Love in the Mushroom Cloud

Last week I was introduced to the term “psychedelic renaissance” and asked to give some thoughts. Of course, the notion makes sense and has mushroomed. A brief look at the past, we see the dawning of modern psychedelics starting in the 1940-50s with Gordan Wasson and Albert Hoffman, Humphry Osmond, Abram Hoffer, Stanislav Grof. And currently with the likes of Matthew Johnson, Roland Griffiths, Andrew Huberman, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and many others. I suspect we are seeing the usual curve known as “the rate of innovation or adoption.” Are we at or nearing the point of “critical mass?” A point where the wave begins its exponential wave and more will be drinking the kool aid. Perhaps soon, the cool kids selling it on every street corner. Ahh, refreshment for the soul… as we burn in hell… Or are we nearing the gates of heaven? 

The Renaissance of What?

The renaissance of psychedelics is presenting interesting questions. The big question is who is driving this magical bus… and where are we going? “Crazy, or getting real…fast?” Are we there yet? Under what lunar phase does one wander about the woods looking for the elf in the red Santa hat with white spots? I’ve noted in the past of not being a “psychedelic enthusiast.” But admittedly they do offer an interesting path, to which I’ve trodden some 40 years ago.  And now I wonder; having more questions, few opinions and the only reasonable answer is “it depends.” So here goes ramblings of ______ ? 

Why are the pharmaceutical companies issuing psychedelic IPO/stock? Who are the providers of psychedelic therapy? Are psychedelics no longer contained… were they ever? No longer is mycelial growth underground… out of sight, out of mind. What the hell is happening in the state of Oregon and possibly Colorado? And what happens when you have celebrities, politicians, athletes, wall street, scientist, veterans, moms, and dads noting this is a healing salve for a world gone crazy. Is this a populous movement digging around in the dirt for nuggets of sparkling enlightenment… while gold settles into its rightful stature as monetary relic noted on economic ledgers?

Having been in the mental health for several decades I have had the opportunity to witness the comings and goings of the new Bourgeois diagnoses and treatments. I wonder if this is the new silver bullet to end the world’s madness. The magic concoction? I wonder the same old colonial marketing strategy will be used that eventually enslave both the usual suspects, i.e., the users and providers. A Bourgeois therapy available and presented in only the hippest salons for the most darling clients; a wickedly seductive prospect. Meanwhile, ignoring the fact that LSD, MDMA are easily manufactured and inexpensive. And mushrooms are free for the picking and can be easily grown at home.

Who is providing this therapy? How are they providing the therapy? What is the education, credentials, and experiences required to offer this therapy? And how is the delivery of this therapy provided? Are there “best practices” approved by insurance? Is there a protocol and back-up plan if something goes awry? Is a derailed person left to their own wits to call a crisis line, which instructs the caller to go to the emergency room? And then to be “put down” with ketamine or a B-52 (powerfully sedating medications).

There are basically three approaches of training to become the provider of this wonderful therapy. There is the academic route that is restrictive and expensive. Getting one’s membership card in this exclusive club is considered un obtainable except for the well-heeled, mentally endowed, and well connected.

There is the apprentice route, is it difficult to find a mentor, let alone be allowed into the into the inner sanctum of the medicine man or woman? Again, this takes the ability to devote and support while in an apprenticeship with no guarantees of becoming a healer. It requires the ability to devote one’s time, energy, and expense. Again, the usual suspects are well heeled, well connected, dedicated, and at the mercy of the medicine person much like an indentured grad student. 

The last approach is trial by fire. Imagine jumping into a vat of boiling oil. Only to see if you can float and survive. By the mere fact of surviving… one is deemed to be “magical” or at least having a dumb magical experience. And then what? Is this magical survivor feared, adorned, and only to be approached in times of great need? Again, there are no guarantees of survival, ability, or therapeutic results; either for themselves, or as a healing suave for the tribe. The only outcome is “do or do not?” The “do” is an arduous path of becoming, to heal and/or to be a healer. Often working and walking alone at the fringes of society.

Recently, I’ve seen Facebook ads and other marketing, encouraging people to join their program to become a therapist providing psychedelic therapy with psychedelics (?). This is rather odd on several fronts. The first is this a certification program or accredited by whom? Or perhaps an “educational mill?” Second, is there prescriptive authority or is it under some other licensed medical provider that prescribes the psychedelics? Third, where and how does one become qualified and get risk/liability/practice insurance? And is psychedelic therapy covered or reimbursed by insurance? Also are there assurances/certification of purity and quality of the compounding standards? Who, when, where and how do the client and/or therapist have access to and get these magical concoctions? And if providing this service, under whose supervision; a psychiatrist, medical physician or as an independent licensed provider like a licensed clinical social worker, mental health counselor or clinical psychologist?

A larger question is, who is providing this training, supervision and what are their qualifications, experience and are their recognized standards or accredited curriculum and programs to provide such training? How does one become licensed? A graduate degree and posting at least 2000 clinical hours and 200+ hours of supervision before a licensing exam. Should this be the standards to provide this “special” therapy? By-the-way, who is the licensing board or body? 

As I ponder these questions, my thoughts turn to what does the tribe (society) have to say about this? Will there be burnings at the stake, evidentiary trials by drowning? Is this snake oil hopium? Undoubtedly the crystal, feather, Sedona/Shasta channeling folks have marketed a niche. Likewise, there has been an explosion of coaching, consulting, workshops on all kinds of things, from hypnosis, channeling, gems, crystals, performance, manifesting, prepping, yoga, chanting, supplements; an endless parade of offerings. Isn’t it grand, forty years of de-regulation, changes in administrative codes and the issue of enforcement has become an economic decision of cost versus risk and finding and an attorney to bring and present the case. Perhaps society has reached a point that it is no longer able to protect nor enforce. Thus, the only thing for society to do is to issue the statement “protect yourself… do your own due diligence.” This is nothing new, in fact in most of third world countries this is just life; no regulatory codes except of honor, integrity and kindness within your tribe and neighborhood. It might be the case that societal will no longer wishes to pursue “the war on drugs.” Or because there are more pressing issues… or is there more money and influence to be made elsewhere?

Back at… What?

There are very few people that have academic, apprenticeship and direct experience in psychedelic therapy. As in experience of both taking psychedelics and providing therapy. That is being an evaluator, and shamanist healer for the tribe. People, we are talking about the body, brain, psyche, soul, and tribal society. Can we navigate this space? Who are we entrusting, at what level and for what specific reasons? Are we ready for this? Who are the ringleaders at the center of this circus? Or are they at the fringes of the tribe, living down by the river in a paisley van? Who volunteers to be the first monkey to be launched into this space?

Having been a psychonaut or just plain nutz in more than one way. There are several challenges. Initially it is the surviving the “magical” experience; the good, the bad and the ugly. Which surmounts to not getting lost in the bliss, darkness, and terror, while at least able to maintain some semblance of reality. More important than the mere survival is to learn how to turn these experiences into the alchemical gold. Even at the individual level this is a monumental task. Do we want to contain the blossoming of psychonauts? Or perhaps the cats are already out of the bag and wanting tasty treats to be available everywhere. Is this like the adoption curve (progression) of McDonalds, then Starbucks, followed by pot shops… are we ready for “naut jobs?” … lol.

At the level of a healer/provider, being responsible for helping another along this arduous path is unfathomable. Especially when considering that you are essentially taking them under your wing, providing protection, nourishment, and teaching them skills. This priestly relationship is full of moral, ethical, and karmic pitfalls. Charlie Manson… anyone?

We also have the ever emerging and evolving cosmology. That is, trying to keep up with a glimpse of what the hell is going on. This is where the individual/client, the therapist/healer is embedded in an infinite spectrum of human experience. Which begs the questions of: Where in the hell are they (client), where in hell (or heaven) am I the therapist, and what the hell is this? It’s quite a challenge to keep oneself oriented let alone trying to provide or understand the orientation and reference points to and of the client. And be relevant in the rapidly changing modern “world view” and cosmology. Both the client and therapist are also influenced by their culture, ethnicity, phenomenology, family, gender, sex, hormones, neurotransmitters, DNA, etc. The point is there are many micro psycho-cosmos of experience. For example, a single mom with three young children; versus a professional seeking an answer to their existential questions of their meaning and purpose yet having residual emancipation issues from their family of origin. Versus a combat vet dealing with PTSD, a TBI, physical pain and addiction issues because of their wrecked physical body, emotional pain and existential suffering. These are all qualitative unique experiences and situations that are perhaps unfamiliar except for the long seasoned therapist.

So now the job becomes being a coordinator of realities. So, what are these psychedelic therapists/healers? Are they ethno-therapists, cosmo-therapists, eco-therapists, soul-therapists, eclectic-multi-dimensional therapists? Oh, hell let’s just call them gurus, saints, apostles, gods/goddesses who stitch and weave together reality for their clients… or NOT. The central issue is of sovereignty, free-will verses a repeat of the theocracy of psychology, now expanded to include psychedelics and their orthodox institutions or naut.

The Psychedelic Connection?

A central issue in therapy, was presented by Harry Stack Sullivan. Who essentially noted, the therapist/client interpersonal relationship is the healing factor. And all the other adjunct stuff is fluff. Is it really the mushrooms or is it a healing connection that is made? In my humble experience, it is the ability to empathically connect. i.e., the empathic connection of the therapeutic relationship that helps the client to choose to heal. Thus, it might not even involve a therapist! Only the ability for the client to deeply connect (empathicly). Thus, a walk in the woods, hugging a tree, lying on the ground, swimming in the ocean, looking at the stars, holding a cat, etc. could all be therapeutic encounters. It’s not the therapy, it’s the connection… dummy. Whether the connection is assisted by mushrooms, LSD, MDMA, dancing, music, meditation, a therapist, or caring for an animal (animal therapy); it doesn’t matter. What matters is that a connection is experienced at a deep empathic heart-felt level. This is where healing happens, begins, and flows.

What The Hell?

On one hand, it takes a team of professionals each with their specialty to provide their part of a wholistic evaluation, treatment, and therapeutic plan; complete with protocols, discussion of risks and benefits and informed consent? Then the day of this therapeutic dose, is the therapist ready to anticipate, understand, and handle whatever happens? Which leads back around to the therapist’s experiences, the ability to heal their wounds and be a useful guide, helping the client along their chosen and emerging path. The reason for mentioning this, is the following. Frequently in healing there is the presentation of the “breakdown.” At times, this may appear to be chaotic, regressive, withering, wiggling, crying, groaning, howling, demonic possession, seizure-like, catatonic-like symptoms, etc. The question is, is the therapist ready, understands and can handle the seemingly chaotic and psychotic presentation? How the therapist views and handles these symptoms is based their world view, theoretical orientation and experience. Is the client having a detox, a cathartic release, a release of emotional and untying tonic energy, kundalini awakening, a regression or progression? And if the client seems stuck; does the therapist interrupt the session, reassure the client, or guide them back to consensual reality or guides them beyond to explore a new reality? 

Conceptually, there are at least five phases to therapy. First, the pre-screening (intake) and orientation (explanation of risk, benefits, and consent.) Second, establishment of a therapeutic relationship. Third, the treatment, in this case a psychedelic experience. Fourth, the immediate post therapeutic debriefing. And fifth, the follow-up noting efficacy of the treatment, residual effects needing further debriefing and a discussion of what’s next? 

In my experiment on myself (both the experimenter and subject). The three hours in a flotation tank, vipassana mediation, and psilocybin mushrooms were a life-changing concoction and experience. It took two years of research, self-analyzes to process this experience to my satisfaction of somewhat understanding what the hell happened. Then later, conceptualizing the flotation tank as the laboratory, vipassana meditation as the lab technique and psilocybin as the catalyst. And my purpose was to merely explore my consciousness. And yet, there were unexpected therapeutic life-changing results… some not revealed until decades later. 

Now Forty Years Later

It would be interesting to investigate a comparison in using psilocybin in flotation tanks versus hypnosis. And investigating hypnotic induction via therapist verses a client scripted and read audio loop in both the tank environment versus a quiet, dark room/chamber environment on a comfortable couch (more of an auto-hypnosis induction). Another interesting experiment is doing a pre, post and follow-up of death anxiety using psilocybin in a room with a therapist versus alone (self-guided) in a flotation tank, versus a hypnotic induction via therapist versus auto-hypnotic induction via audio. I would imagine the script of client written versus therapist written, the induction via therapist versus an audio read by the client and then played in the tank versus in a trance state would be interesting. The rationale for this comparison of flotation tank versus hypnotic induction is to investigate the concept of “the disappearing body” via environmental habituation versus induction via hypnotic suggestion in relation to “death anxiety/fear.” And which would be more efficient relative to time, cost, and efficacy of the treatment. Of course, the meat of these types of experiments are the client’s report of dealing with disassociation of their awareness from the body. And the insights that the subject garners about their anxiety, fear of death… and life.

Is it magic mushrooms or the magic of mushrooms? … It’s neither. The magic (or not) is our response to the psychedelic experience. Love it, fear it or find it interesting?

Love and Fear in the Psychedelic Cloud

In my experience, LSD versus mushrooms: LSD is fun, silly, and bright with an occasional insight. It’s like going to the mall or the carnival and seeing the shiny, odd, and curious. It has an ebb and flow, a pulsing, a pulsing where things are constantly emerging, morphing, changing, and disintegrating and then again emerging/rebirthing into something new. From a psychology perspective, it’s a dissolving into elementary grit. Then existing in and of nothingness. And at some point, then congealing into a new form that rises again. A psychological conception is of ego disintegration, ego death, and then a re-integration and rebirth of a new sense of being or ego. A significant part of the experience was oriented more visually, externally, and regarding the ego or being ego referent. 

Versus mushroom encounters were more of an internal and introspective experience. Experiences were more oriented to the symbolic and seeing within the mind’s eye. It wasn’t so much of going to the carnival “freak show” but more of “I feel weird… you are weird… lets be weird and do weird things!” But there was a definite introspective phase of “what does all of this mean?” In a sense, it was an opportunity to turn inward (introspect) and ponder meaning, often in a holographic symbolic sense, harkening back to fauna and flora of ancestors. Whereas, with LSD the insights were more of an abrupt and unpredictable “intuitive download.” And the downloads were more dependent or influenced by one’s external and internal contexts or environmental space. Meaning that both the actual environmental surroundings and your mental state affected your trip. Versus with mushrooms, the experience was affected by one’s “world and/or cosmological view.” But the experience was softer, open, and receptive to being changed or changed by the encounter. Perhaps this is splitting imaginary hairs between having weird and sometimes terrifying fun at the carnival verses a more mellow introspective symbolic wandering/wondering through the carnival and its parade of the usual and unusual.

The Way of the Mushroom

Mushrooms are easily grown with some basic knowledge and a few tools. My mentor’s instructions were to synchronize the propagation cycle to the lunar cycle. Intuitively, folklore wise, and symbolically this made sense. Being that mushrooms are of and born from mother earth and invited to fruit under the reflexive lunar glow of the full moon. Assuredly they are the luminary fruit of the feminine. Btw, was this the real fruit from the tree of knowledge? Anyway, just wondering if there have been propagation studies investigating lunar synchronization.

A while back, stumble across a presentation by Paul Statmets. Where research has noted a combination of low (micro?) dose psilocybin, lion’s mane and niacin had neuro generative effects in the brain. Whoa, I could use some of that! Perhaps so could folks with degenerative cognitive conditions such as old age, dementia, Alzheimer’s, TBI’s, being on the spectrum, and a host of other mental conditions.  Maybe we should “Go ask Alice” (White Rabbit, Jefferson Airplane, 1967)

Micro dosing has become a thing for increased performance, creativity, mental clarity, sports, and a host of everyday ailments from anxiety, depression, etc. Is this mother’s new little helper… better than valium in the morning, a cosmopolitan at noon… is a bit of mushroom tea. The new tonic for the new world of the living well? Frankly, I had no idea, that micro dosing has become a thing. No more soap operas in the afternoon. It’s time for a mushed smoothie and power yoga before the kids get home from school.

Just a wondering thought, what if micro dosing when going to bed; before sleep would help with lucid dreaming? (https://lovechangegrow.com/lucid-dreaming-for-real-life/ )

Mushrooms are adapted to many different micro environments. I wonder if there are mushrooms in the ocean? Are there “sea mushrooms?” There must be something like it. I wonder if there are psychedelic coral, sea cucumbers, and other diverse life forms awaiting to free us from our aquatic and terrestrial bonds? Are mushroom the most widespread and diverse form of living species on the earth? I’ve read that mushrooms can be made into clothing, can convert soil from a toxic oil spill to a life giving soil, can help compost citrus rinds (from juice production) into rich soil, etc.

Perhaps mushrooms are the new pot. Will there be mushroom convivence shops in every neighborhood where one can get growing supplies, medicinal extracts, powders, a mushed smoothie, a pair of socks and a hat? Perhaps sharing live mushroom mycelium cultures are the new “sourdough starters?” From sourdough to powerdough… a slice of mycelium toast in the morning… to toast all day long! From underground to windowsill… dosing right from your lunar kitchen windowsill. The new cosmic power smoothie to brighten your day and for mystic shenanigans by cats under the stars! Perhaps the mushroom is an appropriate metaphor. Unseen and underground… until it’s too late… only realizing oneself dancing in the moonlight.

If I were a young, I’d likely be into research and exploration. But I’m the old, dreaming dreams and wondering thoughts. Merely hoping to pass on a few ideas and dreams to the younger folks who might light it up for those who follow them.

A Personal Story

Here’s a personal story that I’ve never shared. Back in the day of wandering about, being in college, temporally living at home and doing odd jobs. My mom’s in-home caregiver was not available. Anyway, I stepped into help her out. Several years before, she had become a quadriplegic because of a car accident. Anyway, I had been trained and experienced in doing all the things required to get her day going. Figured, I got this, a normal day of getting mom up, bathed, dressed, fed, and set for the day. So having one of those bright and brilliant ideas, I’ll just fix myself a fresh mushed smoothy. It will be great just chilling and helping mom. Back in the day, there was no such thing as micro dosing… who’d ever think of that? My usual dose was 4-6 grams and could still easily function with no one suspecting I was tripping balls. 

Well, tripping mushrooms and taking care of my mom… holy crap! Broke open my heart… a nebular explosion! Realizing here I was… taking care of my adopted mom who in an actual sense saved me. To which I had shown little regard or appreciation. Often teasing her… “oh ya, what are you going to do? Get up and walk over here?” And here she was broken, … silently schooling me about compassion and gracefulness. My horror… her broken body, a heavy sacrifice to show and teach a snotty wayward orphan about compassion and gracefulness. It still brings tears of gratitude and love for her. 

The Two Sides + Another

So now the job becomes being a coordinator of realities. So, what are these psychedelic therapists/healers? Are they ethno-therapists, cosmo-therapists, eco-therapists, soul-therapists, eclectic-multi-dimensional therapists? Hell let’s just call them gurus, apostles, saints, and gods/goddesses who stitch together reality for others. So should we have a theocratic orthodox system of psychedelic enthusiasts? Or just plain nauts; who just appear, do some mischievous shenanigans, and vanish in the dawning light of day?

But what is of the mushroom? A mycelial mass in quiet sympathetic relationship releases its host from a worn-out existence to slip into a compost of organic goo. And then after a lunar cycle to rise up toward the luminary glow. Enticing a casual passer-by to become enthralled in the ambient glistening blue. Eating the sacrament, being released in a “sympatric speciation” to sovereignly travel the celestial realms of consciousness, free to establish an empathic resonance, and create another reality.

The Heaven and Hell of Choice

Adversity challenges us. Need is the mother of invention. Fear motivates change. Shadows help us see the light. And failures are lessons. “Once in a while, you get shown the light In the strangest of places, if you look at it right. ”Scarlet Begonias,” Grateful Dead, 1974.

The Door… And The Way

Once you find the door and can walk through to a new space, do you need to continue to use the GPS that got you there? If you need to continue to use the GPS, why is that? Does the GPS become a comfortable crutch? Leaving one to atrophy in their inabilities? We are supposed to be intelligent, creative, and striving to seek new and novel experiences. So why would one continue to use the same old thing that got you through the same old door to again finding yourself in the same old room? 

There are many doors and paths. The place to start is within and the place where you rest is within. There are all kinds of ways to get there… it’s up to you. The important piece is you, not the sacrament that got you there nor the guide along the journey, though they are of benefit… they are not the path. As always, you are sovereign, and you are the path. So, use your God/source given inherent discernment and judgement… and do your due diligence!

The Gift

Essentially, we are given a Promethean gift; audacious and creative. Whether the gift was won by battles with the wrathful deities or bestowed by grace from a peaceful deity. It could be that you just stumbled across this priceless gift and picked it up… it doesn’t matter how you have come to have it. The point is, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to hide it away and hold on to it for dear life? But if you share it, what are you sharing? A fire that destroys or a fire that creates? It is your responsibility to decide what to do with this Promethean fire? So, the age-old instruction is… choose wisely!… Muahahaha are you ready to wield this mighty gift?

Luck

This is not rocket science, nor is it enlightenment. It’s just plain old bad luck!… lol. But it’s the best of luck I ever had! The good, bad, and ugly… depends on you.

Happy Tales!

Tim

A few rabbit holes to get you started:

R. Gordon Wasson. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Gordon_Wasson

MAPS.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multidisciplinary_Association_for_Psychedelic_Studies

sympatric speciation.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sympatric_speciation

Stanislav Grof.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislav_Grof

Humphry Osmond.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphry_Osmond

Matthew Johnson.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISM9OeWs7yw

Roland Griffiths.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Griffiths

Harry Stack Sullivan.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Stack_Sullivan   

Paul Stamets.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Stamets

Wrathful Deities. https://lovechangegrow.com/wrathful-and-peaceful-deities/

Psychedelics Out of the Closet. https://lovechangegrow.com/psychedelics-out-of-the-closet/