A few months ago, I was invited to be a guest on a podcast, which is to be aired throughout this weekend at the first ever virtual “Psychedelic Lived Experience Summit” (Nov 21-23).
Over the course of the 3 days you’ll hear from 50+ therapists, researchers, and patients/trial participants like myself with lived experience. They will be “exploring the potential and limitations of psychedelic treatments with raw stories that move beyond hype and fear, highlighting true complexity and deepening understanding.” This Summit is a community-powered event built by people who care deeply about ethics, safety, and transparency in psychedelic care by bridging clinical science and lived expertise.
Their motto is: “Behind every clinical result is a human story.” I am one of those stories. It is a story that has profoundly changed my life forever (and not in a good way). As many of you already know who have been following my journey for some time now, three and a half years ago, I took part in a Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) clinical research trial for treatment-resistant depression. For several months leading up to the study, I was very hopeful about this groundbreaking treatment. I thought this was finally gonna be the start to my healing journey, but instead, it left me with severe adverse neurological damage after being left to convulse for nearly 6 hours on a horribly uncomfortable couch.
Along with the other parts of my story which I have been committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness through my openness, willingness to share, vulnerability, storytelling and lived experiences, I decided I needed to speak out and share my experience in the trial once the results of the study were made public and jounalists from around the world began knocking on my door, or shall I say, slipping into my DM’s! Although I would never deter anyone from seeking potential lifesaving treatments for their mental health, I knew I needed to help raise awareness about the potential risks and lesser-known outcomes of psychedelic therapy. While many seek healing through psychedelics, my experience has been profoundly different. Through my advocacy, I continue to encourage open conversations about mental health and the importance of informed decision-making, which I believe are essential to understanding and healing. Sharing what happened to me has helped me reclaim pieces of myself. It’s helped me connect with people who understand. It’s given me a sense of purpose during moments when I’ve felt completely lost.
Along with my podcast being aired throughout the weekend Summit, I have also been invited to share some key highlights and subsequent challenges I’ve faced ever since my participation in the clinical trial with a panel of medical professionals. They will be exploring the long road of integration and recovery, from unexpected symptoms to the ongoing need for support to where our systems fall short and how to do better. The segment is called “Beyond Treatment: Integration, Aftercare, and Lasting Effects.”
It will be airing live on Sunday at 11 a.m. @thepsychedeliclivedexperiencesummit
Thank you for continuing to walk with me through all of this—through the darkness, the uncertainty, the tiny breakthroughs, and the moments when hope feels fragile. I am truly grateful.
Shabbat Shalom 🎗
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YouAreEnough 