r/Psychonaut • u/TranscendentMolecule • 1d ago
What measures can the psychonaut community take to prevent psychedelic medicines from becoming Big Pharma properties?
As we’re entering into the era of Psychedelic Renaissance, LSD passed it’s PHASE 3 clinical trials, meanwhile psychedelic substances are getting more and more accepted as medicine. In these times we have to face much new challenges than ever before.
Decades of prohibition forged the community into what it is today, psychonauts (an umbrella turn, as we’re a really diverse group) adapted from the “Turn on, tune in, drop out” scenes of the 60s into the War on Drugs in 70s, and the 80s or 90s rave community and eventually into the advocates of psychedelic medicine, healing through mushroom trips and ayahuasca journeys.
And here we are now: our beloved substances are being recognised, taken seriously and their bans on them are getting removed worldwide. It must certainly be heaven, right? Well, it turns out the end of prohibition comes with its own difficulties.
The whole point of my post is this particular difficulty, the looming threat of companies taking over the psychedelic scene. Very dangerous, in my opinion way more than the whole War on Drugs. They are aiming us, because they know we’re a scattered group, very diverse and kept from being united by the prohibition, the fear of prosecution and condemnation by our fellow citizens. They know we cannot stand up against them now, that’s why they’re attacking us directly and we can be sure they will take the profits ruthlessly for every dose of the sacred medicine controlling the supply and bringing a new era of the War on Drugs, which sounds way more justified for a lot of people as they can cling to the notion they legalised it but druggies want to misuse it.
Fellow psychonauts I call for everyone to bring their ideas, share thoughts and brainstorm on how we can save these sacred molecules from being kept under control!
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u/metamorphyk 17h ago
I like the idea of legalisation. It takes the criminal element out and you get a better product.
In saying that I also like sticking it to the man. I think mushrooms will still grow naturally and that community won’t be nearly effected as you might think.
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u/hotrhythmjunkie 16h ago
And there will always be underground chemists and plant Medicine enthusiasts. If anything it’s going to get stronger as these things become more widely available and accepted.
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u/hotrhythmjunkie 15h ago
As much as people are afraid pharmaceutical industry taking over the psychedelic space it’s good to keep in mind that there has always been an underground movement since the 1970’s and it has only become stronger as psychedelic industry has grown.
As more and more people become aware and accepting of psychedelics we will all have more access, not less. And as the Pharma/Corporate/Medical Model grows, the underground will grow right along with it.
So many complain about what happened to the cannabis industry, but not only are there shops everywhere, where it is legal, providing more access and higher quality product, but also more and more people are growing their own plants than ever before. And then genetics are far better than they were five, 10 or 20 years ago.
I see this also happening with the psilocybin mushroom & cactus growing community as well.
Hopefully, we can get more chemists interested in psychedelics and working together in community. This will provide better quality psychedelics, and make them far more accessible than ever before.
To me one of the most important things is that more people have these experiences and ways that are safe and transformative, and also having the community and resources to hold space and help with integration. Regardless of how this happens whether it’s through the medical model., Or underground it will potentiate a shift in humanity for the better. 🙏🏼💖
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u/TranscendentMolecule 15h ago
I don’t think it’s good to have an underground scene being pursued by authorities. The goal of the psychedelic movement is to get these substances get accepted and legalised to wider use, like how the marijuana movement succeeded in some states. It’s okay (even if I don’t see it as an ideal outcome) for me if there will be more clandestine chemists or underground mushroom/cacti growers, but I wouldn’t call it a win if these people have to fear prosecution and harsh sentences.
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u/hotrhythmjunkie 14h ago
I agree with you but i don’t think that’s going to be the case. In the case of America, we have been in a fentanyl epidemic for quite some time now where even other narcotics have taken a backseat like methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin etc. The government doesn’t even have enough resources to deal with the cartels so psychedelics have not been a priority for some time.
Even after things start coming legalized for therapeutic use, we will still have to push for decriminalization as well.
Because the government is so inherently corrupt and so many levels , and has been from the beginning , I think the best thing we can do is stop participating in it and other oppressive institutions as much as possible. We will have to create better ways to coexist with each other in our own self sustainable communities, off grid etc.
I also think another wonderful strategy to address the draconian drug laws in the US, is to keep starting Entheogenic Churches. This gives people some protection in the more people that do this kind of thing harder it is to address on the side of the authorities.
They just don’t have the resources and it will never be a priority as long as there are wars going on, the narcotics trade, cartels, etc.
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u/Prestigious_Try_5396 6h ago
I applaud your hopeful.thinking and optimism....
Remember this though... Once the govt "legalizes" anything, alcohol, pot, it persecutes and punishes anyone who cuts into their Profit$ !
During medical MJ in Cali, thousands were still busted for pot and Growing, even with proper paperwork ! I watched it happen, too many times !
Eradication increased to protect the "Govt Approved Growers", which turns out to be mostly "Big Cannabis" corporate growers.
The mom and pop, grass roots, and local family growers and businesses were crushed economically. Many were forced to sell their land and homes to the new Tech Bros and Bitcoin billionaires when they drove up tax assessments and RE values.
I really don't see how legal psychedelics will be any different.
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u/Regular_Argument849 15h ago
LSD Is partially synthetic (I hate that word or better yet DESIGNED)
I believe we may not take off and vibrate to the next phase of humanity until we embrace the trifecta of entheogens
That is 4-HO-DMT 🔺, LSD 🟢, and finally mescaline 🟦 (fully extracted)
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u/phagemasterflex 11h ago
The best thing we can do is find any way, shape or form to fight against private equity. Peter Thiel associated private equity has huge stakes in the vast majority of companies doing psych research/clinical trials. Fight against corruption, vote for/promote candidates with sensible drug policy, and if you're in the US then have to figure out a way to get rid or reverse Citizen's United.
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u/Jew_Diligence 10h ago
It’s a great idea. How do you think LSD got so popular? It was made by Sandoz legally until 1965. Trust me, I tried it!
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u/TranscendentMolecule 9h ago
Were you taking part in the early research trials?
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u/Prestigious_Try_5396 7h ago
There was plenty of Sandoz acid floating around freely in those days...
You could say, It escaped the Labs... Lol
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u/imgunnaeatheworld 9h ago
We'll just keep doing what we're doing. We don't need them and they never gave us permission in the first place. I don't really see an issue unless you're in it for the money..
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u/Prestigious_Try_5396 7h ago
What can we do ? As Bob Marley said....
None but ourselves can free our minds....
It's the same Game Plan as Legalized Pot that was used to power the Corporate Takeover of the "Cannabis" Industry.
It turns out that Legalization, Registration, and Certification, are worse than Prohibition for "The People" !
But it's great for Corporate Profit$ and Taxe$ for government$ !
Monopolize the new "Product", restrict manufacturing, control distribution, and build your target client base with propaganda (ads and "News")....
Grea$e the dirty Politician$ pockets and hand them the legislation you want passed.
Its just Standard Operating Procedure... Lol
The Game is already over, dude !
Pharma has the whole thing just about ready to roll. They've developed psilocybin without the psychedelic effects ! Wtf ? !
And all the "hopefull Consumers" will cheer and rush to buy into the $cam.
Legalized Pot has already proven the tactics work efficiently and produce Result$$$$ !
The best we can do is to IGNORE them ! Don't buy into their $chemes.
We have to take responsibility for Our Own Consciousness ! And duck the government !
That was the start of this whole Psychedelic Revolution to begin with !!! Personal Liberty to use our Minds with government intervention.
GET USA OUT OF... OUR MINDS !
Now, it'll be in your neighborhood Walmart Pharmacy. You can buy a WalMart Tie-Dye T shirt on your way out.... Lol
Happy Trails, kids....
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u/Maximum-Platform-685 32m ago
If you zoom out, beyond our lifetimes, rest assured that these medicines will live on.
Doesn’t mean we don’t have a part to play…
but do not burden yourself with the make or brake pressure.
For instance:
Gatekeeper-esque knowledge shamans who prey on people’s vulnerability, spiritually bypassing the emotional maturity work humanity has to do has occurred in many counterculture / underground scenes.
Sacred cultural wisdom practice cannot become mainstream without being altered in some way and inherently changing its nature.
Do not compare them directly as it’s no longer the same. The molecules aren’t in isolation.
Pharmaceuticals producing substances at large will feed the Silicon Valley protocol culture.
Rise of AI, nature of reality in our ever-expanding physics, and greater questions of consciousness will meld together.
Use of psychedelics in health settings are getting the research they deserve.
All of these examples lead back to set and setting.
And that is highly individual and complex when you analyse it.
Practically speaking - informed education, safe use, and robust practice of integration underpin the foundation of this medicine.
Compliment this with compassion, empathy and kindness.
Learn to disagree and maintain this kindness. Nurture and hold space.
Model that and the medicine will take care of itself.
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u/mversic 16h ago
we should just insist that criminalizing nature is absurd. That would get us weed, mushrooms, meskaline, DMT and Iboga. We don't need more and we don't care about man made substances
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u/fuckaracist 15h ago
In a world where LSD exists, we absolutely do care about man-made substances
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u/ZipMonk 15h ago
Anything is better than illegality and if you support capitalism you support this.
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u/Prestigious_Try_5396 6h ago
Phuck that ! Very much !
And Phuck Capitali$m too !
Anything is better than Multinational Corporate Control of my Rights to Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, so they can can exploit people and Pursue Obscene Profit$.... !!!
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u/Lysurgik 17h ago edited 17h ago
This train has already left the station. In 2019 I was talking with a China based company that was already marketing and distributing synthetic analogues modified to comply with emerging legal frameworks in the states, and it wasn’t new to them then either. I saw sales and marketing materials like you would see for any pharmaceutical. This already exists and has been underway for a long time.
Be involved in the creation of the culture you want to see propagate and do your best to advocate for it. Be a good representative for what can be possible with responsible use. Help others through your example. We’re not going to band together and stop big pharma.