Psychedelic Safety
Psychedelic Safety
Psychedelics have the capacity to revolutionize mental health care, yet they are also a tool- not a panacea. Tools can be used to heal, and for the most part, are being used with respect and care. However, there are those who use these tools to harm. Over the years I have heard one too many stories about sexual, physical, psychological, financial, racial, and discriminatory abuse that occurs either under the influence of psychedelics or within psychedelic communities. We are committed to supporting survivors of psychedelic violence. There are free or low cost mental health counseling services and legal services to support survivors of violence. You have rights. There is help and support here for you. You are not alone.
5 Things to Be Aware Of In Psychedelic Communities:
-Leaders and practitioners should adhere to established psychedelic ethics. Prohibition and lack of regulation of psychedelics cause harm due to stigma survivors may feel in reaching out for help and unqualified practitioners serving psychedelics. You can read the MAPS code of psychedelic ethics for psychedelic therapy or North Start Ethics Pledge to get an idea of professionally agreed upon standards.
-Any form of non-consensual touch is a boundary violation. You know your body, when it says NO to touch it is not your ego resistance, it is your body’s wisdom. A practitioner should never be touching you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable. Sexual touch is never a part of psychedelic practice.
-Overuse and abuse of sacred substances can lead to psychological distress and conflict in relationships. Take time to integrate big experiences and respect the sacredness of each journey spent in consciousness-expanding experiences.
-Psychedelic bypassing exists when a person or practitioner uses psychedelics as a way of avoiding processing their emotions or taking accountability for their harmful actions. Harmful practitioners may try to convince you that the medicine told them to do it, that you need to surrender your ego to their power, or that you were in the wrong.