Who Might Benefit from Psychedelics & Safety Considerations
7:20 minutes
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if psychedelics are right for you.
There are some instances where psychedelics could be more destabilizing than beneficial for people, both mentally and physically. Throughout this section, I will be using some standard western diagnostic terminology to describe conditions to be mindful of. I want to acknowledge that these labels are insufficient to describe any unique person’s experience, and that diagnoses can be given out incorrectly. However, it is the most common language we share today, so I will be using these terms out of necessity.
Important disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. You are responsible for your own choices and should talk with your doctor if you have questions about your ability to work safely with psychedelic medicine.
Who should be cautious about working with psychedelics:
If you have received a diagnosis for schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, or narcissistic personality disorder, psychedelic medicine could be more destabilizing than helpful. Those with bipolar diagnoses, especially bipolar 1, should also exercise a lot of caution. If you have a first degree relative with one of these diagnoses, you should also proceed with caution, especially if you are under the age of 30.
People who are suicidal, homicidal, or feel like they are in a chaotic state should not work with psychedelic medicine. There are exceptions for folks who are suicidal, if they are working with a licensed clinician. Carefully administered ketamine can help some people greatly.
If you have just experienced a big loss or huge life change, it is often best to wait until things settle somewhat before working with psychedelic medicine. Additionally, people who do not have a safe or stable living situation, or have any support system, should proceed with extreme caution before working with psychedelic medicine. The neuroplasticity created by this medicine can be used against your highest good —an abusive family member or partner can be more harmful to someone when they are in this open state.
People who are pregnant should wait to work with these medicines. The general recommendation is also to wait until you are done breastfeeding. Take caution if you have a heart condition, significantly compromised metabolic systems, or epilepsy.
Who it may be a good fit for:
Research and countless testimonials are showing that various psychedelic medicines can be really beneficial for the following conditions:
Anxiety
Depression
Addiction / Substance Use Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Eating Disorders / Body Dysmorphia
Existential Depression aka “I’m not depressed, but life feels kinda bleh”
Desire to Increase Self Love and Compassion
Desire for Spiritual Growth
You do not have to be seeking this medicine to heal something in particular. You may just feel curious or feel called to try it. Those are completely valid reasons too.
Safety Considerations
Research shows that with proper set and setting (meaning the physical place you are in, who you are around, and your internal mindset) these therapies are pretty darn safe.
Psychedelics are non-habit forming - meaning they are not addictive. In fact, many psychedelic medicines will stop working if you use them too close together (but don't try this, it can have other negative impacts.)
Make sure you trust your source and know your dose. Do not take medicine if you are unsure of where it came from. Weigh out your medicines to make sure you have accurate dosages. The only way to know if your medicine is pure and fentanyl free is to perform chemical testing. Dance Safe is an organization that sells home testing kits and related supplies you can purchase at their website, dancesafe.org .
Medication Interactions
You must research all of your own medications and supplements as I will only touch on the most common medication interactions.
The most common medications that should not be mixed with psychedelics are tramadol, opiates, pain killers, amphetamines, alcohol, and any other recreational drugs.
Another important group of medications that do not interact well with psychedelic medicine are antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications (especially those which impact serotonin and dopamine, which is most of them.) All of the psychedelics we’ve discussed impact serotonin systems, and while using them at the same time may not be dangerous per-say, it does render them far less effective. To work with this medicine, it is typically recommended that these prescription medications be out of your system for 4-6 weeks. Do not quit any medication cold turkey - work with your physician to taper off intentionally.
Antidepressants can save lives. Only you will know if you are interested and ready to taper off of your medication. It is important to know that the majority of clinical drug trials have followed people taking antidepressants for only 8-12 weeks, with a handful of trials lasting 2 years. This doesn’t mean it is dangerous to take these medications for longer periods of time, but it does mean we don’t really know what the implications are yet for people who do.
As stated before, it is ultimately up to you to decide if psychedelics are right for you.
It’s not only about what medications you are on, or if you have or haven’t had certain diagnoses, it’s also about whether or not you feel a pull to work with them.
If you are still curious about psychedelics, read the last part of this series that talks about knowing if and when you are ready.
