Therapy or Ceremony

My thoughts on the recent Executive Order expediting psychedelic drug approval

Artwork by Lauren Meyer -Painter Dancer

On a recent weekend I participated in an all-day sacred mushroom ceremony. At the end of the day, before heading home, I saw a slew of messages on my phone about the signing of an Executive Order to speed up the approval process for psychedelic drugs.

Coming out of the ceremonial space, the medicine still very much in my system, the message was hardly a cause for celebration.

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Since the early 20^th century, even before Albert Hoffmann accidentally stumbled onto LSD, the pharmaceutical industry has been trying to brand and package a psychedelic drug. Almost a century later, not a single one (excluding ketamine, which is not technically a psychedelic) has received FDA approval.

And why is that?

This distinct group of compounds – which interact with the human heart and psyche in such unique, unpredictable and powerful ways – simply defy the rational Western medical system’s need for uniformity, standardization and commodification.

In certain individuals, they may change their views of the world, and even raise subversive ideas of love, compassion and connection – a threat Richard Nixon recognized when he launched the War on Drugs…

But now, when the overwhelm of mental suffering presents a huge commercial opportunity, dozens of pharmaceutical companies are busily sanding down their square pegs to fit the round holes of the FDA system. Producing drugs that don’t require the support of a therapist. That reduce the trip time to a reasonable 15 minutes. That take away the trip entirely.

Now, thanks to this new executive green light, we may very soon see the first psychedelic drugs enter the market.

I don’t want to dismiss the importance of this development. For one, it moves the conversation around psychedelics a giant step forward towards legitimacy in the public sphere.

Furthermore, many people will stand to benefit from the availability of these medicines through the healthcare system. Perhaps their insurance will even cover the expense.

In the meantime, the rollout of psychedelic drugs is complicated, with many details still to work out.

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It’s important to remember that medicalization is only one, uniquely Western approach to integrating psychedelics into the mainstream.

But in my recent, communal, ceremonial setting, we engaged with psychedelics as humans have throughout history – as sacred medicines gifted by nature to the collective, that open access to other dimensions where healing, insights and guidance can be gleaned.

Entering into these spaces requires a deliberate shift out of secular daily life into sacred, ceremonial space.

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Once a month, the hosts of the ceremony I attended create a comfortable, secure and supportive environment where a small group of people can come, receive a measured serving of this sacred medicine (tea produced from actual, specially cultivated mushrooms – pale, beautiful specimens that were presented in a bowl for us to see) and experience its healing and expansive effects.

In the opening circle, many of the participants shared their long histories with depression, abuse and trauma that had not been successfully addressed by the mental health care system. Most were repeat visitors, drawn back by the glimmers of relief and incremental healing they find there.

Around noon, we drank the tea, covered our eyes, and settled into our mats to surrender to the music and the journey.

Over many hours, the ceremony space was intermittently filled with sobbing, shouts and laughter. I lay quietly on my own mat, riveted in my own circuitous, mysterious journey.

Afterwards, in the closing circle, each one shared from their hearts and lovingly witnessed each others’ courageous breakthroughs. We experienced not only catharsis, but also the support and validation of a community.

It crossed my mind how our society is great at heaping on pressure but offers very few outlets for releasing it. And what a service to humanity these ceremonies provide.

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Ultimately, with FDA approval, there will be those with mental health conditions who will find great benefit from a psychedelic drug administered in a clinical setting, including individuals with a terminal illness. And that’s a good thing.

But in parallel, many will still be drawn to the underground to find ceremonial settings for their consciousness-expanding work – whether for healing, spiritual deepening or simply the opportunity to view life through a very different lens.

If only their right to do so received similar recognition and legal protection.

In the meantime, for older adults who are curious about psychedelics but don’t want to break the law, there are state-legal options for psychedelic exploration in Colorado and Oregon, as well as overseas.

But far below the surface, oblivious to the winds of influence and commerce, the underground ceremonies will continue, undeterred.

And it’s official. July 7th, 7 PM at Busboys and Poets in Takoma, DC - the soft launch for my book, Psychedelics and the Counterculture of Aging.

The official launch will be on July 9th in New York City, hosted by the Psychedelic Assembly. Details to follow.

If you have thoughts about a bookstore or venue where I can hold a book event this summer, I’d love to hear about it!