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Psychedelics as a tool for a more connected and sustainable world? Considering the importance of rituals, boundaries, and commitment.
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Amy Isham
International Journal of Drug Policy, Volume: 133, Start page: 104571
Swansea University Author:
Amy Isham
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© 2024 The Authors. This is an open access article under the CC BY license.
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104571
Abstract
Despite the surge of interest in psychedelic research in the past decade, largely due to the promise of psychedelics for improving mental health outcomes, there has been comparatively little discussion about the social and environmental consequences of psychedelic drug use. While there is growing ev...
| Published in: | International Journal of Drug Policy |
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| ISSN: | 0955-3959 |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2024
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69205 |
| Abstract: |
Despite the surge of interest in psychedelic research in the past decade, largely due to the promise of psychedelics for improving mental health outcomes, there has been comparatively little discussion about the social and environmental consequences of psychedelic drug use. While there is growing evidence to suggest psychedelics could foster a greater connection to the natural world and improve social relationships, such positive repercussions are far from guaranteed. In this commentary, we focus on LSD, psilocybin and especially MDMA, and outline three insights we came to see as crucial to creating beneficial outcomes: 1) the importance of setting and rituals, 2) the establishment of boundaries, and 3) understanding the long-term commitment required. These insights are grounded in the history of psychedelics, which is intimately intertwined with ritualised use, yet the process of commercialisation of these substances threatens to strip away important contextual factors. Creating boundaries around when, how and with whom psychedelics are used have been found to protect recreational users from harm and could also be instrumental in steering commercial interests to align with socio-environmental goals. Finally, far from being a ‘quick fix’ for social or environmental problems, the use of psychedelics requires sustained engagement to integrate the insights obtained. Whereas we remain optimistic about the transformative potential of psychedelics for social relationships and the environment, we also emphasise the need for a more cautious, considered approach if we are to harness the benefits and minimise the challenges of psychedelic drug use. |
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| Keywords: |
MDMA; LSD; Psilocybin; Psychedelics; Setting; Rituals |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
This work was supported by an Institute of Social Science Research scholarship from London Southbank University. |
| Start Page: |
104571 |