I keep a close eye on what’s going on in the world of psychedelics – as I believe that these medicines, when used with precision and care, can be an immense “assist” in a variety of ways,even for those who are living with severe depression that persists. To be clear though, they’re a tool in my work – but by no means the whole enchilada.
Naturally, the reasons people choose to experiment with these substances vary greatly (and it truly is an experiment!). Most people who connect with me are exploring ways to cope with challenging emotions like anxiety, depression, shame and self-doubt – or to address significant trauma from their past.
Others are wanting a deep inner dive hoping to unlock inner wisdom, find their purpose, or gain clarity in the next steps on their path. Although these motivations seem far removed from emotional distress, they may actually be masking deeper, underlying issues.
For instance, the pursuit of being more productive might hide feelings of inadequacy or a fear of failure, in striving to meet external standards of success.
Or the desire to be more creative might actually reflect an underlying need for self-expression that’s been stifled – due to self-imposed limitations or expectations they’ve taken on from others. In these cases, the creative or productive boost may be tied to a deeper need for validation or self-worth, sometimes rooted in past traumas and unmet emotional needs.
The badge of extensive experience
But whatever the reason for the call to experiment with these substances, it can turn into a slippery slope, even when someone approaches this potent plant medicine with the best of intentions, thinking they are doing the right thing for themselves, not realizing how easily the pattern can shift beneath them.
At a recent retreat I attended with over 20 participants, I often overheard people comparing and discussing their various psychedelic experiences at other retreats and events. I’ve also noticed that within “psychedelic communities” – regular group journeys are a common occurrence.
Among these individuals, there often seems to be a thin veneer of pride around their extensive experience with psychedelics, as if it’s a badge of honor. It begs the question: When does the journey stop being about healing or growth, and start being about chasing the next experience?
To make this point, there’s a guy on Instagram, Dennis Walker, who runs an account called “mycopreneurofficial” (as in this is the official account of mycopreneur). His entire account is dedicated to satirizing the commercialization of psychedelics and the surrounding zeitgeist. Check him out here. (instagram requires you to have an account to view the post).
When Severe Depression seeks an exit
Recently Dennis nailed this with a comedic sketch, playing both the voice of reason and a character whose life revolves entirely around psychedelics, we’ll call him “Tripster”. Through pointed dialogue, Dennis took aim at psychonauts more focused on escaping reality than exploring it:
I’ll sum up the skit here but I invite you to see it for yourself.
“Voice of reason” Dennis says:
Hey, we’re about to get some beers at Chili’s tonight and go bowling – you wanna join?
“Voice of Tripster” Dennis:
Actually, I’m doing a macrodose of penis envy tonight – there’s a full moon in Aries and I need to tap into the energy and channel it to my solar plexus!
Voice of reason Dennis offers another invitation:
Tomorrow there’s a salsa dancing class around 6pm and then we’re catching the Dodgers – Twins game. Wanna come?
Tripster Dennis:
No, tomorrow’s Bufo day – I’ll be contributing to the destruction of the Bufo toad for a 5 minute thrill to confirm what I already know about myself – that I love tripping.
This invitation and rejection go on until Voice of reason Dennis says:
Have you ever considered that there’s more to life than tripping all the time? And that maybe your infantile fascination with altered states is actually masking and exacerbating deeper traumas that you should be seeing a therapist for instead of constantly tripping?
Tripster’s answer:
Got any mescaline bro?
Dennis brilliantly conveys how the allure of escaping reality can be a strong draw for those grappling with unresolved trauma or emotional turmoil. Psychedelics offer a seductive way to bypass the discomfort of everyday struggles, and this escapism can lead to a pattern of overuse.
The line between occasional exploration and reliance blurs and explorers may find themselves constantly seeking the next psychedelic experience to reconnect with the heightened awareness and emotional freedom they associate with these altered states. This psychological craving can lead to a cyclical pattern of use, making it difficult to break free from the grip of these substances.
A cautionary tale, if there ever was one. Would love to hear your thoughts on this – drop down to the comments sections and let me know what this brings up for you.
With Love,
Becca
P.S. We’re moving the delivery of my blog to Thursdays. Can you believe it, Carsey, our community nurturer, is tired of working on Saturdays after years without complaining 😜 (actually, I’m the one who suggested we move to a week day). So I hope you will welcome my “drop in” when it happens on Thursdays from now on.
This also gives me the chance to thank YOU for joining me on this journey – as we explore the vast array of options for reaching higher states of consciousness and healing!
This skit was so funny!