Decolonization, Collective Liberation, & Intersectional Solidarity. Psychedelic Community & Racial Justice Series, Part 2

How do we embody decolonization at the individual and collective level? On “Independence Day,” we’ll offer a roadmap via the intersections of Indigenous rights, intergenerational healing, and environmental, migrant, and racial justice. Each utilizing a harm reduction lens, join psychedelic psychotherapist Danielle Herrera, decarceration strategist Paula Kahn, researcher Yarelix Estrada, and community educator Mohawk Greene as moderator.

Defunding Police & Ending Prohibition. Psychedelic Community & Racial Justice Series, Part 3

Where do we go from here? How do we build a better, more equitable and caring future? What does the world look like after ending prohibition and all its systems of harm, including over-policing, surveillance, and mass incarceration? What do the new systems look like, including restorative/transformative justice and reparations for drug war victims? What can we learn from recent protests and Black Lives Matter? How can the psychedelic community support the transition?

Challenges & Opportunities of Psychedelic Therapy Within the System. Psychedelic Community & Racial Justice Series, Part 4

How do we make psychedelic healing accessible to people of color and marginalized communities in an ethical way? What are the blind spots in protocols designed by white-only practitioners? What are the pros and cons of psychedelic medicalization? To what extent is working within the system effective and transformative vs playing into harmful structures?

User Perceptions of Mental Health Consequences of Hallucinogen Use in Self-Identified Spiritual Contexts

Aims: The article aims to gain insight into the private worlds of users of hallucinogenic drugs in spiritual contexts, with a focus on the self-perceived mental health implications of their practices. This will help us understand the rationale behind and consequences of hallucinogenic drug use. Method: Respondents were recruited at several internet fora for individual email-mediated interviews (n = 5) or group interviews in public discussion threads (n = 11). They were predominantly males in their 30s or 40s with stable jobs and living conditions and extensive hallucinogen experience. Results: Both positive and adverse consequences were assessed, and respondents emphasised the capacity of hallucinogenic drugs for healing and personal growth; even adverse experiences (“bad trips”) were regarded as valuable for these purposes. The dependence potential of these drugs was regarded as low because of an inherent self-regulatory mechanism whereby positive effects disappear with overuse. A minority of participants reported mental health problems that may result from their hallucinogen use, but the majority have experienced no significant adverse reactions after many years of use. This should be seen in light of the low frequency of their hallucinogen use. Conclusion: The study obtained evidence of a predominantly male group of mature users taking hallucinogens in carefully prepared sessions for the purpose of personal spiritual growth, acknowledging some risks but also several benefits from this practice.

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