The hottest Psychedelics Substack posts right now

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Can We Break the Spell?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 36 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Psychedelics Human nature Society Consciousness Reality
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Psychedelics as Catalysts for Recovery

Deep Fix • 471 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Addiction Recovery Psychedelics Therapy Holistic health
  1. Psychedelics can be powerful tools for helping individuals facing addiction move towards recovery by promoting neural growth and restoring the gut-brain connection.
  2. Psychedelics should not be seen as shortcuts in recovery, but as catalysts that help individuals confront their darkness and engage in the healing process.
  3. By supporting the diversity of life within personal ecosystems, psychedelics can ignite 'second-stage recovery' and provide hope to those facing addiction.

What’s happening inside the brain on LSD? Colorado psychedelics legislation flies through state Senate, and Oregon gets its first licensed testing lab

The Microdose • 471 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Legislation Therapy Research Mental health
  1. Scientists study brain activity on LSD and find altered connectivity and self-inhibition.
  2. Colorado Senate passes SB 290 to implement Proposition 122 for psilocybin services in the state.
  3. Oregon licenses its first psilocybin testing lab, but high costs may drive some practitioners underground.

Amazonian Brujos: The Sorcerers Serving You Ayahuasca

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 23 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Shamanism Magic Amazon Psychedelics
  1. Amazonian shamans in the jungle often engage in feuds and conflicts using magical tools like darts and spirits.
  2. Shamanic warfare in the Amazon involves real belief in sorcery and its consequences can be severe, including death and financial ruin.
  3. Westerners seeking shamanic experiences in the Amazon may face challenges due to cultural differences and the real dangers of engaging in local practices.
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Psilocybin sessions have begun in Oregon, DC-based PAC New Approach enters Massachusetts, and a tangle of patent claims

The Microdose • 452 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Therapy Cancer Treatment
  1. Psilocybin sessions have begun in Oregon under the state's regulated access system.
  2. DC-based PAC New Approach is behind a psychedelics ballot initiative in Massachusetts.
  3. A lawsuit involving patent claims over a synthetic psychedelic compound has added complexity in the field of psychedelics.

Who Killed Steven Pollock?

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Crime Psychedelics Medicine Research Legacy
  1. Steven Pollock was a pioneering mycologist passionate about the medicinal potential of magic mushrooms.
  2. Pollock's legacy includes revolutionizing magic mushroom cultivation and the legal status of magic truffles.
  3. The mysterious circumstances of Pollock's death and his unorthodox life ventures added layers of controversy and intrigue to his story.

Psychedelics & the death experience

Trickle-Down Wellness • 196 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Research Mental health
  1. Psychedelics are being researched for various medical applications like treating anxiety, depression, and existential distress in terminally-ill patients.
  2. Historically, LSD studies funded by the US government from 1953-1973 showed positive results for various conditions and situations.
  3. Ongoing debates exist around the use of macrodoses or microdoses of psychedelics as medicine, with evidence showing potential benefits of larger doses, especially in end-of-life care.

Uneasy Riders: Part One

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 27 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Psychedelics Consciousness Reality Society
  1. Psychedelics might mix up our minds and reality, making it harder to understand what's really happening in the world. This confusion could lead to more personal and societal issues.
  2. While many people benefit from psychedelics at first, there's a worry about how widespread use can have negative effects over time. It may increase feelings of isolation and paranoia.
  3. The current state of the world and the psychedelic movement seem linked, and there needs to be more awareness about the potential downsides of this movement on society as a whole.

The Final Trip: Embracing Psychedelics in Terminal Care

Tripsitter • 139 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Mental health
  1. Psychedelics are being embraced in end-of-life care facilities to provide relief from anxiety and existential distress in terminal patients.
  2. Research has shown that certain psychedelics can induce mystical experiences and offer patients a new perspective to accept their fate and find peace.
  3. Psychedelics are not about escapism but rather about helping individuals confront their mortality with clarity, acceptance, and reduced fear of death.

Shroom Showdown: Ranking Magic Mushrooms by Potency 🍄

Tripsitter • 259 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Testing
  1. Magic mushrooms vary greatly in potency due to different species and chemical compositions.
  2. Measuring the potency of magic mushrooms is complex due to the presence of multiple active and non-active compounds.
  3. The strongest magic mushroom species include Psilocybe azurescens, Psilocybe semilanceata, and Psilocybe baeocystis, with average total tryptamine concentrations around 1%.

How Penis Envy Mushrooms Are Taking Over The World

Tripsitter • 139 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics History
  1. Penis Envy mushrooms are known for their exceptional potency, with concentrations of psilocybin and psilocin as high as 2.90%, making them significantly stronger than the average magic mushroom.
  2. The distinctive trait of Penis Envy mushrooms is their phallic shape, resembling a circumcised penis, which sets them apart from other strains.
  3. The fervent interest in creating new hybrid forms of the Penis Envy mushroom stems from their impressive potency, unique appearance, and high market appeal among spore vendors.

The Story of P. tampanensis: Psychedelia, Murder, & the Evolution of Magic Truffles

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics History
  1. Psilocybe tampanensis, also known as Philosopher's Stones, was one of the first magic truffles species cultivated, kickstarting the truffle market in the Netherlands.
  2. Magic truffles, while named for resemblance to true truffles, are not for reproduction but help species survive harsh conditions like drought.
  3. The story of Psilocybe tampanensis involves a fascinating history including accidental legalization due to Dutch laws, a tragic murder of the discoverer Steven Pollock, and a revival of the species by Stephen Peele.

Uneasy Riders, Continued

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 20 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Psychedelics Spirituality Philosophy Psychology Meditation
  1. The psychedelic movement appears to be growing, with more interest and acceptance in society, but there's a concern that it might not be addressing deeper issues. It's not just about enjoying the experience or healing; it's also about how those experiences impact people's actions in the long run.
  2. Many people may face negative effects from psychedelics even if they are not obvious. The author suggests we need to be careful, as psychedelics can lead to risks that aren't always talked about, like dissociation or underlying trauma.
  3. The future of the psychedelic movement might benefit from focusing on spiritual and esoteric development. Instead of just improving individual mental health, there could be a greater goal of exploring deeper consciousness and our potential as humans.

Reality Check: Mythbusting 7 Drug-Related Urban Legends

Tripsitter • 59 implied HN points • 06 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Substance Use Health Effects
  1. Drug-related urban legends can be enticing and scary, often stemming from popular culture and historical contexts.
  2. Common urban legends surrounding drugs like LSD and Ecstasy are often false and misleading in nature, leading to misconceptions about their effects.
  3. Understanding the origins of urban legends can shed light on societal fears and anxieties related to drug use and other modern issues.

Beware The Plastic Shaman

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Psychedelics
  1. Plastic shamans exploit spiritual practices for personal gain and may lack genuine connections to the traditions they claim to represent.
  2. Consumers of psychedelic retreats should be cautious and research potential facilitators or centers to ensure legitimacy and safety.
  3. Indigenous traditions are at risk of exploitation by individuals who prioritize profit and self-interest over upholding ethical and cultural values.

The Story Behind My New Book: Desire, Failure and DMT

The Bigger Picture • 898 implied HN points • 04 May 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Mental health Wellness Personal Development Therapy
  1. Participating in a study on psychedelics like DMT led to a transformative experience and a book deal.
  2. The book 'The Bigger Picture' explores how psychedelics can help us navigate current societal challenges.
  3. The journey of pursuing writing, facing failures, and eventually landing a book deal showcases the importance of persistence and adapting to change.

The Placebo Paradox: Why Placebos Are Ineffective In Psychedelic Research

Tripsitter • 79 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Placebo effect Research Methods Clinical Trials
  1. Researchers struggle with placebo controls in psychedelic trials due to the unmistakable subjective experiences and physiological effects of psychedelics, making blinding participants difficult.
  2. The power of expectations and beliefs influence the effectiveness of psychedelics, leading to challenges in maintaining placebo controls and interpreting trial results.
  3. Alternative approaches in psychedelic research involve creating placebo psychedelic experiences or comparing psychedelics directly to established treatments, offering potential solutions to traditional placebo limitations.

Designer Drug Exposé: Amphetamines & Other Stimulants

Tripsitter • 139 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Designer Drugs Psychedelics
  1. Stimulants like amphetamines boost certain brain chemicals to increase alertness and energy. Cocaine, meth, and MDMA are well-known, but there are many more stimulants available.
  2. The use of stimulating herbs like ma huang dates back to ancient China for treating conditions like asthma and congestion.
  3. Designer amphetamines, fluorinated amphetamines, synthetic cathinones ("Bath Salts"), and MDXX class compounds are popular in the designer drug market, offering a range of effects from stimulant to psychedelic.

The Mexican Dream Herb: Calea zacatechichi 🌱🌙

Tripsitter • 59 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Herbal Medicine Psychedelics Side Effects Precautions
  1. The Mexican Dream Herb, Calea zacatechichi, is known for enhancing dream vividness and helping in lucid dreaming.
  2. Traditional shamans use Calea for ceremonial purposes and other benefits like relief from digestive disorders.
  3. Using Calea can lead to hyper-realistic and coherent dreams by affecting sleep stages N1 and REM, which can help in extracting knowledge from dreams.

Is Ketamine Psychedelic?

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Neurochemistry Mental health Therapy Consciousness
  1. The definition of what makes a substance psychedelic is changing, with ketamine now being considered part of the psychedelic therapy.
  2. The debate over whether ketamine is psychedelic focuses on the chemistry/pharmacology versus subjective experience of the drug.
  3. Ketamine induces mind-revealing states through its unique impact on the brain, even though it doesn't directly target the 5HT2A serotonin receptors like classical psychedelics.

Shades of Pink: The Rise of Colombian Tusi (Pink Cocaine)

Tripsitter • 139 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Harm Reduction Psychedelics
  1. Colombian Tusi, also known as Pink Cocaine, is a highly variable mixture of substances like ketamine, MDMA, cocaine, and caffeine, often dyed pink.
  2. Tusi originated as a knockoff of the rare and expensive drug 2-CB in an effort to fill a market gap in South America.
  3. The drug Tusip is not to be confused with 2C-B, despite its phonetic similarity, and is created by mixing leftover drugs to produce a colorful and flavorful substance.

Is It Necessary to Have a Mystical Experience With Psychedelics?

Tripsitter • 179 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Personal Growth Spirituality Psychology
  1. Having a mystical experience with psychedelics may lead to successful outcomes in some cases.
  2. Various factors contribute to mystical experiences with psychedelics, including dosage and individual mental state.
  3. Seeking only mystical experiences without integrating the lessons into one's life could lead to spiritual bypassing.

Don't Drink The Electric Kool-Aid: The Acid Ban Explained 🍹🌈

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Clinical Trials
  1. LSD was initially used for clinical purposes but got labeled as a Schedule I drug due to potential abuse, hindering its further research and development for treating mental health disorders.
  2. During the counterculture movement in the 1960s, LSD gained popularity for expanding consciousness and creativity, leading to conflicts with traditional values and eventually being banned.
  3. The CIA's Project MK-Ultra involved unethical human experimentation with LSD for mind control, sparking profound consequences and contributing to the stigma and legal issues surrounding LSD today.

LSD Decoded: Blotters, Liquids, & Beyond 🌈

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Effects Safety Alternatives
  1. LSD comes in different forms like blotters, gel tabs, and liquid, with varying doses that can have significant effects on perception and consciousness.
  2. It's important to be cautious with LSD alternatives like 1P-LSD, AL-LAD, and LSZ, as they have comparable effects to LSD but may differ in potency.
  3. Ensure safety when using LSD by testing it with Ehrlich and Hoffmann reagents, understanding tolerance, storing properly, and being aware of potential effects and risks.

To Oblivion & Back: Exploring The Benefits of Psychedelic-Induced Ego Death

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Shadow work Mental health Consciousness
  1. Ego dissolution through psychedelics offers a different, empathetic perspective and helps confront the delusions and distractions created by the ego.
  2. Psychedelics can induce ego death by suppressing the default mode network, leading to defragmentation of rigid thoughts and allowing new insights and beliefs to emerge.
  3. Understanding the ego's components, biases, and impact on our view of the world can lead to seeking ego dissolution for a more fulfilling, present, and connected life.

Are Gel Tabs the Future of LSD? 🔮🌈

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics
  1. LSD gel tabs hold more LSD than conventional blotters, up to 3 times as much, offering longer shelf-life.
  2. The gel tabs are made of thin LSD-infused gelatin squares, which dissolve faster than paper and last longer.
  3. Gel tabs have advantages like stronger doses, quicker effects, and longer shelf-life, but may be 20% more expensive and have higher potential for adulteration.

Mind Expansion Needs Guidance: The Call for Psychedelic Practitioners

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Therapy Coaching Ethics
  1. Guiding psychedelic experiences requires skilled support and effort, not just a quick fix mindset.
  2. The focus should be on supporting the use of existing psychedelics, rather than just creating new drugs.
  3. There is a growing demand for knowledgeable and empathetic psychedelic practitioners to assist with mental health conditions and guide people through the psychedelic experience.

Traveling for Transformation: The Rise of Psychotourism

Tripsitter • 139 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🏝 Travel Psychedelics Ethical Concerns Cultural impact
  1. Psychotourism is on the rise and offers a unique way to travel for transformative experiences using psychedelic substances.
  2. Laws around psychedelics vary by country, creating a legal gray area for psychotourism retreat centers.
  3. Ethical concerns around psychotourism include cultural appropriation, exploitation of vulnerable communities, and potential harm to tourists if not properly guided and integrated post-experience.

The Psychedelic Bookshelf: 27 Must-Reads for the Psychedelic-Inspired

Tripsitter • 139 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
📚 Literature Psychedelics Books Authors Philosophy Knowledge
  1. Reading books provides a unique learning experience that goes beyond quick answers found online, guiding you to consider questions you may not have thought of.
  2. Text-based reading has been shown to result in better information retention compared to video or audio-based learning, making books valuable for deep understanding.
  3. Books on psychedelics offer a diverse range of insights, from scientific analysis to personal experiences, making them essential for anyone interested in the topic.

The Fabric of Reality Seemed To Be Coming Apart [Changa]

The Drug Users Bible • 19 implied HN points • 04 Jul 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Mental health Substance Use Personal Experience
  1. Changa is a blend that includes DMT and an MAOI, which makes DMT effects longer-lasting and more coherent. It's important to use it safely and to follow precautions to avoid dangerous interactions.
  2. Users often experience vibrant visuals and feelings of being in a different realm, with the ability to control their level of engagement during the trip.
  3. After the experience, people may feel relaxed but could also have physical side effects like headaches and mental fatigue, which are common with MAOIs.

Small Doses, Big Impacts: The Pros & Cons of Microdosing Schedules

Tripsitter • 99 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Dosage Risks
  1. Microdosing involves taking small doses of psychedelics in a structured schedule to prevent tolerance and track changes over time.
  2. The Fadiman Protocol involves microdosing LSD every third day, promoting safety and consistency in experiences.
  3. The Stamets Stack combines psilocybin mushrooms, lion's mane, and niacin in a four-days-on, three-days-off schedule for boosting neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.

Grow Tall, San Pedro: The Resilient Cactus' Fight for Survival 🌵

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🔬 Science Psychedelics Conservation Biodiversity
  1. San Pedro cactus has been used for centuries by indigenous groups as medicine and sacrament, but faces challenges due to over-harvesting and loss of cultural traditions. Efforts are being made to conserve and restore the plant through initiatives like planting 1 million San Pedro cacti with Andean communities.
  2. Growing San Pedro at home is an effective way to support sustainability and preserve the plant's lineage. Propagating from cuttings or seeds are common methods, and the plant is relatively easy to grow in cooler climates.
  3. The use of synthetic mescaline as an alternative to wild-harvested San Pedro is suggested. Ensuring the source of San Pedro and supporting organizations dedicated to conservation are key actions individuals can take to protect this cactus and its traditions.

Meet Valerie: LSD's Stealthy Sidekick (1V-LSD)

Tripsitter • 59 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics
  1. 1V-LSD, also known as Valerie, was a synthetic derivative of LSD that cleverly skirted regulations for a while.
  2. 1V-LSD is chemically similar to LSD but with a propionyl functional group, theorized to act as a 'prodrug' that the body converts into LSD.
  3. Lysergamides like 1V-LSD are incredibly potent psychedelics, being significantly stronger than substances like 5-MeO-DMT or mescaline, with little known risk of physical harm.

Morning Glory: The Aztec Vine of Vision

Tripsitter • 99 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Shamanism Dreams Side Effects
  1. Morning glory vine contains psychedelic compounds similar to LSD, with LSA being naturally occurring and less potent than LSD.
  2. Morning glory has been traditionally used in shamanism in Central American cultures for divination and healing purposes.
  3. Morning glory played a significant role in Aztec and Mayan cultures as a divine plant for rituals and ceremonies.

Alexander Shulgin's Greatest Psychedelic Hits

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Chemistry Drug Development Mental health Therapy
  1. Alexander Shulgin, known as 'the godfather of psychedelics,' created hundreds of psychedelic compounds, with 6 standing out as his favorites, named the 'magical half-dozen.'
  2. Shulgin's work revolutionized the field of designer drugs and led to the exploration of thousands of psychoactive substances.
  3. Shulgin's approach to testing new compounds was meticulous, starting with low doses and gradually increasing, emphasizing safety and understanding the threshold dose for each substance.