Doris Bersing, PhD
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Magic Mushrooms: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psilocybin

 Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms or psilocybin mushrooms, have long captivated the human imagination with their ability to induce profound psychedelic experiences. These mushrooms contain the chemical compounds psilocybin and psilocin, which have the power to alter one’s perception, leading to hallucinations and a journey into the depths of the mind. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms, particularly in the treatment of addiction, depression, and other psychiatric conditions.

As I embarked on my own exploration of the world of psychedelics, I discovered a transformative and enlightening experience that has left an indelible mark on my life.

The Ethical and Legal Implications of Psilocybin

Before delving into my personal experience with magic mushrooms, it is essential to acknowledge the ethical and legal considerations surrounding their use. While psychedelic drugs have been used as therapeutic tools for centuries, they faced temporary prohibition in the United States during the 1970s. However, in recent years, a resurgence of clinical trials involving psilocybin has shown promising results in the treatment of various mental health conditions. As a result, there is a growing interest in further researching and designing ethical guidelines for the clinical use of psilocybin. This interest prompted my involvement in qualitative research, where I interviewed individuals who had firsthand experience with magic mushrooms.

An Enchanting Journey Begins

With a notebook in hand and a mix of excitement and curiosity, I decided to personally explore the realm of magic mushrooms. I wanted to uncover the truth behind the transformative experiences people claimed to have had. To ensure the purity of my research, I sought out a “psychedelic healer” through a family connection. Clad in white, a color believed to channel positive energy, I embarked on a journey into the world of psychedelics.

Thank goodness for not knowing, because I had no idea what awaited me behind the doors of this otherwise spacious and beautiful place in a privileged neighborhood in Barcelona. Upon entering the room, I was reminded of  the healing power of women’s circles and engaged in exercises to define my intentions for the journey, and examined my sacred gifts and skills. To prepare for the journey ahead, we stimulated the pineal gland with “Rapé“, a traditional Amazonian shamanic medicine. This medicinal powder-composed of various plants and tobacco-is known for its healing and cleansing properties. However, the experience of inhaling the powder, after being blown into your nose with hollow pipes was unpleasant; the powder reached my brain and everything else that was on its path leaving me with a burning sensation and a newfound appreciation for those who indulge in substances through their nostrils.

Letting Go of Emotional Baggage

To soften the blow of the Rapé inhalation, we engaged in a cathartic exercise of verbally expressing our resentments, blame, regrets, shame, and anger toward individuals in our lives. This task served as a preamble to the magic mushroom ceremony, which aimed to help us let go of the emotional burdens that hindered our personal growth and fulfillment. These burdens often manifest as distorted thoughts and beliefs that shape our identities and limit our potential. The magic mushrooms, it is believed, have the power to reveal these distortions and guide us toward a more authentic and liberated sense of self.

A Bonfire of Release and a Bowl of Fire

Continuing  our agenda, we embarked on the next step of the journey – the burning of resentments, shame, and blame. In an urban space devoid of a traditional fireplace, we improvised with a stainless-steel bowl, fusing the sacred act of release with the mundane surroundings. This fusion of the ordinary and the extraordinary encapsulated the essence of the psychedelic experience – a profound transformation occurring within the ordinary fabric of our lives.

As the ceremony progressed, we underwent a complete chakra balancing using essential oils. This process aimed to align our energy centers and create a state of relaxation and receptivity. The chakra alignment revealed an imbalance in my fifth chakra, responsible not only for communication but also self-expression and the ability to speak our personal truth. This discovery shed light on my struggle to articulate my thoughts and feelings in my own words, leading me to realize the importance of finding my authentic voice.

The Chocolate Infusion

The next phase of the journey brought forth a delectable treat for my foodie soul – the ingestion of magic mushrooms infused in exquisite Guatemalan dark chocolate. The chocolate, cultivated and harvested by a group of empowered women, added an extra layer of meaning to the experience. Supporting these women entrepreneurs through micro loans added a sense of social justice and equality to the journey. As I savored the chocolate, I couldn’t help but reflect on the interconnectedness of our spiritual and earthly lives, finding beauty in the integration of both realms.

Following the chocolate ingestion, we drank a tea prepared with herbs and magic mushroom extract, and then, my friend, the journey truly began. A kaleidoscope of perceptions and colors was available to me. The music filled the room, inducing a range of emotions, setting the stage for a perceptual feast. As the effects of the mushrooms intensified, the ceiling came alive, transforming into undulating branches and serpents. The plants in the room radiated vibrant auras, and a medley of images and patterns danced before my eyes. Voices emerged, seemingly from nowhere, speaking to a part of me that I struggled to comprehend. Time lost its grip, and I found myself in the presence of unknown individuals from different eras. A group of women encircled me, compelling me to deliver something, akin to the birthing process.

The Birthing of Self

In that moment, fear and self-doubt gripped me as I embarked on a journey of self-discovery. The physical sensations overwhelmed me as my body contorted, mimicking the experience of childbirth. I felt supported by the presence of the nameless women, shadows filled with light, who guided me through the labor. In that sacred space, I birthed something from the depths of my being, something that had long been repressed and forbidden. The experience transcended rationalization, leaving me awash with a sense of lightness and liberation. As Marianne Williamson aptly observed, “It is our light and not our darkness that frightens us.” I felt a deep sense of interconnectedness, ego dissolution, and a heightened appreciation for the beauty of existence. This experience  manifested as a catalyst for self-discovery, confronting inner fears, and gaining a fresh perspective on life.

A Transformative Journey of Healing and Love

As the journey continued, I found solace in the lyrics of a beautiful song that spoke of healing and love. The words resonated within me, filling my heart with a sense of love for myself and all those who had played a role in my life. The experience opened my heart, allowing me to see relationships for what they truly were, and not what they had become. I reflected on past experiences, both the good and the challenging, gaining a deeper understanding of how my background and circumstances had shaped me. It became clear that while these factors influenced who I was, I held the power to shape who I would become.

As I emerged from the psychedelic journey, I found myself imbued with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. The experience provided me with a fresh perspective on life and allowed me to set new goals and aspirations. The journey reminded me that it is never too late to dream a new dream or set another goal, as C.S. Lewis eloquently stated.

While I still try to make sense of the feelings, insights and memories that emerged while on the psychedelic journey, I re-examine beliefs about myself, reviewing past experiences, the good ones, and the not that-good ones as well—at last l I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. The insights gained from the psychedelic experience surpassed decades of psychotherapy and spiritual practices, leaving an indelible mark on my life. It empowered me to live authentically and embrace the fullness of my being.

Lastly, the journey into the realm of magic mushrooms proved to be a profound and transformative experience. Therefore the importance of approaching these experiences with reverence, intention, and proper guidance to maximize their potential for personal growth and spiritual exploration. Additionally, responsible and informed usage is paramount to ensure personal safety and minimize potential risks. Proper dosing, set, and setting are essential factors to consider when embarking on a psychedelic journey with magic mushrooms.

The use of these psychedelic substances has shown promise in therapeutic settings, offering hope for those struggling with mental health conditions. As we continue to explore the ethical and legal implications of their use, it is essential to approach these substances with respect and reverence. As we navigate the evolving landscape of psychedelic research and society’s perception of these substances, it is crucial to approach their usage with respect, responsibility, and a commitment to personal well-being. For those who embark on this journey, the potential for personal growth and self-discovery awaits, unlocking the doors of perception and unveiling the true essence of the self; a priceless experience!


Alternative Therapies for Mental Illness

Copyright : chachar

Copyright : chachar

Searching for more information about how much or how little the public look for alternative therapies when suffering from mental illness and distress, I found an article titled Surprising Alternative Treatments for Mental Disorders. The article claims what I suspected “…The use of alternative treatments for mental illness is growing in popularity due to concern over the side effects of some medications and a general mistrust for pharmaceutical companies. Let’s look at some of the natural ways people are treating disorders like depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.

9.6 million Adults (18+) in the U.S. with a serious mental illness; 52.6% of those with a serious mental illness who used prescription pills to treat their condition in the past year; 36.2 million of Americans who paid for mental health care services in the span of a year.

While a combination of medicine and therapy can help many individuals suffering from a mental illness, some people are seeking other methods of treatment. What options are out there? This article explains how the so called alternative therapies “medicine douce” like Acupuncture, Hypnosis, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Bio-feedback, Reflexology, Yoga, nutrition and nutritional supplements can help. Actually $34 billion are spent per year in the U.S. on alternative medicine for general use.

Read More


No Magic Bullet for Treating Mental Illness

Copyright by  Piotr Marcinski

Copyright by Piotr Marcinski

On a medical model oriented society, we always look for the magic bullet to cure all our illnesses. Mental Illness has not been spared of such a mythical quest. There is not one size fits all or magic bullet to makes “whole”.  People in the field of healing and psychiatry like Dr. Stan Grof , author of the holotropic paradigm shift, refers to disease like the manifestation of our “body and soul” trying to move towards wholeness. Thus, health is a total state of physical, mental,  emotional, spiritual and social well-being and yet Western medicine is poor at preventing and treating mental distress otherwise called diseases and keeps looking for the “magic bullet” to cure every disease

Referring specifically to HIV/AIDS related mental illness treatment. Dr. Thomas Insel has written “… Universal prevention has been a focus of psychiatric research for the past 4 decades. Using a public health approach, research has shown that mitigating major risk factors, such as poverty and early life stress, and promoting protective factors can improve behavioral outcomes. In other areas of medicine, we have observed how similar preventive approaches have reduced deaths from cancer and infectious disease. By contrast, while reducing environmental stress and providing better maternal support improve general behavioral outcomes (by preventing the development of antisocial behavior, for example), there are few, if any, examples of preventive approaches in psychiatry that reduce either the morbidity or the mortality of our most disabling illnesses—such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (Read More)

Dr. Insel expresses the needs of doing the same type of preventive work when approaching HIV/AIDS related mental illness and caution of the myth of the magic bullet. He says “…Imagine for a moment that we had the magic bullet for depression or schizophrenia or anorexia or autism. A single pill, taken once a day, safe and effective, that would immediately and continually keep all of the symptoms at bay. With this magic bullet, an end to episodes threatening job and family, no more hospitalizations, and a chance for a long life not cut short by mental illness and its complications. Now imagine that such a magic bullet existed, but only one in four people received it. Seems impossible?  (See more)

Imagine for a moment that we had the magic bullet for depression or schizophrenia or anorexia or autism. A single pill, taken once a day, safe and effective, that would immediately and continually keep all of the symptoms at bay. With this magic bullet, an end to episodes threatening job and family, no more hospitalizations, and a chance for a long life not cut short by mental illness and its complications. Now imagine that such a magic bullet existed, but only one in four people received it. Seems impossible? – See more at: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/blogs/couch-crisis/aids-cautionary-tale?GUID=&rememberme=1&ts=15072014#sthash.LXr8RamO.dpuf
Universal prevention has been a focus of psychiatric research for the past 4 decades. Using a public health approach, research has shown that mitigating major risk factors, such as poverty and early life stress, and promoting protective factors can improve behavioral outcomes. In other areas of medicine, we have observed how similar preventive approaches have reduced deaths from cancer and infectious disease. By contrast, while reducing environmental stress and providing better maternal support improve general behavioral outcomes (by preventing the development of antisocial behavior, for example), there are few, if any, examples of preventive approaches in psychiatry that reduce either the morbidity or the mortality of our most disabling illnesses—such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder – See more at: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/neuropsychiatry/prevention-preemption-paradigm-shift-psychiatry#sthash.NKRl0BQW.dpu

Universal prevention has been a focus of psychiatric research for the past 4 decades. Using a public health approach, research has shown that mitigating major risk factors, such as poverty and early life stress, and promoting protective factors can improve behavioral outcomes. In other areas of medicine, we have observed how similar preventive approaches have reduced deaths from cancer and infectious disease. By contrast, while reducing environmental stress and providing better maternal support improve general behavioral outcomes (by preventing the development of antisocial behavior, for example), there are few, if any, examples of preventive approaches in psychiatry that reduce either the morbidity or the mortality of our most disabling illnesses—such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder – See more at: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/neuropsychiatry/prevention-preemption-paradigm-shift-psychiatry#sthash.NKRl0BQW.dpu
Universal prevention has been a focus of psychiatric research for the past 4 decades. Using a public health approach, research has shown that mitigating major risk factors, such as poverty and early life stress, and promoting protective factors can improve behavioral outcomes. In other areas of medicine, we have observed how similar preventive approaches have reduced deaths from cancer and infectious disease. By contrast, while reducing environmental stress and providing better maternal support improve general behavioral outcomes (by preventing the development of antisocial behavior, for example), there are few, if any, examples of preventive approaches in psychiatry that reduce either the morbidity or the mortality of our most disabling illnesses—such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder – See more at: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/neuropsychiatry/prevention-preemption-paradigm-shift-psychiatry#sthash.NKRl0BQW.dpuf

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