Episode 058 – Psychedelic Assisted Spiritual Growth: Is It Helpful Or Harmful? My Experience…

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Note: This blog post serves as an accompaniment to the corresponding podcast episode of A Changed Mind, where we’ll distill down the core ideas of this week’s theme, along with additional distinctions and insights. If you haven’t listened to the episode yet, you can go here to do so.  Enjoy.

Spiritual and personal growth can feel really hard, especially when you’re becoming aware of your limiting beliefs and blocks but haven’t yet learned how to transform them. Today, I want to share my experience with psychedelics and plant medicines. Are these tools actually safe? Are they effective? And are they right for you?

My First Encounter with MDMA

Over the last decade, I built a $30 million transformational coaching company. Along the way, I’ve experimented with every form of behavioral psychology, somatic release, breath work, and psychedelics. One of my most profound experiences was with MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy. In my youth, I encountered it in recreational settings, but I’d never used it therapeutically until I saw a friend dramatically transform through MDMA therapy.

Intrigued, I decided to commit to six sessions of MDMA therapy, facilitated by a trained practitioner. The sessions were simple yet profound: I blindfolded myself, lay in a quiet room, and listened to a curated playlist. As I dosed on specific amounts of MDMA, I experienced a sense of safety and euphoria, similar to a roller coaster ride of emotions and memories.

Uncovering Deep-Seated Beliefs

During these sessions, I accessed memories and emotions that had been long buried. One of the most striking memories was from my childhood, where I repeatedly felt that “there’s something wrong with me.” This belief persisted through various stages of my life, manifesting in feelings of inadequacy and physical ailments.

I remember one particular session vividly. I was lying there, feeling the effects of the MDMA, and I started saying out loud, “There’s something wrong with me. There’s something wrong with me.” This chant brought up memories from different stages of my life: my 17-year-old self, my 23-year-old self, and even my 9-year-old self on the playground, feeling isolated and shy. This belief of “there’s something wrong with me” was a thread running through my entire life.

As I experienced these memories and emotions, I realized that this core belief was deeply embedded not just in my psyche but also in my physical health. Chronic conditions like neuropathy and heart palpitations were reflections of this deep-seated notion. This awareness was both startling and liberating, as I understood that these physical symptoms were rooted in psychological and emotional misunderstandings.

The Healing Power of Ayahuasca

My journey didn’t stop with MDMA. I also explored ayahuasca, an indigenous tea used in ceremonial settings in the Amazon. Ayahuasca contains DMT, a compound that induces profound shifts in perception. These ceremonies were guided by shamans who helped create a safe and sacred space for healing.

One of the most impactful experiences I had with ayahuasca was a conversation with my late mother. Through this encounter, I was able to understand her pain and forgive her deeply, releasing long-held resentments that had been affecting my life. I also had a heartwarming experience with my beloved Chihuahua, Dexter, who had recently passed away. As I was touching my own face with my hand, I felt Dexter licking my face. These experiences provided me with insights and emotional releases that were both healing and transformative.

The Importance of Integration

A common misconception about psychedelics is that the experience itself is the breakthrough. However, true healing requires integrating these insights into daily life. The real work begins after the ceremony, as you apply the new understanding to your ongoing challenges.

I’ve seen many people, including a successful CEO friend, who relied heavily on repeated ceremonies without integrating the lessons learned. They would experience temporary relief, only to find themselves back in the same patterns. It’s crucial to remember that psychedelics are tools, not cures. They can provide glimpses into our subconscious, but lasting change comes from consistent effort and application of these insights.

Natural Alternatives to Psychedelics

While psychedelics can be powerful tools, they’re not the only path to healing. Breath work, meditation, and yoga can also activate similar states of awareness and transformation. For example, I’ve had profound experiences through transformational breath work, which can naturally release DMT in the body, providing insights and emotional releases without any substances.

Embracing Life as the Ultimate Ceremony

One of the most significant revelations I’ve had is that life itself is the ultimate ceremony. Every moment, every challenge, and every joy is an opportunity for growth and transformation. By shifting our perspective and seeing life as a continuous journey of learning and healing, we can tap into our true potential and create a fulfilling and abundant life.

Accessing the Subconscious Mind

One of the key benefits of psychedelics is their ability to help us access the subconscious mind. We all have blocks that are hard to access or that we’re not aware of because the subconscious mind has suppressed them. To transform and heal, we need to become aware of these blocks and work with them. Psychedelics can put the brain in a state of safety, allowing us to access memories and ideas that are otherwise difficult to reach.

For instance, brain scans of people who have used ayahuasca show that DMT stimulates parts of the brain that are normally not active, while turning off other parts, including the default mode network. The default mode network is essentially our brain’s operating system, shaped by our experiences and the meanings we assign to them. When this network is deactivated, we can experience a state of openness and heightened perception, allowing us to access deeper parts of our psyche.

Entheogenic Experiences

Many people describe their experiences with psychedelics as hallucinogenic, but I prefer the term entheogenic, which means an experience that is other than ordinary. This distinction is important because it recognizes that what we experience in these altered states is real, even if it’s beyond our usual perception.

For example, in one of my ayahuasca ceremonies, I had a deep conversation with my mother, who explained the pain she suffered as a child. This gave me a profound understanding of her behavior and allowed me to forgive her, releasing long-held resentments. In the same ceremony, I felt the presence of my late Chihuahua, Dexter, which provided me with comfort and closure.

Psychedelics as Tools, Not Cures

It’s essential to understand that psychedelics are not a panacea. They are tools that can help us access and process deep-seated emotions and beliefs, but the real work happens in our daily lives. One of the big mistakes I see people making is thinking that the psychedelic experience itself is the breakthrough. They go back to their lives without integrating the insights gained, and as a result, they find themselves back in the same patterns.

For me, the real breakthrough came when I realized that these tools are just that—tools. They can provide valuable insights, but it’s up to us to integrate these insights into our daily lives. This involves consistently applying what we’ve learned, whether it’s through mindfulness, breath work, or other practices that help us stay connected to our inner wisdom.

The Role of Community and Connection

An essential aspect of my healing journey has been the support of a community. Whether it’s through 12-step programs, our Whole Human framework, or simply being surrounded by like-minded individuals, connection is vital. Sharing experiences, struggles, and victories with others provides a sense of belonging and mutual support, which is crucial for sustained growth.

Moving Forward with Hope and Empowerment

In conclusion, psychedelics and plant medicines can be valuable tools for healing and personal growth. However, they are just one part of a broader journey that involves self-awareness, integration, and community support. By embracing these tools with the right mindset and approach, you can unlock new levels of understanding and transformation.

Remember, the power to heal and grow lies within you. Tools like psychedelics can provide valuable insights, but lasting change comes from your commitment to integrating these lessons into your daily life.