4 Psychedelic Drugs

This chapter starts off with a timeline of psychedelic (plant and drug) use through the centuries. You will be able to appreciate the extensive and pervasive use of psychedelics as a cultural phenomenon.  The indigenous use of psychedelics has given us a protocol for responsible use of plant medicine. When Psychedelics were introduced into our society with the initial research in the 1950’s, there was no protocol in place as to how to safely administer them.  As the research continued, it became obvious how important “set and setting” (one’s internal and external environment) was to a successful outcome and the safety container provided by ritualistic indigenous use was a good starting point.

As the psychedelic renaissance continues and becomes part of the mainstream community, we can better conceptualize different ways that psychedelics can benefit society. Dr. Roberts helps us understand that the use of psychedelics can be considered a type of “mind app” in the same way that we have computer applications.  He also talks about nonclinical applications that could benefit society, such as generating ideas (“ideagens”) and an expansion of levels of consciousness that are recognized and valued by society aside from our waking consciousness (multi-state theory).

A good example of the nonclinical use of psychedelics can be exemplified by Steve Jobs whose admitted use of LSD as an “ideogen” caused him to think differently. The world benefitted from that through his founding of Apple (along with Steve Wozniak). As more people come out of the psychedelic closet, the influence of psychedelics on society will be more recognized and accepted.

Read

1. Heifets, B.D., Olson, D.E. Therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics and entactogens. Neuropsychopharmacol. 49, 104–118 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-023-01666-5
2. Psychedelic Timeline

Listen

Watch

Psychedelics in the 21st Century: Pharmacology of Psychedelic Agents (48 min)

Psychedelics: Opening the Mind, Healing the Brain (28 min)