Psilocybin 101: Effects, Benefits, and Tips for Consumption
by Chane Leigh
Note: Veriheal does not support illegally consuming alternative therapeutic substances but acknowledges that it transpires because of the current illicit status, which we strive to change by advocating for research, legal access, and responsible consumption. Always consult a physician before attempting psychedelic therapy.
Now that we know more about the potential benefits of cannabis and its uses as a healing substance, it’s natural that attention should turn to other substances previously considered to be purely recreational. After all, if a little THC can help you manage your anxiety, but what might some psychedelics such as LSD or magic mushrooms have to offer on a therapeutic level? This is a question that’s only beginning to be studied, but it’s one that’s captured the imagination of researchers and physicians alike. Is psychedelic therapy a real option? And might it be preferable to the choices of pharmaceuticals we currently have, many of which—like opioids— that come with the risk of lasting and harmful effects? If psychedelic therapy is something worth pursuing, a huge part of making it effective is going to be creating the right setting, with the right stimuli. Just as we cannabis users try to manage intense highs and paranoia by controlling our environment, those partaking in psychedelics need a prepared environment where they know they’ll feel safe. That need is what gave rise to the psychedelic retreat. These spa-like retreats are currently emerging all over the world. Here are a few such places that are gaining a lot of attention.
Ember Health is a retreat that uses ketamine therapy to help patients suffering from depression. The program consists of four hour-long ketamine infusions administered over a period of two weeks. Patients are supervised by doctors during their treatments and given tools to help them adapt once they leave and return to their normal lives. The cost is approximately $2000.
Soltara Healing Center works with ayahuasca, an Amazonian medicinal plant that contains a powerful psychoactive substance. You can choose a five-night, week-long, or 12-night retreat at their resort location, with prices ranging between $2,500 and $13,500. It’s a costly getaway, but it’s an absolutely beautiful location, and for those wishing to experience the benefits of ayahuasca, it might be a perfect fit.
Clear Sky Recovery is a facility that uses psychedelic therapy to assist with drug detox with ibogaine, a psychoactive alkaloid that occurs naturally in the roots of certain African rainforest shrubs. The facility is a state-of-the-art, luxury environment that features swimming pools, high-speed internet, and a cook for the residents. They promise tailored treatments and long-term results. Their eight-day program includes the development of an aftercare plan.
Billed as a “truffle retreat center,” Synthesis provides a program in which professionals can partake of psilocybin in a safe and guided environment, with the intent of going on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. According to their website, this journey has numerous positive health effects, including reducing anxiety and increasing one’s general sense of well-being. Specifically, fear and stress among participants were reported to have decreased by an average of 13.8% following treatment. They offer a variety of different retreats, but the flagship experience carries a price tag of $3000.
Because of the unconventional nature of these medical treatments, it is highly unlikely they will be covered by your insurance. So for now, these opportunities are available only to the privileged few who can afford them. But as more and more people try these solutions, a preponderance of the evidence is bound to collect, just as it did with cannabis. If these psychedelic substances are truly valid as health care, eventually enough success stories will emerge that they’ll gain the research they need to be brought up in legal conversation. And it’s possible that, sometime in the future, we’ll see medical provisions for magic mushrooms, just as we’re beginning to see them for cannabis today.
Looking to find your medical cannabis in a state that hasn’t yet legalized it? It may be tempting to drive across neighboring state lines with more cannabis-friendly laws. However, the number of states that will authorize qualified patients from out-of-state medical marijuana programs is still relatively small. Which States Accept Out-of-State MMJ Cards? States That…
So you love smoking cannabis, but you’re tired of the same ole rolling papers. Perhaps you recently learned about the potential dangers and risks associated with tobacco blunt wraps and want a healthier option. Let’s explore some rolling paper alternatives that work well for blunts, joints, and spliffs. Types of Rolling Paper to Absolutely Avoid…
Bipolar disorder is a complex condition that impacts millions worldwide, leading to extreme mood swings, intense emotional episodes, and difficulty managing day-to-day life. But there may be some good news for those coping with this mental health issue. According to recent research, cannabis could offer unique benefits as part of an approach to managing bipolar…
As cannabis enthusiasts, we’re all too familiar with the stigma surrounding its use and the hoops that have to be jumped through to get it into medical research trials. But recent news of the DEA’s approval of a cocaine derivative for Parkinson’s disease research has left us scratching our heads. In light of this, one…
Despite the fact that the legal cannabis industry is growing, many people are still purchasing from the illicit market. A recent study investigated this matter and found that buying cannabis from the illicit market may be “better” than legal weed. The obvious reasons for choosing the illicit market over the legal market include the likes…
New York City’s newest recreational dispensary is a big win, Mississippi opened its medical cannabis market, and Hong Kong banned CBD. Let’s…
Nations across the globe are beginning to recognize the dangers of restrictive drug policies—aka the “war on drugs.” Colombia and Mexico recently…
We sat down with the team at TerraLeaf, a medical cannabis dispensary servicing West Virginia, to ask them the Veriheal 5—five questions…