Conspiracy theories in psychedelics communities
Viruses aren't the only things spreading
A lot of ground is being made in psychedelic research. MAPS recently raised $30 million to help MDMA pass FDA regulatory hurdles. If the clinical trials hold up—so far, so good—we could soon experience new methods for treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation.
Well, old methods, too. A little thing called 20th-century racism got in the way.
This resurgence in psychedelic research couldn’t come soon enough. As I wrote about earlier this week, the chemical imbalance theory of depression has done far more for pharmaceutical companies than patients.
Physical anthropologists, Kristen Syme and Edward Hagen, recently looked at the damage caused by this errant theory.
"A final group of disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, have low heritability, are caused by adversity, and involve symptoms that seem to be adaptive responses to adversity. Because they are relatively common throughout adult life, they account for a substantial fraction of disease burden attributable to mental illness. These might not be disorders at all, however, but instead aversive yet adaptive responses to adversity."
Environment always matters.
Psychedelics are no cure-all. But their track record is far better than the current crop of antidepressants on the market. At the very least, they’re worthy of serious investigation.
On Conspirituality 14, we discuss these “nonspecific amplifiers” in the context of users being indoctrinated into conspiracy theory cults.
In an era being defined by QAnon—with QAnon and anti-mask rhetoric infiltrating psychedelics communities—people are being manipulated while in vulnerable states. When you’re that open, you’re also quite open to suggestions.
Psychedelic substances always depend on set and setting: your mindset and intentions and your environment, including the people you journey alongside.
Get caught up with the wrong teachers and you’re in for quite a ride.
Tragically, COVID-19 is spreading through South American rainforests, where ayahuasca ceremonies are still being held. This has resulted in a number of reported deaths of curanderos in Brazil and Peru.
As Paul Offit said, there is no such thing as “alternative” medicine. Medicine is what works. If it doesn't work, it’s not medicine. Sometimes ancient remedies are the best course of action; sometimes, chemotherapy. There’s no easy answer.
Psychedelics are in for a bumpy ride as they gain mainstream acceptance. The hope is that it’s as beneficial as possible to the largest number of people.
I’ll have plenty more to say as the publication of my book, Hero’s Dose: The Case for Psychedelics in Ritual and Therapy, approaches. Until then, enjoy the podcast, and thanks for reading, as always.
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