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.
In the past, the War on Drugs has treated virtually all mind-altering substances in much the same way. Consuming them has been viewed as a criminal act, and as something that’s done for no reason other than recreation. That’s what’s made it so easy for lawmakers to pigeonhole the users of cannabis and other substances as bad actors and to pass laws aimed solely at punishing them. Why bother with such things as rehabilitation when you can simply brush the element you don’t approve of under the rug, right?
But now research is showing us a different side of that coin. It’s apparent at this point that cannabis, at least, has more to offer than simple recreation—it’s often used therapeutically, for medical reasons. And even those who are using it recreationally can be easily differentiated from actual criminals, as the use of cannabis causes no harm to the community. It’s in that spirit that many places that haven’t yet legalized cannabis are beginning to decriminalize—to treat possession as a minor infraction as opposed to serious lawbreaking. And this has been so successful that decriminalization of harder drugs, like psychedelics, is now becoming a more popular idea. This might be the next wave of combating the War on Drugs. But psychedelics can’t be considered the same as cannabis, since there’s no medical use for them, right?
Actually, no. Though research is still in the works, there is reason to think that psychedelic therapy is a valid idea, and it’s something that many people are already exploring. Much like cannabis, there’s a lot to be learned about the subject before it can be implemented widely and because psychedelics are still illegal, it’s a difficult thing to study.
If you’re interested in learning more, academically, about the potential of psychedelic therapy or the mechanics of how it works, we recommend picking up one of the following books. Each provides different perspectives on psychedelics and how to tap into their benefits.
Waldman is a popular novelist who has struggled with a mood disorder throughout her life. Conventional treatments weren’t helpful to her, and eventually, she turned to a regimen of microdosing with LSD. She catalogs her experience here and reports that it’s transformative.
For a different perspective, Dr. Sacks offers a look at the hallucinations his patients have experienced and compares them against the hallucinations he himself experienced in his days of experimenting with psychedelics. Dr. Sacks doesn’t use psychedelics as part of his treatments, but it’s interesting to see how hallucinations born of mental illness compare against those that come from psychedelic use.
Shroder sets out to explore the power of psychedelics to treat PTSD and does so by reporting on the experiences of three different men who have given this treatment a try. Shroder presents a pro-psychedelic perspective, along with a history of the substance going back to the 1950s, which makes for an important and interesting read.
Hayes’ book is structured like a book of short stories—in this case, non-fiction ones. He tells us about a wide variety of subjects from all walks of life, reporting on their reasons for turning to psychedelics and the quality of their experiences, drawing lines between the commonalities and the differences among them.
Taiwanese novelist Lin confronts his struggles with drug addiction and the ways in which the study of pro-psychedelic ideas was instrumental in his recovery and coping with his depression. Over time, Lin was able to bring his psychedelic use from something chaotic and out of control to something managed and deliberate. It’s a fascinating perspective on the potential psychedelics have.
We still know very little about psychedelics and their uses. All of these books on psychedelic therapy are fairly anecdotal and contain little hard science. But if this topic is one that interests you, these books are a good place to start. Please be sure to speak with a physician before attempting psychedelic therapy to avoid any potential adverse effects associated.
Have you ever shared some edibles between friends, only to discover that one of you is feeling nothing at all? Unfortunately, it’s more common than you think. Many people, particularly on social platforms like Reddit, report no reactions to the effects of ingested cannabis. This is often known as being “ediblocked.” Being ediblocked is a…
As of 2025, 24 U.S. states plus Washington, D.C. have legalized recreational cannabis, and 38 states have legalized cannabis in some form—including medical marijuana programs. But cannabis legalization in the United States isn’t universal. Your state determines not only if it’s legal, but also how each state defines cannabis possession, purchasing, growing, and consumption. This…
NPK isn’t some trendy Gen Z abbreviation circulating on TikTok; it actually stands for nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus—the cornerstone of nutrients for developing cannabis plants. NPK and cannabis are a fundamental dynamic for optimal results from your cannabis harvest. There’s a lot of information available regarding the best NPK ratio for cannabis; however, growers obtain…
Your grinder’s missing—but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options for grinding down your cannabis flower. You can still get a clean, even grind using simple tools you already have at home. Kitchen gadgets, those random items in your junk drawer—there’s no shortage of clever ways to break down your cannabis bud fast. This guide…
Firearm incidents involving alcohol or other substances rise by 87.5% when hunting season starts. This points to alcohol playing a major role in gun-related accidents. A Johns Hopkins report adds to this concern, revealing that about one in three gun homicide perpetrators were drunk before committing murder, and a quarter of gun suicide victims were drunk…
Sign up for our newsletter
Learn the process in your state
All Rights Reserved Veriheal Inc. ©
Terms Privacy Policy Advertising Agreement Content Disclamer
Get your medical marijuana card today
Sign up in under 5 minutes
Start By Selecting Your State
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Puerto Rico
