Not Your Typical Drug

The consequences of trauma are like a thick fog that seems to always be there, stationed on top of millions of people’s heads.

These people look at the weather forecast for guidance, but they get even more confused because the weatherman says it is sunny. Yet, it does not look sunny to them. So, they blame themselves, take prescription medications, drink alcohol, and do drugs. But none of that makes their life warm and bright.

Sometimes, they catch glimpses of the sun. It appears briefly when they have a breakthrough in therapy. When they meet the love of their lives. When they buy a puppy or when they give birth to a child. And those glimpses become enough. More often than not, people go through life right up to their last days, not ever knowing why the fog was always there.

Regrettably, for far too long, the profound effects of trauma remained shrouded in darkness. However, the tides are turning, and change is on the horizon. In this transformative era, not only are people breaking free from the fog, but studies on trauma are also being more widely distributed, and books are speaking more openly about it.

Trauma is far more than a conventional disease; it represents a profound experience of dis-ease and dis-order within the very core of your being. Unfelt emotions are at the origin of trauma, and among other things, they hurt your ability to learn, connect with others, and grow.

These unfelt emotions are those you experience during a traumatic episode that you don’t fully process or express. They remain trapped within you, impacting your psyche and plaguing you with consequences. The overwhelming intensity of the emotions, your age, or circumstances surrounding the trauma determines if you suppress and disconnect from your emotions temporarily or permanently.

Plant Medicine and Psychedelics

Healing is a multifaceted journey with no one-size-fits-all approach. Being open to alternative therapies, such as psychedelics, can be a valuable addition to your healing toolkit. These approaches are not a replacement for traditional therapy or other forms of support. Instead, they offer a unique and complementary way to navigate your journey.

Recognizing that trauma can be most effectively healed when you can process and release emotions tied to traumatic memories illuminates the extraordinary healing potential of treatments involving psychedelics and plant medicines.

Imagine embarking on a therapeutic journey where you compress the progress you would typically make over years of traditional therapy into brief and intense emotional explorations.

Psychedelics help you dive into the depth of your psyche in an accelerated way. During treatments, you can confront emotions that have long remained buried. And perhaps, just like me, you might discover complex, hidden childhood trauma that holds the key to your metamorphosis.

Challenging Your Assumptions

Psychedelics have been unfairly associated with counterculture and recreational use, leading to widespread misconceptions and negative perceptions. Let’s explore some common stigmas and fears surrounding psychedelics to see if you hold any of these beliefs:

• Stigma: Psychedelics are just recreational party drugs and have no therapeutic value.
• Stigma-buster: Have you considered looking beyond the association of psychedelics with counterculture and recreational use to uncover their hidden potential in therapeutic settings? Were you aware of the recent rekindling of interest in their use for mental health issues?
• Stigma: Psychedelics are dangerous and can cause permanent mental damage.
• Stigma-buster: What if your lack of understanding of psychedelics is preventing you from discovering groundbreaking therapeutic applications? Did you know that when used responsibly and under proper guidance, psychedelics can be safer than many prescription drugs?
• Stigma: Psychedelic users are reckless. Only “hippies” use them.
• Stigma-buster: Are your stereotypes preventing you from recognizing the diversity of individuals who explore these substances for various reasons, including personal growth and mental health? Did you know that veterans are one of the main groups treated with psychedelic-assisted therapies?
• Stigma: Psychedelics have a high potential for addiction.
• Stigma-buster: Are your preconceived notions about addiction and long-term effects preventing you from exploring a new paradigm of mental health care? Did you know many psychedelics are less addictive than alcohol or cigarettes?
• Stigma: Psychedelic substances are illegal. There must be a good reason for that.
• Stigma Buster: Consider the paradoxical classification of the substances as “Schedule I” in the United States, which designates them as having no accepted medical use. In light of the growing body of research supporting the therapeutic potential of these substances, can you reconcile the discrepancy between their proven medical benefits and their continued classification as having no accepted medical use? How does this knowledge impact your perception of drug policies and their alignment with scientific evidence?

Let’s take a closer look at some of these substances:

Plant Medicines:

1. Magic Mushrooms and Ayahuasca.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in what is commonly known as “magic mushrooms.” It was “discovered” by science in the 50s. Yet, indigenous cultures have used mushrooms containing psilocybin for spiritual and healing purposes for thousands of years.

The psychedelic experience can bring forth vivid imagery, sensory hallucinations, heightened emotions, and introspective insights. It may enable you to explore traumatic memories and their associated feelings from a different perspective.

2. San Pedro and Peyote:

San Pedro is a cacti native to the Andean region of South America. It has been used for centuries by indigenous cultures, particularly in Peru and Ecuador, for spiritual and healing purposes.

In traditional practices, San Pedro and peyote often induce altered states of consciousness, facilitate spiritual connection, and promote healing and introspection. A treatment can last 12 hours or more, often allowing for a gentler exploration of the inner psyche.

 Man-made Substances:

1. MDMA:

MDMA (sometimes called ecstasy or Molly) is a synthetic psychoactive substance. It is classified as an empathogen and stimulant because it enhances feelings of empathy, emotional openness, and euphoria.

Contrary to the disconnection that happens during the formation of traumatic memories, MDMA enhances the connection between the rational brain and the hippocampus (where memories are formed, processed, and consolidated).

This incredible combination allows the memories stored deep in the brain to be processed and reorganized without the same intensity of fear felt when the events happened.

2. LSD:

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a powerful psychedelic substance. It is derived from a fungus called ergot and was first synthesized in a laboratory in 1938.

LSD is known for its mind-altering effects, including hallucinations, altered perceptions of time and space, and profound changes in thought patterns and emotions, which can enhance the retrieval and integration of memories.

3. Ketamine:

Ketamine is a controlled substance in the United States, so it’s heavily regulated. It is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating mental health disorders, but it can be legally administered, off-label, by licensed medical professionals for this purpose.

Ketamine is known to have dissociative effects, meaning it can create a sense of detachment from one’s body and surroundings. It is believed that the substance’s effects on the brain’s neurotransmitters may facilitate the formation of new brain pathways and connections. Ketamine can create a state of altered consciousness that allows you to explore and examine your traumatic memories from a completely different vantage point.

NOT a Magic Pill

It is important to note that these alternative treatments are not for everyone.

Psychedelics are not a magic pill you take, and –poof!– all of a sudden, life is rainbows and butterflies. The opposite often happens. If I compare it to any pill, it would be the red pill Neo takes in The Matrix.

If you recall, the red pill awakened Neo from the illusion he lived under. Psychedelics are just a tool. You can use this tool when you are ready to expand your understanding and confront the sometimes harsh reality of the matrix of your life in an accelerated way.

After Neo took the pill, he had to engage in many battles.

His journey involved facing numerous challenges, including encounters with powerful adversaries. All to unravel the deeper mysteries of the Matrix. During this time, he learned to tap into his true potential. Your healing is often a similar journey. It takes work, and taking the red pill is not a decision you should make lightly.

If you are interested in alternative treatments, it is essential that you educate yourself and seek medical advice.

Are You Living in a Fog?

Are you or people you know leading lives filled with disconnection, depression, addiction, or prescription drugs, always wondering why the sun never pierces the emotional clouds shrouding their existence?

In my book Hidden Memories: Discover What’s Blocking You from Life and Love, I discuss how differently traumatic memories are stored in the brain when compared to regular memories and how the brain often hides those traumatic memories from conscious awareness.

The backbone of the book is a journey through my life’s dramatic transformation. Catalyzed by recovering hidden memories of childhood trauma with the help of psychedelics. Each treatment was crucial in bringing beautiful shades of colors into my life and in illuminating my path. They were the keys that helped me unlock the doors to my mind and heart.

Do you want to learn more about how these alternative healing tools could help you navigate the uncharted territories of your life? The book will introduce you to a world of expanded perspectives. It will invite you to explore the darkest corners of your mind, where memories may lay dormant or hidden. And give you tips and tools so you can tap into your boundless reservoir of resilience.

As you dive deep into my riveting tale of challenges, healing, and empowerment, you’ll learn how to break free from the shackles of past limitations and embrace life and love with newfound clarity and purpose.

Whether you choose to explore the depths of your consciousness through the lens of psychedelics or embark on a different path of introspection, the essence lies in your willingness to venture into the uncharted territories of your own being. It’s about embracing vulnerability and daring to question your behaviors and emotions.

Whatever route you take, remember that you hold the paintbrush, and the masterpiece you create is a testament to your resilience, your growth, and your capacity to embrace the unknown.

Step forward with the courage to explore, seek, and transform. The canvas of your existence is vast, and it’s waiting to be painted with every heartbeat, with every thought, and with every choice you make.

Learn more about Melissa Osorio and her book at https://hiddenmbook.com/.