As recent clinical studies have shown, psychedelic medicines have high levels of efficacy when paired with treatments like therapy in treating depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, and a range of other challenges. While psychedelic healing is an emerging frontier of modern Western mental health and wellness, it has been an integral part of many Indigenous cultures worldwide for thousands of years, which have used psychedelics to receive wisdom and offer healing to their communities. Many people worldwide are exploring bridging therapeutic modalities and treatments with expanded states of consciousness to clear shame and heal personal, ancestral, and collective trauma. The Psychedelic Healing Summit is more than just the latest clinical research. This is a four-day experiential journey into the wisdom, intelligence, and embodiment of psychedelics and plant medicine.
Psychedelic Summit overview
The Psychedelic Healing Summit is an international event of the International Alliance for the Retiro organization, whose goal is to provide an overview of the growing body of evidence for the efficacy of psychedelics in a variety of health and mental health challenges. The Summit focused on the use of psychedelics in a holistic context, with a special section on the importance of maintaining a healthy and balanced body-brain-spirit wellness during confrontations with stressful situations. The event was organised by the International Alliance for the Retiro (IAR) in partnership with the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association-American Council on Science and Technology.
Psychedelic healing is becoming mainstream
In the wake of the awakening, the popularity of psychedelics in modern creativity and mental health has grown leaps and bounds. Currently, there are over 100 books and articles about the benefits of psychedelic drugs in mental health and modern health, and more than 20 books and articles about the uses of psychedelics in mental health and creativity have been published in the last decade alone. Many have focused on the benefits of psilocybin, an active component of dietary supplementMagic Mushrooms, in treating depression and other mood-related disorders. Other books and articles have emphasized the advantages of psilocin in treating anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other challenges related to personal and cultural diversity, self-determination, and creative thinking.
What you’ll learn during the Psychedelic Healing 2022 Summit
This year’s summit will feature presentations from leading experts in the fields of pharmacology, psychiatry, environmental psychology, cognitive psychology, classic literature, computer science, and psychology. Presentations will range from classic studies on the benefits of psychedelics in mental health and well-being, through to modern reviews of the benefits of psilocybin in mental health and creativity, and the potential of dietary supplementMagic Mushrooms in combating anxiety and depression.
Psychedelic healing and consciousness
A large portion of the pre-summit discussion centred on the use of psychedelics in a positive light. Many people have found the effects of psilocybin on the human brain to be very interesting and thought-provoking, and researchers are now exploring the potential of psychedelics in a positive light as well. These talks will discuss the positive effects of psilocybin on the brain and the mind, as well as its potential for positive mental health outcomes.
‘Re-existing as’ and ‘new as’: The many cultural contexts of modern mental health
This year’s summit will explore the many-cultural context of modern mental health, focusing on the connection between cultural and social contexts, the importance of seeking support, and the importance of maintaining a healthy and balanced body-brain-spirit wellness during confrontations with stressful situations. The event will also include presentations on the importance of strengthening one’s own mental and emotional health, as well as one’s community-based networks, in order to prevent and respond to stress.
Reframing symptoms and diagnosing mental health provoked by processes
This year’s summit will explore the pain and discomfort that arises when people experience what they call ‘re-existing illnesses’. The topics to be explored include: What triggers the ‘re-existing’ parts of the mind? Who are the ‘bad’ people in one’s life? How can one combat the ‘bad’ thoughts? And many more.
Social interactions and interpersonal relationships
This year’s summit will discuss the importance of building and maintaining healthy social interactions, as well as relationships, in order to reduce the intensity and discomfort that comes with mental health challenges. The topics to be discussed include: How does one strengthen relationships outside of relationships? How does one maintain healthy social exchanges without being an ‘entertainer’ or ‘clown’ act? And many, many more.
Work and play
This year’s summit will examine the importance of both physically and mentally stimulating activities in order to reduce the intensity and discomfort that comes with mental health challenges. The topics to be discussed include: How does one get enough exercise while still being able to maintain a healthy weight? What is the best way to socialize with people without being an ‘entertainer’ or ‘clown’ act? And many, many more.
Self-care and self-healing
This year’s summit will explore the importance of maintaining and building self-care in order to reduce the intensity and discomfort that comes with mental health challenges. The topics to be discussed include: What is appropriate for day time activities? How should one care for one’s body while on a trip or in a hospital gown? And many, many more.
Empowerment and self-Esteem
This year’s summit will explore the importance of building one’s self-esteem in order to reduce the intensity and discomfort that comes with mental health challenges. The topics to be discussed include: How does one acquire and keep self-esteem? And many, many more.
Connections and interactions
This year’s summit will explore the importance of establishing relationships and interacting with people in order to reduce the intensity and discomfort that comes with mental health challenges. The topics to be discussed include: How does one build strong friendships outside of relationships? And many, many more.
Interactions and decisiveness
This year’s summit will examine the importance of remaining in tune with one’s deepest and Most Important thoughts in order to reduce the intensity and discomfort that comes with mental health challenges. The topics to be discussed include: How does one interact and make decisions with others in a calm and nonviolent way? And many, many more.
David Tobin did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
