Psychedelic Drugs and Their Influence on Creativity and Spirituality

other addiction treatments, such as Rational Recovery, fail to incorporate spirituality as a vital dimension in recovery due to the misunderstanding between religiosity and spirituality. The science community has always been at odds with religiosity and spirituality throughout history as research has shown. However, as we aim to become a more culturally competent society, looking at research that shows the importance of spiritual principles and practices in addiction recovery, should compel clinicians to incorporate it in other treatment programs besides twelve step programs. The inclusion of spirituality in addiction recovery should not be optional as it is not restricting one to a particular doctrine, but rather freeing an addict to obtain a healthy quality of life which is the ultimate goal. Arnold et. al

“Psychoactive substances exert their their effects by modifying biochemical or physiological processes in the brain.” Psychedelics are taken out of context to be for recreational use only, when they can be taken to enhance spiritual journeys.

A drug according to Levinthal, (2012) is a chemical substance that, when taken into the body, alters the structure or functioning of the body in some way. Hallucinogen is a class of drugs which affects an individual’s perception, sensation, and emotions by disrupting the regular operation of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. While the use of Hallucinogens a form of therapy is a controversial topic and it does have it merits this paper examines the use of hallucinogens

Throughout history the access to the metaphysical world has been of interest for a variety of cultures and religions across the world. Over the years, men have claimed to have travelled to or seen a of glimpse of the spirit world. It has been evident that in many cultures the use of herbs and other organic substance has assisted in this journey through the metaphysical world. The psychedelic experiences of many of these substances are what have been given these individuals experiences that are beyond reality, possible due to hallucinations. Most recently psychedelics have been strongly associated with the counter culture of the 60’s. However, the evidence of psychedelic use dates back to many ancient societies. The psychedelic compound, DMT,

With even more potential than MDMA, is L.S.D. L.S.D is the number one most researched psychedelic chemical available (Carey), it is also one of the most potent and unforgiving. L.S.D, or also known as “acid,” is a long lasting hallucinogen with a long history of use. Acid is said to awaken a person’s “third eye,” or “sixth sense,” and helps them understand their inner psyche and inner conflicts. Visuals can include breathing walls, melting objects, and even full-blown tribalistic scripture appearing on the walls. When you close your eyes however, you become connected to yourself and anything you imagine will become a picture in your mind. It is like a never-ending canvas of possibilities that is only restricted by your creativity. Unlike MDMA, acid smashes you face to face with your problems and forces you to understand them and think rational thoughts. You can end up with either a good trip, or a bad trip, however, it is up to you on what exactly that means. It is possible to visualize

Throughout the evolution of mankind, psychedelic plants have played a significant role in shaping and influencing the different cultures and traditions around the world. In society today psychedelics have a very negative connotation, they aren’t see as something that can further society. They are viewed as more of a detriment. Children are taught that psychedelic plants are something that can inhibit their growth as a human in society. Most parents put these plants in the same category of drugs such as methamphetamines, heroine, and cocaine. During the 1960s the drug culture engulfed psychedelics and turned them into what some people in society see today as a monster. The rave scene that we see today currently is an offshoot of this, with part goers recreationally using psychedelics to get high or trip for music and art festivals.

Religion is the top subject of today society. Yet we wouldn’t think hallucinogens would be used for religious purposes. While doing religious ceremonies, the shamans or the priestess would use the drugs to report feelings of mystical ad insightful from their god. The Greek prophetess Delphi spoke to Zeus, through a mist of smoke penetrating the state of her mind ad actions. Delphi was dedicated to foretelling the future, present or past events to happen or have happen. Most of the hallucinogens used in region influence the brain state causing hallucinations of objects ad dream-like moments. There also been archaeological discoveries of proof that ancient, Greece, Europe and many other culture used hallucinogens. Hallucinogens are even used

Medical interest in psychedelic drugs has been renewed, but is it possible to overcome their negative stigma and association with counterculture to move forward with their potential medical promise? Psychedelic drugs are poised to be the next major mental breakthrough in health care, yet studying any type of illegal drug is often met with rejection, backlash, or tight regulations (Bushak, 2015). These drugs, if handled correctly, could potentially change the lives of millions of patients across America. Many would suggest that the risk is too high, but in which way do psychedelics present more risks than heavily addicting narcotics or alcohol? This treatment would allow thousands of individuals to manage pain levels, anxiety, and depression in a whole new manner. Legalizing psychedelic drugs for medical purposes would be beneficial to society because of their potential medicinal and therapeutic treatments that heavily outweigh the observed risks.

The first study concerning the application of LSD in psychotherapy was conducted by Dr. med. Gasser, and this was the first worldwide study after more than four decades without a legal research (Barrau-Alonso et al.). This paper’s main aim is to shed light on the effects of LSD assisted psychotherapy in daily life. This paper examines the effectiveness LSD assisted psychotherapy from the client’s view point. Due to limitations in methodology, it is difficult to establish whether the actions and changes taken on seen here will prove to be true on a larger scale. Whether LSD therapy affect daily life more so personal relationships can be confirmed and will be discussed within the paper. The long term triggers that are associated with this psychotherapy will also be examined in depth. Data was obtained from qualitative interviews held between a participant and the spouse in the study conducted by Dr. med. Gasser in Switzerland (Winkelman and Roberts). We take an overview look at the data from the therapy sessions with more inclusion from the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire the results that were found prove that the use of LSD in psychotherapy assistance leads to changes in the attitude and behavior of the patient and they are also reflected in the daily life (Griffiths et al.). These long-term changes in most cases are not noticeable even by the closes family members, though after a

Before jumping into the details of the psychedelic scene one needs to know the history of lysergic acid diethylamide and how it came to be such an important part of this

Scientist Professor David Nutt who has dedicated his career to researching the confusion about psychedelics and mental and physical health benefits that users say it has. The professor has accomplished throughout his lifetime 27 books, 400 pages of original work discussing the topic, and 8 government reports. Throughout all the research based on psychedelics show that there are many beneficial effects that can occur such as triggering the creative part of the brain. Psychedelics seem to change all perception of reality; the track of time, or change all kinds of different dimensions in the brain. Aspects that tend to influence the user visually, spiritually and whatever helps you make sense of your life. However, of course, it’s not like these substances will save your life or make the superior to others but what they can offer is a helping hand in your personal life and realize things that you didn’t know before. Studies show that if people began being treated for addiction or depression with the use of psychedelics then the effect of say, a single dose therapy can offer a psychological change lasting for

The effects of hallucinogenic drugs are not well understood and do not alway produce hallucinations but do produce changes in perception, thought and mood (Pamf). LSD users experience several mood swings at once or rapidly. High doses LSD produce delusions and visual hallucinations; sense of time and self

Lang, J., & Bochman, D. (2016). The lived experience of distorted spirituality: a phenomenological study. The Journal of Youth Ministry, 57-83.

As we know, hallucinogens are a type of drug that specialize in distorting the way a user perceives time, motion, colors, sounds, and self, or simply, causing psychological consequences onto their victims (Volkow 2015). However, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World (FDFW) prefers to link the term “hallucinations”, or psychological experiences in seeing images, hearing sounds and feeling sensations that seem very real but do not exist, to hallucinogens as a better and summarized definition replacement (2016). True to some level, the two categories that make up hallucinogens, classical psychedelics and dissociative drugs, each specialize into specific psychological harm, which correspondingly, simplifies our broad description in what hallucinogens commonly cause. Once a classical hallucinogen, like LSD, psilocybin, and DMT, is taken and ingested, psychological effects consisting of psychotic-like episodes that can occur long after a person has taken the drug, massive mood swings, emotions to swing wildly and unpredictably, real-world sensations to appear unreal, and ultimately intense modifications in the sensorium, the sense of “self,” and the experience of reality, are all experienced throughout the phase up until the presence of the hallucinogen is no longer present in the body (Volkow 2016, Alonso 2015). A very similar process that happens when a dissociative drug is ingested, like PCP, ketamine, dextromethorphan, but instead, events of respiratory depression, heart rate

Government institutions, such as the United States of America, have indoctrinated in its citizens the idea that psychedelic hallucinogens such as LSD have had a detrimental effect on society. These government organizations have sanctioned access even for research purposes inhibiting further intellectual and ethical development on theoretical uses, albeit psychotherapeutic applications, spiritual entheogens, addiction suppression, etc. While the State claims the use of LSD is hedonistic and promotes violent tendencies, it fails to acknowledge that legislation regarding the prohibition of psychoactive substances has been historically deficient, promoting the criminal distribution, manufacturing,