Are Psychedelics Safe for Those in Recovery?

Lots of advice on the benefits of psychedelics is being spread online recently. Some are micro-dosing psilocybin for help with depression (others say a single high dose can do the same, as well as relieve anxiety, or aid in nicotine withdrawal). MDMA is said to assist in treatments for PTSD. Some make the less medical claim that psychedelics gets one thinking more creatively, aids in problem solving, or increases overall well being: more empathy, connectedness, and spirituality.

These psychedelic advocates face an uphill battle with public perception among a general audience, especially in the United States. As a recovering addict, loosely involved with recovery groups, this subject is especially taboo. However, being a scientifically minded person, seeing new research validate certain claims, and sometimes experiencing anti-scientific claims within recovery groups, I’m looking deeper today.

The suggestion from my Narcotics Anonymous sponsor: Do not take any mood altering substances, for which you do not have a prescription, and only take as directed. Following this advice worked for me. I underwent three surgeries in recovery and was prescribed pain pills for post-op pain management. The first surgery, I relapsed. I was not ready for the temptation. I reset my clean date and moved forward. From the next two surgeries, I learned that his…