Patient-Centric Psychedelic Medicine
I am a cancer patient. I am not a doctor. Or a scientist. Or a therapist. And so what gives me the knowledge to write about psychedelic medicines? Because I am cancer patient. I am not a guru. Or a shaman. Or a priest. So what gives me the wisdom to write about entheogenic sacraments? Because I am a cancer patient. I am not a politician. Or an attorney. Or a legal expert. So what gives me the expertise to write about psychedelic policy? Because I am a cancer patient.
And you know me. And you know my sisters and brothers who are living with cancer. Because you’ve seen us. Emaciated. Bed-ridden. Tangled in tubes. And maybe you’ve pitied us. Or maybe you feared becoming one of us. Or maybe you are one of us. But you know the cancer community. And most of us are not scientists or spiritual leaders or policy experts. So why should the cancer community be empowered to have a voice within the psychedelic movement?
Because conversations around psychedelic medicines often become abstract debates about policy or science or spirituality. And while those topics are critical, the ideological debates often lose sight of the humans who are most affected by decisions about psychedelic medicines. Behind every statistic are people with names. And faces. And families. And hopes and fears and dreams. We are the individuals navigating both cancer and the complex landscape of potential treatments.
By creating a community centered on human experiences with cancer and psychedelic medicines, Healing Cancer Journeys can transform theoretical discussions into meaningful exchanges grounded in our lived realities. This human-centric approach reminds us that policy decisions impact real people seeking real relief from very real suffering, giving a face and voice to what might otherwise remain abstract and distant.
Our community exists not just for mutual support, but to create space for authentic dialogue about both benefits and risks about psychedelic medicines. These powerful medicines exist within a complicated legal and medical context—a patchwork of contradictory state laws, outdated federal classifications, and evolving research. This creates uncertainty for those seeking healing. And this uncertainty demands clear, evidence-based education balanced with compassionate understanding. We aim to provide that balance, neither advocating blindly nor dismissing potential benefits, but instead offering information that empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their own healing journeys.
By sharing our stories and creating connections, we are de-stigmatizing both psychedelic medicines and the conversations around cancer itself. We are building bridges between patients and educational resources—oncologists, therapists, support centers—while keeping the community of people living with cancer at the center of everything we do. The path forward may not always be clear, but by approaching this work with patience, honesty, and a commitment to both safety and human dignity, we can create something meaningful together. If you're navigating cancer and curious about psychedelic medicines, or if you simply want to support this mission, I invite you to join our conversation. Let's share perspectives and experiences that can help guide us all: community@healingcancerjourneys.org.
