Why entheogens should be codified as a fundamental human right!

I have argued that drug use is a human right for several decades. Before psychedelics were accepted by the mainstream, I advocated for their use and general acceptance in society.

For years, I suffered pushbacks from people in my social circles, online, etc - saying that “I’m promoting a culture of drugs”. Which isn’t wrong either. I am promoting a society and culture of drugs - but responsible drug use.

There’s a major difference.

I don’t just want people to have access to drugs of all caliber - I’d like them to accepted by society and then have them undergo some basic training. The fact of the matter is that drugs is an intrinsic part of our lives and have contributed to a wealth of innovations, directly or indirectly.

The War on Drugs is a gross violation of our fundamental human rights, and today we’re going to show you exactly why it’s vital to codify the use of entheogens as a human right.

The “First Legal Store”

psilocybin treatment costs

As you can see in this “Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Cost Schedule” provided by EPIC Healing Eugene, allegedly the first ever “licensed” treatment center in the US - you’ll notice something absurd.

It’s okay - I’ll wait.

Spot it yet?

YES!

THE PRICE!

That’s 100% correct, and it has sparked some internet fury as a result. People all over Twitter - where I found this gem - were talking about how the whole regime simply wouldn’t work.

Firstly, microdosing mushrooms would not provide the desire effect for trauma release - as any good psychonaut would know. In fact, you’d use microdoses for doing work and so forth - but spend $500 dollars?

Why the living hell would anyone want to pay $500 for a microdose?

A high dose $3500?

You know, you could buy a pressure cooker for like $30 on Amazon, mushroom spores for anywhere between $30-$100 depending on the spores or services. Not to mention, you could probably buy a full dose off the street for under $50.

The point is, we’re seeing exactly what happens when you allow Pharma and their ilk to spearhead the psychedelic renaissance - an unattainable venture for the “commoner”.

The vast majority of folks won’t be able to pay for that kind of treatment out of pocket. Which is most probably not the way that Pharma would like to set it up.

Rather, billing would happen via healthcare providers, and all the exchange of money would happen subsidized by the government aka the taxpayer.

Then, these companies could theoretically charge whatever they want, and people would still use it. It’s the classic Pharma Scam.

How the Classic Pharma Scam Works?

The classic Pharma Scam works by using the healthcare system and insurance providers to inflate drug prices and make exorbitant profits. It starts with the drug manufacturers who set the prices for their products. These prices are often much higher than what it actually costs to produce the drugs, but the manufacturers justify them by claiming the high cost of research and development.

Once the prices are set, the drug manufacturers then work with insurance companies to negotiate the prices that will be paid by patients. The insurance companies then pass these costs on to the patients in the form of higher premiums, copays, and deductibles.

In many cases, the insurance companies have no choice but to pay the high prices set by the drug manufacturers, as there may be no other drugs on the market that can treat a particular condition. This creates a situation where patients are left with no choice but to pay the high prices or go without treatment.

The result of this system is that many people are unable to afford the medications they need, and some are forced to choose between paying for their medication and paying for other necessities like food and housing. It also leads to a massive transfer of wealth from patients to drug manufacturers and insurance companies.

Moreover, the pharma industry uses a variety of tactics to keep drug prices high. They often engage in "evergreening," which is when they make small changes to an existing drug to extend their patent and prevent cheaper generic versions from entering the market. They also engage in direct-to-consumer advertising, which drives up demand for their drugs and allows them to charge even higher prices.

The classic Pharma Scam involves drug manufacturers, insurance companies, and the healthcare system working together to inflate drug prices and make huge profits at the expense of patients.

It is a system that needs to be reformed to ensure that patients have access to affordable medications and that the healthcare system is serving the needs of the people, not just the interests of big pharma.

More importantly, it’s a system that SHOULD NOT be applied to psychedelics. As I have argued in other articles, the use of entheogens should be considered a fundamental human right. This means that every person should have the ability to cultivate and consume at home.

This wouldn’t negate the pharma experience, which could have different applications and could potentially be covered by insurance companies - however, if there is a monopoly on production, sales, and consumption - we’re living in Prohibition.

Why the Use of Entheogens is a Fundamental Human Right!

Entheogens, or psychedelic substances, have been used for thousands of years by various cultures for spiritual and healing purposes. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in these substances as potential tools for treating a range of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. However, despite this growing interest and evidence of their potential benefits, many of these substances remain illegal in most parts of the world. This is a violation of our fundamental human rights.

Every adult of sound mind should have the right to cultivate and consume entheogens, as well as other drugs, if they choose to do so. It is a basic human right to have control over one's own body and consciousness. By denying individuals the right to use entheogens, we are denying them the ability to explore their own spirituality and healing potential.

Furthermore, criminalizing entheogens and other drugs has led to a host of negative consequences. It has created a black market that is often controlled by organized crime, leading to violence and the spread of dangerous substances. It has also resulted in the unnecessary incarceration of millions of people, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.

By codifying the right to use entheogens and other drugs, we can ensure that they are used safely and responsibly. We can also reduce the harm caused by the criminalization of drugs and create a system that is focused on harm reduction rather than punishment.

Of course, this does not mean that everyone should use entheogens or other drugs. Just as with any substance, there are risks and potential negative consequences associated with their use. However, it is up to each individual to make an informed decision about whether or not to use these substances, and the government should not be able to restrict that choice.

The right to use entheogens and other drugs is a fundamental human right that should be codified into law.

By doing so, we can ensure that individuals have control over their own bodies and consciousness, and create a system that is focused on harm reduction rather than punishment.

It is time for society to recognize the potential benefits of these substances and allow individuals to make their own choices about their use.

Learn to Cultivate Your Own!

One thing that I am a major advocate for is personal cultivation. Learn to grow your own weed, grow your own psychedelics. Learn how to extract the psychoactive compounds. These are all fundamental skills you need if you don’t want to be a slave to the system.

Allow me to explain to you just how simple it is to cultivate your own magic mushrooms at home. It’s very simple really.

Before we dive into the step-by-step guide, it's important to understand the legal landscape around growing magic mushrooms. While the possession and consumption of magic mushrooms are decriminalized in some states and countries, the cultivation and sale of psilocybin-containing mushrooms remain illegal in most places. It's crucial to do your research and understand the legal risks involved in growing mushrooms before you begin.

Now, let's get started on the cultivation process. The first step is to acquire the spores. There are several reputable online retailers where you can purchase spores legally, including Sporeworks and SporeDepot. Be sure to research the different strains of spores available and choose one that is suitable for your growing environment.

Once you have your spores, you'll need to create a suitable growing environment. You can purchase a pre-made mushroom growing kit or create your own setup using materials like plastic containers, perlite, vermiculite, and brown rice flour. The key is to create a warm, humid environment for the mushrooms to thrive in.

If you're looking to cultivate your own magic mushrooms at home, the Monotub method is a great option for beginners. It's relatively simple and straightforward, and can yield a decent amount of mushrooms with minimal effort.

Before we dive into the step-by-step guide, let's go over what you'll need. Here's a shopping list:

66-quart plastic storage bin with lid
5 lbs of grain (e.g. rye berries or brown rice)
Vermiculite
Coarse gypsum
Spores or spawn
Plastic bags with filter patches
Alcohol or bleach for sterilization
Gloves and face mask

The total cost for these items should be around $100-150, depending on where you purchase them from.

Now, let's get started with the step-by-step guide:

Sterilize your workspace and equipment by wiping them down with alcohol or bleach. Put on your gloves and face mask.
Prepare your grain by rinsing it thoroughly and soaking it overnight.
Drain your grain and fill up your plastic bags with about 2/3 of the grain. Add a small amount of gypsum to each bag.
Inoculate your bags with your spores or spawn. Seal the bags with a heat sealer or twist tie, and shake them to distribute the spores/spawn evenly.
Let your bags colonize in a warm, dark place for about 2-3 weeks. You should see white mycelium spreading throughout the grain.
While you're waiting for your bags to colonize, prepare your Monotub. Mix together vermiculite and gypsum at a ratio of 2:1, and add enough water to make it moist but not soggy. Put a layer of this mixture at the bottom of your storage bin.
Once your bags have fully colonized, break up the grain and transfer it to your Monotub. Cover it with another layer of vermiculite/gypsum mixture.
Poke holes in the top of your Monotub to allow for air flow.
Let your Monotub colonize for another 1-2 weeks, until you see pins (small mushrooms) starting to form.
Maintain a humid environment by misting your Monotub with water regularly. Harvest your mushrooms once they're fully grown.

Overall, the Monotub method should take around 4-6 weeks from start to finish. With proper care, you can expect to yield around 1-2 pounds of mushrooms per flush.

While the initial cost may seem daunting, the ability to cultivate your own magic mushrooms can save you money in the long run, as well as provide you with a deeper understanding and connection to the mushrooms themselves. Plus, there's something incredibly rewarding about growing your own medicine.

Not to mention, you can use mushroom cultivation to give your cannabis plants a CO2 boost. I’ll talk about that at some other time.

The Sticky Bottom line!

The use of entheogens for mental health treatment is an important aspect of healthcare that must be made available to the general public. Removing the barrier between drugs and making them accessible to everyone will be a great step forward in ensuring that people can take care of their mental health effectively. However, this should not mean that big pharma should be allowed to monopolize the market and sell these substances for exorbitant prices that only a few can afford.

Learning to cultivate your own entheogens is the best way to ensure that you have access to these substances when you need them. With the monotub method, anyone can grow their own magic mushrooms at home with ease, and this provides a level of control and autonomy that cannot be achieved with pharmaceutical companies.

Moreover, cultivating your own entheogens is an act of resistance against a system that seeks to control what we can and cannot put into our bodies. We have seen this with the War on Drugs and the way it has disproportionately affected marginalized communities. By taking control of our own mental health treatment, we can begin to push back against the oppressive systems that seek to control us.

In conclusion, making entheogens more accessible and promoting personal cultivation are important steps in ensuring that everyone has access to effective mental health treatment options. By removing barriers and taking control of our own well-being, we can begin to build a more equitable and just society for all.