Overview of Psychedelics
Psychedelics have a long history of use in cultures around the world spanning many centuries, and continue to be part of the cultural tradition of indigenous communities. Psychedelics have traditionally been used in spiritual and religious contexts, associated with purposes related to health, healing, and communion with the spirit world. In the US and other Western cultures, psychedelics are relatively newer and began to become popularized in the 1950’s and 1960’s after the discovery of LSD ushered in a wave of interest in the potential of these substances to change people and the culture.
After LSD and other drugs were made illegal in the early 1970’s, most use of psychedelics was relegated to the underground where communities continued to use them in ceremonial, spiritual, and recreational contexts. In the last 5-10 years, psychedelics have once again entered into the public mainstream due to factors such as increases in clinical research, changing public attitudes, and the general desire for meaning in an increasingly disconnected culture.
If you are new to psychedelics, here are some basic terms that might be helpful in navigating this area.
This is a very basic overview and one is encouraged to consult additional resources for educational purposes.
Psychedelic
A term meaning “mind manifesting”, psychedelic generally refers to any drug or substance that produces an altered state of consciousness.
Classical Psychedelics
Substances including LSD, psilocybin, and ayahuasca, that produce a particular range of effects due to mechanisms related to serotonin.
Non-Classical Psychedelics
Substances like MDMA or ketamine that have psychedelic qualities, but also produce a range of different experiences and involve other mechanisms such as dopamine, oxytocin, and glutamate.
Non-Classical Psychedelics
Substances like MDMA or ketamine that have psychedelic qualities, but also produce a range of different experiences and involve other mechanisms such as dopamine, oxytocin, and glutamate.
Plant Medicine
Refers to natural plants or fungi that produce psychedelic substances and are associated with spiritual or animistic worldviews.
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
This is a model of using psychedelic experiences embedded in psychotherapy to treat mental health conditions such as depression or PTSD.
Microdosing
Taking small, sub-perceptual doses on a regular schedule (like traditional medicine) to obtain therapeutic effects.
Preparation
Activities related to preparing for a psychedelic experience such as learning about the effects of a psychedelic or setting intentions
Dosing or Medicine Session
In psychedelic-assisted therapy, this is the 3-8 hour session that involves the client ingesting the psychedelic substance in the presence of one or two therapists.
Integration
Activities that occur after a psychedelic experience intended to increase it’s therapeutic benefits
Spiritual Bypassing
The use of psychedelics to avoid difficult emotions or developmental tasks that are necessary for spiritual growth
Further glossary resources:
Information on Psychedelics
Legal Status
Risks and Benefits of Psychedelic Use
Culture and Diversity
