Psychedelics and Mental Health

 Psychedelics and Mental Health

*Disclaimer*

 This article is for entertainment purposes, it is not intended to influence substance experimentation.

 During our first episode of The Organic Matrix with Alex Chamizo, a wellness advocate and Reiki Practitioner, we spoke about psychedelics. Alex gave the audience a few tips on sourcing mushrooms and being safe while enjoying the mind bending ways of hallucinogens. Alex said, Basically, whatever you're going through is going to be amplified. He advised that if the user is under stress or a whirlwind of emotions that tripping might not be the best choice to make.

 Psychedelics can actually turn the volume up on things we may be avoiding. Alex recommends the user to make sure they're in a good headspace before partaking in such an endeavor. If you're curious about a mushroom experience, start with the smallest dose. Alex thinks mushrooms are meant to be taken outside in nature around trees and the grass. He also believes it's important to have people around you that you love and trust. It also helps when you can music that you enjoy can be played. Speaking to Alex inspired me to do more research on the topic. How can we explore the benefits of psychedelics and also be aware of the possible side effects that can occur during a trip.

 

What Are Psychedelics?

Psychedelics are a class of drugs that alter cognition and perception, typically by stimulating serotonin receptors in the brain. Although psychedelic drugs have been used for thousands of years for religious, spiritual, and recreational purposes, scientific research on them has been hampered by legal restrictions.

Many psychedelic substances are illegal worldwide under the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances and other international agreements. However, there is a growing body of evidence that some psychedelics may have therapeutic benefits for certain psychiatric disorders (e.g., treatment-resistant depression) when administered in carefully controlled medical settings.

The Effects of Psychedelics 

The effects of psychedelics can vary significantly depending on the substance, dosage, and individual user. They generally fall into three main categories: sensory effects (visuals), cognitive effects (thought patterns), and physical effects (body sensations).Psychedelics are a class of drugs that alter perception, thought, and mood. These drugs may cause hallucinations, change how you experience the world around you, and alter your sense of self. They include LSD (acid), psilocybin and magic mushrooms, mescaline/peyote/san pedro cactus, DMT (dimethyltryptamine), AMT (alpha-methyltryptamine), and ketamine.

They can be taken as a powder or in pill form, but are most commonly ingested through the mouth in liquid form. They produce an altered state of consciousness that can last up to 12 hours.

The effects of psychedelic use can be unpredictable and vary widely from person to person based on their tolerance level, mental health status, mood at time of ingestion and use history among other factors.

Side Effects:

Some side effects may only occur once or twice while others may become more frequent as you continue using psychedelics regularly. Some of these side effects include:

Panic attacks

Psychosis - experiencing things that aren't real such as hearing voices or seeing things that aren't there (hallucinations)

Flashbacks 

 Reliving previous experiences after taking psychedelics even months later or years later which can cause anxiety The legalization of psychedelic drugs has sparked a renaissance in scientific research into their potential therapeutic benefits. Psychedelic drugs are now being studied as possible treatments for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction.

The resurgence of interest in psychedelics has also resulted in an increasingly popular culture surrounding them. In recent years, festivals celebrating psychedelic culture have sprung up across the country. The largest such festival is Burning Man, which takes place in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada.

The popularity of psychedelic drugs has also resulted in more people taking them recreationally - either at home or at festivals like Burning Man. However, there are risks associated with taking psychedelics that you should be aware of before you take them.

Dangers of Taking Psychedelics

The most common risks associated with taking psychedelics include:

Overdose: In some cases, people who have taken large doses of psychedelics have suffered from panic attacks and heart problems that could lead to death if left untreated. A large dose of psilocybin mushrooms can result in severe gastrointestinal distress and vomiting; these symptoms can be fatal if severe enough or left untreated long enough.*

Hallucinations: Some people experience terrifying hallucinations on psychedelic drugs such as LSD or psilocybin mushrooms.*

Using Substances like psychedelics is no joke, so please use this article to keep yourself safe and aware of what can happen if these substances are abused.