Psychedelics are becoming a hot topic and I keep seeing educational courses pop up, for therapists, MD’s or party goers. The psychedelic ecosystem right now is extremely unregulated and as someone who has a scientific background and works in the industry I want to help make sure people are getting correct information from reputable sources.
I was especially annoyed when a site some friends recommended offered free psychedelic safety education in return for my email. This seemed fishy to me, why ask for private data if all you are trying to do is educate the public with free info? Indeed, after they sent me their free material (a bunch of links you would get if you googled as well as inaccurate fear mongering wording grouping the risks of psychedelics with the risks of other substances) they started bombarding me with offers for a $200 intro course.
After writing them a message about their unethical use of my email I received an apology but not a commitment they will change their ways.
I have hope that anyone who has actually experienced the perspective transforming power of psychedelics would be able to hold themselves up to higher standards, to see themselves as a small part of a system, and try to optimize their actions to benefit the larger system.
Here are some tips and resources on how to choose a course about psychedelics:
1. Does the course cover the basics of neuroscience of psychedelics?
For example DR Robin Carhart Harris’s Theory Or my own paper .
This is incredibly important as we are seeing in research that people without scientific models tend to have increased metaphysical beliefs after experiencing large doses of psychedelics. I know this from personal experience too, the second time I tried psychedelics was right before I started my neuroscience masters in the Netherlands and the connection I felt with others led me to think telepathy was real. After learning about our mirror system and the different levels of agency in our brain along with a deep model of how our brain differentiates between self and others I now have a much more accurate understanding to explain my experience.
When we don’t have detailed science-based theories, our brain reverts to simple stories to explain the world for us.
A researcher I admire, Dr. Susan Blackmore has gone down the route of paranormal research before turning to neuroscience to explain personal and global phenomena. Science doesn’t have all the answers yet which is what makes it exciting and adventurous to join the search.
2. Does the course tell you which exact substances it will cover?
While there are many similarities for classic psychedelics (5ht2a agonists), there are also differences and it’s become popular to call substances that are not usually categorized as psychedelics psychedelics. If the terminology used to describe the course isn’t scientifically accurate it’s likely the information in the course won’t be either. Based on my experience you can spend years to understand even one substance so any course that is offering a comprehensive education would also be long and intensive.
Don’t expect a few hours on a weekend to make you an expert.
3. Does the course have any practical interactive side? Information can be found freely on the internet. If you are paying for something, are you getting something more than just lectures or written material? Will you be able to practice what you are learning and receive feedback?
4. Is the course run by people who have sufficient background? Are they MD’s? Established researchers? Therapists with experience administering psychedelic therapy? I would give bonus points for staff who are able to be open about their own psychedelic experiences. The skills to navigate psychedelic headspaces is like climbing a mysterious mountain. Personally, I would never try to learn climbing skills from someone who has never climbed a mountain themselves.
5. Are the people and organizations running the course clear and transparent about their motivation and using ethical marketing? Capitalism is part of the game we are embedded in, but there are ways to play this game that are upfront, honest and don’t make use of our personal data without consent.