What Are These Psychedelic Medicines?

The second in a series of articles designed for those who are psychedelically curious and interested in understanding what psychedelics involve and what these substances can do for people. From the author of Triumph Over Trauma.

The answer to that question -- and many other similar ones -- is the foundation of my new book: Triumph Over Trauma: Psychedelic Medicines are Helping People Heal Their Trauma, Change Their Lives, and Grow Their Spirituality.

This book is written for the psychedelically-curious, people who have heard something about psychedelics and healing, but are not really sure; and, for those folks who are seeking answers after discovering they have been brainwashed by the propaganda spread by the government's War on Drugs.

More and more people are seeking to expand their consciousness -- and psychedelic medicines are one of the tools people use for doing so. These are people seeking help in healing their trauma, finding inner peace, experiencing the Divine, seeking answers to complex issues, and connecting with their true purpose.

Where are you on your healing journey? Have you tried all the conventional methods and still have not found true healing? Are you swimming in a pool of sadness or disappointment? Are you struggling with underlying issues you can't identify?

I am on a mission to help YOU HEAL!

The whole focus of the book is centered on you. You'll find several chapters covering the history and use of all the major psychedelic medicines. You'll also find sections on the full macrodosing experience (the deep, hallucinatory journeys), as well as on the trendier microdosing experience (where the user ingests an amount so minuscule that it's sub-perceptual, with no psychoactive effects).

Besides all those excellent educational materials, the real strength of the book are the 23 stories from people of all walks of life -- a true mosaic of humans -- who share detailed narratives about their psychedelic experiences -- as well as the healing from their traumas and other issues.

This book is about trauma. The book follows the teachings of the wonderful and gifted Dr. Gabor Mate who theorizes that we all have trauma in our past -- some known, but many childhood ones locked down deep in our brains... and the aftermath of these traumas can often be seen in our anger, shame, guilt, anxiety, depression -- especially when we are triggered.

Did you know there are several types of psychedelics -- and that some of them are simply plants? The book covers the five true psychedelic medicines, as well as two others considered psychedelic. The list includes:

• Psilocybin (aka, Magic Mushrooms)

• Ayahuasca (DMT)

• Mescaline (from certain cacti)

• Ibogaine (African plant)

• LSD

• MDMA (an empathogen, but not a true psychedelic; and not the Ecstasy you may know)

• Ketamine (known as an anesthesia; it's a dissociative, with psychedelic properties)

All of these psychedelics are currently illegal, thanks to political choices made in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Most are listed on the DEA Schedule I, claiming they are of no medicinal value, and yet there are now thousands of scientific studies that CLEARLY show these drugs as having great potential for healing.

While psychedelics are not for everyone -- there are some physical and mental health considerations -- the research that is emerging is absolutely stunning. These psychedelic medicines are showing amazing promise in true healing, unlike so many pharmaceutical drugs that seem to merely mask symptoms rather than heal -- and unlike the pharmaceutical drugs, psychedelics generally have NO long-term side effects -- and do not create dependency.

Speaking of pharmaceuticals, this book was written to also shed light on the danger of being over-medicated. In examining sales of prescription drugs, Americans filled almost 4 billion prescriptions in 2020 -- nearly 13 prescriptions for every man, woman, and child in the United States. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), nearly two-thirds of all patient visits to physicians result in one or more prescriptions.

Psychedelic medicines are being studied extensively around the world, with both MDMA and psilocybin the closest to moving to FDA approval -- this year or next. One key element being studied is how much and how often are psychedelics needed. In some cases, one psychedelic experience provides all the tools necessary for healing; in other cases, especially with treatment-resistant depression, additional psychedelic experience may be necessary... but they will never be a daily pill, like an antidepressant.

In terms of the medical conditions being studied with psychedelic therapies, here's the list (from most studies to least):

• Depression

• Treatment-resistant Depression

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Suicidality

• Addiction

• Bipolar Disorder

• Anxiety

• Alcohol Use Disorder

• Pain

• Palliative Care/Cancer

• Headache Disorders

• Eating Disorders

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

• Postpartum Depression

• Opioid Use Disorders

• Fibromyalgia

• Autism

• Smoking (Addiction)

• Traumatic Brain Injury

But wait... by buying this book for your healing, you'll also help a stranger heal!

ALL the profits from the sale of the book are going to three nonprofits that are helping save lives, including:

• Heroic Hearts Project (connecting veterans who seek healing through psychedelic treatment)

• Chacruna Institute (uplifting indigenous voices; supporting protection of sacred plants and cultural traditions)

• Fireside Project (a peer support line offering support during and after psychedelic experiences)

Here are 10 takeaways you'll get from Triumph Over Trauma

1. Ideas and information on how psychedelics may help you heal, grow, thrive -- to live your authentic life.

2. Why and how psychedelic medicines are the newest -- and one of the best -- healing modalities for trauma.

3. The history of psychedelics for healing and why these medicines were banned.

4. Details on each of the major psychedelic medicines (including psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, DMT, ibogaine, and ketamine).

5. The benefits gained from intentional macrodosing of psychedelics.

6. The benefits gained from intentional microdosing of psychedelics.

7. The best and safest techniques for the intentional use of psychedelic medicines, from choosing a medicine to trip safety and harm reduction to what comes after the psychedelic experience.

8. How to prepare for a psychedelic journey/ceremony.

9. Why integrating your psychedelic experience is essential to healing.

10. Powerful stories of transformation, spiritual growth, and healing from people just like you.

Final Thoughts About Psychedelic Medicines

There is no question that by following specific guidelines and protocols, as discussed in the book, that people intentionally taking a psychedelic medicine can find:

• Healing

• Transformation

• Spiritual Growth

Finally, one caveat. These psychedelic medicines are no a magic pill. In most cases, you will want to take the lessons you learned, the tools you were shown, and incorporate them into your new life -- what we call integration. Integrating can be a solo experience (by journaling, painting, dancing, expressing), but often requires a new support group, a new community of people who understand what you experienced and can support you as you heal and grow.

Integration is covered in the book -- and there will be another article in this series covering the process.

Ready to Buy the Book?

While you may not find a copy at your local bookstore, you can definitely find yours online -- including on audio:

• Purchase on Amazon

• Purchase on Barnes & Noble

Additional Psychedelics & Psychedelic Medicine Resources

• Misconceptions and Myths About Psychedelics

• Five Things to Consider Before Jumping into Healing Through Plant Medicines

• Not Sure About Psychedelics? Try Microdosing