💧 The argument for trip-free psychedelics (it’s surprisingly compelling)

Welcome back to The Drop In, DoubleBlind’s newsletter serving up psychedelics news, culture, events, and knowledge straight to your inbox.

Today’s featured story is bound to spark debate among psychonauts. But as a publication dedicated to producing well-rounded journalism, we owe it to the movement to explore all sides of the conversation. This one focuses on the argument for trip-free psychedelics. Journalist Noah Daly lays out a sharp, compelling argument for why non-hallucinogenic psychedelics could be a game-changer for vulnerable populations — think patients with dementia, Parkinson’s, and beyond. All we ask is that you give it a read before firing off your critiques 😉. You can find the story below.

Today’s newsletter is loaded with interesting stories, including a piece by Mattha Busby about a non-profit lab testing company dedicated to sussing out which mushroom products are actually legit…and which ones aren’t.

If you want to learn how to work with Amanita muscaria before the Winter Solstice, sign up for our free workshop hosted by ethnobotanist and herbalist Ash Ritter. You can do so here!

Mary Carreón
Senior Editor

Together With North Spore

Lookin’ for A Memorable Last Minute Holiday Gift? Ok, Boomr… 

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Stick with us here. The best gifts are the ones that:

1. Someone actually uses

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4. Sends them on a journey to the underworld where the Egyptian god Anubis introduces them to their long-forgotten ancestors followed by a colorful tour of the cosmos.

North Spore’s BoomrBin hits ALL of these! 

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Our Latest

The underground psilocybin market is chaos—chocolate bars spiked with shady substances posing as mushrooms and mislabeled potency claims are everywhere. A new certification effort is stepping in to bring safety and transparency to this unregulated space. Get the inside scoop here.

& More Must-Reads

• Ketamine can create the necessary neurological space to reawaken sexuality that has been damaged or traumatized. It can also be an unsexy and disembodied journey into the cosmos. From the helpful to the hurtful to the downright trippy, here’s what therapists say about sex and ketamine. 

• Mark McCloud clinically died for over an hour while tripping on acid. He claims the LSD helped him navigate his way back to his body and get a second chance at life. In gratitude, he turned his home into a shrine to LSD—the world’s largest collection of acid blotter art, with over 30,000 pieces. Check out this wild story here.

• Want to know what MDMA couples therapy feels like in the moment? Writer Seth Lorinczi takes you into the murky, emotional depths of how his marriage lost its luster, to be rekindled and reborn through MDMA. Read the full story here.

Join Us

Curious about Amanita muscaria but unsure where to begin? 

You’re not alone! This iconic mushroom is wrapped in mystery, misinformation, and marketing claims that often miss the mark. How do you separate the sacred from the noise?

Whether you’re drawn to its connection to solstice traditions, curious about its role in shamanic practices, or simply looking to deepen your understanding of fungi medicine, this workshop offers a grounded and reliable resource for your journey. Join ethnobotanist and herbalist Ash Ritter for an illuminating journey into the darkness of winter.

And it’s happening just in time for the solstice.

Join for free with a DoubleBlind+ Trial

Already a member? Register for the workshop here.

Learn with Us

🌱 It’s called “smokeable ayahuasca”, but it has very little to do with the medicinal brew from South America. Here’s what you need to know about the blend of DMT and herbs known as Changa.

🍄 Mushroom dosage can be tricky, especially when different varieties come with different potencies. Here’s what you should know before you grab a handful.

✨ Going on a personal mushroom journey this solstice? Before you do, check out our guide on the art of tripping solo.

DoubleBlind Supports

Looking for a meaningful way to connect with nature and give back? The Chaikuni Institute invites you to join their mission of protecting and regenerating life in the Amazon rainforest. Through programs in Permaculture, Intercultural Education, and Human & Nature Rights, the Chaikuni team is creating sustainable solutions with and for Amazonian communities.

Whether you're volunteering, training, or simply visiting, you'll learn hands-on from innovative permaculture practices inspired by ancient Amazonian traditions. From sustainable agriculture to beekeeping and more, your experience will leave both your heart and the planet a little fuller.

Discover the wisdom of the Amazon. Learn more 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.

Together With Magi

This supplement is designed for inner journeys—with or without psychedelics.

Thousands of years ago, ancient Zoroastrian seers filled holy texts with praise for a mysterious elixir called “Haoma”. 

The active ingredient was a psychotropic plant. Like ayahuasca, it contains harmala compounds, which are psychoactive but not psychedelic. 

It’s a perfect match for practices like breathwork, meditation, yoga, Reiki, and psychedelics work. 

And it is 100% legal. 

Our friends at Magi have perfected precision formulations for meditation, lucid dreaming, inner-journey revelations, and more. 

You can combine their Haoma revelation formulation with your mushroom journeys for a psilohuasca experience. 

Use DB10Magi for a 10% Discount.

>>Go deeper with the gift of the Magi<<

Latest Youtube Video

Bufo made me do it. Boxing legend Mike Tyson recently returned to the ring to fight YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul. According to Tyson, his inspiration for the fight came from a 5-MeO DMT trip (aka Bufo). Tyson has been a vocal supporter of psychedelics for years, but with this highly public spectacle, his endorsement is attracting a new wave of attention from psychedelic novices. So what is 5-MeO DMT? How is it different from “normal” DMT? Here’s everything you need to know about this very powerful psychedelic.