In this newsletter, you will also find details on the new Executive Order on Psychedelics, new research on lasting brain changes after Psilocybin use, psychedelics influence on values, Trauma recall and its challenges in psychedelics, an incredibly comprehensive App for Dharma Talks and my favorite Qi Gong facilitator offering free sessions on youtube. I hope you find this information supportive for your path. And as always, thank you for being a part of this journey!
Psychedelics have robust effects on acute brain function and long-term behavior but whether they also cause enduring functional and anatomical brain changes is largely unknown. In an exploratory, placebo-controlled, within-subjects, electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study in 28 healthy, entirely psychedelic-naive participants, anatomical and functional brain changes are detected from one-hour to one-month after a single high-dose (25 mg) of psilocybin. Increases in cognitive flexibility, psychological insight, and well-being are seen at one-month. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) done before and one-month after 25 mg psilocybin reveals decreased axial diffusivity bilaterally in prefrontal-subcortical tracts that correlate with decreases in brain network modularity (fMRI) over the same month. Enduring functional brain changes are largely absent, but network modularity change (numerical decrease) negatively correlates with well-being change (significant increase), in line with previous findings in depression. Increased cortical signal entropy (EEG) at 1- and 2-hours post-dosing predicts improved psychological well-being at one-month. Next-day psychological insight mediates the entropy to well-being relationship. All effects are exclusive to 25 mg psilocybin; no effects occur with a 1 mg psilocybin placebo…
This mixed-methods study investigated the relationship between recalled childhood trauma during psychedelic experiences and subsequent extended psychological difficulties. While psychedelics can facilitate emotional processing of autobiographical material, a minority experience adverse effects or re-traumatization when trauma resurfaces. Phase 1 surveyed 608 individuals who experienced post-psychedelic difficulties lasting beyond acute effects. Those linking difficulties to early trauma (41.8%) were significantly older, more often female, were more likely to report a prior mental-illness diagnosis, and were more likely to use psychedelics in guided settings compared to those without trauma links. They also reported significantly more emotional difficulties but fewer perceptual difficulties after the experience. Phase 2 involved semi-structured interviews with 18 purposively selected participants. Reflexive thematic analysis identified four themes: direct trauma re-experiencing (39% of participants, including some with no prior memory of events), symbolic/somatic re-embodiment (22%), fragmentation and confusion (50%), and varied post-experience trajectories.
Outcomes ranged from predominantly positive integration (50%) to mixed effects (28%) to re-traumatization (22%). The study highlights uncertainty around memory veridicality as a source of ongoing distress for some participants. Findings emphasize the critical need for trauma-informed approaches to psychedelic use, stressing appropriate preparation, supportive settings, and robust integration support to maximize therapeutic potential while preventing re-traumatization.
Stream literally hundreds and thousands of Dharma talks and guided meditations from brilliant teachers from all throughout the world including Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzburg, Joseph Goldstein, Mark Coleman and many more. I have personally found this to be a brilliant source of insight and teaching on innumerable topics on the Damma Path as a way of life.
Joseph Campbell taught us that the hero’s journey always includes a descent into the underworld. Not as punishment, but as initiation. Jung called this confrontation with the Shadow—those rejected, disowned aspects of ourselves and our collective that we’ve relegated to darkness. When the Shadow rises uninvited into our streets, into our communities, into the places we thought were safe, it demands we look at what we’ve been refusing to see.
For three full weeks, I have been waking up every morning with the rising sun to drop into this 30 minute Qi Gong meditation offered by Thich Man Tue. It is beautiful practice including the complete set of 8 Qi Gong practices called Baduanjin, self massage, and a relaxing visualization. It has been a beautiful addition to my morning and day.Binaural and solfeggio frequencies can be incredibly rejuvinating to the body and supportive to healthy brain function. Inner Lotus is a youtube channel I have personally be using for a few years for meditation, contemplation and sleep. They have a vast library of specific frequencies that target certain forms of healing. I highly recommend checking them out and hope you enjoy!
Ehren Cruz is an Anthropologist, CTA & ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Third Wave Psychedelic Certified Coach, Master Ceremonialist, certified Harm Reductionist, Loving Husband & Proud Father of 3 Little Ladies. He is devoted to the healing & actualization in all facets of his life.
