LSD’s Renaissance in Mental Health Treatment
The drug showed promise in the mid-20th Century, then was outlawed. Early in the twenty-first century, research resumed.
Psychedelics are compounds that have been used in shamanic and spiritual ceremonies for millennia. Celebrations of these drugs exist throughout popular culture. The drugs’ effects have been described as life-changing and spiritual, permitting users to find new ways to life’s challenges.
It’s no secret that indigenous peoples all over the world have combined psychedelic drug use with emotional support.
Having visited Chiapas, a state in rural Southern Mexico, several times, I was invited to work with a shaman to improve my mental health by taking a psychedelic that causes similar reactions among people to those of LSD known as ayahuasca. This type of psychedelic use has deep spiritual and cultural connections.
I listened as my Chiapas friend told me about her challenges when she had a child that she didn’t want. She thought about taking some drastic acti…
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Text and Image Substack to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.