Hey! Happy Thursday, and welcome back to The Drop In. By the time you’re reading this it will be August 22, marking the final 30 days of summer. Can you believe it?
The psychedelics landscape has drastically changed since June — the legalization of MDMA-assisted therapy has been indefinitely postponed, the DEA is threatening to crack down on the ketamine industry (we’ll have a story on that soon), and Soul Quest Ayahuasca Church of Mother Earth was found guilty of negligence in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Soul Quest and its founder are now required by a Florida court to pay the family of the deceased a total of $15 million. In the days following the court decision, Soul Quest’s founder announced that the ayahuasca church was closing its doors for good. But the founder of the church suggested that a new iteration of ayahuasca facilitation may emerge in the coming months. That’s all we’ll say about that — you can read more about this interesting situation below.
If you keep scrolling, you’ll find stories on the Students for Sensible Drug Policy taking on the DEA (again!), Oregon legalizing mushroom gummies, laughter being the gateway to transcendence, and soooo much more.
Oh! And if you want to hang out with us, we’re offering a macrodosing workshop this Sunday, August 25th! You can find out more about it here.
That’s all we’ve got for you — at least until Monday. Talk then. Ciao!
🌞🌟🌙 ,
Mary Carreón
Senior Editor
Featured
Soul Quest Ayahuasca Church of Mother Earth Is Officially Closing
After a court found Soul Quest and its owner guilty of wrongful death, the church is closing its doors. But is it really the end?
After a Florida court found Soul Quest Ayahuasca Church of Mother Earth and its owner, Chris Young, guilty of wrongful death, the once-prominent ayahuasca retreat is shutting down. The tragic death of 22-year-old Brandon Begley during a ceremony has led to a $15 million judgment against the church. But even as the doors close, questions linger: Is this really the end, or just the beginning of a new chapter for Soul Quest?
Read Mattha Busby’s in-depth report on the fallout from this landmark case and what it means for the future of ayahuasca churches in the U.S.
Enter to Win
Win a Dream Getaway to Mexico!
At DoubleBlind, it’s no secret that we are big fans of transformative experiences, whether through plant medicine or travel. That’s why we’re excited to have the opportunity to offer this incredible giveaway to our readers.
That’s right. We’re giving away a 4-night stay for two at Pueblo Bonito Vantage San Miguel de Allende!
The winners will discover the magic of San Miguel de Allende, where history and culture meet in a breathtaking setting.
Our Latest
A grassroots network of student activists called the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) are taking on the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), opposing its proposal to classify two psychedelics as Schedule I substances under the Controlled Substances Act. The SSDP argues that the DEA’s move is based on flawed reasoning, and poses a significant threat to scientific research and medical advancement.
Oregon has made history as the first state to legalize the production of psilocybin mushroom edibles, with Spiritus Oregon receiving the first license to manufacture chocolates and gummies under the brand Horizon Edibles. These products, crafted with full-spectrum extracts and rigorously tested for precision, aim to offer a safer and more consistent psychedelic experience at licensed service centers throughout the state.
& More Must-Reads
German philosopher Thomas K. Metzinger's theory of "consciousness culture" asks us to evaluate whether we're living our best lives in the most ethical way.
Huni Kuin women are cultural leaders in plant medicine—but they haven’t been seen. Now, they’ve formed an association of their own.
Psychonauts often wax poetic about the mystical experience—but is laughter the true gateway to transcendence?
Trip Tales
Despite all the hardships of life, I can always fall back on what I felt in the midst of my psychedelic experience. All layers of the individual self melted away, and the only thing remaining was the celebration of existence.
— Danielle B., Ohio, USA
Have you had a profound experience with psychedelics before? Share your story with us for a chance to be featured in The Drop In. Submit your entry here.
Learn with Us
💭 Lucid dreaming is an ancient spiritual practice that comes with added health benefits. Here's how you can learn to lucid dream, and which herbs will help you get into the dreamstate.
🧑⚕️ There are multiple ways ketamine can be introduced into the body. Here’s everything you need to know about one of the most popular methods, and the one most subject to clinical study: ketamine IV infusion.
💊 What is 2C-B? This novel psychedelic was invented by Sasha Shulgin, the "godfather" of MDMA. Here’s our complete and honest explainer.
🔍 Most little brown mushrooms look almost exactly the same—so how do you distinguish the divine from the deadly? We’ve got a guide on identifying shrooms.
DoubleBlind Digs
Here are today’s recommendations to help you live more psychedelically…
We’re unlocking our potential with Fun Guy’s brand-spanking-new Perform Elixir—a daily support tincture crafted to elevate your microdosing routine and overall wellbeing. This powerful blend of organic lion's mane, cordyceps, and adaptogenic plants enhances energy, focus, endurance, and libido. Sweet like honey with no added sugars, it’s your go-to for sustained vitality and deeper body awareness. Try it for yourself.*
Whether you’re stone sober, or you’re looking to enhance your psychedelic experience with some “mind state-dependent” art, the Psychedelic Video Museum may be an apt container to explore the effects of a carefully curated set and setting. Curated from a decade of work, this virtual archive offers a mesmerizing journey through over a century of global psychedelic creativity, showcasing thousands of videos that span styles, regions, and moods.
Join PORTAL for an intimate evening with East Forest on September 9 in Denver, featuring an immersive ceremony concert. Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers and Brandy Schultz will share personal stories and songs, adding to the magic. The event also previews East Forest's documentary, “Music for Mushrooms,” exploring the connection between music and psychedelics. Learn more and get tickets here.
We love Earth Conscious Life because it’s more than just a newsletter—it’s a weekly dose of inspiration that shows how taking care of ourselves is deeply connected to taking care of our planet. If you’re passionate about living a healthier, more sustainable life, this is a community for you. Every week, they share real stories, practical solutions, and beautiful art that make it easy—and fun—to be part of the change. Click here to subscribe.
*We may make an affiliate commission off of this link, but we only partner with brands we’ve personally tried and trust.
From the Magazine
Mindfulness techniques for recognizing conscious and unconscious associations
In our fast-paced world, where our attention is constantly pulled in different directions, it's easy to overlook the biases we carry. In "Mental Noting," a meditation by Anu Gupta featured in DoubleBlind Issue No. 10, you are invited to slow down and examine these biases with a mindful approach. This practice helps you recognize and acknowledge the thoughts and associations that arise, without judgment, offering a powerful tool to bridge the divides within ourselves and across our human identities.
Begin your journey of breaking bias with this simple yet profound technique, and reconnect with your heart-mind-body in a truly transformative way.
Latest Podcast Episode
Hot Goss with Holly Regan: Extended DMT States & Ethical Psychedelics
We sat down with Holly Regan, a leading journalist in psychedelic research, to explore the cutting-edge world of extended DMT states, known as DMTx. Holly shares insights from their investigative work, uncovering how scientists are pushing the boundaries of consciousness by prolonging the notoriously brief 'businessman’s trip.' This breakthrough could reshape our entire understanding of the mind and reality as we know it.
Don’t miss this captivating conversation—out now on all of your favorite podcast streaming platforms!
Around the Web
As psychedelics re-enter the mainstream, many people around the world are taking them for the first time. Some are walking away as true believers after having an unplanned encounter with God. Read more in Rolling Stone.
MDMA, once poised to become the first FDA-approved psychedelic for PTSD, faced a setback on August 9 when the FDA rejected its approval. Is the US medical system ready for legal psychedelics at all? Read more in Time.
Two California doctors and an alleged drug dealer are among five people arrested and charged in connection with the ketamine-overdose death of Friends actor Matthew Perry last October, officials announced Thursday. Read more in NPR.
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