If you are a first responder that has found this site and are reading this blog, perhaps you have an interest in psychedelics or an understanding of how psychedelic therapy may help you work through your trauma symptoms.
Psychedelics have been around since the dawn of time. Many traditional cultures have used psychedelic medicines for centuries to help people heal, recover, and grow. For most of time psychedelic medicines were used in traditional ceremonies, for rites of passage, and for healing. In the 1960s and 1970s promising research was being done using psychedelic medicines to treat a variety of concerns such as trauma and addictions. In the late 70’s and 80’s the tide turned and psychedelic were banned as part of the “war on drugs”. Sadly this meant psychedelic research was also put on hold.
In the last 10 years, psychedelic research has been enjoying a resurgence. Research is being conducted by highly respected researchers, at highly respected universities, using highly controlled and scrutinized methodologies. The research has been promising, which has opened the doors for further research here in Canada, in the USA, and around the world. You will find links to several key research studies on this site.
Much of the research here in Canada has focused on using MDMA to treat PTSD. MDMA is non-traditional psychedelic. It is what is known as an empathogen. It is a heart opener. How does MDMA then help first responders and others with PTSD? In very simple terms, it allows one to process traumatic memories with a huge dose of compassion, and often with a new level of insight and awareness. This may allow a new and gentler perspective on ourselves and the traumatic events we have been exposed to. MDMA can help us see aspects of events from new perspectives, and to process traumatic events in a way that leaves them far less triggering for us. MDMA will not erase your memories, nor do we want it to, but it can be a potent medicine to help us process traumatic events in new and unique ways that leave us less burdened and triggered by the traumatic events we have been exposed to on the job.
Stay tuned for more blogs that will explore different aspects of psychedelic trauma healing, and speak to the role of psychedelics in helping first responders stay healthy and resilient.