Spirituality

Mental illness is something else entirely [says Dr.]

“So this is how the healers who are attempting to be born are treated in this culture. What a loss! What a loss that a person who is finally being aligned with a power from the other world is just being wasted.” Dr. Somé proposes that what we call depression, bi-polar, psychosis and schizophrenia may perhaps…

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Spirituality

The whole-planet view

We are at a moment of profound crisis but also far-reaching opportunity. Much depends on whether enough of us can deepen our empathy for each other, build our sense of common purpose, and identity with a ‘larger us’ – one that includes all the world’s 7.5 billion (and rising) people, as well as other species…

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Spirituality

…mushroom…

…all those who have fought for… free use of what the earth creates at no cost. Most importantly, if you belong to the privileged group of individuals who can talk about and engage in psychedelic use… keep using your privilege and platform to expand the conversation. Listen and collaborate with those who don’t immediately agree…

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Spirituality

Ayahuasca: tradition versus tourism

The ayahuasca tourist in search of a deep cosmic insight often fails to understand the importance of the cultural context in which the… [plants are] used. This parallels with the European discovery of tobacco in the sixteenth century; an attitude of disregard and criticism of the intended herbal ritualistic use. The traditional uses of tobacco…

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Spirituality

Could psychedelics become the new medical marijuana? Inside the potential benefits and risks… of ‘magic mushrooms’

Psychedelic mushrooms were decriminalized in Denver and Oakland, not legalized. In other words, the ballot initiatives didn’t legalize the selling or manufacturing of mushrooms — rather, they made possession of mushrooms the lowest law enforcement priority, citing their therapeutic benefits. On May 7, residents of Denver, Colorado, voted to decriminalize the use and possession of…

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Spirituality

Sacred Mushrooms and the Law

The law is… a mish-mash that renders Nature an illicit drug-lab. The First Amendment of the Constitution guaranteed each of us freedom of religious expression. Yet, for all practical purposes, the entheogenic experience – has been outlawed in the United States. [Now], a fascinating discourse on cognitive liberty comparing laws criminalizing the use of entheogenic…

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Spirituality

Beyond prohibition of plant [and fungi] medicinals

The medical profession has spent many years establishing a monopoly over the right to provide medicines, wresting this power away from traditional healers, and it’s not going to hand that power back over without a struggle. Another very real danger is that the prohibition of plant medicines will end, only for them to then be…

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Spirituality

Ethical and sustainable access to Entheogenic Plants

[It is possible to]… grow sacred plants, fungi and related materials indoors or in greenhouses around the world. The human right to work with traditional sacred and newly discovered entheogenic plants is seeing increased public attention and policy progress. As demand grows, sustainable and ethical sourcing of entheogenic material is increasingly important. For ethical access to…

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Spirituality

Replication and extension of a model predicting response to psilocybin

Mental states of surrender or preoccupation at the time of ingestion explain variance in mystical or adverse psilocybin experiences. Mystical experiences relate to long-term positive change. The capacity to recognize this optimal preparatory mental state may benefit therapeutic use of psilocybin in clinical [and other] settings. Original Article (Springerlink):Replication and extension of a model predicting…

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