💧 Why the "Psychedelic Renaissance" risks repeating history

Happy Monday and welcome back to the Drop In, DoubleBlind’s psychedelic newsletter! Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day — a day dedicated to honoring the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous communities across the US. 

While this day holds tremendous meaning to us at DB, our commitment extends beyond a single holiday — and US borders. It’s central to our mission to highlight Indigenous voices, perspectives, and work from around the world through the power of storytelling. Why? Because the plant medicine movement — and its place within the cultural consciousness — wouldn’t exist without them.

Our featured story today is from the DB archives. It was originally published in DoubleBlind Magazine Issue No. 8 and is about how the “Psychedelic Renaissance” is nothing but a synonym for colonialism. We’ll let you read this profound Op-Ed by Alnoor Ladha and Rene Suša to find out why.

If you keep scrolling, you’ll find an interview with Susan Beaulieu, a member of the Red Lake Nation; a story outlining a brief history of sacred tobacco; and a link to 50 Plant Medicines: Indigenous Oral History and Perspective, a book by author Chenae Bullock of the Shinnecock Nation.

Enjoy the brain and soul food 🤎

In solidarity 🫶🏽,

Mary Carreón
Senior Editor

Together With…

Are Bacteria Controlling Your Mind? 

Ever heard of “psychobiotics”? It’s a weird branch of science studying how gut bacteria influence your mind, mood, and behavior.

The gut produces 90% of your serotonin, and can influence hormone levels and brain activity.*

Now, top scientists from Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Berkeley, and Stanford found they can influence food cravings.

Ever found yourself mindlessly opening the fridge late at night, not quite sure how you got there? Blame your gut bacteria!

Or more specifically, a lack of the right gut bacteria. 

Certain strains of gut bacteria naturally boost a hormone called GLP-1, aka the “un-hunger hormone.” When it gets low, you may find yourself with an inexplicably empty bag of chips.

These researchers had a wild idea: what if you could naturally curb cravings and unhealthy snacking through the microbiome?

So they created an all-natural probiotic that can increase levels of GLP-1. **

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*Akram et al 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3826

**Disclaimer: based on preclinical studies

Must Reads

We interviewed Susan Beaulieu, a member of the Red Lake Nation, to explore how the Western medical model for psychedelics often overlooks the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous communities. Beaulieu shares her perspective on the deep-rooted cultural erasure happening as psychedelic medicine becomes more commercialized, calling for more awareness and respect for the origins of these sacred practices. Click here to read the full interview.

In his op-ed, Matthew Stoltz draws a striking comparison between the current "Psychedelic Renaissance" and the capitalization of Big Tobacco. Stoltz argues that while psychedelics hold the promise of healing, the rapid commercialization of these sacred substances mirrors the extractive practices that led to the commodification and misuse of shamanic plants like tobacco. Click here to read the full article.

& Our Latest

• A 37-year-old man with a history of depression experienced a severe psychotic episode after consuming psilocybin mushrooms, leading him to self-amputate his penis with a blunt axe. 

• Colombia is on the brink of regulating psychedelics as part of its broader efforts to reform drug policies and move beyond the violence fueled by cartels and the US-led War on Drugs. 

• Science is weighing in on the debate over magic mushroom strains, and the verdict? They're not as different as some might think.

Support Our Work

At DoubleBlind, we believe that accurate information about psychedelics should be accessible to all. That’s why we work tirelessly to bring free content to hundreds of thousands of people around the world—stories, guides, and resources that can transform lives.

But as you can imagine, producing this content isn’t free. 

It takes a dedicated team of writers, editors, and experts to bring you the latest news, trusted advice, and compelling stories in the psychedelic space.

By becoming a DoubleBlind+ member, you’re directly supporting this important work and helping us continue to offer it to those who need it most. As a member, you also get access to exclusive events, an extensive video libary, and more, connecting you with a like-minded community. 

Join DoubleBlind+ today and help us continue this work.

Learn with Us

🎬 Looking for something trippy to watch on Netflix? Here are six movies that will expand your consciousness.

🪵 Banisteriopsis caapi isn’t psychedelic, but for many, it’s a vital plant medicine with plenty to teach. Here is our guide to the revered vine. 

🍄 Meet the Ohio Valley shroom taking over at least two continents. Here’s everything you should know about Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata (yes, that’s a mouthful!).

🐱 “Off-label” ketamine is more popular than ever—sooo, when exactly is it legal? Here’s the down-low on the legality of ketamine in its various forms.

DoubleBlind Supports

READ: Deepen your connection to nature with 50 Plant Medicines: Indigenous Oral History and Perspective, an e-book by Chenae Bullock, a Shinnecock Nation member and cultural preservationist. In this guide, Chenae shares Indigenous oral history and centuries of plant wisdom, offering insights into the healing power of plants used for thousands of years. This book not only educates but also encourages us to recognize and protect the plants that sustain our world. Get your digital copy here.

SUPPORT: The Warrior Women Project preserves the stories of Indigenous women from the Red Power movement (1960s-1980s). Through oral history and community-based research, they honor Matriarchs and inspire future generations in the fight for justice and equality. Click here to donate and support their work today.

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

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Latest Youtube Video

A Brief History of Sacred Tobacco

Nicotine is considered "one of the more toxic botanical substances in nature." Yet, the plant has a rich history of medicinal use among many indigenous cultures. Amazonian curanderos commonly use Mapacho in tandem with ayahuasca and other medicinals.

Click here to watch our video guide on Mapacho.