Welcome back to The Drop In, DoubleBlind’s newsletter serving up news, culture, and independent journalism about the psychedelic underground straight to your inbox.

Today’s featured story is from the archive and revisits one of our favorite debates that echoes beyond psychedelics. It’s a recurring conversation within cannabis culture, too, and it’s the idea that people can — and should — ditch their psych meds for psychoactive plants. The unspoken assertion? That psychedelics and cannabis are invariably the healthier, more virtuous alternatives to psychiatric meds, and that the pharmaceutical industrial complex is swindling those who are on such medications. But is this actually true? Read up on it below!

If you keep scrolling, you’ll find other gems about “land-based” healing, what happens when you mix LSD and MDMA, recent developments on the Stoned Ape theory, and 4-AcO-DMT being the most available drug on the market. 

Trip long and prosper 🖖🏾,

Mary Carreón
Senior Editor

Indulgent and Healthy Salted Caramel Fuel for Body and Soul

We could all use a warm, nourishing power-up for these cold winter days. Enter Paleovalley’s Salted Caramel Bone Broth Protein. 

It’s smooth, decadent, and packed with minerals and gut-healing goodness. Whether you’re recovering from holiday celebrations or just need to feel human again, this is a perfect reset. (Don’t worry, they have other flavors if caramel’s not your thing.)

It’s made from cows that had lives that would make Kobe beef cattle jealous. 100% organic, pasture-raised, and grass-fed. That means it actually has the nutrition you want without the toxic glyphosate residues like some of the other so-called organic collagen and bone broth brands out there. 

Tastes great all on its own or add it to coffee.  Your gut will love you, and your taste buds might even forgive you for all the kale.

Plus, DoubleBlind readers get an exclusive 15% off. 

👉 Try Paleovalley’s Salted Caramel Bone Broth Protein Today

In a massive genomic study of the Psilocybe family of fungi, scientists found mushrooms became magical right around the same time the dinosaurs went extinct and mammals appeared on the scene. Does this give new credence to Terence McKenna’s “stoned ape” theory? Read the full story here.

In the story of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, a young sorcerer plays with powerful forces he can’t quite control, with disastrous consequences. With the modern emphasis on psychedelics as a tool of higher performance, making us all better, more effective worker-bees, are we perhaps doing the same thing? Can psychedelics truly be tamed and integrated into the structures of modern capitalism without losing its essence—or worse? Read the full story here.

Coming Back Down to Earth After a Psychedelic Journey? 

Join DoubleBlind’s monthly integration circle with Dr. Ido Cohen and Deanna Rogers. It’s a safe space to process and reflect with two highly trained, compassionate professionals. 

The next one is on Jan 15 at 2 pm PT/5 pm ET.

It’s free for all DB+ members — sign up for your free trial here and join us.

💊 What happens when you mix LSD and MDMA? Take a trip inside one writer’s candy flip experience here (plus some helpful dosage and timing guidelines.)

🔬 (Re)Starting a microdosing practice in the new year? Refresh your knowledge base with tips from leading experts here

💦 Hydroponics is well-known in the cannabis world, but the same principles can supercharge your mushroom cultivation. Here’s how to use liquid culture to increase yield and potency of magic mushrooms.

🧪 4-AcO-DMT is the most accessible drug on the market. You can find it in gummies, chocolates, drinks, and sprays. You can find it at local smoke shops and corner stores. But is this a good thing? Read this in-depth look at the widely available “synthetic mushroom” here.

DONATE: Accessibility and equity are hot topics in psychedelic medicine. SoundMind is doing incredible work to ensure that these treatments are affordable, accessible, and identity-affirming for people of the BIPOC, LGBTQ, and veteran communities. 

They also have a high-profile documentary project showcasing people’s transformational healing featured on NBC. Check out their work and donate here.

At DoubleBlind, we believe in reciprocity—the idea that everything in the world is interconnected and that we have a responsibility to uplift a psychedelic ecosystem that centers equity, inclusivity, and healing for all. Through our work, we hope to help our community participate in this effort with us.

Renew Your Spirit and Awaken Your Power in Mexico

SOUL MEDICINE is a week-long multidimensional journey back to your soul. They weave a powerful container,  combining somatic movement, meditation, sound, psilocybin ceremony, and other sacred medicines. If you’re craving a deeply nourishing experience that puts you back in touch with the beauty and power of all that you are, this has our highest recommendation. 

Their February retreat still has 3 spots for men available! If you feel the call, register here. 

Can’t make February? They hold monthly retreats, so you can find the perfect time for you. Learn more here.

Set and setting isn’t just where you are; it’s also what you do. It can be easy to get distracted and fall into unhelpful habits, so it’s good to have a loose plan for what you will do during your psychedelic trip. Here are 12 of the best things to do on mushrooms.