I will be moderating this panel at the Chacruna Institute Psychedelic Culture Conference in San Francisco, California.

Panelists: Ana Lisbeth Bonilla Carillo, Stephanie M. Stewart, Jamie Beachy, Helena Hansen, and Marissa Feinberg

The psychedelic experience is often innately intertwined with spirituality and nature. Plant medicines come from nature, and many psychedelic experiences recount perceiving nature as intricately beautiful and feeling more connected to the space around us. From Indigenous standpoints, many cultures emphasize the importance of conserving the land in which we inhabit, which is a major topic as psychedelics become globalized. Spiritually-integrated and ecologically conscious psychedelic care supports social justice. Through valuing reciprocity, planetary healing, Indigenous wisdom, & the honoring of ecological grief, justice-based psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) views ecosystems as relational networks rather than resources, and extends healing benefits beyond individuals to communities and the global environment. Earth-based rituals, nature-focused treatments for PTSD, and practices that support nature connectedness expand PAT beyond a clinical, biomedical model of care. While there are many benefits to these approaches, it is also important to look at some of the barriers and the implications on people and communities. This panel will include Indigenous, psychological and spiritual perspectives as we think about the interconnectedness of all these factors and paving a path forward.