It’s Time to Start Studying the Downside of Psychedelics
Before psychedelic therapy and services becomes widely available, there needs to be a better understanding of all the ways these experiences can go wrong.
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Entheogens: A Brief History of Their Spiritual Use
To many people, the words psychedelic and spiritual are dissonant on first hearing. Yet the use of psychoactive sacraments in shamanic and religious practices is found throughout history. The word entheogen, used to describe certain plants and chemicals when used for spiritual purposes, emphasizes this long-established relationship. Following is a survey of the most historically prominent and widely used entheogens.
The Ethical and Ecological Considerations of Inhaling Bufotoxins from Incilius Alvarius
The consumption of 5-MeO-DMT by inhaling bufotoxins from the Colorado River toad (lat. Incilius Alvarius), also known as “Bufo Alvarius”, “El Sapo/Sapito”, “Bufo”, and “Toad”, has become increasingly popular in a variety of underground ceremonial settings in recent years. Furthermore, due to the realization of the potential 5-MeO-DMT holds for therapy it has also become a new interest in psychedelic research. When I started psychedelic research for my dissertation at Maastricht University in fall 2017, there was no research addressing the subjective effects from inhalation of bufotoxins in humans. Thus, I brought it upon myself to investigate this further as the consumption of the so-called “toad-medicine” was booming worldwide. The primary aim of the study was to investigate whether the bufotoxins from the toad, which is known to contain significant amounts of 5-MeO-DMT, as well as other compounds, produces long-lasting changes on affect and thinking style. The second objective was to assess whether the acute and long-term effects of the bufotoxins depend on the degree of ego dissolution and altered states of consciousness that was experienced during the ceremony. The preliminary evidence of this study was presented at the Beyond Psychedelics conference in Prague in June, and the recording of this presentation is now circling around on the web. Even though the study results are very interesting and important to highlight due to the consumption of the “toad-medicine” worldwide, I think it is of equal importance, if not more, to shed light on another side of the story. A side of the story that for once does not focus on humans. This article aims to share information, increase awareness, and stimulate reflection about how the consumption of bufotoxins affect the toad.
75 Years Since LSD Discovery, Thousands Since Use of Entheogens
LSA is an Ergine closely related to LSD, and Indigenous communities in Mexico have used it since immemorial times.
The Radical Experimentation of Black Psychedelia
One of the most lasting and influential artistic movements of the 20th century was created with and for Black artists. Why has their contribution been so overlooked?
A psychedelic surprise may be thriving in your local garden
Potent Psilocybe mushrooms are thriving in landscaped urban environments in the Pacific Northwest—which hints that their future is tied to people.