When my grandfather passed, my grandmother served “bush tea” to guests every night until his funeral. These pre-burial nights, called “nine-night” in some cultures and “wake” in others, are customary. They bring a sense of community and support to the families of the deceased. People gathered to help my grandmother, cook, clean and most importantly -- mourn. When guests left her side every night, I could hear her weeping for the only man she has loved since her early 20s. Each night, I had vivid dreams and assumed my emotions were the catalyst. Now, I wonder: is it possible that the “bush tea,” made of native plants from Saint Lucia, is psychoactive? Medicinal teas are integral to Caribbean culture; relics of our Carib and African past. So, have Caribbean elders been using -- or rather, microdosing psychedelics unintentionally (or intentionally) to manage emotions? Do the benefits of psychedelics outweigh the disadvantages of pharmaceutical drugs?
Five years later, I am experimenting with psychedelics to support my self-reflection, meditation and relaxation. I am not the first. People like Mike Tyson and Lamar Odom have touted magic mushrooms or “the toad” for saving them from dark places. Tyson, from his rage and Odom, from his addictions. Closer to home, friends, family and people in my circle use psychedelics, for a trip -- duh, but also “for cognition and ADHD, game-changer.” One person in my Instagram poll claimed “it changed the trajectory of my life,” and many others “highly recommend it, pun intended”. A popular consumption method is microdosing; taking small amounts of a drug to receive the physiological benefits while minimizing psychedelic side effects.
Caribbean bush tea (source: bestbajanlife.blogspot.com)
You may have heard the term microdosing from trendy media like Goop, Poosh and Forbes. But is it a healthy and realistic solution for your mental health concerns? For this article, I spoke with harm-reduction expert Ashlene Crichlow (B.A. with Honours in Psychology, Addictions and Mental Health Certificate, Masters in Counselling Psychology, beautiful Black woman) about whether Black people should consider embracing psychedelic therapy.
After years of working in the field, her professional opinion is that “a lot of research is hidden on the use of [certain drugs] and how it can bring psychosis to the forefront,” said Crichlow. “Microdosing is ideal, but I think it is unrealistic. If it is done in a supervised fashion, sure. But microdosing can become a negative means to cope for those who may be living with underlying conditions. Many Black people aren't diagnosed. It's not a guaranteed transition but a concern and any substance use can trigger underlying symptoms,” she explains.
Crichlow clarifies that she is not against psychedelics, “Don't get me wrong I'm not against people who are using these tools to cope. We're going to use whatever to cope, whether it's marijuana, cocaine or technology. So, no judgement to that, but I think something that a lot of people are not thinking about is the number of people that are going to the hospital because of psychosis,” she explains.
As with most health concerns, Black people have additional barriers to access the system of support required to work through trauma. Crichlow has yet to see a Black family in private practice to treat their youth for addiction. Before we can explore the realm of psychedelics in therapy, specifically for Black people, we must address the other disparities and barriers to access that exist today. Without this conversation and these support services, we risk hurting our community.
“Microdosing is ideal, but I think it is unrealistic. If it is done in a supervised fashion, sure. But microdosing can become a negative means to cope for those who may be living with underlying conditions. Many Black people aren’t diagnosed. It’s not a guaranteed transition but a concern and any substance use can trigger underlying symptoms.”
There was a night I asked my grandmother, “Mum, ki sa ki adan dité la? What’s inside that tea?”. She cracked a smile and said “bush”. In other words, don’t worry about it.
I am still hopeful that one day I can replace my daily 350mg dose of antidepressants with something that grows from the ground. Until then, I will continue to see my therapist regularly and visit fungi fantasy land, once-in-a-while. If you choose to explore psychedelics, please do so responsibly. Here are some of my personal tips:
Get a recommendation from someone you trust and purchase yours locally. Don’t buy yours on social platforms, that’s weird & dangerous! There are reputable websites out there. Avoid platforms like Kijiji, Craig’s List or Facebook Marketplace.
Plan your trip. Take it in a place you feel safe and comfortable, with people you trust. Psychedelics can be emotional and require your ability to be authentic to enjoy it. If you’re surrounded by assholes, you’re almost guaranteed to have a bad trip.
Timing is important. Yes, I over-schedule my life. I love that for me. Anyways, a trip can last up to 12 hours so I recommend taking it in the afternoon to avoid pulling an all-nighter.
Self-care is necessary pre-and post-trip. Pre-trip, consider speaking with a therapist or religious ally to navigate work through or plan to deal with emotions that arise, especially if you have previous trauma. Post-trip, rest your mind and body. I love a warm (read: boiling) shower and a nap.
Suggested Reading:
A book about using psychedelic drugs that was coauthored by Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzner and Richard Alpert. All three authors had taken part in research investigating the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs such as LSD, psilocybin and mescaline in addition to the ability of these substances to sometimes induce religious and mystical states of consciousness (Wikipedia)
Are Psychedelics legal in Canada?
Yes! Well, sort of. In summer 2020, The Government of Canada granted a limited number of patients to use mushrooms for end-of-life therapy and to select doctors to study their effectiveness to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD and more. Although it is still illegal for recreational use, mushrooms are easily accessible and openly sold across Canada. Last October, Canadian company Numinus became the first Canadian public company to complete the legal harvest of mushrooms.
How can you access psychedelics?
Canada is still in the early stages of researching psychedelics for therapeutic purposes. To legally access them, talk to a mental health professional like a therapist, counsellor or psychologist. You can find a therapist with your language & professional needs in the Psychology Today database (that’s where I found my therapist and Black queen, Simone). If you specifically want a Black therapist, they are available within the Alberta Black Therapist Network or Therapy for Black Girls. There are other avenues to access psychedelics, without involving a doctor. While I cannot mention them, I am confident that a quick google search will lead you down the right path.
Investing in psychedelics
Much like the green rush that followed the legalization of cannabis, there is a new crop of stocks sprouting up, allowing you to benefit from its impending legalization. So, if sipping ‘shroom team isn’t your style, you can still benefit from its legalization. Interested in making some investments? Here are some options to get you started: Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. (OTCQB: MMEDF), Ehave, Inc. (OTC Pink: EHVVF), Numinus Wellness Inc. (OTC: LKYSF), Field Trip Health Ltd. (OTC: FTRPF), Red Light Holland (CNSX: TRIP) This is not a recommendation, I do not endorse any of these companies. Please do your research.