We’ve all heard the claim that psychedelic drugs will “fry your brain.” We’ve also heard the opposite story: that psychedelics (like psilocybin, MDMA, & ketamine) are a “magic pill” that’ll cure depression, anxiety, & PTSD — overnight!
With such polarizing narratives, it can be hard to discern what’s myth & what’s truth.
Whether you’re curious about psychedelic therapy, or skeptical about all the hype, this episode is here to inform you.
As a therapist specializing in psychedelic integration, I’ll discuss:
- the definition of psychedelic medicine (& why I’m intentionally using this term, instead of “drug”)
- why psychedelics are not a passive experience that we just consume; they’re a relationship that we actively participate in
- the balance between enjoying the neuroplastic effects of psychedelic medicines vs. expecting the medicine to do all the healing work for us
- the importance of thoughtful preparation & integration, and why the real work happens after the journey
- studies that compare the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy vs. psychotherapy with a placebo
- why concerns about safety are valid, and why it’s important to consider medical contraindications, as well as the social, emotional, & sensory context in which the experience unfolds
- how War on Drugs propaganda impacts our public understanding of psychedelic medicines, and misrepresents the relative danger of “drugs” like cannabis & psilocybin (which are shown to be physiologically less dangerous & less addictive than alcohol)
- why any conversation on psychedelics must also acknowledge the War on Drugs as a vehicle of structural racism & oppression
- the different contexts of psychedelic healing, from ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to plant medicine ceremonies to microdosing
- the nuanced truth: psychedelics can be helpful for some & unhelpful for others
- the importance of centering the voices of Indigenous communities that have stewarded these medicines for generations
RESOURCES
>> Download free guide: How to Prepare & Integrate Your Psychedelic Experience 🪷
>> See all research citations
🌿 About the Host
Liz Zhou is a neurodivergent therapist of color, coach, & speaker based in Colorado (MA, LPC, she/her). She helps highly sensitive, neurodivergent adults & couples heal their nervous systems and connect with their authentic selves. Her specialties include: Brainspotting, EMDR, IFS, Psychedelic Integration, & Nervous System Intensives (deep-dive, accelerated therapy). Liz’s services are available online in CO & worldwide.
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>> To work 1:1 with Liz: learn about psychedelic integration support here.
