Psychedelic facilitation can help people access deeper levels of consciousness, overcome trauma, help addiction, and enhance their well-being.
But how can you access psychedelic facilitation if it is not widely available or legal in your area? In this article, we will compare and contrast two different options for psychedelic facilitation: above ground and underground.
What is Above Ground Psychedelic Facililtation?
Above ground psychedelic facillitation is a term that refers to the practice of providing or receiving psychedelic facillitation in a legal or semi-legal manner. Above ground therapists or facilitators are people who offer their services to clients who seek them out through legal channels, such as referrals from licensed professionals, websites, or organizations.
Above ground psychedelic facillitators usually have some training or certification in psychotherapy or psychedelics. They may charge a fee or accept donations for their services. They may work alone or in collaboration with other facilitators or healers.
Above ground psychedelic facilitators can take place in various settings that are authorized by law or tolerated by authorities, such as licensed clinics, religious centers, indigenous communities, or foreign countries. The type and dose of psychedelic substance used may be regulated by law or custom. The duration and frequency of sessions may also be regulated.
The quality and safety of above ground psychedelic facilitation can vary depending on the standards and regulations of the setting, the qualifications and ethics of the facilitator, and the preparation and integration of the client.
What is Underground Psychedelic Facillitation?
Underground psychedelic facillitation is a term that refers to the practice of providing or receiving psychedelic facillitation in an unregulated manner. It is still illegal in most of the United States. In November 2022, Colorado voters passed Proposition 122 decriminalizing the personal use, possession, growth, and transport of certain psychedelic plants and fungi defined as natural medicine, including psilocybin mushrooms. It also allows people to give away natural medicines, without payment, to other adults for personal use. By doing so, Proposition 122 effectively legalized underground psychedelic facillitation for natural medicine. Underground psychedelic facillitators or guides are people who offer their services to clients who seek them out through word-of-mouth, online forums, or other networks.
Underground psychedelic facillitators may or may not have any formal training or credentials in psychotherapy or psychedelics. They may charge a fee or accept donations for their services. They may work alone or in collaboration with other guides or healers.
Underground psychedelic facillitation can take place in various settings, such as private homes, rented spaces, hotels, retreat centers, or natural environments. The type and dose of psychedelic substance used may vary depending on the client’s preferences and goals. The duration and frequency of sessions may also vary.
The quality and safety of underground psychedelic facillitation can vary widely depending on the skill and ethics of the guide, the source and purity of the substance, and the preparation and integration of the client.
How to Choose Between Above Ground and Underground Psychedelic Facillitation?
Both underground and above ground psychedelic facillitation have advantages and disadvantages that potential clients should consider before choosing an option.
Some of the advantages of underground psychedelic facillitation are:
– It may be more accessible and affordable than above ground psychedelic facillitation
– It may offer more flexibility and autonomy for clients to choose their substance, dose, setting, and guide
– It may allow for more creativity and diversity in therapeutic approaches
– It may foster a sense of community and solidarity among clients and guides
Some of the disadvantages of underground psychedelic facillitation are:
– It may expose clients and guides to legal risks and penalties
– It may expose clients to physical and psychological risks due to lack of quality control and oversight
– It may expose clients to ethical risks due to lack of accountability and professionalism among guides
– It may lack scientific evidence and support from mainstream mental health providers
Some of the advantages of above ground psychedelic facillitation are:
– It may be more safe and reliable than underground psychedelic facillitation
– It may offer more quality assurance and oversight for clients and facilitators
– It may offer more scientific evidence and support from mainstream mental health providers
Some of the disadvantages of above ground psychedelic facillitation are:
- It may involve data collection and sharing with research institutions or authorities, which may compromise the privacy and confidentiality of clients and facilitators.
- It may take place in clinical settings that are unfamiliar, sterile, or impersonal, which may affect the comfort and trust of clients and facilitators.
- It may be more expensive and less accessible than underground psychedelic facillitation, due to the costs of licensing, regulation, and quality assurance.
- It may be more limited and standardized than underground psychedelic therapy, due to the legal and ethical constraints of using certain substances, doses, settings, and methods.
References
(1) Welcome to the trip of your life: the rise of underground LSD guides. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/dec/06/lsd-guides-psychedelic-assisted-psychotherapy.
(2) Oregon wrestles with offering psychedelics outside medical system – STAT. https://www.statnews.com/2022/03/10/oregon-wrestles-with-offering-psychedelic-therapy-outside-health-care-system/.
(3) Can Underground Psychedelic Therapy Ever Go Mainstream?. https://psmag.com/social-justice/can-underground-psychedelic-therapy-ever-go-mainstream.
(4) Where is Psychedelic Therapy Legal? | DoubleBlind Mag. https://doubleblindmag.com/where-is-psychedelic-therapy-legal/.
(5) The Underground World of Psychedelics and the Potential of Plant … – NYU. https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2018/june/the-underground-world-of-psychedelics-and-the-potential-of-plant.html.
(6) Qualitative Research and its Uses in Health Care – PMC. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3087733/.
(7) Global comparison of targeted alpha vs targeted beta therapy … – PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29482781/
(8) Advantages and Disadvantages of the Home Setting for Therapy: Views of …. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233649507_Advantages_and_Disadvantages_of_the_Home_Setting_for_Therapy_Views_of_Patients_and_Therapists.
Ashley Ryan, M.S. 