manifesting a new understanding of cannabis + psychedelics
who gets to decide what is psychedelic?
the trees around me glimmered with an effervescent green, and i felt the weight of existential dread lift from my shoulders. as i inhaled, i dropped into my body—my senses heightened—looking at the colors around me with wonder and gratitude. the first time i tried the FLAMER strain Silly Goofy, the word psychedelic immediately came to mind.
when most people think of psychedelics and altered states of consciousness, “psilocybin (shrooms) and LSD (acid)” usually come to mind. the etymology of the word psychedelic, first coined by Dr. Humphry Osmond in 1957, means “mind manifesting.” cannabis and psilocybin, in addition to other psychedelic substances, have been historically used long before then, with records of cannabis specifically dating back to 12,000 years ago.
while i’ve used cannabis on a regular basis for over a decade, my recognition of its psychedelic qualities and benefits has only developed in the last year. once i started bringing the respect, care, and intentionality of psychedelic rituals to cannabis, i started to recognize and experience its expansive benefits—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. as someone who navigates anxiety and neurodivergence on a regular basis, tapping into the multifaceted benefits of this plant medicine has helped me ground my body and process ideas in refreshing, creative, and liberating ways.
realizing cannabis is trippy
“The psychedelic cannabis experience is a synergistic fusion of a full-spectrum Cannabis Sativa blend with set, setting, and skill (music, somatic awareness, breath), within a multiparadigm, facilitated process,” writes McQueen, author of Psychedelic Cannabis.
a friend i met through the Psychedelic Sisterhood introduced me to this book, where i learned about the qualities of different strains and how they can be combined with somatic practices—alongside the importance of my intention, emotional state, and surroundings. i read it right before i experienced my first cannabis ceremony, which changed my understanding of cannabis’ potential on an embodied level.
the ceremony began with mindful smoking, before a live sound bath including soothing instruments and singing. i was doubtful at first. i thought, this isn’t going to be anything like my psychedelic ceremonies with shrooms, i smoke weed all the time. but as i laid there, eyes closed, i became hyperaware of how my body was melting into the floor, the cannabis in my system made it easier for me to relax the tension in my shoulders and surrender.
as i focused on my breath, i fell into an awareness of my thoughts from the vantage point of a compassionate observer—seeing myself from an outside perspective. i felt gratitude and appreciation for the progress i had made up until that point in my life. after many experiences of feeling like an outsider, i was grateful to be an independent adult in a community with people who shared my values.
this kind of perspective shift—an expansive departure from my ingrained habits of thought—was something i had not thought was possible with cannabis. now, i reflect back on my early use of shrooms and LSD, which was recreational and impulsive compared to my rituals now. i didn’t experience the healing aspects to the same extent as i do now.
now, i am intentional with my practices when it comes to altered states of consciousness, including both the physical and emotional environment. i take into account who i am going to be around and how predictable the environment is when i am deciding on dosing and type of cannabis—hanging out with homies at my apartment? could be down for an edible. a Charli XCX themed brat rave? smoking a sativa is the vibe.
as Dr. Kwasi Adusei recently shared in a “Talk on Integration though Community with the Vital Psychedelic Training,” “It’s time we expanded, as a community, to set, setting and support.” this absolutely applies to cannabis in my experience—if i am ingesting a large amount or trying a new edible, am i in a situation where i can access reliable support? how can i check in with the people around me, especially when we are high while in a new environment? bringing this mindfulness usually reserved for other psychedelics to my relationship with cannabis, i stepped into a balanced space—a departure from my past experiences of numbing, escaping, or being too high while in stressful and unfamiliar situations.
the role of community in uplifting the psychedelic understanding of cannabis
i started Queering Existentialism almost a year ago with the intention of creating inclusive spaces to learn, connect and reflect on the individual and collective healing potential of altered states of consciousness (including cannabis), sexuality and gender artistic expression. earlier this year, i facilitated an intentional cannabis workshop for the first time. it was refreshing to mindfully invest in the community before reflecting on the impact cannabis has had on our lives.
after discussing the benefits of framing cannabis as psychedelic, i felt nourished and validated. i was able to exchange ideas and stories with others in a space where i knew i wouldn’t be judged or dismissed. i have continued to process how i have internalized harmful messages around cannabis, drugs, sexuality—and how that has manifested in shame around the healing experiences i have found through these liberatory practices. having conversations with other people who can relate to these experiences, has reinforced that i am not alone, and that we can release that shame together as we unlearn the ways we have been socialized under oppressive systems.
examining beliefs and ideas in community has been critical to understanding and rejecting the ways the War on Drugs still lives on in our individual and collective consciousness: who has decided what a medicine and what is a drug, who profits from shame and separation? the exploration of these questions has been integral to my own healing journey. i remind myself that we can’t change the world, but we can start by having these conversations and imagining the third spaces we wish existed.
together, we can co-create in-person spaces where we can learn and discuss these liberating ideas outside of the formal constructs of group therapy and academic settings—especially as queer people engaging in pleasure activism.
FLAMER X Queering Existentialism FREE event @ The Emerald Dispensary
Queering Existentialism is excited to partner with FLAMER for our upcoming Intentional Cannabis Use Workshop at The Emerald Dispensary’s beautiful lounge in Bushwick. there will be FLAMER goodies for the mindful smoking portion of the workshop. we will focus on the psychedelic and balanced use of cannabis.
when: Saturday, October 26th 2PM-4PM
where: The Emerald Dispensary 85 Suydam St, Brooklyn, NY 11221.
if you would like to co-create these spaces with us and learn more about the psychedelic use of cannabis, please come join us, RSVP HERE.
more about Gina!
Gina Mostafa MPH, is the founder and director of Queering Existentialism, an education and connection initiative based in NYC that provides workshops and intentional connection events focused on healing-centered harm reduction, non-violent communication, restorative justice, psychedelics and other related topics. they draw from their lived experiences, intersectional identities, and professional background in public health and gender women’s & sexuality studies to co-create containers for value-based community building and mutual aid.
