Anthropology

União do Vegetal, Looking Glass Peyote Church, Santo Daime

In the União do Vegetal (UDV), leadership is elected.  UDV is organized across a four-tier hierarchical structure, the upper level is not accessible to women. ​In Looking Glass Peyote Church, peyote requires a DNA test previous to use.​Santo Daime, political power is based on the charisma of their leaders, with the succession going to their kin. From…

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Medicine/Healing

Many ex-opioid addicts credit [iboga plant] with cure, but it’s “illegal” in US

*Even though methadone is used in addiction treatment, it is still an opioid, meaning that it fosters physical dependence.​ “A lot of serious psychiatrists who wanted to use drugs — like ecstasy — to augment psychiatric treatment were shot down brutally. They could not get support or funding.” To be sure, ibogaine has triggered seizures and heart-related…

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Medicine/Healing

First clinical trial of MDMA treatment for autistic adults sees success

“These findings show that MDMA and psychotherapy can help people, maybe by giving people a whole new set of experiences with social interactions,” said Dr. Jerome. “MDMA isn’t giving people something they didn’t have already, it’s helping them use what they had all along.” The study participants who were given MDMA reported an improvement in their…

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Modern Culture

Activists in Oregon fight for cannabis consumption lounges

“Most states already have an Indoor Clean Air Act, which prevents cigarette smoking inside,” Martinez tells High Times. “After legalization passed in Oregon, someone specifically added cannabinoids to the state’s Indoor Clean Air Act, so we would like to get that reversed.​The bill would not only allow stand-alone cannabis cafes, it would also permit licensed…

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Medicine/Healing

Positive outcomes after ibogaine detoxification linked to persisting changes in mood and life perspective

“Without adequate support following this treatment, it is quite difficult for people to be successful in their recovery from opioid addiction. Nevertheless, for those that are able to maintain abstinence or reduce their opioid use, they reported improvements in overall health, mood, and their sense of positive motions/perspectives in life, which they attributed at least…

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Politics

Drug policy coalition urges US Congress to oppose inclusion of the Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Scheduled Analogues (SITSA) (H.R. 2851/S. 1327) act in the House (H.R. 6) and Senate Opioid Package (S. 2680)

*excerpt from full letter Those on both sides of the political spectrum recognize the damaging impact that SITSA could have should it pass, and wish to see drug policies that are health-centered … SITSA would give the Jeff Sessions virtually unlimited authority to create new drug crimes that carry lengthy, expensive prison sentences … SITSA would grant the attorney general…

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Politics

SITSA … stopped

SITSA will not be added to the other opioid legislation.   With thousands of emails and phone calls flooding Capitol Hill, [the outpouring of action from the kratom community.} you sent a loud message to lawmakers that they needed to oppose SITSA – and your voices were heard. Original Article (American Kratom Association):Sitsa…stoppedArtwork Fair Use: Alvesgaspar

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Anthropology

The dire need for systemic critique within psychedelic communities

Initially, COMPASS was a non-profit organization that espoused interest in establishing a psychedelic hospice center on the Isle of Man and solicited help from numerous psychedelic researchers. However, after engaging those researchers and receiving invaluable insight and knowledge, COMPASS announced that they were pivoting to a for-profit approach, focusing on treatment-resistant depression.  There is unfortunately a…

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Science

There is no safe level of alcohol, new study confirms

The international medical journal The Lancet published a study showing that any level of alcohol consumption, regardless of the amount, leads to loss of healthy life. “The health risks associated with alcohol are massive,” said Dr Emmanuela Gakidou of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington (United States of America),…

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Anthropology

What is the legality of psilocybin mushrooms?

*photo not for identification purposes. Countries where psilocybin is somewhat legal… United StatesIt’s legal to grow psilocybin mushrooms in New Mexico, United States – and there’s even a religious group devoted to their sacramental use ; an established religous organization with devoted members and allies in every state in America.​ MexicoPsilocybin is officially illegal to possess,…

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