REVIEW✨. “Psilocybin Therapy: Understanding How to Use Nature’s Psychedelics for Mental Health” by @drjjpursell

📚 Grateful for the opportunity to delve into “Psilocybin Therapy” before its release thanks to @TimberPress. This insightful book has significantly augmented my grasp of psilocybin therapy, an essential element in both my personal healing journey and my professional practice.

In “Psilocybin Therapy,” Dr. JJ Pursell ventures into the next frontier in mental health: the therapeutic utilization of psilocybin mushrooms and related psychedelics. This comprehensive exploration covers the chemical composition of mushrooms, their powerful qualities, the historical backdrop, leading figures in the field, and the effects of psilocybin on the brain. The book also delves into engaging topics such as using psilocybin with a facilitator, the potential for psychedelics to aid in addressing deep-seated psychological concerns, the meaning of microdosing, and the assessment of potential risks. Dr. Pursell seamlessly interweaves her personal encounters with psilocybin as both a user and a facilitator throughout the narrative, resulting in a relatable, approachable, and informative guide for individuals seeking new channels of self-discovery and holistic healing.

The inclusion of listings for further educational programs, retreat information, and extensive discussions on the therapeutic benefits of all psychedelics, alongside considerations in the medical realm, ensures the book is a valuable resource for both patients and providers. Dr. Pursell also meticulously navigates the ethics and legalities surrounding the use of psychedelics, highlighting the variations among regions and states.

Be sure to keep an eye out for this essential guide that explores the profound potential of psychedelics in mental health therapy. Set to be released : April 16, 2024

#PsilocybinTherapy #MentalHealth #PsychedelicTherapy #BookReview #PersonalHealing #HolisticWellness #bookstagram #naturopathie #ptsd #mentalhealth

"Dr. JJ Pursell's 'Psilocybin Therapy' is an insightful and informative guide to the potential benefits of psilocybin-assisted therapy. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the topic, blending scientific research with practical advice. Pursell's approach is well-balanced and thought-provoking, offering valuable insights into the therapeutic use of psychedelics. While some sections could be more detailed, overall, it's a valuable resource for anyone interested in this emerging field. Four stars."

I think I've seen all the documentaries on Netflix and Prime about mushrooms (psychedelic and not) but this was my first bookish foray into the forest, so to speak. The documentaries have always left me wanting more information so I was thrilled to have my NetGalley wish for this book granted by the publisher and be given the opportunity to read it ahead of publication.

I 100% plan to buy a physical copy for myself as soon as it's published later this year.

I was born in 1979 on that cusp between Generation X and the Millennials that makes it feel like I straddle both but rightfully belong to neither. I mention this because cuspers were the first children to go through the DARE program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) at school, introduced in 1989. My class was part of the program's pilot test in our state and as someone with a natural predilection for order and following established rules, I took the information to heart and avoided problematic substances for almost my entire teenage existence--almost, because I have to admit that around 14 or 15 I relit a cigarette butt my mom had discarded in the yard. I took maybe 2 puffs but otherwise just held it until it burned out and relished in the feeling of rebellion (and a very sore throat).

In college I also tried alcohol before I turned 21 and liked the experience enough to continue to carefully hide my decision from legal authorities until my 21st birthday. And yet...

I didn't touch a cigarette again until I was over 18 and nicotine became a legal substance that was available to me. I rarely chose to use it because I don't care for the taste or smell, but I grew up with a parent who smoked in an era where restaurants had a smoking section and there was no such thing as a smoke-free bar. In fact, I often smoked a cigarette in a bar because it made me less sensitive to the bad smell.

And more pointedly, I continued to abstain from anything <i>more</i> than alcohol because although it was not legal for someone my age to partake, I justified my use because it was not an inherently illegal substance for people who were over the legal drinking age. I viewed underage drinking in the same light as driving over the speed limit--everyone does it, some worse than others, some dangerously, but if done carefully--most aren't caught and don't experience consequences.

Fast forward 10, 15 years and I found myself working in the financial services industry during a time when cannabis was (is) still classified as a Schedule I narcotic at the US federal level but more and more states were legalizing it for therapeutic and medical use and some for recreational use as well. As a non-user with a deeply ingrained understanding that marijuana was a "gateway" drug to the truly dangerous substances, it felt like a joke that I'd begun to spend so much of my work day reading cannabis studies from seemingly trustworthy sources. It probably wouldn't be a surprise to anyone else that has even a basic understanding of marijuana to believe that my personal opinion about "gateway" drugs changed as a result of what I'd been reading.

Because of that experience, I've had an open mind about the properties of psychedelic mushrooms.

This book offered exactly the sort of information that someone in my position needed to start thinking about it and to make my own informed opinions.

I'd continue to be wary of any substance that wasn't regulated or if I hadn't seen for myself how it was processed and prepared, but it certainly seems like there will be big changes in the future for psychedelic mushrooms as medicine and I'm here for it.