The Sanctuary Experience - Psychedelic Therapy
WITHOUT PLANTS AND FUNGI, HUMANS WOULD NOT EXIST.
OUR WAY OF LIVING IS DEPENDENT ON HOW WE CARE FOR THESE ESSENTIAL ORGANISMS THAT MAKE LIFE POSSIBLE. PLANTS AND FUNGI CLEAN OUR AIR, PROVIDE NOURISHMENT, DECOMPOSE DEBRIS, AND ARE PRETTY TO LOOK AT (IN MOST CASES).
WHEN PLANTS AND FUNGI ARE NOT BUSY CLEANING THE PLANET, OR PROVIDING THE FOOD WE EAT, THEY CAN ALSO OFFER US AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND OUR MENTAL CAPABILITIES.
THE USE OF PSYCHEDELICS IN HEALING THERAPY IS ON THE RISE, AND MORE AND MORE LOCATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE ARE LEGALIZING THE USE OF PSYCHEDELICS FOR BOTH THERAPEUTIC AND RECREATIONAL USE.
IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL LEARN ABOUT A SPECIAL GROUP OF PSYCHEDELIC PLANTS AND FUNGI KNOWN AS ENTHEOGENS. WE’LL ALSO HIGHLIGHT SOME GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE WORLD WHO EMBRACE THE POWER OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE, AND THE GOAL OF ACHIEVING A HIGHER FORM OF EXISTENCE.
Image Source - OPENCUTLURE.COM - Oldest known cave painting of Psilocybin use in Algeria circa 9000 BC
Psychedelics have been part of human culture for thousands of years. The cave painting pictured above, and discovered in Algeria, is the oldest known record of psilocybin use. It’s easy to believe that humans were consuming magic mushrooms much earlier than 9000 B.C, and maybe they they were just having too good of a time to record their experience.
Plants first appeared on land roughly 460 million years ago.
Fungi made their first appearance on land roughly 1.5 million years ago.
Both had co-existed for much longer than this under the sea, but the partnership that has made life possible for us began on land. Fungi and plant work together through a symbiotic relationshiop known as mychorriza. Through this process, fungi make it possible for plants to have roots. As fungi break down decaying materials, plants ingest what the fungi break down through their roots. And thus, the cycle of life continues for planet Earth and all its inhabitants.
Aside from all that plants and fungi do to keep us alive and well, there are a few species that offer a bonus function for humans to explore. Enter the Ethneogens.
Image Credit - Medium
The term Ethneogens is another way of saying psychoactive substance or psychedelic drug.
Ethneogens are naturally occurring elements in nature, and the term Ethneogen has a more socially acceptable ring to it. When ingested by humans, they affect our mood, perception of consciousness, and mental processes.
As technology progressed, humans began to produce synthetic versions of these naturally occurring elements.
Image Credit - Visual Capitalist
Humans often think they can produce better than nature. And often times this is not the case.
With respect to psychedelics, my take is that humans realized the positive benefits these substances can produce, and wanted more of it.
To be clear, I am not advocating for, or against, the use of psychedelics. I am, however, excited for the future of Ethneogens, and how they can hopefully help our species connect with our environment and each other.
And I’m not the only one who feels this way.
Cannabis is now legal for sale and consumption in many parts of the world, with more locations getting on board with this movement.
In the United States, Colorado and Oregon have legalized the use of Psilocybin for treatment in mental health, with many more locations moving towards legalization on some level. On an global scale, countries like Brazil, The Netherlands, and Nepal have legalized it across the board for medicinal and recreational sale and use.
Peyote is only legal in The Czech Republic, but restricted everywhere else.
Laws are constantly changing, and my advice is to be sure you know what they are before you think about trying one of these substances. And another piece of advice, is make sure you are trying these substances in a safe place, with people who know more than you about how these substances work.
Some safe options are obvious, like being treated by a medical physician in a controlled setting. There are ongoing studies that prove both naturally occurring and synthetic psychoactive substances are working to treat PTSD, depression, and overall mental health.
Image Credit - UC Berkeley
There are also non-traditional options available, and we’ve listed some of these gorgeous options below.
ANAM CARA - Nosara, Costa Rica
EXPERIENCES OFFERED:
SHIBIPO-LED AYAHUASCHA CEREMONIES, CANNABIS CLEANSING, YOGA, BREATHWORK, SOUND HEALING, MEDITATIONS, 1:1 THERAPEUTICS, AND SUPPORTING WORKSHOPS
CAMP LAUGHING GRASS - Harrison, Maine
EXPERIENCES OFFERED:
CANNABIS, BIKING, HIKING, KAYAKING, CANOEING, SWIMMING
SILO WELLNESS - Coral Cove, Jamaica
EXPERIENCES OFFERED:
PSILOCYBIN RETREATS, YOGA, MASSAGE, MEDITATION, SNORKELING, SWIMMING, KAYAKING, SWIMMING
SOL SPIRIT FARM - Emerald Triangle, California
EXPERIENCES OFFERED:
CANNABIS RETREATS, PLANT MEDICINE RETREATS, FARM TOURS, EDUCATIONAL CLASSES, CULINARY
POSADA NATURA - Provincia de Puntarenas, Naranjito, Londres, Costa Rica
EXPERIENCES OFFERED:
PLANT MEDICINE RETREATS, RAINFOREST IMMERSIONS, YOGA, MEDITATION, MASSAGE, SOUND HEALING, DANCE, ADDICTION RECOVERY, CONSERVATION
TEMPLE OF THE WAY OF LIGHT - Amazonian Basin, Loreto Region, Peru
EXPERIENCES OFFERED:
AYAHUASCHA RETREATS, PERMACULTURE, FLOWER BATHS, NATURE IMMERSION
SOUL MEDICINE - Nayarit, Mexico
EXPERIENCES OFFERED:
PSILOCYBIN RETREATS, MEDITATION, SOUND HEALING, SOMATIC MOVEMENT, WORKSHOPS
The Glamptuarys featured in this article are working to establish a naturopathic approach to mental health, and I’m a huge fan of how this creates a pathway to better connect with nature. The sanctuary experience is a crucial part of what makes a Glamptuary legit, and when it comes to mental health this is of utmost importance.
However you choose to take care of yourself, be kind and be thoughtful.
Namasté.
I truly appreciate your time and if you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read - please share with your network.
