019) -- Researchers in neuroscience, psychiatry, and clinical practice join other leaders in psychedelic medicine to discuss this rapidly emerging field. 

Sam Harris Heroic Dose experience (2019) -- Sam Harris trip report from his lates psychedelic experience with 5 grams of Psilocybin in darkness.

The science of psilocybin and its use to relieve suffering - Roland Griffiths (TEDMED 2016) -- Leading psychopharmacologist Roland Griffiths discloses the ways that psychedelic drugs can be used to create spiritually meaningful, personally transformative experiences for all patients, especially the terminally ill.

Your Brain on Shrooms - Asapscience (2015) -- How do "Magic Mushrooms" chemically alter your brain?

Podcasts Adventures Through The Mind -- an interview-based podcast focusing on psychedelic culture. It is hosted by Canadian author and public educator, James W. Jesso.

Aubrey Marcus Podcast -- features conversations between entrepreneur, philosopher, and NYT bestselling author Aubrey Marcus and world class guests with expertise in mindset, relationship, health, business and spirituality. 

Back from the Abyss -- How do we find a way out of the darkest depths of despair? Psychiatrist Dr. Craig Heacock hosts a deep dive into powerfully moving stories of hope and healing, as well as topical explorations of psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and psychedelics.

Buddhist Geeks -- For the past decade, this show focused on Buddhism. However, the host recently announced that the show’s focus will shift to covering psychedelics exclusively.

Change Truth -- podcast by Carl Christensen is about drugs, addiction & mental health. Its focus is on psychedelics and other illegal drugs. There are discussions on benefits vs. dangers, and everything in between.

DMT World Podcast -- Interviews with guests who are involved in the psychedelic movement who are willing to share their experiences, opinions on issues within the psychedelic communities, studies, books, art, music, and just overall anything psychedelic.

DoseNation -- brings you news and talks about psychedelics, brain science, consciousness, spirituality, religion, politics, pop culture, and human behavior. Hosted by James Kent.

Drug Positive -- the risk reduction and benefit enhancement podcast reducing shame and stigma to save lives and end the drug war.

The Drug Science Podcast -- Professor David Nutt is joined by world-renowned experts to discuss research, harm reduction, drug policy, and the science behind drugs.

Duncan Trussell Family Hour -- comedian Duncan Trussell and guests explore the outer reaches of the multiverse. The podcast was turned to an adult animated Netflix series set in a fantastical universe "The Midnight Gospel".

Entheogen -- focuses on psychedelics used in therapeutic, medicinal, sacramental, and recreational contexts.

EntheoNation ‍ -- Lorna Liana  chats with ethnobotanists, contemporary shamans, psychedelic researchers, indigenous leaders, visionary artists, evolutionary entrepreneurs, neuroscientists, and culture hackers on how we can harness the power of visionary states, forge reality into our wildest dreams, and catalyze humanity’s spiritual evolution.

Here We Are -- Stand-up comedian, adventurer, and science enthusiast Shane Mauss interviews scientists and researchers on a journey to learn what makes us who we are…as well as a bunch of other random stuff you never imagined you would care about. Favorite topics include: psychology, biology, evolution, cognitive biases, behavioral economics, mating, animal behavior, neuroscience, entheogens and consciousness.

The High Existence Podcast -- an extension of the High Existence Blog, which covers psychedelic-related topics.

Inside Eyes -- focuses on the use of psychedelics & entheogens to heal from sexual trauma.

The Joe Rogan Experience -- Comedian and martial arts commentator Joe Rogan has hosted a lot of psychedelic luminaries over the years, including research pharmacognosist Dennis McKenna, investigative journalist Amber Lyon, and podcast host Lorenzo Hagerty.

LET'S TALK PLANT MEDICINE: Cannabis, Psychedelics & Pharmaceutics with Dr. O -- Dr. O is a clinical pharmacist certified in medical cannabis. In this podcast, you will learn about alternative ways to improve your health and well-being using the healing power of medicinal herbs such as cannabinoids, psychedelics, and conventional therapy.

MAPS Podcast -- Hosted by Zach Leary, the intent of the podcast is to bring an easily accessible resource for a variety of topics all related to psychedelic research.  

Micro-dosing with Zeifmans -- Short podcasts on demystifying the business of psychedelics.

Mikeadelic -- Podcast with a focus on cognitive liberty, civilization, ayahuasca, psilocybin mushrooms, DMT, LSD, iboga, reality, and consciousness, hosted by Mike Brancatelli.

Natural Born Alchemist -- This podcast will bring together people and ideas that have an alchemical foundation, and together people will dive into the depths of consciousness and hopefully have some stimulating insights and ideas to share. It will also feature interesting talks by philosophers, scientists, explorers and scholars of various sorts. New episodes every Sunday all year round.

Nectara -- A podcast series where we explore the big questions of meaning at the intersection of psychedelic integration, wellness, ceremony, and the heartfelt stories of transformation that connect us all.

Nod Squad Drugs | Psychedelics | DMT | LSD | -- Take a glimpse into the dark & twisted lives of the addicts still suffering as well as the ones stumbling off the beaten path back on to the road of recovery.

Plant Medicine Podcast -- The mission is to demystify and de-stigmatize plant medicines by educating both the medical establishment and those who could potentially benefit from these medicines on the latest research and current best-practice administration of these substances. ‍

Plus Three by Psymposia -- goes deep into the world of drugs, from local decriminalization and emerging psychedelic corporations to leftist politics and mass incarceration. Each week the team and guests attempt to make sense of the complex connections between drugs, science, capitalism, policy, and culture.

Power Trip -- uncovers the secrets and exposes the darkest corners of the psychedelic renaissance through a twisted, deeply personal tale at the intersection of mind, body, and control. Power Trip is a co-production of New York Magazine and Psymposia.

Psilly Rabbits Podcast -- Science, history, myth, and philosophies behind altered states, entheogens, and the nature of consciousness. The podcast is a mix of conversation, education, and interviews with experts and innovative minds from all practices.

The Psychedelic Entrepreneur -- combines grounded business know-how, neuroscience-backed transformational psychology, psychedelics, sacred plant medicines, spiritual teachings, and ancient wisdom so you can start sharing your medicine and create transformation in the world.

Psychedelic Leadership -- conversations focus on how we can learn to embody heart-centered leadership so we can influence real change and create a more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.

Psychedelic Medicine Podcast -- Latest news in scientific research, medical practices, and legal developments involving these substances and their therapeutic potential. An auditory encyclopedia of information for anyone interested in learning about the safe, therapeutic uses of these medicines.

Psychedelic Parenting Podcast -- talks about how experiences with altered states of consciousness influence family lives. Committed to the creation of new family traditions and developing rights of passage grounded in the unity consciousness touched by psychedelic medicines.

Psychedelic Psoul -- A podcast dedicated to the psychedelic music of the 1960's. The music ranges from familiar hits to deep album cuts and rare recordings. New episodes are uploaded every week (usually on Fridays).

Psychedelic Salon -- Hosted by Lorenzo Hagerty, who podcasts interviews and talks concerning the use and benefits of psychoactive plants and chemicals, both in their natural settings and in medical research institutions.

Psychedelic Spotlight Podcast -- Covering the latest stories in the emerging psychedelics industry including breakthrough discoveries, investor news and cultural reform. ‍

Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers - - Weekly conversations between Dr. Thayer, Dr. Robison and frequent special guests about psychedelics, research and the therapy.

Psychedelic Times Podcast -- Sharing the latest news, research, and happenings around the study of psychedelics as tools of healing, recovery, and therapy. ‍

Psychedelics Today  -- A show discussing the important academic and other research in the field of psychedelics. We discuss how psychedelics relate to human potential and healing.

The Psychedologist -- engages with topics of psychology, altered states of consciousness, culture, sexuality, nature, wellness, and community.

Psychotropic: Where Drugs and Life Intersect -- Stories involving psychotropic drugs, psychedelics, DMT, LSD, Mescaline, Psilocybin, Marijuana, Cocaine, Meth and Heroin. If you are interested in people, the drug experience and its consequences, philosophies, and ideas surrounding drug use, and how it's all laced into everyday life, then these short memoirs, told by individuals who have (or haven't) partaken, might give you some insight. ‍

PRP: Psychedelic Renaissance Podcast -- In this podcast, learn all the ins and outs of psychedelic science, spirituality, integration, legality, and culture through the stories of real people and real psychedelics. Join your very psychedelically-influenced hosts Josh, Chris, and Adam as they explore the Psychedelic Renaissance with scientists and advocates from The Psychedelic Society of Minneapolis and abroad. 

The Psychonauts -- Dives into the strange new world of psychedelic-assisted therapy, hosted by Leonie Joubert. A podcast trips into the realm of psychedelic psychiatry, as hallucinogenic mushrooms go on trial in South Africa.

The Psychedelic Therapy -- A weekly conversation series with leaders in the psychedelic community specifically for therapists, healers, retreat leaders, and passionate enthusiasts. Podcast hosted by Eamon Armstrong.

Report on Psychedelics -- the leading source of independent data and intelligence for the emerging psychedelics industry. ‍

Say Why to Drugs -- The internet is full of misinformation about recreational drugs - both legal and illegal. Dr Suzi Gage, a psychologist interested in understanding associations between substance use and mental health, tackles one substance per episode - providing information about what we know - the harms, but also potential benefits of these substances.

The Stoned Ape Reports -- about the healing power of psychedelics, aka entheogens. Each episode ia an interview with somebody who has experienced the transformational powers of psychedelics, or with a practitioner who works with these medicines. ‍

Synchronicity -- A show dedicated to examining the subtle realities that connect us all. Host Noah Lampert speaks with new guests to find out their unique perspectives on life, reality and beyond.

The Third Wave -- Explores the many minds of the emerging psychedelic renaissance. Through conversations with thought leaders across various disciplines, we explore how psychedelics, when used with intention and responsibility, catalyze transformation on both an individual and a collective level.

The Tim Ferriss Show -- a well-known business podcast and it typically interviews people in the fields of investing, sports, business, and art, with few psychedelic-themed episodes.

The Tink Tink Club -- Discussing the Psychedelic Renaissance with those most important to the movement. ‍

Trip On This -- With interviews that are relatable, oftentimes funny, and always a trip, Kat and her guests share their own mind-expanding experiences of self-realization, transformation, and just outright fun.

Trust Wise Sages -- Dive into fascinating conversations with incredible people. Podcast that motivates, inspires and challenges ideas. Topics include spirituality, reprogramming your brain, ultimate health, writing and other artistic endeavors and so much more.

Let's stay connected

We’ll keep you in the loop.

Privacy Policy — Terms of Service

A bit about us:

Tripsitters belongs to humanity, the mushroom kingdom, and all of life. The mushroom partners with the tripsitters team to grow itself, spread healing, and gather community. The fungi are the visionaries, and our team follows their lead. We find joy in supporting the psychedelic revolution.

Keep in touch:

Made with ❤️ :

Design & Dev: ‍ Glenn and Alex Visionary Artwork: ‍ Luis Tamani

Design: Glenn van Roggen & Alex Dev: Alex Espinosa Visionary Artwork: Luis Tamani

Is the Trip Enough? Why Psychedelic Integration Therapy Is Important to Maximize the Benefits of Your Trip

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on WhatsApp
• Share on Pinterest
• Share on LinkedIn

The main objective of integration therapy is to help individuals integrate the insights, emotions, and new perspectives gained from their psychedelic experiences, fostering lasting positive changes in their mental, emotional, and behavioral patterns.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances. Psychedelic integration therapy, a specialized form of psychotherapy, has emerged as a vital tool in the safe and effective use of these substances for personal growth, healing, and transformation. This article delves into the world of psychedelic integration therapy, exploring its principles, benefits, and the role it plays in maximizing the positive outcomes of psychedelic experiences.

Table of Contents

What is Psychedelic Integration Therapy?

Integration therapy is a vital, necessary part of any psychedelic trip that can help people reach their full potential. Source: Psych Central

Whether someone knows it or not, psychedelics offer a period after their trip that allows them to reexamine themselves and interpret the insights they got during their experience in the context of their lives. By examining these insights, individuals can begin to incorporate them into their daily lives, thus integrating them. This process of post-psychedelic trip introspection is called integration.

Psychedelic integration therapy is a therapeutic approach designed to support individuals in making sense of their psychedelic experiences and integrating them into their everyday lives. These experiences, induced by substances like psilocybin , LSD , or MDMA , often lead to profound shifts in perception, emotions, and consciousness. However, without proper guidance and processing, these shifts can be challenging to comprehend and integrate into one's life. Psychedelic integration therapy is an active introspective process.

Key Principles of Psychedelic Integration Therapy

• Non-judgmental Space: Integration therapy provides a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to share their psychedelic experiences openly. This allows them to explore and discuss any challenging or enlightening aspects of their journey without fear of criticism.
• Therapeutic Alliance: A strong therapeutic alliance between the therapist and the individual is crucial for effective integration. Trust and rapport allow for a deeper exploration of emotions and thoughts, enabling a more profound integration process.
• Personalized Approach: Each individual's psychedelic experience is unique, and therefore, the integration therapy process is tailored to the specific needs, goals, and personality of the individual.
• Mindfulness and Self-Reflection: Integration therapy often incorporates mindfulness techniques and encourages self-reflection. These practices help individuals observe their thoughts and emotions without attachment and cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves.
• Creative Expression : Art, music, and other creative forms of expression are frequently employed in integration therapy. They can serve as powerful tools for individuals to externalize and explore the complexities of their experiences.

What Does Psychedelic Integration Look Like?

Psychedelic integration can look differently for everyone, depending on their individual experiences, goals, and environments. Source: Verywell Mind

Let’s say someone kept having important revelations and insight during their psychedelic experience around tapping into their creative energy. The related integration work surrounding this would be making a conscious effort in carrying that out, such as maybe starting a sketchbook practice, learning how to paint, or perhaps signing up for art classes. Anything that pushes someone to accomplish the insights a psychedelic experience showed them is part of psychedelic integration.

But psychedelic integration may not look the same for everyone. Everyone has radically different psychedelic experiences, so their integration will also reflect that. Some people may focus on more broader themes, such as making changes in their careers, relationships, or personality, whilst others may focus on smaller tasks, such as calling their parents to tell them they love them, or perhaps simply starting a new routine. For others, integration could be less concrete, such as someone deciding that want to start living authentically.

Regardless of how someone tackles integration, any method is valid and encouraged. The method one chooses depends on their own circumstances, their intentions for their trip, who they are as a person, and where they want to go in life.

Psychedelic integration therapy also looks differently depending on the therapist’s approach. A therapist’s professional training, culture, and identity will inevitably impact their approach to psychedelic integration, so integration therapy will never look quite the same across professionals.

Types of Psychedelic Integration

As mentioned, professionals have different ways of tackling psychedelic integration. Knowing the different types of methods that psychedelic integration can look like can help someone be better informed about what they want out of their therapy session.

Emotional Integration

Emotional integration is the practice of acknowledging and exploring the emotions and feelings that come up during a psychedelic experience and in a person’s life. A professional can help open someone up emotionally to let any pent up emotions they have kept inside them be released and processed. For example, someone may be harboring feelings of grief and need help releasing it from their psyche. Same thing may happen if they have been repressing forgiveness for someone else and need help in finally closing old wounds and moving past them.

Psychedelic experiences will inevitably provide insights into one’s emotional state and help certain repressed emotions rise to the top. A professional can help someone carry this emotional work out.

Somatic Integration

Conversely to emotional integration, a person may actually need a more physical integration process. This could be relating to insights regarding to health or ways to relieve stress. To aid in processing and integrating these insights, somatic integration highly focuses on the body and the sensations and feelings that arise. Some examples of this could be going for a walk, doing yoga or other forms of exercise, creating a workout routine and implementing it, and working on taking care of one’s physical or mental health.

Psycho-spiritual integration

Lastly, some insights may not be emotional or physical, but rather focus more on a combination of introspection and extrospection. A psychedelic experience may affect the way a person sees themselves, those around them, their surroundings, society, and reevaluate the relationship between themselves and all these things. There are various themes that can arise during a psychedelic trip that can cause someone to want to focus more on this aspect of their lives. Similarly, a psychedelic trip could also spur up feelings of existentialism and spirituality that may need to be integrated. Perhaps a person is confronted with their own feelings of death, of someone’s else’s impending death, or perhaps their relationship with religion and spirituality. All of these more introspective topics get addressed through psycho-spiritual integration by looking inward.

This type of integration may have a person asking what kind of person they are and what kind of person they want to be, question their relationships, question their purpose in life, and begin to push them to sift through what serves them and what doesn’t. This will ultimately lead to someone coming into a more authentic sense of themselves. Integration therapy helps people begin to reflect on these questions and answer them in order for them to them take decisive action and make questions into a reality.

How Long Does Psychedelic Integration Take?

Psychedelic integration therapy is a vital part of any trip and should not be rushed. Integration takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few years; it is not a race. Source: WebMD

This is a hard to question answer, as it depends on each individual, their intention, goals, and circumstances. Some integration activities could be handled rather quickly, such as calling a family member to express their love, changing a diet or creating a workout regimen, or signing up for classes.

Other integration activities take much longer, particularly those dealing with introspection and deeper themes that require more profound work with a therapist. There may not be a finish line for themes like these and integration looks more like an ongoing, lifelong process because a person constantly changes and their world is too, so the way they react to things will inevitably begin to shift.

Dealing with deeper emotional concepts like grief can be lifelong, for example; sometimes the grief may dissipate, and sometimes it may spur up and come and go like waves – integration in this context can be lifelong in order to acknowledge the feelings that bubble up and learn how to process them in whatever new context a person may be in.

On the other hands, some concepts that are not dealing with emotions may also take long. For example, perhaps someone wants to change their career to something that makes them feel fulfilled. This can take months to years to fully bring into fruition, and the goal may change along the way – perhaps one job stops bringing a person fulfilment, so they continue to search for their passion.

Regardless of the circumstance, integration should not be rushed. It may take a couple of minutes to a few years – the important thing to know is that integration is not a race. Just like regular psychotherapy can be a lifelong journey for many, so is integration. Not to mention that if a person partakes in more psychedelic trips while they are integrating an older trip, this can shift their integration journey as new goals and insights are brought to the surface.

The Benefits of Psychedelic Integration Therapy

• Process Feelings of Depression: Psychedelic experiences may show people insights into their state of mind that can be verbalized to a therapist; this can in turn open up the opportunity to treat depression by combining psychedelic experiences with talk therapy.
• Increased Self-Awareness: Psychedelic experiences can provide profound insights into one's inner self and life's complexities. Integration therapy helps individuals process these insights, leading to increased self-awareness and personal growth.
• Improved Relationships: As individuals gain clarity about their emotions and experiences during integration therapy, they often experience an improvement in their relationships with others.
• Addiction Recovery: Psychedelic integration therapy has shown promise in helping individuals with substance use disorders find new perspectives and motivations for recovery.
• Spiritual Growth: For many individuals, psychedelic experiences have a spiritual dimension. Integration therapy can help individuals navigate and make sense of these spiritual insights, leading to a deeper sense of connection and purpose.
• Increased Creativity: People may find a newfound sense of creativity after undergoing a psychedelic trip. Integration can help people step into this new creative energy by promoting creating art or music.

Is Psychedelic Integration Therapy Important?

Absolutely. Psychedelic integration is a vital part of any psychedelic experience and should not be skipped . It is a practice that can help transform conceptual ideas into real, tangible change.

Psychedelics will show new facets of a person and ways that they can improve their life. Without partaking in psychedelic integration, then a person is only seeing the potential they have and is doing nothing to try and reach said potential. Psychedelics can show a person where they can be, but that is it – it only shows, it does not change anything. The change has to come from the person who is willing to put in the work and take steps to make that change.

Integration is simply the process of going from where a person was to where they want to be . It helps move them to a new, better destination, if they choose to walk down that road. Without participating in integration work, a person is willingly choosing to simply sit in the middle of the road of life and see opportunities pass them by; without integration, there is no way to create the long-lasting change that a person may be seeking from psychedelics.

Psychedelic integration therapy is a powerful, essential tool that can maximize the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic experiences. By providing a safe and supportive space for individuals to process their journeys, integration therapy helps unlock the transformative potential of these substances. As the field of psychedelic research continues to evolve, integration therapy is expected to play an increasingly essential role in facilitating personal growth, healing, and self-discovery. It is important to remember that integration is not an optional part of a psychedelic journey, but rather a way to help bring the insights of the journey into fruition and help them cause tangible, impactful change in one’s life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related News

SSRIs and SNRIs Appear to Weaken Psilocybin’s Effects, New Study Finds

Octopuses On MDMA Want to Snuggle Just Like You

30 Days, 30 Psychedelic Retreats – Lessons Learned From Our Quest to Study Central American Retreats and…

Psychedelic Spotlight is your reliable source for the latest stories in the emerging psychedelics industry, covering breakthrough discoveries, investor news and cultural reform.

• Advertise With Us
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• Conferences

Get a roundup of Psychedelic news stories in your inbox

By signing up to the Psychedelic Spotlight newsletter you agree to receive electronic communications from Psychedelic Spotlight that may sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content.

What is the Best Music for a Therapeutic Psychedelic Trip?

What is the best music for a therapeutic psychedelic trip music can play an essential role in supporting mystical experiences and insights..

Many consider music to be core to the psychedelic experience. Going back millennia, music features prominently in the indigenous use of psychedelics (such as the rattle and drum used in peyote ceremonies and the icaros , or traditional indigenous Amazonian songs, performed in ayahuasca ceremonies). In a Western context, by the late 1950s, music’s important contribution to psychedelic therapy  was firmly established.

Stephen Lett and Erika Dyck write in a paper published in the journal Social History of Medicine that “religious sounds and music were both incorporated into and strategically avoided in the early psychedelic therapeutic sessions in an effort to achieve spiritual epiphanies at peak experiences” [1]. 

Since the 1950s, music has remained a staple of psychedelic-assisted therapy. It has been deemed so important that in a 1961 article , a team of researchers studying the effects of LSD on alcoholism and other psychiatric problems stated, “We think a group of four [therapists] is best. Generally, this includes the psychiatrist (as therapist), a psychologist (co-therapist), a psychiatric nurse and a music therapist” [2]. They recognized, in other words, the need for professional expertise with respect to the therapeutic use of music in psychedelic sessions.

But the question arises: What music should you listen to during a psychedelic session? Should you listen to one particular type of music in order to achieve spiritual or peak experiences? As Lett asks in an article for Chacruna : “Is it music’s emotional content or a patient’s familiarity with music that most reliably led to the desired outcome?” Of course, the answers to these questions are relevant for all kinds of psychedelic use, not just clinical, supervised sessions. Fortunately, researchers are beginning to shed some light on this topic.

The History of Music Selection for Psychedelic Therapy

In his article for Chacruna, Lett notes how Hermina H. Browne (1902–1966) was one of the first music therapists involved in psychedelic-assisted therapy. She developed a method for selecting music to accompany psychedelic sessions for alcoholics. Browne selected music based on emotional content, as well as the patient’s age, cultural background, and preferences. 

In a later study, she chose music based on mood, quality, familiarity, general suitability, and the subject’s requests based on these criteria. Midway through the study, Browne devised a structured presentation of music, playing a particular ‘category’ of music for each period of listening (every other 30 minutes, as in the previous study).

This structured presentation of music:

• “relaxing to tense”
• “very tense, disturbed with a purpose”
• “solemn, meditative, self-searching, spiritual”
• “relaxing, spiritual”
• “reconciling, restoration of confidence, feeling of hope and faith”

These categories of music selected were meant to complement the pattern of reactions observed in previous LSD experiments; it was meant to match the ideal trajectory of a psychedelic session. Lett mentions, too, the work of psychiatrist Humphry Osmond (who introduced mescaline to Aldous Huxley), who argued that the most effective music in psychedelic therapy was that which the patient was most familiar with (which many psychonauts would agree with).

Psychedelic researchers Charles T. Eagle, Jr. and E. Thayer Gaston would come to criticize music therapists who selected music for patients because they deemed it ‘profound’, which they argued was merely a subjective opinion and prone to ideology and elitism. Instead, they insisted that the most therapeutically effective music was whatever the patient found familiar, in agreement with Osmond. 

Helen L. Bonny (1921–2010) would become one of the most influential music therapists involved in psychedelic therapy. Her research was based on the notion that music’s emotional content, not its familiarity, was of primary importance (although she accepted that a person’s preferences and history with music were relevant variables, nonetheless). 

Modern Research on Music in Psychedelic Therapy

In a 2018 paper published in Psychopharmacology , researchers at Imperial College London refer to music as ‘the hidden therapist’ based on its central role in psychedelic therapy [3]. Dr. Sam Gandy has said that “music can create a new form of structure and narrative in the midst of the psychedelic state, helping guide people through their inner ocean of mind.” Music can also help patients through uncertain, turbulent, or challenging experiences. 

We can say, then, that in a directive context, music can facilitate immersive, meaningful, emotional, and awe-inspiring journeys, while in a non-directive context, it can play a calming and soothing role, encouraging feelings of safety and openness to the experience – to the information and insights that are arising.

In the 2018 paper, researchers note that music can support the occurrence of mystical and insightful experiences, which have been found to strongly predict beneficial outcomes of psychedelic therapy , such as reductions in depression, anxiety, and neuroticism and increases in openness.

Read more about the role of music in psychedelic-assisted therapy and listen to session playlists in an article written by MAPS researcher Dr. Ilsa Jerome.

What do researchers believe?

So what do researchers believe is the ideal music to listen to on psychedelics for therapeutic purposes? In the early days of psychedelic therapy, Western classical music was commonly selected, but a 2021 study published in the journal ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science calls into question whether this is the best music to use. It suggests that overtone-based music (emphasizing instruments with a strong overtone signature, such as Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, didgeridoo, chimes, bells, sitar, and human voice overtone singing) was associated with more mystical experiences than Western classical music, which until recently have dominated psychedelic therapy playlists [4].

A 2017 survey looked at individuals who had experience administering psilocybin (on a minimum of 50 occasions) in a therapeutic context. The aim of the study was to identify features of music that best supported the occurrence of mystical experiences. The researchers found that music with “regular, predictable, formulaic phrase structure, and orchestration, a feeling of continuous movement and forward motion that slowly builds over time, and lower perceptual brightness when compared to pre peak music” was ideal in this respect [5].

Wavepaths (Get 10% off with coupon code: PSPARTNER10), a company studying and developing music playlists for psychedelic therapy, states in an article: 

“Music involving recognizable vocals is better excluded from psychedelic session music playlists, as exposure to language during a psychedelic experience may reduce chances of mystical experiences from occurring. In addition, language in the form of lyrics is likely to be directive in certain ways which may not always be advantageous for the fine tuned nature of psychedelic sessions.”

How about specific tracks?

In terms of specific tracks that researchers found highly effective, Wavepaths underscore that ‘Azure’ by Greg Haines (2012) stands out . It features in Mendel Kaelen’s playlist used in the 2016 psilocybin for depression study carried out by Imperial College London. It occurs around the ‘peak’ timeframe of the psychedelic session (02:34:41). Wavepaths note that the track “exhibits distinct examples of what Hinton & Kirmayer term ‘metabole’ – “a sudden shift in the music which brings about a change in perception from one state to another.”” These shifts fostered a sense of direction, encouraged the release and processing of emotion, and supported the experience of respite and calm. It had both propelling and anchoring effects. The track was especially personal, emotive, transformative, and therapeutic for participants.

‘Azure’ was also one of the only songs that patients specifically mentioned in post-session interviews , owing to its memorable effect. Here are some of those mentions:

“There’s one track [Greg Haines – Azure] that gets really really really intense.”

“[Greg Haines – Azure] I felt like I was sort of the highest I could get, it was like the absolute, the top of everything.”

“[Greg Haines – Azure] just builds and builds. You’re holding on to an extent, you just kind of go up and you’re like ‘ok, where am I? Can I go any further?’”

“[Greg Haines – Azure] really really beautiful, overwhelming, but really peaceful as well.”

Final Thoughts

This kind of research should in no way create a value judgment on an individual’s choice of music for their psychedelic session. Often, one’s favorite music—whatever the genre or mood—creates the most enjoyable, fulfilling, and memorable experience. (On the other hand, even if you normally love listening to death metal or black metal, this doesn’t mean the music will translate well in terms of psychedelic effects.) What modern research does point to, however, is the potential of certain kinds of music to facilitate specific aims—namely, peak experiences, which can have long-lasting positive outcomes.

Follow your Curiosity

• Lett, S., & Dyck, E. (2022). Tune in, Turn on: Religious Music and Spiritual Power in the History of Psychedelic Therapy . Social History of Medicine , hkac057.
• MacLean, J. R., MacDonald, D. C., Byrne, U. P. B., & Hubbard, A. M. (1961). The Use of LSD-25 in the Treatment of Alcoholism and Other Psychiatric Problems . Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol , 22, 34-45.
• Kaelen, M., Giribaldi, B., Raine, J., Evans, L., Timmerman, C., Rodriguez, N., Roseman, L., Feilding, A., Nutt, D., & Carhart-Harris, R. (2018). The hidden therapist: evidence for a central role of music in psychedelic therapy . Psychopharmacology , 235(2), 505-519.
• Strickland, J. C., Garcia-Romeu, A., & Johnson, M. W. (2021). Set and Setting: A Randomized Study of Different Musical Genres in Supporting Psychedelic Therapy . ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science , 4(2), 472-478.
• Barrett, F. S., Robbins, H., Smoke, D., Brown, J. L., & Griffiths, R. R. (2017). Qualitative and Quantitative Features of Music Reported to Support Peak Mystical Experiences during Psychedelic Therapy Sessions . Frontiers in Psychology , 8, Article: 1238.
• Kaelen, M. (2017). The psychological and human brain effects of music in combination with psychedelic drugs . Doctoral thesis, Imperial College London .

You may also be interested in:

Mental Health

Integration

Self-Discovery

Psychedelic drug ibogaine hailed as healing. U.S. patients ask why it’s illegal.

After three decades and five combat deployments in Navy Special Operations, Stephen Jones’s life spiraled into blackouts, bouts of angry confusion and alcohol-fueled benders. Doctors diagnosed him with traumatic brain injuries inflicted by years of sea dives, parachute jumps, firefights and bomb blasts.

The extract of an ancient African shrub known as ibogaine, he says, helped heal him.

His treatment unfolded at a clinic in Mexico, where he sank into a dreamlike state, reliving forgotten memories: a lake-view as a child; a snake popping out of a pile of leaves; a young boy dead in Iraq, his head pierced by shrapnel from an enemy grenade. Ibogaine, he said, kicked his brain “into a higher gear.”

Jones, 59, was part of a Stanford University study published in January showing that ibogaine dramatically improved symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in 30 Special Operations veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.

For advocates, that study offers the latest evidence that patients should have access to the drug in the United States, where it remains illegal despite decades of encouraging findings, principally for use treating addiction. Even as momentum could be shifting in ibogaine’s favor, concerns persist about the threat the drug poses to the heart, reflecting a risk-reward calculation that frames studies of other psychedelic agents.

The increased interest in ibogaine arrives amid urgent efforts to ease the nation’s deadly addiction crisis and comes as companies race to develop psychedelics to treat mental health ailments. In Ohio, a prominent ibogaine advocate in February partnered with a nonprofit that supports people with addiction and called for using state opioid-settlement money to study the drug. It mirrors a much-publicized plan in Kentucky that sought to allocate up to $42 million in settlement money for research, an effort that fizzled amid shifting politics.

“Ohio is one of the nation’s leaders when it comes to opioid deaths. It’s natural fertile soil for research and development of ibogaine,” said W. Bryan Hubbard, who directed the Kentucky commission that considered that state’s ibogaine plan and is working with an Ohio state treasury program to explore ibogaine and other treatments for veterans.

In Mexico, Jones swallowed capsules over several hours, shook a tambourine to the beat of tribal music, laid on a yoga mat and slipped a mask over his eyes. He emerged from his long psychedelic trip feeling motivated and drinking less. Family relationships improved. He returned to running and surfing.

“For a disabled veteran, I can do some amazing [stuff],” Jones said, who teared up remembering his experience. “I can’t believe I’m back in the water shredding waves.”

An ancient history

Ibogaine is less well known than other psychedelics, even as it is touted by singer Melissa Etheridge, ex-NBA star Lamar Odom and Jordan Belfort, the former “Wolf of Wall Street” stockbroker. It derives from a four-foot-tall shrub, Tabernanthe iboga, that grows in the Central African rainforest and was long used in traditional medicine as a mild stimulant and in religious ceremonies.

The first hint of its potential to break addiction emerged in Mexico in 1913 when researchers described the case of a woman successfully treated for severe alcoholism with ibogaine tablets. But it was a New Yorker named Howard Lotsof — he claimed one dose of ibogaine helped him kick a heroin habit in 1962 — who became the extract’s chief evangelist as it spread as an underground treatment.

The United States outlawed ibogaine in 1967, alongside other psychedelics. Regulators later deemed it a Schedule I controlled substance with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse — in the same class as LSD and heroin. The designation has long troubled advocates who say ibogaine isn’t used recreationally because the psychedelic trips can be grueling.

Lotsof secured patents in the 1980s, pushing for research and treating people struggling with addiction in the Netherlands. In the early 1990s, the science appeared promising. The National Institute on Drug Abuse research showed rodents given ibogaine consumed fewer drugs, such as heroin, morphine and cocaine.

Opioids and other addictive drugs rewire the brain by flooding it with dopamine and other chemicals. Ibogaine, which breaks down into the compound noribogaine, promotes growth of neural networks in damaged brains, said Deborah Mash, founder of DemeRx, a company developing addiction treatments derived from ibogaine compounds. “It heals the brain,” Mash said.

The result: Users who take ibogaine do not feel cravings or the sickening symptoms of withdrawals, Mash said. Their mood also improves, she said.

In 1993, the Food and Drug Administration gave approval to Mash, a longtime University of Miami brain researcher, to run a clinical trial to gauge ibogaine’s safety in cocaine users. The trial was not completed because of a lack of funding. Mash continued her research by establishing an ibogaine clinic on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, where she said she treated nearly 300 patients safely.

No U.S. clinical trials have been completed on ibogaine.

Safety concerns spurred NIDA to shelve its ibogaine research in 1995. Preliminary research showed it killed certain brain cells in rats and disrupted heart rhythms and showed the potential for fatal arrhythmia, recalled Frank J. Vocci, who presided over NIDA’s ibogaine research at the time.

Even in therapeutic doses, ibogaine blocks a critical protein that can cause a delay in cardiac electrical signals, according to Mark Haigney, director of cardiology at the Uniformed Services University. It prolongs the QT interval, a standard measurement of how long it takes the heart to recharge as it beats, he testified at an October hearing of the Kentucky commission that considered allocating millions to research ibogaine.

“To safely use ibogaine, you’d have to do a great deal of heart screening,” Haigney testified, saying he does not believe the FDA will approve the compound.

NIDA Director Nora Volkow said ibogaine holds promise but researchers need to isolate a version that does not disrupt the heart, or establish methods to determine who may be genetically at risk from the drug.

“The issue of [cardiac] toxicity is real,” Volkow said in an interview.

Ibogaine advocates say the heart dangers can be managed or overcome and argue potential health benefits outweigh the risks.

Ibogaine across the border

With the United States in the throes of unprecedented addiction and mental health crises, some users struggling with addiction travel to Mexico, where ibogaine clinics are legal. Some are staffed with doctors and nurses, have strict safety protocols and are government regulated. Others are informal operations run from private homes. Treatment isn’t cheap.

At Beond, an ibogaine clinic in Cancún that features yoga, meditation and fitness programs, clients pay $9,500 to $15,000 for stays generally lasting at least 10 days. Co-founder Tom Feegel said the clinic has treated more than 650 clients and that about three-quarters of clients given ibogaine for substance use do not relapse.

Companies hope to develop ibogaine treatments without the hallucinogenic trip. The promise of psychedelic medicine has drawn deep-pocketed investors in recent years, with billionaire venture capitalists Peter Thiel and Christian Angermayer backing the biopharmaceutical company Atai Life Sciences, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman chairing a firm that aims to shepherd psychedelics through clinical trials. Atai is leading a clinical trial in the United Kingdom on an ibogaine-derived treatment for opioid withdrawal and relapse prevention.

Investors have poured more than $100 million into Delix Therapeutics in Boston to develop treatments for mental health conditions, with an ibogaine-derived compound aimed at treating the use of opioids and stimulants. In December, NIDA awarded the company a $320,000 grant to advance the drug, which the company says appeared safe in an initial clinical trial. Delix’s chief scientific officer, Kurt Rasmussen, envisions patients taking the medication as pills that don’t require medical monitoring. “They can take it at home,” Rasmussen said.

The Stanford study was funded by billionaire venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson and his wife, Genevieve, and the Sergey Brin Family Foundation, established by the co-founder of Google, underscoring the growing interest in psychedelics by tech industry leaders.

There’s interest, too, from the same group on the cusp of winning federal approval for the therapeutic use of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy.

Rick Doblin, founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies — known as MAPS — described his own experience with the iboga plant decades ago as “one of the most important psychedelic experiences of my life.” He wants to create a coalition that could combine philanthropy with public funding to develop ibogaine without resorting to patents that would make the medicine more expensive.

An ambitious plan stalls

Last spring, the idea of a public-private partnership to study ibogaine was floated by Hubbard, the former Kentucky official. He chaired the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, responsible for allocating half of nearly $842 million the state is receiving from drug companies, distributors and pharmacies to settle lawsuits alleging they flooded the state with prescription pain pills.

Hubbard secured support from the state’s attorney general at the time. The plan called for the commission to allocate up to $42 million to help a private “research entity” pay for ibogaine clinical trials. Before settlement money would be spent, the entity would need FDA approval for clinical trials and match any contributions from the state, Hubbard said.

“I said we have got to pursue our Manhattan Project opportunity to use a small portion of this money to fund a therapeutic breakthrough,” Hubbard said.

Advocates hailed the plan as a seminal moment for research into a drug they believe could prove better than buprenorphine and methadone, drugs taken to curb cravings of opioids and stave off withdrawals.

Skeptics criticized the plan as a wasteful, risky gamble that would help private companies, not Kentuckians struggling with addiction. Dimitri Mugianis, an activist prosecuted for providing underground ibogaine treatment, believes in the drug’s promise — but did not support the research plan, saying the millions of dollars it cost would benefit too few people. “In a way this is research for a boutique treatment,” Mugianis said.

Kentucky’s new attorney general pushed Hubbard out of the commission and suggested his office had other priorities.

Proponents say using ibogaine treatments for veterans may make approval an easier sell. The federal defense spending bill passed in December authorized expanded research into psychedelics to treat PTSD and traumatic brain injuries for active-duty service members.

The Stanford study , published in Nature Medicine, found that in the 30 Special Operations veterans, ibogaine combined with magnesium — added to prevent risks to the heart — “safely and effectively” reduced symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression.

Participants selected through a nonprofit, Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, underwent testing at Stanford before traveling to a Tijuana-area clinic run. Patients call the psychedelic trip a “slide show” or a “life review” of memories, including early childhood traumas, said Nolan Williams, an associate professor of psychiatry who ran the Stanford study and is director of Stanford’s Brain Stimulation lab.

Participants experienced on average a nearly 90 percent reduction in symptoms of PTSD and depression one month later. Researchers reported improvements in concentration, information processing and memory. The study had limits: It included a small number of subjects, and researchers could not determine the effect of participants’ beliefs that ibogaine would help or the contribution of treatments such as coaching and group activities.

Alan K. Davis, director of the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at Ohio State University, said the study “adds very little” to what is known about how ibogaine works for vets with PTSD. “We published data from much larger samples and longer follow up,” Davis said, referring to a study showing results similar to the Stanford findings.

The long-term effectiveness of ibogaine treatment is not well established, he said.

“It may only help in the short term for most people. For many, ongoing clinical aftercare therapy and other forms of treatment may be needed,” Davis wrote in an email.

Can the psychedelic in magic mushrooms treat depression? Ohio State professor weighs in

Buckeyes may be synonymous with Ohio State University, but it's magic mushrooms being studied by researchers there that could unlock new treatments for mental illnesses within the next few years.

Psilocybin, the naturally occuring psychedelic component of magic mushrooms , and a synthetic version of it coupled with intensive therapy is in clinical trials at Ohio State, said Dr. Alan Davis, an associate professor and director of the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at the university.

The trials, Davis said, have the potential to revolutionize the way doctors treat things like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

Davis is set to give a free public lecture on the use of psychedelics to treat depression at 4 p.m. on Feb. 26 at Gravity Events Center , 480 W Broad St., in Columbus' Franklinton neighborhood.

But before the talk, Davis spoke with The Dispatch about where the research trials stand and the potential for treatment to become available in the near future. The following interview with Davis has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: How does psychedelic therapy work and what does it do?

A: These are very high doses that we are giving with two trained professionals in medically observed circumstances. We have 13 hours of therapy that's associated with these treatments. ...

You have this high dose of a psychedelic, and then we have therapy in the days and weeks after each of the dosing sessions in order to help people integrate these experiences that they've had under the psychedelic effect into their daily life. ...

We know from some studies that have been completed that there are different parts of the brain that psilocybin affects.

Some people describe it as like a reset. When you introduce psilocybin into the brain, what you see is that different parts of the brain might start communicating in new ways.

Q: When will Ohioans be able to get psychedelic therapy?

A: We're actually in the final stages of this process.

It is currently under Phase 3 trials. From an FDA standpoint, you have to go through Phase 1, 2 and 3 trials before you can apply for FDA approval. This is currently in the last stage of Phase 3 trials.

Read More: Is suicide on the rise among Ohio kids? Here's what parents need to know

If (those trials are) successful and if the FDA agrees with the success of those studies, then the FDA could be making a determination about psilocybin therapy being available to the public within the next two to three years. ...

We believe that there's already enough writing on the wall about the data around this topic, and it's a very strong likelihood that it's going to be approved by the FDA.

Q: Is there a lot of interest in this type of treatment?

A: This is an emerging area because there's a huge unmet need by our current treatment system and people with depression.

Often — even if they have access to treatment — those who do often cycle through a variety of medications, sometimes with little to no effect.

Even if medications work, they often come with side effects that are unacceptable and intolerable to people. ... Some treatments don't work for people, even if they've tried multiple things. People need more options and psychedelic therapy might be one of those options. ...

Once it's approved, we need to start training not only clinicians and providers to be able to conduct these treatments, but we also need to start training and helping to educate communities and people and families who might have loved ones get these treatments. ...

Those folks are going to need to have a better understanding about what psychedelics are and accurate science and data that's not been misreported by government. and policy.

Q: How do you respond to someone who might criticize this kind of treatment as 'just getting high?'

A: This is something that people get one to two doses of this substance under very controlled psychological and medical infrastructure, and it's done in the context of really deep thoughtful psychotherapy.

So, yes, people have a drug experience, but I would think of that question as more of a question that comes from the system that we currently live in that stigmatizes substance use and getting high as somehow negative.

Read More: 'Something is happening': As suicides rise among Black girls, local leaders take action

Actually, substances have been used for thousands of years ... Psychoactive drugs have been used to guide spiritual exploration and psycho spiritual and personal development and rites of passage.

It's only been the last 100 years, and really the last 50 of which in particular, where we have changed the cultural significance of psychoactive substance experiences and started pathologizing it.

Q: Has there been any political pushback to psychedelic therapy trials?

A: The good news is that (in order to) be able to launch clinical trials here, we've already had those conversations.

I actually had to go all the way through having meetings with Gov. Mike DeWine to educate him on the topic of psychedelic therapy.

OSU wasn't going to jeopardize their standing as a university here in Ohio for this controversial work unless we had that buy in. So the good news is we have buy in from a lot of different levels of government here in Ohio.

Surprisingly as well, it seems to have less of a political divide than you might think because folks on both sides of the political aisle view this as something that has a potential to positively affect people that they care about.

We're definitely going to deal with the stigma of drug policy and how that's unfortunately led to a lot of misinformation about psychedelic substances. But hopefully, once we start getting approval of things in the next couple of years, that will slowly start to change that narrative.

[email protected]

Click to download our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide

Register for free Introductory Q&A on 3/27/24 at 4:30 PST

Register for Free Intro Q&A: 3/27/24: 4:30 PST

How to Find a Psychedelic Guide or Trip Sitter Near Me

• Jimmy Nguyen

While research into the potential for psychedelic substances to treat mental health disorders isn’t new, it has received a lot of exciting mainstream attention over the past few years. And for good reason, as psychedelics may be able to treat patients where conventional Western medicines have failed.

More and more people have been exploring alternative states of consciousness, but understand that doing so alone may cause unnecessary risks. Unfortunately, these same folks don’t have a trained and knowledgeable person in their network to help. Many are left wondering how to find a psychedelic guide or trip sitter.

The answer to that question depends on one factor: whether you already have access to the psychedelic substance or will need to rely on the facilitator to provide. In this article, we’ll discuss what psychedelic guides and trip sitters do, options if you don’t have access to psychedelic substances, alternative options if you do, and the vital importance of getting to know your facilitator.

Download Our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide

For harm-reduction purposes, we provide links to online psilocybin vendors, local stores, delivery services, and spore vendors for growing your own medicine at home.

What is a Psychedelic Guide or Trip Sitter?

Although psychedelics are generally considered safe , to fully access their benefits, it is recommended to seek the assistance of a mental health professional, guide, or trip sitter. These individuals are prepared to help you navigate the psychedelic experience, mitigating what could be considered a “ bad trip. ”

Mental health professionals have varying experiences and opinions when it comes to psychedelics, though most won’t work directly with psychedelics due to licensure issues. Psychedelic guides are the people who facilitate intentional psychedelic experiences. They’ll generally know what things to discuss before and after the session and may possibly ask questions during the trip itself.

A psychedelic guide differs from a trip sitter in that they’ll take a more active role in guiding the psychedelic experience, whereas the main focus of a trip sitter is harm reduction.

Both should be trained in harm reduction principles and know how to minimize fear and anxiety. Most importantly, they’ll be present throughout the entire experience, ensuring that the participant is safe, both mentally and physically from beginning to end.

A Note on Psychedelic Integration Specialists

In another article we discuss what exactly psychedelic integration is , but the main takeaway is that integration specialists help you prepare for and discuss intentional psychedelic experiences and their meaning. This is vitally important work, and integration is a core component of maintaining lasting benefit from a psychedelic experience.

An integration specialist won’t supply psychedelics and many cannot provide direct in-person support while you are actively having a psychedelic trip (due to licensure)—meaning there is a gap in the continuity of care unless you seek out a trip sitter or guide.

We never suggest doing psychedelics alone. Professional guides and trip sitters are available to support you during your psychedelic experience, while an integration specialist supports you before and after the trip. Psychedelic trip sitting and integration services should be in tandem, so that an individual has support before, during, and after a psychedelic experience.

That’s exactly what we do here at Psychedelic Passage—help facilitate meaningful experiences with psychedelics. All of our trip sitting programs include pre-trip preparation, in-person support during the experience, and post-event integration sessions. If you want to increase the likelihood of experiencing the long-lasting and positive effects of psychedelics while minimizing the risk of a “bad trip,” we suggest you book a call with one of our guides or trip sitters today .

So, you’re interested in a psychonautic adventure, and want some support during the way? Here are four tips to help you find a psychedelic guide or trip sitter.

Finding a Guide or Trip Sitter if You DON’T Have Access to Psychedelics

Legal resources.

In the United States, there are only a few ways to legally seek the help of a psychedelic guide who also supplies the substance. This is all expected to change in the coming years with psilocybin and MDMA most likely receiving approval for therapeutic use by 2021 and 2022 , respectively. As for now, the options to find a psychedelic guide or trip sitter who can legally source substances include participating in a clinical trial, seeking cannabis assisted psychotherapy, or seeking ketamine assisted psychotherapy.

Clinical Trials

If you suffer from issues such as PTSD, depression, OCD, or anxiety, you may be particularly interested in clinical trials. You may even find a clinical trial suitable for unique conditions like cluster headaches, Parkinson’s disease psychosis, or hepatic impairment. Some are even studying the effects of psychedelics on healthy participants.

Many universities and organizations are constantly involved in psychedelic research, and they are also looking for study participants. It’s not uncommon to find clinical trial opportunities for a range of psychedelics, from cannabis and ketamine to MDMA, psilocybin, and LSD.

You can view the options for the clinical trials which are currently accepting patients by visiting ClinicalTrials.gov. Simply enter the condition or disease you seek treatment for, enter the psychedelic substance you wish to use, and select your country. The site will display all search results relevant to your query. Also, check out our extensive guide on How to Join a Clinical Trial in 3 Steps .

Cannabis Assisted Psychotherapy

With cannabis becoming increasingly legalized around the US, some states are now home to cannabis-assisted therapy practitioners who focus on the mental and physical health benefits of intentional cannabis use. What this typically means is that cannabis is used in a controlled manner with a guide who is trained with therapy and psychedelics.

Cannabis has been studied for its benefits in addressing symptoms of chronic pain, schizophrenia, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, urinary tract symptoms, glaucoma, Tourette syndrome, PTSD, social anxiety, and more. Cannabis assisted therapy can supplement these benefits, while also helping the sufferer feel more in control over their lives and discover a sense of purpose.

There are many practitioners of varying backgrounds offering this service. But if you prefer working with a licensed therapist, we suggest checking out a resource like MAPS integration list and doing a search for licensed practitioners that offer cannabis assisted therapy.

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

Unlike most psychedelics that are still considered illegal substances, ketamine is a Schedule III drug, meaning that it has some “medically accepted uses.” While not technically recognized as a treatment for anything beyond its traditional use as an anesthetic, “ off-label use ” is permitted for licensed practitioners, and there are many therapeutic ketamine clinics operating throughout the United States.

Ketamine has proven to be very promising when it comes to treating mental health issues, particularly treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine also demonstrates potential when it comes to other mental illnesses like PTSD, anxiety, OCD, and bipolar disorder.

In fact, ketamine is considered by some to be one of “the most interesting developments in the pharmacology of depression and pain.” Many people respond positively to ketamine assisted therapy and in a world where conventional medicines aren’t keeping up with rates of mental illness, it’s no wonder that ketamine is viewed as such a promising therapy option. If you want to learn more about therapeutic ketamine, check out our in depth guide on “ Finding a Ketamine Clinic Near Me .”

Check out International Resources

Though we understand that international travel has its challenges due to Covid-19, it is worth mentioning that legal psychedelic retreats are being held each year in various countries. Certain psychedelics are legal in some countries and others offer legal protection for traditional medicines. In countries like Portugal, all drugs are decriminalized, and, in many cases, the consumption of psychedelics is allowed by local law enforcement.

Ayahuasca Retreats

While some groups in the US are able to provide sessions, it is fully legal in other countries like Ecuador, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Peru. There are many different retreats, all meeting different needs and budgets.

Psilocybin Retreats

There are some countries and locations where psilocybin mushrooms are completely legal, such as Brazil, Jamaica, and the British Virgin Islands. In the Netherlands, there’s a loophole that allows the use of psilocybin-containing truffles. In Canada, magic mushroom microdoses are available for purchase. Several psilocybin retreats are held every month in Amsterdam, and you can also find a few scattered throughout the year in Mexico and Jamaica.

If you’re certain that a trip abroad is in line for you and your psychedelic journey, we suggest checking out a site like Retreat Guru to understand what your options are. We know how complex and overwhelming the search can be for a psychedelic retreat. That’s why we suggest reading reviews, asking lots of questions, and using your intuition.

Finding a Guide or Trip Sitter if You DO Have Access to Psychedelics

Psychedelic passage’s trip sitting program.

We created our Trip Sitting Program because we recognize that the soonest legal psilocybin therapy program is a few years away, yet people need support having safe and meaningful psychedelic experiences today. Our services are available in many states and our trip sitters emphasize safety and harm reduction while co-creating a nonjudgmental space for the plant medicine to do its work, and for you to receive the benefit.

We believe that you have rights regarding your mental and physical well being, and that you should choose a guide or trip sitter that is best for you. Fortunately, there are many great options available. If you think we may be of service to you, book a discovery call with one of our facilitators. Please note that we cannot provide you with psychoactive substances.

Get to Know Your Guide

Once you’ve narrowed down your practitioner options, it’s time to begin the vetting process. It might sound intense, but taking the time to research your guide or care provider can make all the difference in a life-altering experience versus an uncomfortable one.

If possible, we encourage you to meet your practitioner before your psychedelic experience. It may sound silly, but take time to ensure that you generally get along with and have a rapport with your guide or trip sitter. Also take this time to get to know your guide, understand their process and general philosophy, and ask any questions. Here are some questions we love to ask:

• What is your personal experience with psychedelics? (We only suggest doing working with practitioners who have first-hand intentional experience with the substance)
• Why do you do this work?
• What safety and harm reduction practices do you have in place?

You should also use this time to get to know the location and immediate area where you will have your psychedelic experience. If you are traveling, take time to explore your surroundings and develop some familiarity with the area.

Speak With a Psychedelic Guide Today

There’s no doubt that our society still has a long way to progress when it comes to these medicines. The benefits of psychedelics are beyond promising—especially to sufferers who need them. We have nearly half a century of research demonstrating how psychedelics are not only safe but have a massive potential to improve mental health.

Unfortunately, not all psychedelics are legal in the US—but this is changing. State-approved psychedelic therapy programs are a few years away and guiding and trip sitting services are becoming more accessible as major cities continue to decriminalize psychedelics. The silver lining here is that this field is evolving, and it’s doing so quickly.

If you’re looking for an experienced trip sitter to facilitate a safe and impactful psychedelic experience, you’ve come to the right place. Our pre-vetted network of local, U.S. guides would be honored to assist you in your sacred journey, simply book a consultation with our concierges to get started. To learn more about psychedelic healing, visit our resources page !

Frequently Asked Questions About Psychedelic Therapy

Q: what is psychedelic therapy .

Psychedelic therapy refers to a therapeutic approach that utilizes psychedelic substances, such as magic mushrooms containing psilocybin, to facilitate psychological healing, personal development, and exploration of consciousness. It involves the careful administration of psychedelics in a controlled and supportive environment under the guidance of trained professionals.

Q: How can psychedelic therapy benefit mental illnesses? 

Psychedelic therapy has shown promising results in treating various mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. Research suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapy can lead to profound emotional breakthroughs, expanded self-awareness, and increased introspection, which can contribute to healing and transformative experiences.

Q: Is there a training program for professionals in psychedelic therapy? 

Yes, there are training programs available for professionals interested in practicing psychedelic therapy. These programs typically offer comprehensive education on the therapeutic use of psychedelics, including theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and ethical considerations. Participants can earn certificates or credentials upon completion, allowing them to integrate psychedelic therapy into their practice.

Q: What is the role of approved clinical trials and psilocybin research? 

Approved clinical trials and ongoing psilocybin research play a critical role in expanding our understanding of the therapeutic potential and safety of psychedelics. These studies help establish evidence-based guidelines, refine protocols, and explore the specific applications of psychedelic therapy for various mental health conditions. Institutions like Johns Hopkins University have been at the forefront of psilocybin research and clinical trials.

Q: Can psychedelic therapy have spiritual significance? 

For many individuals, psychedelic therapy can have profound spiritual significance. The experiences induced by psychedelics may lead to a sense of connection with something greater than oneself, spiritual insights, or a deepening of one’s personal beliefs. However, it is important to note that the spiritual significance of psychedelic experiences can vary greatly among individuals and is not a guaranteed outcome.

Q: How does psychedelic therapy integrate into everyday life? 

The integration of psychedelic therapy into everyday life is an essential aspect of the process. After the therapeutic session, individuals engage in an experiential learning process where they reflect on their experiences, seek support from therapists or integration specialists, and apply the insights gained to their daily lives. This integration phase helps individuals incorporate the transformative aspects of psychedelic therapy into their relationships, behaviors, and overall well-being.

Q: Can psychedelic therapy help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? 

Psychedelic therapy has shown promising results in the treatment of PTSD. Clinical trials have demonstrated that psychedelic-assisted therapy can help individuals process traumatic experiences, alleviate symptoms of PTSD, and improve overall well-being. However, it is important to approach psychedelic therapy for PTSD under the guidance of trained professionals and within approved clinical trials or legal frameworks.

Looking for a professionally supported in-person psychedelic experience?

Take the first step and book a consultation call with us today. We'll walk you through every step of the process after getting to know you and your unique situation.

Related posts

Where to find online us-based psychedelic therapy 2023.

As the world becomes more digital every day, more people are turning to online therapy as a way to transform and heal themselves for personal

How to Discuss Psychedelics With Your Healthcare Provider

Psychedelics are a popular topic nowadays, partly because psychedelic users are no longer keeping their use a secret. People from all walks of life are

At Psychedelic Passage, we offer professional 1-on-1 guidance and companionship on your journey of healing. We simply can't sit back and let Americans continue to sit in silent suffering trying to battle mental health issues within a broken health care system, all while knowing that effective alternatives exist. We stand for the sacred, at-home, ceremonial use of psychedelics for consciousness exploration, which we believe to be a fundamental human right.

Everything you need to know about how our service works

See the questions most of our clients ask

All you need for proper preparation, integration and ceremony

Sign up for our newsletter and get our free psilocybin sourcing guide

We only send you what you need to know to use psychedelics for your healing journey.

• Website by SQ
• Privacy policy
• Terms of use
• © Psychedelic Passage. All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: Psychedelic Passage does not provide psychoactive or controlled substances. Many controlled substances are illegal. The illegal use of a controlled substance may result in criminal consequences. Using controlled substances outside of the lawful supervision of a medical professional may also result in serious health complications including death. We are not licensed therapists, counselors, or medical professionals. We are not spiritual guides or scientists. We are a harm reduction company. Please use your discretion and consult a medical professional to ensure our services meet your needs. Any referrals to third parties that we may provide are informational, for your convenience only, and based on the criteria you provide to us. You are solely responsible for making a selection of a practitioner or other service and determining whether he/she/they are appropriate for you. No referral is an endorsement or recommendation of the practitioner or their services. Please conduct your due diligence on any practitioner you use. We do not provide referrals to “underground” (illegal) psychedelic services. Any information received through our services should be considered for educational purposes and not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. Please use your discretion and consult with a medical professional to ensure our services meet your needs.

13918 E. Mississippi Ave. #68175 Aurora, CO 80012

Search for anything like: microdosing, dosage, integration

Get Your Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide!

Just tell us where to send it…

Download Our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide!

Congratulations we've sent the sourcing guide to your inbox. .

You can now close this window.

• Share full article

Powerful Psychedelic Gains Renewed Attention as a Treatment for Opioid Addiction

New research is stirring interest in ibogaine, which appears to help ease the agony of detox and prevent relapse. Used in other countries, it remains illegal in the U.S.

Yellow iboga fruit (Tabernanthe iboga). Credit... Alamy

Supported by

By Andrew Jacobs

Andrew Jacobs, who writes about psychedelic medicine, reported from Louisville, Ky.

• March 5, 2024

Ibogaine, a formidable psychedelic made from the root of a shrub native to Central Africa, is not for the timid. It unleashes a harrowing trip that can last more than 24 hours, and the drug can cause sudden cardiac arrest and death.

But scientists who have studied ibogaine have reported startling findings. According to a number of small studies, between a third and two-thirds of the people who were addicted to opioids or crack cocaine and were treated with the compound in a therapeutic setting were effectively cured of their habits , many after just a single session .

Ibogaine appears to provide two seemingly distinct benefits. It quells the agony of opioid withdrawal and cravings and then gives patients a born-again-style zeal for sobriety .

Now, after decades in the shadows, and with opioid overdose deaths exceeding 100,000 a year, ibogaine is drawing a surge of fresh interest from researchers who believe it has the potential to treat opioid use disorder .

“It’s not an exaggeration to say that ibogaine saved my life, allowed me to make amends with the people I hurt and helped me learn to love myself again,” said Jessica Blackburn, 37, who is recovering from heroin addiction and has been sober for eight years. “My biggest frustration is that more people don’t have access to it.”

That’s because ibogaine is illegal in the United States. Patients have to go abroad for ibogaine therapy, often at unregulated clinics that provide little medical oversight.

Kentucky and Ohio are considering proposals to spend millions of dollars of opioid settlement money on clinical trials for ibogaine therapy. And federal drug researchers have signaled a willingness to allow the drug to be studied again — more than 40 years after regulators pulled the plug on research over concerns about the drug’s cardiac risks.

The drug company Atai Life Sciences is spending millions to research the compound, and congressional lawmakers from both parties have been pushing the government to promote ibogaine research for substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems.

For Dr. Deborah Mash, a professor of neurology at the University of Miami who began studying ibogaine in the early 1990s, the soaring interest is a vindication of her belief that the compound could help ameliorate the opioid crisis. “Ibogaine is not a silver bullet, and it won’t work for everybody, but it’s the most powerful addiction interrupter I’ve ever seen,” she said.

Researchers have also been studying ibogaine’s ability to treat other difficult mental health problems. A small study published earlier this year in the journal Nature Medicine found that military veterans with traumatic brain injuries who underwent a single ibogaine therapy session experienced marked improvements in disability, psychiatric symptoms and cognition.

No adverse side effects were reported among the study’s 30 participants, who were followed for a month. There was no control group.

Dr. Nolan Williams, the study’s lead author, said the results were especially notable given the lack of therapeutic options for traumatic brain injuries.

“These are the most dramatic drug effects I’ve ever captured in an observational study,” said Dr. Williams, who is the director of the Brain Stimulation Lab at Stanford University .

He and other researchers are quick to acknowledge the limitations of existing science on ibogaine therapy. “Without a greenlight to conduct studies from the F.D.A., you just can’t do the kind of randomized trials that are the gold standard for clinical studies,” Dr. Williams said.

Ibogaine is known to induce arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, which in severe cases can lead to fatal cardiac arrest.

Other researchers are more skeptical of its potential as a broadly accessible anti-addiction therapy. William Stoops, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Kentucky who specializes in substance use disorders, said ibogaine’s cardiac risks made it a poor candidate for regulatory consideration.

Even if ibogaine were to receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration, the tattered health of many long-term opioid users, many of whom have cardiovascular problems, would make them ineligible for treatment, Dr. Stoops said. And the high cost of providing ibogaine in a medically supervised setting would further reduce the pool of potential patients, he added. “Access would be so restricted that how many people could benefit?” he asked.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health, has already begun funding studies (that are not trials involving humans) on ibogaine analogues , chemically related compounds that might provide the therapeutic benefits without the health risks. The agency’s director, Dr. Nora Volkow, said she had long been intrigued by ibogaine’s anti-addiction potential — and wary of its cardiac risks.

But existing treatments for opioid use disorder, like methadone and buprenorphine, are imperfect, she noted, and half of all patients stop taking them after six months.

“In addition to existing effective medications, there is a need for treatment options that are different from the ones we currently have,” Dr. Volkow said. “We need to break the way we have been doing things and explore what the science is showing us.”

The F.D.A. said it could not comment on whether it would support ibogaine studies in the future, noting that federal law prohibits the agency from commenting on prospective investigational drug applications .

Interest in psychedelic medicine has been soaring in recent years, thanks to an expanding body of research suggesting that mind-altering substances like MDMA and psilocybin mushrooms are effective at treating a broad range of mental health conditions, from depression and anxiety to eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Oregon, Colorado and more than a dozen U.S. cities have decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms. Ketamine infusion clinics have been popping up across the country.

One of the main obstacles to studying ibogaine is its classification as a Schedule I drug — a compound with “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” according to the Drug Enforcement Administration .

Many researchers say that categorization is flawed.

“People are not taking it to go to raves or to end up in cuddle puddles,” said Dr. Gul Dolen, a neuroscientist at the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics at the University of California, Berkeley, who has been studying ibogaine’s effects on the brain. “Most people who do it say they never want to take it again.”

The drug, made from the root bark of Tabernanthe iboga, has long been an integral part of healing and rite-of-passage rituals in Gabon. The renewed interest in ibogaine as a treatment for opioid-use disorder mirrors the trajectory of other psychedelic compounds whose therapeutic promise was embraced by researchers in the 1960s, only to be dashed during President Richard M. Nixon’s war on drugs.

But in the early 1990s, Dr. Mash and other researchers wondered if ibogaine could help address the crack epidemic that was convulsing American cities. The National Institute of Drug Abuse began funding animal studies, and the early results on drug-addicted rodents were so encouraging that the F.D.A. approved human trials.

Dr. Mash’s interest in ibogaine’s anti-addictive potential was piqued during a 1993 visit to the Netherlands, where she observed a group of heroin addicts undergoing ibogaine treatment at a hotel. The following morning, three patients gathered for breakfast, which was surprising given that most people in the throes of opioid withdrawal have no interest in eating or socializing. The three men remarked on how well they felt — and said that they had no desire to get high. “That was the most exciting part,” Dr. Mash said. “You could see that ibogaine was allowing them to contemplate life without drugs.”

Throughout that decade, she continued working with ibogaine at a clinic on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts that largely served Americans. But in 1995, when NIDA discontinued ibogaine funding over its heart dangers, Dr. Mash was crestfallen. None of the nearly 300 patients treated on St. Kitts had experienced heart problems, she said, in large part because the clinic screened out patients with existing cardiovascular issues and employed electrocardiograms during the treatments.

Other doctors and addiction experts who work with ibogaine say the drug’s heart risks can be effectively mitigated. In addition to pre-treatment screening and cardiac monitoring, providers have found that administering magnesium before and during ibogaine treatments effectively addressed the risks.

Dr. Martín Polanco, a psychedelic researcher and the medical director of the Mission Within , a clinical program that helps veterans with traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress and addiction issues, said he had administered ibogaine to more than 1,000 Special Operations veterans without adverse reactions.

In Brazil, an ibogaine program that largely treats crack addiction has not reported any deaths among patients since it began operating in 1994, according to Dr. Bruno Rasmussen, the program’s chief medical officer.

The clinic , which operates out of a hospital in São Paulo state, has treated more than 2,500 people, and Dr. Rasmussen said 72 percent of all patients maintained their sobriety years after their initial sessions.

Juliana Mulligan, a psychotherapist and former opioid user from New York, keenly understands ibogaine’s risks. In 2011, she suffered a series of cardiac arrests after undergoing treatment at an ibogaine clinic in Guatemala. The clinic, she later found out, had inadvertently given her double the standard dose, which is typically determined by a patient’s body weight.

“When I came to in the hospital, I didn’t care about the near-death experiences because I felt so great and wasn’t in withdrawal,” Ms. Mulligan said. “In fact, one of my first thoughts was, ‘Wow, this is the future of opioid treatment.’”

Ms. Mulligan says she hasn’t had a craving since. She went on to get a social work degree and has since become a consultant for ibogaine-related projects.

There are dozens of ibogaine clinics around the world, the majority of them in Mexico, but Ms. Mulligan recommends just five of them to clients.

“There are a lot of problematic and untrained people working in the field, which is why it would be helpful for ibogaine treatment to be studied, regulated and administered in a medically monitored setting here in the U.S.,” she said.

Those who have taken ibogaine liken the experience to a vivid waking dream, one that leads you on a seemingly methodical review of unpleasant life events, especially traumatic ones.

Ms. Blackburn, the recovering addict from Kentucky, recalled watching a disembodied hand yank snippets of unsettling memory from filing cabinets. At one point, she experienced her own funeral through the eyes of her mother.

“It felt like I was battling for my life,” she said.

Scientists are not entirely sure how ibogaine works on the brain. Advanced neuroimaging and other studies suggest it stimulates the growth of new neurons and promotes neuroplasticity, a rewiring of the brain that is a hallmark of psychedelic medicine.

Such growth typically appears in the so-called critical period, when the brain most readily absorbs new information and experiences, peaks during childhood and steadily declines in adulthood.

Dr. Dolen of Johns Hopkins said that psychedelics appeared to spur the onset of a new critical period, and that the longer the psychedelic experience, the longer the critical period remained open. She said that most likely explained why ibogaine, which prompts the longest psychedelic trip known to researchers, could have such a profound effect on patients with seemingly intractable mental health problems.

Practitioners warn that ibogaine therapy is not for everyone. Dr. Rasmussen’s clinic in Brazil, for example, requires extensive preparation, including abstaining from drugs at least two weeks before the treatment and several weeks of counseling both before and after. “It’s hard work, and you have to be motivated, otherwise you won’t experience the benefits,” he said.

In the United States, the renewed interest in ibogaine has largely been fueled by the thousands of Americans who have sought treatment abroad and returned home with tales about overcoming addiction after a single session. The fact that many of them are military veterans has helped ease some of the longstanding institutional resistance to psychedelic medicine.

Since last year, a state commission in Kentucky, created and overseen by the state’s attorney general, Russell Coleman, a Republican, has been considering whether to spend $42 million of $800 million in opioid settlement funds on ibogaine research.

A spokesman for Mr. Coleman declined to comment on the initiative.

In Ohio, Bryan Hubbard, a policy analyst working with the state treasurer’s office and the REID Foundation on a similar initiative, noted that the state’s overdose death rate was 85 percent higher than the national average. “Ohio is uniquely positioned to be an international leader in developing ibogaine’s potential to treat opioid use disorder and other deaths of despair that are killing hundreds of thousands of Americans,” he said.

On the outskirts of downtown Louisville, where officials have been grappling with a surge of overdose deaths, there is widespread interest in ibogaine therapy, even if legally sanctioned treatment is years away.

“We got to try something, because we’re desperate,” Henry Lucas, the chief operating officer of the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition, who is in long-term recovery from opiate dependence, said one recent morning as he drove to a mobile health unit in West Louisville. When he arrived, a half-dozen people had already begun gathering for the protein bars, fentanyl test strips and warm clothing that are distributed for free.

Jason Rogers, 44, an electrician, stood in line, shivering and rail thin. His limbs bore the scars of a 20-year heroin habit that began when he sampled the Lortab painkillers in his grandfather’s medicine chest. “I started out getting high, but I’m just stuck in this cycle where I’m just chasing my tail,” he said.

Mr. Rogers said that he had been on and off methadone for years but that the fear of withdrawal had thwarted any meaningful recovery. Ibogaine, he had heard on the street, would help him through detox, but he doesn’t have the $5,000 that clinics in Mexico charge for the therapy.

“I’d do anything to get clean,” he said. “At this point, I need a miracle.”

Andrew Jacobs is a health and science reporter, based in New York. He previously reported from Beijing and Brazil and had stints as a metro reporter, Styles writer and national correspondent, covering the American South. More about Andrew Jacobs

Advances in Psychedelic Therapy

Psychedelics — though mostly still illegal — have surged in popularity in recent years as alternative treatments for mental health..

After decades of demonization and criminalization, psychedelic drugs are on the cusp of entering mainstream psychiatry , with U.S. combat veterans leading the lobbying effort .

Psychoactive mushrooms, legal in Oregon  but still illegal under federal law, are gaining popularity as therapy tools .

As psychedelics move from the underground to mainstream medicine, clinicians aspiring to work in the field are inducing altered states with deep breathing .

MDMA-assisted therapy , which seems to be effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, is inching closer to approval in the United States .

Ketamine has become increasingly popular as a therapy for treatment-resistant depression . But the misuse of the anesthetic drug has spurred F.D.A. warnings .

Many drugs known for mind-altering trips are being studied to treat depression, substance use and other disorders. This is what researchers have learned so far .

While psychedelics are showing real promise for therapeutic use, they can be dangerous for some. Here’s what to know about who should be cautious .

Advertisement

Leadership and Psychedelic Therapy with Sherry Rais Mind Your Leadership

Dive into a riveting conversation with Sherry Rais, the visionary CEO and Co-Founder of Enthea, as she takes us on a journey at the crossroads of leadership and transformative therapy in our latest podcast episode. **Embark on a Visionary's Quest:** Sherry wears many hats – from steering Enthea's ship to leading the Boston Psychedelic Research Group and advising at the intersection of strategic innovation with CIIS. Discover the passion propelling her mission to make psychedelic-assisted therapy accessible and how it's reshaping the narrative on mental health. **Beyond the Status Quo:** Explore the limitations of traditional mental health treatments and join Sherry in unveiling the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy to provide not just relief but lasting cures. Uncover the mechanism of action behind psychedelics and their brain-altering effects, promising newfound connections and increased neuroplasticity. **Leadership Illuminated:** Sherry unravels the growing interest among leaders in psychedelic therapy for personal optimization and tackling mental health challenges in the workplace. Delve into her approach to leadership, rooted in compassion and empathy, as she shares insights on creating a supportive and healing work environment. **A Tapestry of Chapters:** From Sherry's motivations to the effects of poverty and trauma on mental health, this episode weaves through the concept of psychedelic therapy, its mechanisms, outcomes, and the integration of compassion into leadership. Each chapter unfolds a layer of wisdom, leaving you hungry for more. **Quotes to Spark Intrigue:** "Psychedelic-assisted therapy has the potential to transform mental health treatment by providing lasting relief and even cures." "Leaders are increasingly interested in psychedelic therapy for personal optimization and addressing mental health challenges in the workplace." "Integrating compassion and empathy into leadership is essential for creating a supportive and healing work environment." **Unlocking the Future:** Immerse yourself in Sherry's recommendations for further learning and reflection, urging you to check in not just with yourself but with those around you. This episode isn't just a podcast – it's a portal to a future where leadership meets transformative therapy in an uncharted landscape of possibilities. Ready to embark on this mind-expanding journey with Sherry Rais? Tune in now and unlock the secrets to a leadership style that resonates with empathy and taps into the transformative power of psychedelic therapy. --------------------------------------------------------- Discover more of our content: ➡️ Website: {https://wisdomtolead.co/} ➡️ LinkedIn: {https://www.linkedin.com/company/wisdomtolead/} ➡️ Facebook: {https://www.facebook.com/Wisdom2Lead} ➡️ Instagram: {https://www.instagram.com/kerentsuk/?hl=en}

• More Episodes

Featured Topics

Featured series.

A series of random questions answered by Harvard experts.

Explore the Gazette

Read the latest.

Aspirin cuts liver fat in trial

First-ever transplant of pig kidney to patient a success

Parkinson’s warning in skin biopsy

John Moore/Getty Images

Treat addiction with psychedelics?

Despite promise of success stories from patients in recovery, Law School panel cautions that research is lacking on benefits vs. risks

Harvard Staff Writer

Mark Guckel had struggled with crack addiction since high school. Despite numerous attempts to overcome his substance use disorder, nothing helped. That is, until he tried psychedelic plants, such as ayahuasca , psilocybin , and ibogaine . The experience changed his life. Now a professional recovery coach, Guckel said psychedelics might hold a promise to treat addiction disorders.

Guckel shared his story of addiction and recovery during an online panel sponsored by the Petrie-Flom Center at Harvard Law School on Tuesday afternoon, “New Ideas for Substance Use Condition Treatment: Could Psychedelics Help?” But he warned that psychedelics is just one of many other treatments for substance-use disorders. Psilocybin and ibogaine are federally illegal in the U.S., with some exceptions for medical research.

“I can say that while psychedelics helped me to stop using substances, I’d like to reflect that these aren’t a cure,” said Guckel, a founder of a company that offers psychedelic-assisted recovery. “They are catalysts. They’re sacraments, they’re medicines, they’re tools. They’re one of many pathways. There are many other treatment modalities that are out there, from regular treatment to medication-assisted recovery to other holistic modalities that can help us live better lives.”

17% Of Americans over the past year have struggled with substance use disorder yet only 10% have accessed treatment

Accounts like Guckel’s and the idea that psychedelics might prompt a neurochemical reset in the brain have many looking to the approach as a promising treatment for addiction disorders. Around 17 percent of Americans have met criteria for a substance use disorder in the past year, said Stephanie Tabashneck , the event’s moderator. Yet fewer than 10 percent get treatment, she said.

“We have a treatment shortage. We also know that a lot of the treatments that we have are not particularly effective,” said Tabashneck, senior fellow of law and applied neuroscience, a collaboration between the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior and the Petrie-Flom Center.

After reminding the audience that none of the information shared in the panel should be considered legal or medical advice, Tabashneck offered a word of caution about psychedelics.

“Psychedelic therapy is not a replacement for medication treatments, like methadone for opioid-use disorder. All of our panelists will also agree that these are not first-line treatments. If someone has a substance-use disorder and it’s early, no one is recommending or suggesting that you should go ahead and try the psychedelics first as a method of treatment.”

Conventional treatments for addiction include behavioral therapies, such as contingency management and medication compliance therapy. There are also medication-assisted recovery treatments for opioid, alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis-use disorders. But the enthusiasm for psilocybin and ibogaine for treating substance-use conditions has been gradually increasing.

Panelist Mark Guckel describes how psychedelics helped him overcome an addiction to crack.

Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer

Panelist Mason Marks , visiting professor of law, Harvard Law School, and senior fellow and lead of the Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation at Petrie-Flom, highlighted the legal and medical concerns about psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, and ibogaine, a psychoactive substance found in iboga, a shrub that’s native to Central West Africa.

“Unlike psilocybin, there’s no clinical ibogaine research in the U.S. right now, and that’s likely due in part to the risk of cardiovascular adverse events,” said Marks. “Ibogaine has been linked to heart attacks and some deaths.”

Marks said there are efforts in some cities and states across the U.S. to decriminalize psilocybin. Last year, Oregon opened a state-regulated program for supervised administration of psilocybin, and next year, Colorado will open a similar program for psilocybin and possibly ibogaine to be used as a treatment for addiction under medical supervision, he said. But it won’t be without concerns.

“In light of the federal illegality of psilocybin and ibogaine, there are many unresolved legal questions, some challenging legal questions and questions of potential liability, as well for licensed healthcare professionals who choose to get involved in these programs,” Marks said.

Neuroscientist Deborah Mash , professor of neurology and molecular and cellular pharmacology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, has been studying the effects of ibogaine in substance-use disorders for more than three decades. She warned that it is not for everyone.

“I saw patients exhibit a remarkable recovery for a longstanding heroin abuse, cocaine-dependency disorder, including a young man who was on methadone maintenance who remarkably had no withdrawals, no cravings, and put their desire to go out and get and use drugs in remission,” said Mash, also the director of the Brain Endowment Bank at the University of Miami and chief executive officer and founder of DemeRx. “It’s a very powerful addiction interrupter.”

And yet, for people who may have an underlying psychiatric comorbidity like schizophrenia or a bipolar disorder diagnosis, psychedelics might pose a serious health risk, said Mash. She also warned against self-medication with psychedelics obtained through online distributors. “We want these molecules to be used in a medical way by qualified clinicians and therapists who understand these types of therapies and how they can work best.” 

Despite all the craze around psychedelics, little research has been done to prove their efficacy treating addiction disorders. Mash pleaded for more evidence-based research that could lead to regulatory approval and make such treatments safely available to those who are “suffering the most.” So far, what researchers have is anecdotal. “And we know that data are not the plural of anecdote,” she said.

Share this article

You might like.

10 percent reduction seen in small study of disease that affects up to a third of U.S. adults

Genetic editing improves compatibility, marks advance in organ shortage crisis

Medical office procedure identifies key biomarker that may lead to more reliable diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders

Maria Ressa named 2024 Commencement speaker

Nobel Prize-winning defender of press freedom will deliver principal address

The 20-minute workout

Pressed for time? You still have plenty of options.

Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians-Psilocybin

Affiliations.

• 1 Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV.
• 2 Department of Neurology, Carson Tahoe Health, Carson City, NV.
• 3 Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
• 4 Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
• 5 Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA.
• 6 Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
• 7 Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.
• 8 Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY.
• 9 Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY.
• 10 Fermata Health, Brooklyn, NY; and.
• 11 Acacia Clinics, Sunnyvale, CA.
• PMID: 38518269
• DOI: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000001724

Background: The primary psychoactive drug in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, induces profound alterations in consciousness through the 5-HT2A receptor. This review consolidates current research findings to elucidate the pharmacology, safety profile, and clinical applications of psilocybin.

Areas of uncertainty: Despite initial concerns that psilocybin could cause psychosis, contemporary research has demonstrated that psilocybin is generally safe. The most common adverse effects are nausea and headache, yet both tend to be transient. Serious adverse events can generally be avoided in controlled settings such as clinical trials. However, in the largest clinical trial to date, there were a total of 7 reported cases of suicidal ideation, up to 12 weeks after receiving a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin. That being said, all 7 cases did not respond to the treatment. Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may blunt the hallucinogenic qualities of psilocybin, preliminary research suggests that they may enhance its antidepressant effects.

Therapeutic advances: In clinical trials, psilocybin has shown promise for treating major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression. Initial studies indicated that 42%-57% of patients underwent remission after psilocybin-assisted therapy, which suggests that psilocybin is more effective than existing antidepressant medications. Clinical data have also demonstrated that psilocybin can manage substance use disorders and end-of-life anxiety with clinical outcomes that are sustained for months and sometimes years after 1 or 2 doses.

Limitations: However, larger Phase II trials with more than 100 depressed participants have shown a much smaller remission rate of 25%-29%, though these studies still observed that psilocybin causes a significant reduction in depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: Aside from ketamine, psilocybin is the most clinically well-researched psychedelic drug, with trials that have enrolled hundreds of participants and multiple therapeutic applications. Phase III trials will determine whether psilocybin lives up to the promise that it showed in previous clinical trials.

Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Cops Demand the Right for Cops to Do Psychedelic Drugs

A group of police officers is calling on the United Nations to help lead a narcotic revolution that would see cops do MDMA to help fight PTSD.

Mattha Busby

Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Getty

Sarko Gergerian, a Massachusetts police lieutenant, is not your average cop. He’s also a trained MDMA -assisted therapist. His police chief even gave him permission to take a trip with the medicine, also known as ecstasy or molly, during a clinical trial. “It opened my heart and mind,” he told The Daily Beast.

For decades in the U.S., police officers have served as the frontline troops in a militarized war on drugs in which millions were jailed for non-violent offenses. But a small cadre of serving and former police officers, in the U.S. and across the world, are—like Gergerian— finding that when used responsibly and therapeutically, some of the drugs can ease distress and make them happier.

On the sidelines of the United Nations’ annual Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna on Wednesday , Gergerian sat beside three former senior policemen as part of a panel organized by Law Enforcement Action Partnership ( LEAP ) titled “Why Police Need Access to Psychedelics Urgently”. They pressed authorities around the world to swiftly make MDMA -assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) available to their comrades both as a preventive medicine and treatment for PTSD , which is rampant and may affect as many as one-in-two officers. The scale of the mental health crisis in policing means that, in the U.S. and the U.K., officers are more likely to commit suicide than die on duty.

“MDMA can push treatment resistant PTSD into remission,” says Gergerian, who had a postgraduate qualification in mental health counseling before joining the police in 2010 initially as a patrol officer and is speaking in a personal capacity. “Why not create a wellness program for first responders with MDMA-AT built in so cops don’t get to the point where they’re blowing their own heads off with their guns.”

The origin of Gergerian’s training is a story for the ages. He attended a police chiefs’ conference in Florida in 2018 where the psychedelic healing advocate Rick Doblin, the founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) presented clinical data on the effectiveness of the empathogenic stimulant. “I was already a trained psychotherapist and I asked him, ‘How can I help with this?’” Gergerian recalls. “He answered: ‘Become a psychedelic-assisted therapist,’ And gave me his card.” Gergerian duly underwent MAPS’ 100-hour training programme and made an appearance in the Netflix psychedelics series How to Change Your Mind .

The crew in front of the flags – Woods is the white guy in the middle, blue suit. Sarko second right, Bilheran far right.

Now, Gergerian—the psychedelic healing lieutenant—is perhaps the most high profile advocate among serving police officers for psychedelic therapy. Already he has “held space” for veterans and retired police undergoing ketamine trips, and he stands ready to facilitate MDMA sessions for his fellow officers if the Food and Drugs Administration approves the therapy for the stress disorder in August, as expected. It seems far out—but with the U.S. Veterans Affairs department already funding a pilot scheme providing ketamine-assisted therapy to former soldiers, perhaps police officers will soon be able to access “the love drug” as part of their health insurance schemes.

Gergerian even thinks psychedelic therapy can help to heal the crisis in policing—where accusations of racial bias and fatal shootings have led to the “defund the police” movement. “Psychedelic-assisted therapies are the antidote to highly contagious infections like hate,” he says. “They will help create space so we can carefully move towards one another, listen, accept, and extend a hand in service to each other for the sake of our entire planet.”

Neil Woods , board member of LEAP and a U.K. former undercover detective who co-wrote the best-seller Good Cop, Bad War , also thinks that it may be better to heal police officers, and society-at-large, than defund the police. “The U.N. needs to start removing the barriers to psychedelic research and legalization,” says Woods, who organized the panel. “Nation states need to stand up and innovate for the sake of their cops too. The evidence is here: People are dying and we need to do something about it. We want psychedelic therapy ingrained to protect the mental health of police, as well as everyone else.”

Woods knows several police officers who have undergone psychedelic therapy. One was a detective sergeant at the time who drank ayahuasca, a visionary psychedelic brew from the Amazon, and rescued his mental health, and his marriage. He also became a better, kinder police officer, Woods says. Another is PC Paul Haylock, a serving officer of 22 years who recently told of how his experiences with ayahuasca in Peru. Psychedelics also turned his life around and helped him process trauma accrued from countless harrowing incidents and scant police aftercare. Serving officers in Canada have similar stories.

It’s no wonder so many cops are seeking their own solutions. “Police officers who were exposed to trauma in the war on drugs, now report that the effort did not limit access to drugs, but increased violence. Now they are fighting for psychedelics in the treatment of trauma and other psychological challenges,” Arild Knutsen, the head of Norway’s Association for Humane Drug Policies, who attended the panel, posted on X .

LEAP’s mental health in policing campaign comes as the severe lack of psychological and emotional support in forces around the world is driving an unprecedented exodus where record numbers across England and Wales and the U.S . are quitting. Others, like Fabien Bilheran, a retired French detective who spent eight years in the Paris “narcotics brigade” and was an ardent believer in the drug war when he began his policing career, have dawning realizations that they are part of the problem. He says this disillusionment, and the reaction to his attempts to raise awareness of the suffering resulting from the drug war, led him to attempt suicide in 2020.

“I was a fanatical enforcer of the drug war,” he recalls. “But when I realized that police violence made drug trafficking increase rather than go down, it was really bad for my mental health.” He says he was about to shoot himself while sitting in an impounded car in the police station but just as he was about to pull the trigger, the car alarm went off. “The car alarm saved my life,” Bilheran, who also shared his story during the panel discussion, told The Daily Beast. “It was like a wake up call.”

After that, he sought help outside of the police and received treatment for PTSD, but the sedating benzodiazepine drugs he was prescribed just made him slow and sleepy. He soon discovered that people were recommending other tools for fighting PTSD and he did therapeutic work with psychedelic mushrooms, LSD and 5-MeO-DMT. “I felt that all the people around me were connected,” re recalls. Bilheran says that his experiences with MDMA made it possible the co-writing a book , The Law of Silence, published in 2022, which highlights the issues he sees in the police force. “It helps me speak freely more easily and put words to my suffering,” he says.

Bilheran went to Mexico for some of his psychedelic experiences, but increasingly illegal psychedelic therapy is available under the radar and in some cases aboveboard in the U.S. and across Europe. Some underground psychedelic facilitators are ex-police officers and veterans. Luc Van Poelje—a former soldier who served in Iraq in 1991 and began facilitating mushroom truffle journeys in Holland after transformative 2013 ayahuasca and mushroom trips— has served psilocybin to around 30 serving police officers, from his own country, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. “Everyone is looking for healing, insights and inner peace,” he says. “It’s about remembering you’re part of a magical universe and you belong here, that you are loved. Police officers are often spat at, literally and figuratively, and that’s a lot to deal with.”

Sarko Gergerian with Rick Doblin

Ben Broughton, a cop for a decade in the U.K., was a proud of his work in the police. He rose to the rank of sergeant—arresting countless people for drug offenses—before going to work for the U.K.’s financial conduct authority. But he says a magic mushroom ceremony “changed his life” and transformed his perspective of himself, his work and his attitude towards drugs. So much so that he soon set about to train with a plant medicine shaman to become a medicine man himself. Fast forward five years and he’s holding his own ceremonies.

Doctors, lawyers and people from all sorts of professions attend, including two serving police officers. “They are both trying to change the police force from within the system,” says Broughton. “They’ve decided to focus on their own personal issues in ceremony and become more conscious police officers. If we can have a more conscious police service, that could be one hell of a change.” One of the officers is actively campaigning for drug law reform, too.

“We should have done things differently, but I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t been through those experiences,” says Broughton, alluding to the fact that he, like Bilheran and Woods, arrested countless people for drug crimes during his time in the force. “That was me once upon a time,” he adds, “but I’ve changed, mostly due to the medicine, and this is who I am now.”

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast  here .

READ THIS LIST