From Burning Man to Standing Rock

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“A guardian of souls,” one of Bianca Heyming’s friends calls her. Recently on her Facebook page, her husband Nick recalled the time Bianca noticed a thief grab a nearby diner’s computer. She gave chase down the stairs and organized the restaurant workers to surround the stammering criminal. She then returned to dinner and talking about setting up regional resiliency networks in collaboration with the indigenous youth she met at Standing Rock.

What is the mindful life? A big wisteria tree grows in Emerald Village, an intentional community, an eco-village Bianca and her colleagues created in Vista, California, north of San Diego. Bianca and her husband Nick are at the heart of a great experiment: how to live ethically in the 21st century. They worked with city hall to help low-income apartment residents. They brought in nonprofits for workshops on nutrition, gardening, and personal finance, helping locals start and join community gardens. Wherever she goes, Bianca raises awareness of the health giving properties of herbs and other plants. That wisteria tree whispers in her dreams.

Amid all the glaring headlines, a poignant moment occurred at Standing Rock, missed by many. A couple nights ago John Trudell’s band Bad Dog performed with Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne at a benefit for the water protectors at the nearby casino. When Quiltman started singing, you could see John’s band and his friend Jackson react to his absence as they performed John’s song without him. Do you know the story about how John’s wife Tina and their children died? I think of her as the first water protector, because she was fighting for the water when they set her house on fire. But now, 300 indigenous nations are there in Cannonball, North Dakota, protecting the water. Among them the Yaqui, Bianca’s tribe.

But Bianca has another tribe, too — she’s a Burner. Burners have been getting a bad reputation at Standing Rock because of some who treat it like just another festival. Burners who freeload, you know, tourists, or colonists. People who play guitar at campfire when they shouldn’t. People who explain when they should be listening. But they aren’t the only Burners at Standing Rock.

The governor of North Dakota is now threatening to clear out the camp to protect the protestors from winter. Wonder where he was when elders were freezing to death on the reservations for want of heat and adequate shelter. Oh, and I just heard four thousand veterans, unarmed, in uniform, are on the road headed for Standing Rock to join the non violent protest of the water protectors. In this quiet before the storm, it’s my privilege to share with you an in depth conversation with a wise woman: Bianca Heyming.

 

Tamra Lucid: Bianca please tell us about your heritage as an herbalist and a healer.

Bianca Heyming: My family history extends across the Southwest. My native ancestors are Yaqui. I’m from the Chavez-Garcia clan of southern New Mexico, which is located in the Las Cruces, Dona Ana, and Mesilla Valley area. My family has been there for many generations as land stewards, more or less a tradition hearkening back thousands of years through our Yaqui heritage. We continue to own lots of different farm lands and grow a number of vegetables and provide food for communities there. As Yaquis, we have a long history of irrigation, capturing of water and distributing it across otherwise desert landscapes.

The herbalist part of my family is also part of my upbringing. While living here in California, I pursued my Master’s degree in Chinese medicine. Prior to that I had been working in a corporate environment that left me unfulfilled. Coming out of college I started a multimedia production company and was making great money, but I knew I wasn’t living my purpose.

A girlfriend of mine suggested that I read the title of every book on my bookshelf to figure out what really matters to me. I read all those titles and it was a lot of healing and plant medicine books. So I decided to study Chinese medicine. In my younger years, coming out of college, I really wanted nothing to do with any type of agriculture, just because that’s what our family did back home. But when I was studying Chinese medicine I was having a really hard time learning the herbs.  I talked with my father and he said, “Well, of course you can’t learn herbs reading it on a piece of paper in a book. Your family are plant people – you can only learn by growing them!  So I volunteered at the Venice High School Learning Garden, taking care of the native American plants, the Ayurvedic Garden, and also the Chinese medicinal plants. That was when I really fell in love with land work. The part of myself that is tied so closely to my family finally awakened.

Since then I’ve spoken at different conferences on plant medicine. The practice that I encourage in people is building relationships with living, growing plants. We have a lot of people who will say, “I want to work with this plant medicine, it’s calling my name.”  My response is, “Fantastic. Let’s see if you can grow it, be in service to it, before you harvest and process it.”  There is a quote I heard not too long ago that says, “Asking for plant medicines to give you wisdom after they’ve been killed and processed is like asking your grandmother to give you her wisdom after she’s passed and sitting in an urn.” While that may work for some, I can’t help but feel we have so much to learn in service to plants while they are alive.

I’m here at the Emerald Village as a land steward and I practice growing with plants, implement permaculture strategies, implement earth building, and provide community outreach for the greater San Diego area. My heart, however, is most dedicated to plants and the ecologies we create. We’re finding that when we encourage natural ecosystems the plants develop complex and profound relationships with us, and just like we have ancestors the plants have ancestors as well. I find that my ancestors and their ancestors, and my life and their lives, are completely in unity together.

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What is Emerald Village and what is your relationship to it?

The Emerald Village is a nine acre intentional community  in northern San Diego. We’re in Vista near Fallbrook. We’re a young community, only about five years old going on six, and there’s a total of ten of us who founded it. All of us founders have known each other from and through Burning Man and the underground festival community. At Burning Man, there’s always that aching question: how can we bring this feeling that the Burn provides for people into our daily lives?  How is it that we can embody innovation?  How is that we can not only leave no trace but leave an awesome trace?

Another big question, especially because the five couples were all getting married and having children together, was: how can we raise or children in an environment that really makes them curious about learning and discovery?  Creating a village was the way we could answer each of these questions.

We are also all about human potential, and what happens when we look beyond what we are told is the default reality. With the Emerald Village, we’ve got a main house and five cottages.  We continue to bring in workshops that inspire and support our community members who meet here. We’re also proud to say that the NuMundo Earth Odyssey, Seeds the Game, and the Station Co-Lab were all launched by members of our community.

In addition to the owners, we have a number of long term residents that come to EVO in addition to the owners. We try to inspire those residents by offering our insights and assistance. Each of us specialize in various fields. For example, one of owners is exceptionally good at investments, managing money, creating transparent systems for how to move money in and out of your life. We have another owner who is a family marriage therapist and she also works on training people in efficient ways of communicating and how to slow life down so you can really be present for the beautiful moments in our lives. When our guest residents come we sit down with them and ask the question,  “What is it that you really want to do?  What footprint is it that you want to leave in the world?”

They have access to each of us, ten owners with all our diverse backgrounds. We can coach them and support them in going out into the world and imparting their gifts and their wisdom. But what really makes us unique is our kids. The number of children that we’re having here is slowly starting to exceed the ten owners. They’re training us to be good stewards of the land. And we’ve got chickens, rabbits, and goats, a food forest, various permaculture applications, and a sociocratic governing system to make decisions, which is kind of like a social permaculture governing model.

What was awareness of Standing Rock like in your experience of Burning Man this year?

I hadn’t been back to Burning Man since 2012. I’ve been very preoccupied with raising a child, my five year old, and also managing the community here.  A couple days before the burn started I was gifted with a ticket.  I still didn’t know if I should go or not.  There’s all this stuff going on at Standing Rock.  I was corresponding with the friends I have out there, expressing my concern and doing what I could to promote it.  While I was at Burning Man I was inspired by a kind of voice – inside and above me – and this voice was telling me that while being at Burning Man I really needed to live in my mastery and not to indulge in my debauchery.  I realized I should take really good care of myself.  So I was probably one of the more healthy burners out there this year, taking all my supplements and hydrating. It was a really beautiful alternative experience to the standard hedonism of the Burn. But throughout the whole week my heart was still thinking about Standing Rock. I went out looking for any representatives from Standing Rock but I couldn’t find anybody.

Then, on the day of the burn in the afternoon, I was sitting in the camp, and all of a sudden a dragonfly flew into our camp.  One of the native symbols for water is the dragonfly.  When you see a dragonfly you know that there’s water that’s coming.  Well, obviously we’re at Burning Man and the pond is really far from where we were, so I announced to my camp mates that water is coming, it’s going to rain.  They said,  “No it’s NOT.”  “Yes it is,” I replied. Ten minutes later we had a little shower that came in right as the wind began to pick up.  I’m looking at the water falling on the Playa and it was at that moment that I realized what was actually being said, which was that I needed to go stand with the Water Protectors at Standing Rock.

I stayed for the Burning of the Man for probably half an hour then immediately jumped into the car with my rideshare and drove all the way back home.  I convinced myself on the way back home not to go.  No, I’ve been gone for a week, my husband is taking care of my son, it’s totally impractical. My husband anticipated that I would come back recharged and inspired, but when I got home he noticed that I was a little frustrated and snapping a lot.

One day he asked, “What’s wrong with you?!”

I replied, “I don’t know!  I just really need to be somewhere else.  I had a great time at the Burn but there’s something else that’s going on.”

He said “This has to do with Standing Rock.”

“Maybe.”

He said, “Babe, I’m just waiting for you to say that you need to go.  I’m surprised that you’re not there already. I’ve got our son. You need to go.”

Within an hour my husband was on Facebook and he put a notice out to the Burner community out here that I was going to Standing Rock. Within 24 hours I had two art galleries in Encinitas that were doing events to promote that I was going, I had monetary contributions, clothing, blankets loading my truck up.

So I went on my own pilgrimage. I left for Standing Rock for three weeks.

I was in this space of such divine gratitude, seeing how many of our community members were so spontaneous, willing and giving, I really felt that I was not just loaded down with material goods but with prayer.  I really see making a journey toward Standing Rock as a modern day pilgrimage.  It’s very much like when we’re going to go to Burning Man and we’re loading up with all our gear and all hell breaks loose. It’s like a rite of passage before you get to the Playa you have to let go of time, you have to let go of expectations.

So many of our friends are heading out to Standing Rock and they have beautiful and big intentions of what they’re going to build and what they’re going to do. I always suggest that upon getting there take a couple days to acclimate, learn the ways of “Being in Right Relation,” and come with the willingness to be a student, and don’t allow time to steal your opportunity to be in the present. There’s a saying among some native tribes: “White man time will kill you.” Don’t be that person, be malleable. As Bruce Lee said, “Be like water, my friend,” just as Burning Man teaches us to be malleable.

I witnessed festival families showing up at Standing Rock.  Fortunately, many burners came in service to the indigenous, while unfortunately others came to “have an experience” to showcase on social media.  The later is what became most evident and publicized and provides our community with an opportunity to grow and become culturally aware of how we show up in the world.  It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for those of us who have not grown up with tribal people to interact, and to garner a more real understanding of what it means to interact with tribal people. Go and sit quietly in the different councils (preferably giving the primary seats to the Natives), go and engage with the gathered nations by asking one simple question, “How can I be in service to you today?”  

If you’re unsure of how to do this or nervous you will step on toes, connect with https://www.protectorsalliance.org

This is an amazing organization assisting people on engaging with other cultures while practicing Right Relation and cultural cooperation.

What we perceive at festivals, or at least the way native American cultures are conveyed, is really one-dimensional. Rarely are we exposed to the whole picture: economic hardship, how climate change is having a serious impact on their communities, the extinction of language, and the suffering of whole populations of people who have been relegated to the fringes of society, their reservations. In addition, we have before us the opportunity to discover the profound resilience of their culture. Most prominent in this circumstance is their ability to stay in prayer even when confronted by bodily harm. We have so much to learn from our Native Americans at Oceti Sakowin on how we approach conflict.  For example, one afternoon I came across a prayer ceremony where the protectors were praying for Morton County Officers and their families and the the unborn children in their blood lines. Who does that?  The protectors do.

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What was your first impression when you arrived at Standing Rock?

I arrived at the camp in the middle of the night.  As I mentioned, my background is as a land steward and in the dark I could see the silhouettes of tipi, tents, and the trees!  Or in the case of high winds I’d call that a wind break. So I knew that would be prime real estate and probably attracted some early arrivers.

I had been alone in the car for three and a half days. When I got there I pulled up and I could see a camp and a fire pit going, so I pulled out my head lamp, opened my car, and started rummaging around trying to figure out how I’m going to set up my camp.

Before I’d even finished unpacking my things, I was greeted by two large native guys and a woman from South Dakota. They were curious where I was from and why I had come. I shared that I was a builder and came to help however I could, but it was only when I shared I could cook that I was gifted with a “Hey, you said the magic word!  Come with us, let’s introduce you to the family.”  As it turns out this camp served as one of the kitchens providing food for the security, which was really beautiful witnessing the inner workings and communication of those who are literally guarding our camp.  The security at Standing Rock was to hold a strong perimeter of the main camp and it was not uncommon for they remove someone from camp whom had been intoxicated, disrespectful, or broken a rule.

What were some of the tribes and the countries you met people from while you were there?

While at Oceti Sakowin, I met people from Canada, New Zealand, Mexico, Germany, and dozens more. The majority were Native Tribes, people of those regions and many non-native travelers. My most fond connection with tribal communities however, came when my five-year-old son arrived at camp and participated in the home school program. His day started out like many schools do, with the kids playing outside. Then the teachers would gather the children together and they’d enter a tipi. Everyday, an elder or story-teller would arrive to share story with the children. They were gifted with stories about waters, the earth, the plants, the tribes, and constellations, basically experiencing the oral tradition that is so vital to so many cultures. Afterward, the children would go outside to have some exercise time. One morning, the Māori arrived at the school and were teaching the kids the Māori haka, engaging their bodies in song and dance. Other days he was learning the Lakota language, or Cherokee beadwork, or Apache and Dineh herbalism. He also had time to work on his arithmetic and natural sciences. But seeing how so many water protectors were committed to passing their heritage on to the next generation really warmed my heart and made me even more appreciative of our movement.

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What are the medic tents like and what kind of healers did you meet there?

Medic facilities, at least when I was there, were comprised of Army style tents.  I believe since then there may be more substantial structures built. Healers included: Conventional Doctors, Chiropractors, Body Therapists, Herbalists, Veterans with medical backgrounds, and nurses. I also have heard that even more doctors have shown up since then. However there is always a need for more doctors, especially considering the surging population of people and winter setting arriving. For individuals wanting to connect and assist with medical, they should contact the Standing Rock Healer and Medic Council.

 
I also understand that a number of the medics who’ve made their way out there are veterans of the underground festival scene and EMTs, Rangers, and Black Rock Medics.  I think Burners bring unique skill-sets in their capacity to create cities and support infrastructure like medic facilities to a high level of functionality and service. When we show up in grace and humility and put these skills to the service of the indigenous leaders, we are mending the cultural divide and perspective that we’re just a bunch of party-chasers.
 
 
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What were the most profound experiences you had at camp?
 

While there I was able to assist a collective of brilliant Native youth.  They were working on developing sustainable design projects. It was gratifying to be valued for my  expertise, but really I was in awe of how much knowledge they had to offer. Their designs not only included sustainable practices but also integrated ancestral wisdom and artistic flair. To be quite honest, and I say this as a permaculture practitioner, there is some serious earth wisdom amongst our Native youth. While I was there I was able to assist these kids in designing a sustainable city. Their vision was to form a circular city surrounding a sacred fire.  They incorporated Earth Lodges in the four directions, sweat lodge, tipi, agriculture systems with water capture, and the incorporation of solar and wind generators.  The last day I was there we were invited to sit in council chambers with a crew of respected elders, council members, contractors, and engineers, and us. After calling in the directions and properly introducing ourselves, we were asked to share our design. The design was passed around the table and met with some side glances.  Then, when it arrived in the hands of Tom Goldtooth, he smiled and invited us to see their design.  We placed the two designs on the table and they were identical!

There were times when we would be making prayer pilgrimage and along side us flying in the sky were two eagles.  Our winged brothers and sisters.  There was an ever lasting knowledge that they too were holding our vision of water protection.

There were times when we’d be in prayer at the main camp and we’d be honoring the power of the elements, and at that moment a massive twenty foot dust devil (Brother Wind) erupts out of the central fire and then goes down the hill and hovers between six tipis.

Also, when Non-natives refer to ancestors often they are describing family members who died and lived a long time ago. This is not quite the case for many Natives. Ancestors are actually in an adjoining dimension, and it is not uncommon for one’s ancestors to arrive during ceremony- quite literally. I can see and am in deep reverence of how the ancestors of these people have informed and inspired such a beautiful way to challenge DAPL.  It is for this reason that I also have a deep respect for the Elder Council. They, in alignment with the ancestors, truly hold the overarching prayer and vision for Oceti Sakowin. When things start to sway off course, it is my prayer that we listen more deeply to the Elders.

Standing at the main center fire, the prayer fire, at lunch time, all of a sudden the entire encampment starts to whoop, sounding like a pack of wolves or coyotes. It’s jarring and a bit frightening if you’ve never heard it before. I run out to the main road where the flags of over 500 sovereign nations are and I see these native cross country runners entering the camp.  They had run from the South West all the way to North Dakota, literally Cross-Country Runners.

 
Historically many of these tribes have not stood face to face, eye to eye, heart to heart for eons, if at all. There’s this unification happening and a discovery of diverse tribal traditions. You can witness this when tribes offer their ceremonies at the main fire.  This was one of the more glorious experiences to witness.  Tribes from around the world came, and as the first offering to show their solidarity for Standing Rock, they offered a sacred ceremony from their clan, their people, their tribe.  They literally offered their solidarity by sharing a sacred aspects of their people.  It was profound to witness! 

Which leads me to another question: how may we arrive and show our solidarity?  The most simple way for us is to be humble, be in service, ask sincere questions, be the student, and simply support them.

How is the camp preparing for winter? 

Everyday the camps are becoming more and more organized.  There are a number of winterization projects underway. The Seven Council Fires is focused on seeing that proper winter housing is available. I’m aware of strawbale homes, earthen domes, mandans, insulated tipis, yurts, solar panels, wind turbines, biodiesel generators, and more.  Regardless of where the council chooses to spend them, know that our financial contributions go a long way.

Please direct your donations to http://www.ocetisakowincamp.org/

While there are a number of camps available to receive your contributions, I feel it is important to point out that Oceti Sakowin is both the largest camp (having the largest number of people and gathered nations) and also the least funded camp.  Even with the crazy back and forth from the Army Corps of Engineers in the last week, I know Oceti Sakowin will show its dedication to prayer, resilience and sustainability and put any contributions to great effect.


What is your view of the political and the spiritual importance of what’s happening at Standing Rock?

Watching the outcome of this election, I can’t help but feel there is an awakening happening. An absolutely essential component of our society is finally finding a voice, and that voice is resonating across nations, races, and religions.  People are fighting for their land, fighting for their water, fighting for peace. Environmentalists on the left, pragmatists in the middle, and conservation minded conservatives can all find hope in what is happening at Standing Rock.

The most beautiful part of this movement is that it is being led by those who traditionally have been ignored. Tribal youth and elders are able to exercise authority not experienced in hundreds of years. Many non-natives who’ve only ever experienced indigenous culture through movies, books, and video games, are seeing the rich panoply of expressions and perspectives that the hundreds of gathered peoples express. Hopefully we can build upon this poignant moment to create a lasting movement advocating and fighting for the rights of the indigenous, the rights of the land, and the rights we all have to clean water.

 

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What was the most important thing you learned at Standing Rock?

Watching the atrocities and the use of excessive force on the protectors has been very difficult. I’m sure for some people they see a crowd of people gathered and may be like “What are those protectors up to now?” I don’t see that when I look at the footage. My memory banks open and all the small details pour out.  I can see them laughing at one of my silly jokes told around a campfire. I can hear their voice early in the morning yelling “Indian coffee!” I can see us standing next to a tipi in the dead of night watching aurora borealis dance across the sky as we held each other arm in arm. I remember my aunty smiling as the whole camp raved about her most excellent fry bread. I remember having girl talk on a tree stump and laughing with my sister.

It hurts to learn that same sister was shot in the head with a canister of tear gas as she raced to evacuate stranded water protectors. But if Standing Rock taught me anything it taught me how to pray. I pray for their ancestors to give them strength and faith. I offer their ancestors spirit plates at every meal. I pray for their bodies’ capacity to heal quickly.  I pray for all the animals, plants, and land that have already been devastated through the construction. I pray for the contractors and their families as well as the police officers.  I pray for the water, for it is life.  Mni Wiconi.

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With the presence of DMT in nature everywhere – including human brains – why does it continue to baffle science?

DMT Substance Guide: Effects, Common Uses, Safety
Our ultimate guide to DMT has everything you want to know about this powerful psychedelic referred to as “the spirit molecule”.

DMT for Depression: Paving the Way for New Medicine
We’ve been waiting for an effective depression treatment. Studies show DMT for depression works even for treatment resistant patients.

Beating Addiction with DMT
Psychedelics have been studied for their help overcoming addiction. Read how DMT is helping addicts beat their substance abuse issues.

DMT Extraction: Behind the Scientific Process
Take a look at DMT extraction and the scientific process involved. Learn all you need to know including procedures and safety.

Microdosing DMT & Common Dosages Explained
Microdosing, though imperceivable, is showing to have many health benefits–here is everything you want to know about microdosing DMT.

DMT Art: A Look Behind Visionary Creations
An entire genre of artwork is inspired by psychedelic trips with DMT. Read to learn about the entities and visions behind DMT art.

Changa vs. DMT: What You Need to Know
While similar (changa contains DMT), each drug has its own unique effect and feeling. Let’s compare and contrast changa vs DMT.

5-MeO-DMT Guide: Effects, Benefits, Safety, and Legality
5-Meo-DMT comes from the Sonora Desert toad. Here is everything you want to know about 5-Meo-DMT and how it compares to 4-AcO-DMT.

4-AcO-DMT Guide: Benefits, Effects, Safety, and Legality
This guide tells you everything about 4 AcO DMT & 5 MeO DMT, that belong to the tryptamine class, and are similar but slightly different to DMT.

How Much Does LSD Cost? When shopping around for that magical psychedelic substance, there can be many uncertainties when new to buying LSD. You may be wondering how much does LSD cost? In this article, we will discuss what to expect when purchasing LSD on the black market, what forms LSD is sold in, and the standard breakdown of buying LSD in quantity.   Navy Use of LSD on the Dark Web The dark web is increasingly popular for purchasing illegal substances. The US Navy has now noticed this trend with their staff. Read to learn more.   Having Sex on LSD: What You Need to Know Can you have sex on LSD? Read our guide to learn everything about sex on acid, from lowered inhibitions to LSD users quotes on sex while tripping.   A Drug That Switches off an LSD Trip A pharmaceutical company is developing an “off-switch” drug for an LSD trip, in the case that a bad trip can happen. Some would say there is no such thing.   Queen of Hearts: An Interview with Liz Elliot on Tim Leary and LSD The history of psychedelia, particularly the British experience, has been almost totally written by men. Of the women involved, especially those who were in the thick of it, little has been written either by or about them. A notable exception is Liz Elliot.   LSD Guide: Effects, Common Uses, Safety LSD, Lysergic acid diethylamide, or just acid is one of the most important psychedelics ever discovered. What did history teach us?   Microdosing LSD & Common Dosage Explained Microdosing, though imperceivable, is showing to have many health benefits–here is everything you want to know about microdosing LSD.   LSD Resources Curious to learn more about LSD? This guide includes comprehensive LSD resources containing books, studies and more.   LSD as a Spiritual Aid There is common consent that the evolution of mankind is paralleled by the increase and expansion of consciousness. From the described process of how consciousness originates and develops, it becomes evident that its growth depends on its faculty of perception. Therefore every means of improving this faculty should be used.   Legendary LSD Blotter Art: A Hidden Craftsmanship Have you ever heard of LSD blotter art? Explore the trippy world of LSD art and some of the top artists of LSD blotter art.   LSD and Exercise: Does it Work? LSD and exercise? Learn why high-performing athletes are taking hits of LSD to improve their overall potential.   Jan Bastiaans Treated Holocaust Survivors with LSD Dutch psychiatrist, Jan Bastiaans administered LSD-assisted therapy to survivors of the Holocaust. A true war hero and pioneer of psychedelic-therapy.   LSD and Spiritual Awakening I give thanks for LSD, which provided the opening that led me to India in 1971 and brought me to Neem Karoli Baba, known as Maharajji. Maharajji is described by the Indians as a “knower of hearts.”   How LSD is Made: Everything You Need to Know Ever wonder how to make LSD? Read our guide to learn everything you need to know about the procedures of how LSD is made.   How to Store LSD: Best Practices Learn the best way to store LSD, including the proper temperature and conditions to maximize how long LSD lasts when stored.   Bicycle Day: The Discovery of LSD Every year on April 19th, psychonauts join forces to celebrate Bicycle Day. Learn about the famous day when Albert Hoffman first discovered the effects of LSD.   Cary Grant: A Hollywood Legend On LSD Cary Grant was a famous actor during the 1930’s-60’s But did you know Grant experimented with LSD? Read our guide to learn more.   Albert Hofmann: LSD — My Problem Child Learn about Albert Hofmann and his discovery of LSD, along with the story of Bicycle Day and why it marks a historic milestone.   Babies are High: What Does LSD Do To Your Brain What do LSD and babies have in common? Researchers at the Imperial College in London discover that an adult’s brain on LSD looks like a baby’s brain.   1P LSD: Effects, Benefits, Safety Explained 1P LSD is an analogue of LSD and homologue of ALD-25. Here is everything you want to know about 1P LSD and how it compares to LSD.   Francis Crick, DNA & LSD Type ‘Francis Crick LSD’ into Google, and the result will be 30,000 links. Many sites claim that Crick (one of the two men responsible for discovering the structure of DNA), was either under the influence of LSD at the time of his revelation or used the drug to help with his thought processes during his research. Is this true?   What Happens If You Overdose on LSD? A recent article presented three individuals who overdosed on LSD. Though the experience was unpleasant, the outcomes were remarkably positive.

The Ayahuasca Experience
Ayahuasca is both a medicine and a visionary aid. You can employ ayahuasca for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual repair, and you can engage with the power of ayahuasca for deeper insight and realization. If you consider attainment of knowledge in the broadest perspective, you can say that at all times, ayahuasca heals.

 

Trippy Talk: Meet Ayahuasca with Sitaramaya Sita and PlantTeachers
Sitaramaya Sita is a spiritual herbalist, pusangera, and plant wisdom practitioner formally trained in the Shipibo ayahuasca tradition.

 

The Therapeutic Value of Ayahuasca
My best description of the impact of ayahuasca is that it’s a rocket boost to psychospiritual growth and unfolding, my professional specialty during my thirty-five years of private practice.

 

Microdosing Ayahuasca: Common Dosage Explained
What is ayahuasca made of and what is considered a microdose? Explore insights with an experienced Peruvian brewmaster and learn more about this practice.

 

Ayahuasca Makes Neuron Babies in Your Brain
Researchers from Beckley/Sant Pau Research Program have shared the latest findings in their study on the effects of ayahuasca on neurogenesis.

 

The Fatimiya Sufi Order and Ayahuasca
In this interview, the founder of the Fatimiya Sufi Order,  N. Wahid Azal, discusses the history and uses of plant medicines in Islamic and pre-Islamic mystery schools.

 

Consideration Ayahuasca for Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Research indicates that ayahuasca mimics mechanisms of currently accepted treatments for PTSD. In order to understand the implications of ayahuasca treatment, we need to understand how PTSD develops.

 

Brainwaves on Ayahuasca: A Waking Dream State
In a study researchers shared discoveries showing ingredients found in Ayahuasca impact the brainwaves causing a “waking dream” state.

 

Cannabis and Ayahuasca: Mixing Entheogenic Plants
Cannabis and Ayahuasca: most people believe they shouldn’t be mixed. Read this personal experience peppered with thoughts from a pro cannabis Peruvian Shaman.

 

Ayahuasca Retreat 101: Everything You Need to Know to Brave the Brew
Ayahuasca has been known to be a powerful medicinal substance for millennia. However, until recently, it was only found in the jungle. Word of its deeply healing and cleansing properties has begun to spread across the world as many modern, Western individuals are seeking spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical well-being. More ayahuasca retreat centers are emerging in the Amazon and worldwide to meet the demand.

 

Ayahuasca Helps with Grief
A new study published in psychopharmacology found that ayahuasca helped those suffering from the loss of a loved one up to a year after treatment.

 

Ayahuasca Benefits: Clinical Improvements for Six Months
Ayahuasca benefits can last six months according to studies. Read here to learn about the clinical improvements from drinking the brew.

 

Ayahuasca Culture: Indigenous, Western, And The Future
Ayahuasca has been use for generations in the Amazon. With the rise of retreats and the brew leaving the rainforest how is ayahuasca culture changing?

 

Ayahuasca Guide: Effects, Common Uses, Safety
The Amazonian brew, Ayahuasca has a long history and wide use. Read our guide to learn all about the tea from its beginnings up to modern-day interest.

 

Ayahuasca and the Godhead: An Interview with Wahid Azal of the Fatimiya Sufi Order
Wahid Azal, a Sufi mystic of The Fatimiya Sufi Order and an Islamic scholar, talks about entheogens, Sufism, mythology, and metaphysics.

 

Ayahuasca and the Feminine: Women’s Roles, Healing, Retreats, and More
Ayahuasca is lovingly called “grandmother” or “mother” by many. Just how feminine is the brew? Read to learn all about women and ayahuasca.

What Is the Standard of Care for Ketamine Treatments?
Ketamine therapy is on the rise in light of its powerful results for treatment-resistant depression. But, what is the current standard of care for ketamine? Read to find out.

What Is Dissociation and How Does Ketamine Create It?
Dissociation can take on multiple forms. So, what is dissociation like and how does ketamine create it? Read to find out.

Having Sex on Ketamine: Getting Physical on a Dissociative
Curious about what it could feel like to have sex on a dissociate? Find out all the answers in our guide to sex on ketamine.

Special K: The Party Drug
Special K refers to Ketamine when used recreationally. Learn the trends as well as safety information around this substance.

Kitty Flipping: When Ketamine and Molly Meet
What is it, what does it feel like, and how long does it last? Read to explore the mechanics of kitty flipping.

Ketamine vs. Esketamine: 3 Important Differences Explained
Ketamine and esketamine are used to treat depression. But what’s the difference between them? Read to learn which one is right for you: ketamine vs. esketamine.

Guide to Ketamine Treatments: Understanding the New Approach
Ketamine is becoming more popular as more people are seeing its benefits. Is ketamine a fit? Read our guide for all you need to know about ketamine treatments.

Ketamine Treatment for Eating Disorders
Ketamine is becoming a promising treatment for various mental health conditions. Read to learn how individuals can use ketamine treatment for eating disorders.

Ketamine Resources, Studies, and Trusted Information
Curious to learn more about ketamine? This guide includes comprehensive ketamine resources containing books, studies and more.

Ketamine Guide: Effects, Common Uses, Safety
Our ultimate guide to ketamine has everything you need to know about this “dissociative anesthetic” and how it is being studied for depression treatment.

Ketamine for Depression: A Mental Health Breakthrough
While antidepressants work for some, many others find no relief. Read to learn about the therapeutic uses of ketamine for depression.

Ketamine for Addiction: Treatments Offering Hope
New treatments are offering hope to individuals suffering from addiction diseases. Read to learn how ketamine for addiction is providing breakthrough results.

Microdosing Ketamine & Common Dosages Explained
Microdosing, though imperceivable, is showing to have many health benefits–here is everything you want to know about microdosing ketamine.

How to Ease a Ketamine Comedown
Knowing what to expect when you come down from ketamine can help integrate the experience to gain as much value as possible.

How to Store Ketamine: Best Practices
Learn the best ways how to store ketamine, including the proper temperature and conditions to maximize how long ketamine lasts when stored.

How To Buy Ketamine: Is There Legal Ketamine Online?
Learn exactly where it’s legal to buy ketamine, and if it’s possible to purchase legal ketamine on the internet.

How Long Does Ketamine Stay in Your System?
How long does ketamine stay in your system? Are there lasting effects on your body? Read to discover the answers!

How Ketamine is Made: Everything You Need to Know
Ever wonder how to make Ketamine? Read our guide to learn everything you need to know about the procedures of how Ketamine is made.

Colorado on Ketamine: First Responders Waiver Programs
Fallout continues after Elijah McClain. Despite opposing recommendations from some city council, Colorado State Health panel recommends the continued use of ketamine by medics for those demonstrating “excited delirium” or “extreme agitation”.

Types of Ketamine: Learn the Differences & Uses for Each
Learn about the different types of ketamine and what they are used for—and what type might be right for you. Read now to find out!

Kitty Flipping: When Ketamine and Molly Meet
What is it, what does it feel like, and how long does it last? Read to explore the mechanics of kitty flipping.

MDMA & Ecstasy Guide: Effects, Common Uses, Safety
Our ultimate guide to MDMA has everything you want to know about Ecstasy from how it was developed in 1912 to why it’s being studied today.

How To Get the Most out of Taking MDMA as a Couple
Taking MDMA as a couple can lead to exciting experiences. Read here to learn how to get the most of of this love drug in your relationship.

Common MDMA Dosage & Microdosing Explained
Microdosing, though imperceivable, is showing to have many health benefits–here is everything you want to know about microdosing MDMA.

Having Sex on MDMA: What You Need to Know
MDMA is known as the love drug… Read our guide to learn all about sex on MDMA and why it is beginning to makes its way into couple’s therapy.

How MDMA is Made: Common Procedures Explained
Ever wonder how to make MDMA? Read our guide to learn everything you need to know about the procedures of how MDMA is made.

Hippie Flipping: When Shrooms and Molly Meet
What is it, what does it feel like, and how long does it last? Explore the mechanics of hippie flipping and how to safely experiment.

How Cocaine is Made: Common Procedures Explained
Ever wonder how to make cocaine? Read our guide to learn everything you need to know about the procedures of how cocaine is made.

A Christmas Sweater with Santa and Cocaine
This week, Walmart came under fire for a “Let it Snow” Christmas sweater depicting Santa with lines of cocaine. Columbia is not merry about it.

Ultimate Cocaine Guide: Effects, Common Uses, Safety
This guide covers what you need to know about Cocaine, including common effects and uses, legality, safety precautions and top trends today.

NEWS: An FDA-Approved Cocaine Nasal Spray
The FDA approved a cocaine nasal spray called Numbrino, which has raised suspicions that the pharmaceutical company, Lannett Company Inc., paid off the FDA..

The Ultimate Guide to Cannabis Bioavailability
What is bioavailability and how can it affect the overall efficacy of a psychedelic substance? Read to learn more.

Cannabis Research Explains Sociability Behaviors
New research by Dr. Giovanni Marsicano shows social behavioral changes occur as a result of less energy available to the neurons. Read here to learn more.

The Cannabis Shaman
If recreational and medical use of marijuana is becoming accepted, can the spiritual use as well? Experiential journalist Rak Razam interviews Hamilton Souther, founder of the 420 Cannabis Shamanism movement…

Cannabis Guide: Effects, Common Uses, Safety
Our ultimate guide to Cannabis has everything you want to know about this popular substances that has psychedelic properties.

Cannabis and Ayahuasca: Mixing Entheogenic Plants
Cannabis and Ayahuasca: most people believe they shouldn’t be mixed. Read this personal experience peppered with thoughts from a procannabis Peruvian Shaman.

CBD-Rich Cannabis Versus Single-Molecule CBD
A ground-breaking study has documented the superior therapeutic properties of whole plant Cannabis extract as compared to synthetic cannabidiol (CBD), challenging the medical-industrial complex’s notion that “crude” botanical preparations are less effective than single-molecule compounds.

Cannabis Has Always Been a Medicine
Modern science has already confirmed the efficacy of cannabis for most uses described in the ancient medical texts, but prohibitionists still claim that medical cannabis is “just a ruse.”

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