No longer is the psychedelic revolution represented by tie dye shirts and free loving spirits. Psychedelic activism has been on the minds of many people since its boom in the 1960s; however, now more than ever, people are stepping up and really studying the possibilities that these drugs may actually be used as medicines. This can most notably be seen with the growing acceptance of medical marijuana in our culture.That being said, it is going to be a lot more difficult for the public to understand psychedelics medicinal role.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is a non-profit research and group that both advocate and do research on psychedelic substances and their potential to be used in psychotherapy. The work being done by MAPS has inspired groups all over the country to join in on the fight for psychedelics and they have worked very closely with some of the groups in the Denver and Boulder Area.Founded in 1986, the organization has come a substantially long way in its research and they are now working with several different human studies to look at the effective combination of psychedelic drugs and psychotherapy. NowMAPS has psychotherapy assisted studies with medical marijuana, LSD, Ibogaine, Ayuascha and MDMA.The major medical applications for these substances include helping treat illnesses like PTSD, cluster headaches, severe anxiety and depression.
PBS recently released a news piece entitled, Why psychedelic drugs are having a medical renaissance. The piece examines the recent work being done between psychedelics and psychotherapy to help treat extreme anxiety and PTSD. One study examined in the article found people with sever anxiety or depression were 60 to 80 percent felt better immediately after the experience and for as long as six months after.
So with all of this new research being done, who are the psychedelic activist in our community? Organizations like Medicinal Mindfulness and Psychedelic Club both take on similar missions as MAPS and work tirelessly for the avocation and possible regulation of psychedelic medicines. The goal isto break the stigma that has been placed around these substances and open engaging conversations about their safe use. Medicinal Mindfulness is very active within the Boulder community and holds many different workshops and events.
Dennis McKenna speaking at the Psychedelic Shine event in Boulder on Feb, 2017.
One of the most interesting of these workshops isa community breath work event called Conscious Cannabis Circles. Not only are they helping spread accurate information to the community, but they are also working within the community to facilitate actual psychedelic experiences. Using a combination of cannabis satvia, some skillful breath work, the correct set and setting, and the help of their cannabis facilitators, Medicinal Mindfulness cites that it can create a Dmt-like experience for participants who sign up for their Conscious Cannabis events. Everything is completely legal under Colorados state laws and this not only can be done at their community events, but also at your own personal home at request.
Not only do they facilitate these actual psychedelic experiences, but Medicinal Mindfulness also hosts a huge informational conference on psychedelics. Co-hosted by Psychedelic Club, the extremely informational event was called Psychedelic Shine, a live speaker event that took place on February 12, 2017. The all-day event included live music, art vendors, psychedelic book vendors, anda lecture by legendary psychedelic activist Dennis Mckenna. The night ended with a powerful live community breathwork session. The conference as a whole was an awesome display of great information being spread to an interested and engaged crowd of nearly 500 people.
Prior to the event, 303 had the opportunity to speak with Daniel McQueen, the Executive Director of Medicinal Mindfulness and a psychedelic cannabis facilitator in Boulder. Speaking on why he chose Boulder as a home base for his organization, McQueen said, I got my degree fromNaropa Universityso thats why I moved here. But Colorado in general is awesome, its legal with retail cannabis, so Colorado [is]a great place for us to do our work.
Speaking bit more on the subject of Cannabis, McQueen was quick to acknowledge the subtle gap between cannabis culture and psychedelic culture. Bridging that gap from the recreational cannabis user, to the person who uses cannabis for psychedelic purposes is a huge in shifting the community perception. McQueen believes people have deep healing experiences on cannabis and is working tirelessly to help introduce this idea to the Boulder community. He cites the recent legalization of cannabis has a catalyst for opening up peoples minds to other possibilities with cannabis and helping bridge the gap towards other psychedelic medicines. Since starting Psychedelics Shine and promoting local psychedelic culture, the community has grown immensely over the years and is continuing to spread.
Founder of Medicinal Mindfulness, Daniel McQueen, speaking at the Psychedelic Shine in Boulder.
The Psychedelic Club of Denverwas founded in July of 2016 but has been a national organization for much longer than that. The Denver chapter is a growing group of activists within the 303 area, but there is also an even larger branch in Boulder. Speaking with a few of the founders of the Psychedelic club of Denver, they all agreed events like Psychedelic Shinewill help aid in Psychedelic clubs ultimate mission. Founder Tyler Williams explained their mission, stating it is to to raise awareness about the truth of psychedelics as well as create a safe space for everyone to integrate their experiences. A couple specific goals would be to create criminal justice reform, creating a community around the discussion of psychedelics, and spreading more info on harm reduction.
This event was a fantastic example of the scholarly event that can characterize this new psychedelic revolution. Instead of raving hippies dancing about and screaming of revolution, these are scientists and intellectuals working on the due diligence required to help bring about lastingchange. With all of this new information being foundand more people than ever actually doing research with these medicines, the time may be closer than ever for a true psychedelic revolution.
The momentum is on the side of the activist, its now up to science to continue on helping prove that these substances are not only safe to use, but also can be a great aid in helping fight a number of emotional and psychological ailments.
Photography by Meg ONeill.
Dennis McKenna speaking at the Psychedelic Shine event in Boulder on Feb 12, 2017.
303 MagazineBoulderBoulder Theatercannabis healingconscious cannabis circlesDaniel MCQueenDennis MckennaIbogaineJosh CowdenlsdmapsMDMAMedcinal MindfulnessPsychedelic clubPsychedelic ShinepsychotherapyPTSD treatment
See more here:
A Revolution in the Science of Psychedelics is Happening in Boulder - 303 Magazine
- 8 Mystical Herbs and Legal Psychedelics For Lucid Dreaming - December 8th, 2016 [December 8th, 2016]
- Psychedelics: LSD, Mushrooms, Salvia | Facts | Drug Policy ... - December 10th, 2016 [December 10th, 2016]
- FS Book Company - Marijuana Books - December 12th, 2016 [December 12th, 2016]
- Psychedelic - PsychonautWiki - December 27th, 2016 [December 27th, 2016]
- From Alzheimer's To Psychedelics, 2016 Was A Good Year For ... - January 3rd, 2017 [January 3rd, 2017]
- LSD - Psychedelic Effects - The Good Drugs Guide - January 5th, 2017 [January 5th, 2017]
- THC - Psychedelics - January 29th, 2017 [January 29th, 2017]
- Psychedelics | Pharmacological Reviews - January 30th, 2017 [January 30th, 2017]
- Dorian Yates reveals all on steroids, body dysmorphia, psychedelics, cannabis and yoga - Express.co.uk - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Psychedelic drug therapy including magic mushrooms, LSD and ... - CBS News - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Psychedelics Being Tested For Use In Treating Various Conditions - CBS Local - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- The psychedelic renaissance - Boulder Weekly - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Buy psychedelics online : Chinglabs.com - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- Psychedelic drugs like magic mushrooms and LSD have key ... - Yahoo Finance - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Psychedelics a Viable Therapeutic Option for Depression - Psychiatry Advisor - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Is Silicon Valley Onto Something With Its LSD Microdosing? - Newsweek - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- News Releases - Noozhawk - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- When Reality Is More Intense Than Psychedelics: Strand Of Oaks ... - NPR - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Psychedelics Help Reduce Opioid Addiction, According to New Study - AlterNet - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- Psychedelics May Help Reduce Opioid Addiction, According To ... - Huffington Post - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Psychedelics Help Reduce Opioid Addiction, According to New Study - eNews Park Forest - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Psychedelics Could Play A Role In Tackling The Opioid Epidemic - Huffington Post - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Meet The People's Champion of Psychedelic Drugs - Narratively - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- How psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD actually change the way ... - Yahoo Finance - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- First U. student group on studying psychedelics holds open house - The Daily Princetonian - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- How psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD actually change the way people see the world - Businessinsider India - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- Psychedelics Help Reduce Opioid Addiction, According to New ... - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- WATCH: A Public Policy Expert Explains How to Safely Deregulate LSD and Other Psychedelics - AlterNet - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Quotes About Psychedelics (48 quotes) - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Inside the Psychedelic Underground - RollingStone.com - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- What Psychedelics Really Do to Your Brain - Rolling Stone - RollingStone.com - March 10th, 2017 [March 10th, 2017]
- Hallucinogens Help, According to a Mom's Memoir and Son's Documentary - Bedford + Bowery - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Meditation and the psychedelic drug ayahuasca seem to change the brain in surprisingly similar ways - Businessinsider India - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Tripping out: the highs and lows of psychedelic therapy - Marie Claire UK - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Stop Policing Psychedelic Science - Motherboard - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- America's Trippiest Chemist: Making Psychedelics 'Was Fun' - Motherboard - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- The Three Types of Hallucinogens: Psychedelics ... - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Cary Grant was one of the first to benefit from LSD therapy - Quartz - June 11th, 2017 [June 11th, 2017]
- What it's like to take psychedelics in small doses at breakfast - New Scientist - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- 'Changing Our Minds' explores psychedelic drugs and spiritual healing - Religion News Service - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Q&A With Psychedelic Stand-Up and LaughFest Headliner Shane Mauss - Flagpole Magazine - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Q&A: LaughFest comedian talks science and psychedelics - Red and Black - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- 'Changing Our Minds' explores psychedelic drugs and spiritual healing - The Daily Tribune - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Shane Mauss brings Good Trip Comedy Tour to town - Chattanooga Times Free Press - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- 'Changing Our Minds' explores psychedelic drugs and spiritual healing - The Oakland Press - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- Director Ana Lily Amirpour on Cannibalism, Psychedelics, and 'Horrifying' Racism Allegations - Jezebel - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Majority of Americans ready to embrace psychedelic therapy - YouGov US - June 24th, 2017 [June 24th, 2017]
- The Refugee Funding America's Psychedelic Renaissance - VICE - June 24th, 2017 [June 24th, 2017]
- Open Your Mind This Weekend at Europe's Largest Psychedelic Conference - VolteFace Magazine (blog) - June 27th, 2017 [June 27th, 2017]
- Psychedelics and Virtual Reality Make a Trendy but Illegal Therapy - Inverse - June 27th, 2017 [June 27th, 2017]
- The war on drugs is back. Will psychedelic drug research survive? - The Verge - June 29th, 2017 [June 29th, 2017]
- Tune in, Turn on, Stay in School - Study Breaks - July 2nd, 2017 [July 2nd, 2017]
- Cannabist Show: He's psychedelic comedian Shane Mauss - The Cannabist - July 2nd, 2017 [July 2nd, 2017]
- The brain on DMT: mapping the psychedelic drug's effects - Wired.co.uk - July 3rd, 2017 [July 3rd, 2017]
- Psychedelics Could Help Asia's Mental Health Care, But Stigma Remains Roadblock - TheFix.com - July 3rd, 2017 [July 3rd, 2017]
- Is LSD the new coffee? - FactorDaily - July 4th, 2017 [July 4th, 2017]
- My grandfather was a death row doctor. He tested psychedelic drugs on Texas inmates. - Texas Tribune - July 5th, 2017 [July 5th, 2017]
- About Us | Trusted News Source for Psychedelic Research ... - July 6th, 2017 [July 6th, 2017]
- Do Psychedelic Drugs Cause the 'Prophetic Effect'? - Breaking Israel News - July 11th, 2017 [July 11th, 2017]
- Are psychedelics the new medical marijuana? - WTSP 10 News - July 14th, 2017 [July 14th, 2017]
- Psychiatrists Say Cannabis Medicine Has Psychedelic Properties - The Marijuana Times - July 15th, 2017 [July 15th, 2017]
- Can Psychedelics Be Therapy? Allow Research to Find Out - New York Times - July 17th, 2017 [July 17th, 2017]
- Countdown To (Legalized) Ecstasy! Rick Doblin, MAPS, & the Psychedelic Renaissance [Podcast] - Reason (blog) - July 20th, 2017 [July 20th, 2017]
- Should We Reclassify Marijuana as a Hallucinogen? - Big Think - July 20th, 2017 [July 20th, 2017]
- Do You Take Drugs at Festivals? This Initiative is Working on Keeping You Safe - PoliticalCritique.org - July 20th, 2017 [July 20th, 2017]
- Psychedelic drugs could tackle depression in a way that antidepressants can't - INSIDER - July 22nd, 2017 [July 22nd, 2017]
- Psychedelic Shine takes a trip to the skies in Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera - July 22nd, 2017 [July 22nd, 2017]
- Reasons to Consider Trying Psychedelics - FoxWeekly - July 27th, 2017 [July 27th, 2017]
- Psychedelics and Normality - HuffPost - July 27th, 2017 [July 27th, 2017]
- New book about psychedelics and weird human experiences - Boing Boing - July 27th, 2017 [July 27th, 2017]
- Scientists Want You to Give Them Money to Study ... - July 29th, 2017 [July 29th, 2017]
- What Has Awe Done for Me Lately? - HuffPost - August 1st, 2017 [August 1st, 2017]
- For children, it's beyond psychedelics - The Hans India - The Hans India - August 1st, 2017 [August 1st, 2017]
- Expanding consciousness - 48 Hills - August 2nd, 2017 [August 2nd, 2017]
- THE FUTURE OF PSYCHEDELICS: Are LSD and Mushrooms The New Prozac? - Dope Magazine - August 5th, 2017 [August 5th, 2017]
- Psychedelic drugs saved my life. So why aren't they prescribed? - Wired.co.uk - August 9th, 2017 [August 9th, 2017]
- LSD as therapy: How scientists are reclaiming psychedelics ... - August 9th, 2017 [August 9th, 2017]
- The foundation of Western philosophy is probably rooted in psychedelics - Quartz - August 12th, 2017 [August 12th, 2017]
- Crazy Enough to be Correct - HuffPost - August 15th, 2017 [August 15th, 2017]
- How MDMA & Other Psychedelics Could Change Therapy | Goop - August 20th, 2017 [August 20th, 2017]