The symbiotic relationship between psychedelics and creativity fosters both inspiration for novel ideas and vital avenues for expression, especially during integration. This broad definition of artistry emphasizes that everyone can engage in creation to materialize their authentic selves and leave a meaningful mark on the world.

“Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.” — California State University Northridge

By California State University Northridge's definition, creativity is three-pronged, dealing with problem solving, communicating, and entertainment. We believe that creativity is a core facet of the human experience, and something uniquely attributed to our species. 

Where else do you see art purposefully created? And how does it put us at an evolutionary advantage? What’s the point of it? 

We might not have the answers, but we know art is a form of expression that helps us express things we may not even fully understand. Things that lose meaning with just words. 

Creativity and psychedelics have a unique relationship, directly affecting each other like two species in a symbiotic relationship. Psychedelics can act as a tool to inspire creativity, while creativity can be used as a form of expression during any part of the process, possibly most importantly in the integration phase.

Let’s dive in and learn about how creativity and psychedelic use intersect in many aspects of life, and why creativity is so important to the psychedelic healing process. 

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Psychedelic Passage is the first psychedelic concierge service in the U.S., connecting clients with a vetted network of local, independent facilitators. As an independent body, we ensure no conflict of interest, advocating solely for you. Our rigorous vetting guarantees facilitators who uphold integrity, inspiring trust, confidence, and lasting change. With hundreds of transformational journeys facilitated nationwide, book a Pathfinding Call to get personalized guidance and have all your questions answered.

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Deciding between individual and group experiences will depend on personal needs, an honest assessment of your expectations and content, and comfort level in groups. Cultural influence may shape preferences for individual or group psychedelic experiences, but ultimately, hybrid models are emerging to offer diverse healing opportunities and the profound power of being witnessed.

This week we take a deep dive into the nuanced dynamics of individual versus group psychedelic experiences, examining cultural, psychological, and practical considerations. We will discuss substances like ayahuasca, yagé, and psilocybin mushrooms ,exploring the cultural impact of their use in group contexts such as communal ceremonies or private treatments like a dieta. 

There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and we will consider factors like accessibility, personal comfort, and societal influences when individuals are choosing their healing path. You’ll find how flexible, hybrid models that incorporate both individual and communal elements, might just be the future of psychedelic healing. 

Additionally, we will address a question asked by one of our community members about substance interactions, specifically the timing between MDMA and psilocybin, offering guidance grounded in safety and individual readiness. 

No mushroom source? No problem. Download our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide.

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About Us:

Psychedelic Passage is the first psychedelic concierge service in the U.S., connecting clients with a vetted network of local, independent facilitators. As an independent body, we ensure no conflict of interest, advocating solely for you. Our rigorous vetting guarantees facilitators who uphold integrity, inspiring trust, confidence, and lasting change. With hundreds of transformational journeys facilitated nationwide, book a Pathfinding Call to get personalized guidance and have all your questions answered.

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Mindful eating is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of psychedelic healing, but more importantly life, and our society has felt the effects of that. By integrating practices like savoring your food, growing your own herbs, and setting clear intentions, you can enhance your healing journey and nourish both body and spirit. 

Today we have Dr. Randall Hansen, PhD as our guest today as we embark on an illuminating conversation surrounding one often-overlooked aspect of complete healing: mindful eating. 

Dr. Hansen is an educator and author of the Wholeistic Healing Trilogy which comprises of The Healing Revolution Diet, the groundbreaking Triumph Over Trauma,  and Heal! Holistic Practices to Help Clear Your Trauma, Heal Yourself, and Live Your Best Life. 

Drawing from biology-heavy research done by figures like Dr. Robert Lustig, he uses his own books as a way to distill the complicated scientific research into accessible insights for everyday readers.

Rand's focus and advocacy center around true healing, which is healing that results in being able to live an authentic life filled with peace, joy, and love. 

In this article, we’ll discuss topics like food insecurity, both the spiritual and biological importance for food, how psychedelics and diet are intrinsically linked, and provide actionable guidance on how to step into whole healing. 

More From Our Guest:

• Check out his website RandallSHansen.com
• Find his books here: HealingRevolutionDiet.com 
• Like Dr. Randall Hansen’s LinkedIn to connect
• Go to his YouTube channel for more helpful tips on healing and health

No mushroom source? No problem. Download our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide.

More Psychedelic Passage:

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• Reddit: u/psychedelicpassage

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About Us:

Psychedelic Passage is the first psychedelic concierge service in the U.S., connecting clients with a vetted network of local, independent facilitators. As an independent body, we ensure no conflict of interest, advocating solely for you. Our rigorous vetting guarantees facilitators who uphold integrity, inspiring trust, confidence, and lasting change. With hundreds of transformational journeys facilitated nationwide, book a Pathfinding Call to get personalized guidance and have all your questions answered.

Like, share, and follow to stay connected with our growing community of psychedelic-curious folks!

Elderly individuals seek psychedelics for reasons such as emotional healing, existential reflection, and reconciling past experiences, which offer significant benefits like enhanced self-awareness and emotional well-being. Practical considerations, including medical clearance, safe set and setting, and support systems, are essential to ensure safe and meaningful psychedelic experiences for the elderly.

Intentional psychedelic use has gained popularity among older demographics. Anyone who feels they are in the later stages of their life or knows someone who is may find this episode fruitful. So settle in as we explore the role psychedelics can play in later life, emphasizing their potential benefits for older adults. 

Addressing common questions about aging and psychedelic use, we will explore how these experiences can aid in achieving peace, reconciling with mortality, and finding renewed purpose and curiosity. We offer practical guidance on safety and preparation for seniors interested in exploring psychedelics, highlighting the importance of support, physical health, and intentionality. 

Designed to honor the wisdom and growth of older generations, this episode encourages curiosity and mindful exploration of psychedelics as tools for healing, reflection, and enriched aging.

No mushroom source? No problem. Download our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide.

More Psychedelic Passage:

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About Us:

Psychedelic Passage is the first psychedelic concierge service in the U.S., connecting clients with a vetted network of local, independent facilitators. As an independent body, we ensure no conflict of interest, advocating solely for you. Our rigorous vetting guarantees facilitators who uphold integrity, inspiring trust, confidence, and lasting change. With hundreds of transformational journeys facilitated nationwide, book a Pathfinding Call to get personalized guidance and have all your questions answered.

Like, share, and follow to stay connected with our growing community of psychedelic-curious folks!

This week, we meet Mareesa Stertz, a filmmaker, storyteller, artist, and community organizer dedicated to fostering collective healing and transformation. As a co-founder of the Global Psychedelic Society (GPS) and Lucid News, Mareesa has been building platforms that destigmatize, educate, and build community around psychedelics. 

Drawing from her own journey of trauma and transformation, Mareesa is passionate about using storytelling and art to deepen understanding and bring visibility to the process of healing and wholeness of which she has shared some of her experience on international stages, and through teaching workshops and retreats.  

She’s done film work producing and hosting documentary series that can be found on Gaia TV and Amazon, and is currently bringing a large-scale immersive art project, The Sphinx Gate, to Burning Man 2025. 

Settle in as we take a ride with our co-founder, Jimmy Nguyen, to explore Stertz’s unique perspective on healing, art, and psychedelics. 

More From Our Guest

• Storytelling Catharsis Workshop on May 21st - Join Mareesa for her free online workshop, which will give you the opportunity to share, explore, and discover your story in a meaningful way.
• TheSphinxGate.com - How well do you Know Thyself? Donate to, or find out more about the mission to bring the Sphinx, Stertz’s immersive art, to Burning Man, 2025. 
• Global Psychedelic Society - Meet other like minded individuals by joining or creating a psychedelic community of your own.

No mushroom source? No problem. Download our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide.

More Psychedelic Passage:

• Official Website
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• Blog Page
• Youtube
• Instagram: @psychedelicpassage  
• Reddit: u/psychedelicpassage

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About Us:

Psychedelic Passage is the first psychedelic concierge service in the U.S., connecting clients with a vetted network of local, independent facilitators. As an independent body, we ensure no conflict of interest, advocating solely for you. Our rigorous vetting guarantees facilitators who uphold integrity, inspiring trust, confidence, and lasting change. With hundreds of transformational journeys facilitated nationwide, book a Pathfinding Call to get personalized guidance and have all your questions answered.

Like, share, and follow to stay connected with our growing community of psychedelic-curious folks!

Dr. Will Van Derveer, MD, emphasizes the importance of merging clinical practices with holistic approaches in addressing mental health, advocating for all-encompassing psychedelic healing methods that integrate diverse modalities. His journey showcases the transformative potential of psychedelics in fostering deeper healing beyond traditional Western medical models.

Today we learn about how one man's internal compass, with the help of psychedelic medicine, got him on the path to helping others find ultimate healing.

We encapsulate an illuminating conversation between Dr. Will Van Derveer, co-founder of the Integrative Psychiatry Institute and Jimmy Nguyen, co-founder of Psychedelic Passage. They delve into Dr. Van Derveer's transformative journey from traditional Western medicine to embracing psychedelic healing modalities, influenced by his experiences in India and South America. 

The conversation highlights the importance of holistic approaches to mental health, the cultural challenges surrounding psychedelic therapies, and the need for community support in the healing process. 

Dr. Van Derveer shares insights from his clinical practice and ongoing research, exploring the potential of psychedelics to facilitate profound healing experiences while emphasizing the importance of integration and safety. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of psychedelics, mental health, and personal growth.

More From Our Guest

• Integrative Psychiatry Institute website
• Dr. Will Van Derveer on Instagram
• Find him on LinkedIn

No mushroom source? No problem. Download our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide.

More Psychedelic Passage:

• Official Website
• Book a Consultation
• Blog Page
• Youtube
• Instagram: @psychedelicpassage  
• Reddit: u/psychedelicpassage

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About Us:

Psychedelic Passage is the first psychedelic concierge service in the U.S., connecting clients with a vetted network of local, independent facilitators. As an independent body, we ensure no conflict of interest, advocating solely for you. Our rigorous vetting guarantees facilitators who uphold integrity, inspiring trust, confidence, and lasting change. With hundreds of transformational journeys facilitated nationwide, book a Pathfinding Call to get personalized guidance and have all your questions answered.

Like, share, and follow to stay connected with our growing community of psychedelic-curious folks!

Sleepiness on psilocybin can stem from both biological and psychological factors, with science pointing to altered brain wave activity and serotonin receptor interactions as key contributors. Research suggests psilocybin induces a paradoxical state of heightened awareness alongside deep relaxation, offering insight into the complex relationship between psychedelics and rest.

Explore the curious and often misunderstood phenomenon of sleepiness during a psilocybin-containing mushroom or other psychedelic experience in today’s article. We’ll break down the different stages in which drowsiness may occur: during the come-up, mid-trip, or afterglow, and offer both scientific and psycho-spiritual perspectives to explain why. 

Drawing from client experiences and current neuroscience, we examine how psilocybin affects brainwaves, information processing, and the serotonin system, potentially triggering a state of paradoxical relaxation and alertness. 

Jimmy also delves into the role of trauma, the body’s need for rest, and the concept of psychedelics as “non-specific amplifiers” of unconscious material. You can find practical advice for those of us struggling with disruptive sleepiness during micro- or macrodosing, alongside cultural reflections on rest, trauma, and integration. 

We close the episode by answering a question from a community member on selecting a psychedelic facilitator, emphasizing the importance of resonance and choice in healing journeys.

No mushroom source? No problem. Download our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide.

More Psychedelic Passage:

• Official Website
• Book a Consultation
• Blog Page
• Youtube
• Instagram: @psychedelicpassage  
• Reddit: u/psychedelicpassage

Have a burning topic in mind? Share your thoughts: Feedback & Topic Suggestions Box

About Us:

Psychedelic Passage is the first psychedelic concierge service in the U.S., connecting clients with a vetted network of local, independent facilitators. As an independent body, we ensure no conflict of interest, advocating solely for you. Our rigorous vetting guarantees facilitators who uphold integrity, inspiring trust, confidence, and lasting change. With hundreds of transformational journeys facilitated nationwide, book a Pathfinding Call to get personalized guidance and have all your questions answered.

Like, share, and follow to stay connected with our growing community of psychedelic-curious folks!

Hey everyone. We're going to take a few weeks off and enjoy the changing of the seasons. We’ll be back soon. Sending you a lot of love, and just know that we're here to support you at The Psychedelic Passage Podcast.

No mushroom source? No problem. Download our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide.

More Psychedelic Passage:

• Official Website
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About Us:

Psychedelic Passage is the nation’s first psychedelic concierge service. Our platform connects clients with a pre-vetted network of trusted, local facilitators across the country. We serve as an independent body that moderates the network of facilitators who all have their own private practice, which means we can advocate for you without a conflict of interest. 

Our comprehensive vetting process ensures each hand-selected facilitator serves journeyers with integrity. The goal is to inspire trust, confidence, and lasting change for each journeyer. To date, our network of guides has facilitated hundreds of safe and transformational journeys for people all across the United States. 

Visit our website or book a consultation to speak with a highly knowledgeable psychedelic concierge. They will get to know you and your situation and you’ll have all your questions answered.

Like, share, and follow to stay connected with our growing community of psychedelic-curious folks! 

Zach Leary's insights into psychedelics show us how psychedelics intersect with the advancements and issues of the 21st century. We see how individuals can engage with these compounds as a means of personal growth and sustainable healing, using psychedelics to fundamentally transform one's way of life.

Echoing Timothy Leary's everlasting impression on the psychedelic and counterculture movements of the 60's, his son, Zach Leary, comes on the scene for a thought-provoking conversation, offering the unique perspective not only of the son of a legend but someone who has watched the evolution of the psychedelic movement up close and personal for the last 30 years.

Zach spent many years as a digital marketing expert for world-renowned brands, but about 13 years ago, Zach had a wake-up call that thrust him back into the center of what he calls the "psychedelic cyclone," thanks to the influence of his primary teacher and mentor, Ram Dass. 

Since then, Zach has discovered his own unique voice and approach to contributing to the revolutionary psychedelic movement of the 21st century.

Having worked with nearly 200 people one-on-one and having taught over a hundred in his unique approach to psychedelic studies, he has dove into the psychedelic scene in a way that would make his father proud. Zach shares insights from his unique upbringing surrounded by influential psychedelic figures, expanding upon his father's concept of "set and setting," emphasizing the need for a sustainable approach to using psychedelics, encouraging listeners to think beyond mere peak experiences and to cultivate lasting change in their lives.

More From Our Guest

• You can preorder his book here
• Find him on Instagram at @zachlearydrome
• See all he has to offer on his Linktree

No mushroom source? No problem. Download our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide.

More Psychedelic Passage:

• Official Website
• Book a Consultation
• Blog Page
• Youtube
• Instagram: @psychedelicpassage  
• Reddit: u/psychedelicpassage

Have a burning topic in mind? Share your thoughts: Feedback & Topic Suggestions Box

About Us:

Psychedelic Passage is the first psychedelic concierge service in the U.S., connecting clients with a vetted network of local, independent facilitators. As an independent body, we ensure no conflict of interest, advocating solely for you. Our rigorous vetting guarantees facilitators who uphold integrity, inspiring trust, confidence, and lasting change. With hundreds of transformational journeys facilitated nationwide, book a Pathfinding Call to get personalized guidance and have all your questions answered.

Like, share, and follow to stay connected with our growing community of psychedelic-curious folks!

The "psychedelic afterglow" defines the transitory period following a psychedelic experience, typically lasting from hours to days, where individuals may feel heightened mood, creativity, and sensory awareness. It's important to recognize this phase as a bridge to sober life, allowing for mindfulness and observation, while understanding it will fade, prompting engagement in integration practices to fully benefit from the experience.

Jimmy dives into the concept of the “psychedelic afterglow”, a feeling felt by many but understood by few. An afterglow is a feeling, but it's also a transitory period of time in the hours and days after a psychedelic experience. 

We will explore what the afterglow period can look like for different people, and how to utilize it in your healing journey. The importance of integration following a psychedelic journey is emphasized, cautioning against confusing the vibrant feelings during afterglow with true healing.

By using the analogy of an airplane flight, we highlight the significance of acknowledging the afterglow period for what it is; a bridge between altered states of consciousness and daily life, ultimately serving as a reminder of one's capacity for connection and joy in a sober state.

No mushroom source? No problem. Download our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide.

More Psychedelic Passage:

• Official Website
• Book a Consultation
• Blog Page
• Youtube
• Instagram: @psychedelicpassage  
• Reddit: u/psychedelicpassage

Have a burning topic in mind? Share your thoughts: Feedback & Topic Suggestions Box

About Us:

Psychedelic Passage is the first psychedelic concierge service in the U.S., connecting clients with a vetted network of local, independent facilitators. As an independent body, we ensure no conflict of interest, advocating solely for you. Our rigorous vetting guarantees facilitators who uphold integrity, inspiring trust, confidence, and lasting change. With hundreds of transformational journeys facilitated nationwide, book a Pathfinding Call to get personalized guidance and have all your questions answered.

Like, share, and follow to stay connected with our growing community of psychedelic-curious folks!