A Primer on Psychedelic Medicine and Altered States of Consciousness Dr. Leslie Korn - drLeslieKorn.com
go to original March 16, 2022

Background on Psychedelic Medicine

Psychedelic drugs, also called entheogens, facilitate non-ordinary states of consciousness. The most effective use of psychedelics or entheogens for mental health incorporates these plants, fungi, or chemicals as “assistants” in the psychotherapeutic and spiritual growth process. There is a spectrum of substance use, ranging from recreational, microdosing, traditional Indigenous spiritual healing, in therapeutic, spiritual, and medical settings.

While there are opportunities to apply these substances in medical settings only, it is often more effective to use them as both a vehicle for psychological and spiritual growth, guided by ethical people trained to facilitate these experiences and to maintain safe healing boundaries. It is not advisable to use substances recreationally when the purpose is for psychological healing from trauma, depression or anxiety.

Altered States

Though altering our state of consciousness is often demonized in mental health treatment, it is essential to understand the use of psychedelics and mind-altering substances. Mental illness alters consciousness and many people self-medicate to the point of addiction at some point in their lives. Many more use substances but do not become addicted.

Substance use intersects both the natural human urge for inner exploration with the need to suppress unpleasant states. Plants, fungi, and their chemical derivatives are the subjects of millenia of empirical science, Indigenous sciences, and biomedical clinical trials. Psychedelics treat PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction, insomnia, and act as catalysts for spiritual and post-traumatic growth. Healing often occurs in response to spiritual nourishment that derives from transcendent vision and ongoing rituals of connection with others.

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