🕺 Ancient History and 💰 $10 Million Dollar Moves

Welcome to the PSYCHSPACE Newsletter!

🍄 Whether this is your first Newsletter or your next read, we’re happy to have you here! This community is growing faster than we expected, and we want to make the best experience for you! If you have any feedback on the newsletter, feel free to respond to this email (we read them all). Now, let’s jump right into the fun! 😄 

📚 This Week's Highlights:

• Media/News: 🪨 Peru’s Ancient Party Scenes: Researchers in Peru have unearthed carvings at Toro Muerto, revealing what may be the earliest evidence of psychedelic use in human history.

• Research: 🔎 Not Just a Trip, a Journey to Recovery: A sweeping international survey involving over 5,000 participants highlights a significant shift in substance use patterns, revealing that psychedelics have played a crucial role in reducing or completely stopping the use of alcohol, antidepressants, and cocaine for many.

• Business: 💰 A $10 Million Gamble on Mushrooms: In a bold move towards addressing opioid use disorder, Missouri is directing $10 million from opioid settlement funds towards researching the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, marking a significant step in the exploration of psychedelic-assisted therapies.

In the deserts of Peru, ancient carvings whisper tales of a time when art, music, and psychoactive brews merged into a vibrant ball of human experience. 

At Toro Muerto, a gorge scattered with boulders bearing the weight of history, researchers have unearthed carvings that might just be the world's oldest rave reviews. These "danzantes," figures mid-dance adorned with squiggles and zigzags, capture not just movement but possibly the very essence of a psychedelic trip fueled by ancient teas. 

Drawing parallels with the Tukano people of Colombia and their ayahuasca-induced "yajé images," the study published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal suggests these carvings are more than mere decorations. They're snapshots of the cosmos as seen through the eyes of our ancestors, embarking on spiritual journeys from death back to life.

A groundbreaking international study has shed new light on the transformative potential of psychedelics in reshaping substance use patterns across the globe. This extensive survey, encompassing over 5,000 participants from various corners of the world, reveals that a significant majority experienced a reduction or complete cessation in the use of non-psychedelic substances, including alcohol, antidepressants, and cocaine, following psychedelic use. 

Interestingly, the study also shines light into the minority who reported an increase in substance use, highlighting the complex and nuanced impacts of psychedelics on individuals' lives. 

With its comprehensive scope and insightful findings, this research adds a vital chapter to our understanding of psychedelics' role in contemporary society, pointing towards their potential in addressing substance use disorders and enhancing global mental health.

In an ambitious stride towards tackling opioid use disorder, Missouri's House of Representatives is steering $10 million of opioid settlement funds into psilocybin research. This landmark decision, nestled within HB 2010, reflects a significant shift from the initial plan to explore ibogaine, pivoting towards psilocybin due to safety and interest expressed by the state's Department of Mental Health. 

With Missouri poised to receive a substantial influx of opioid-related settlement funds in the future, this allocation for psychedelic research marks a pioneering effort to harness entheogens in combating the opioid crisis. This legislative move not only aligns Missouri with other states exploring psychedelic solutions but also underscores a growing recognition of psilocybin's potential in offering groundbreaking treatments for addiction.