This week’s Psychedelic Titan is Lynn Marie Morski, President of the Psychedelic Medicine Association.
What’s this article series about? Psychedelic Titans is a get-to-know-you-style blog series interviewing some of the psychedelic industry’s most influential and impactful individuals.
When did you first become involved in the psychedelic industry and why?
I began actively participating in the psychedelics industry in June 2019. Prior to that time, I had spent six years experiencing the beneficial effects of psychedelics for myself and also learning more about the science, but I was an employee for the Department of Defense (as a doctor working at the VA), so I had to keep what I learned to myself. So once I left the VA, I made it my mission to spread the word about psychedelics specifically to other clinicians who are in a position to help their patients by letting them know there are psychedelic options to address many conditions that we weren’t taught about in medical school.
Do you, or have you taken, psychedelic substances?
Yes – and they’ve been instrumental in making a number of crucial self-discoveries.
What’s your favourite psychedelic compound?
Psilocybin. All the benefits of DMT, but in a gentle form with a length of duration that allows insights to take shape gradually.
Do your parents/family members know what you’re doing?
Yes – and I’m from a very conservative family so that coming out discussion was a big deal. However, they have been nothing but supportive when they hear the benefits of these medicines and how they’ve helped me and many others.
Have you had an experience with mental health/chronic pain?
Everyone has ways in which they can upgrade their mental health, and I’m no exception. Psychedelics have been a means through which I am better able to understand the forces at work in my mind and that has allowed me to better guide those forces in productive directions.
What’s your vision of the industry in 20 years?
In 20 years psychedelic medicines will be well-known to medical professionals. The science will be covered in medical schools. Perhaps there will even be a specialty within psychiatry for psychedelic medicine. And most-importantly, these medicines will be accessible by those who need them.
What are your biggest worries for the industry?
My biggest fear is that psychedelic medicine goes the way of traditional medicine in the US, where profits trump people.
Who are your heroes?
Is there anyone here who doesn’t say Rick Doblin? Rick has worked tirelessly for 35 years, and his work has opened the door for so many others. Also, Bill Richardson, David Nichols, Roland Griffiths, James Fadiman, for their contributions. And I have to give a nod to Dr. Pamela Kryskow, for pioneering ketamine circles for frontline workers in Canada. I could go on and on. Dr. Joe Tafur, Dr. Dan Engle. Dr. Ben Malcolm for spearheading the pharmacy side of this movement. Dr. Angela Carter for her work with Zendo Project, Fireside Project, and on the Oregon medicalization front.
If you could create a psychedelic to do anything you wanted, what would it do?
Hmmm… the first thought was ‘remove all trauma’ but then we’d lose the lessons learned. So perhaps prevent ourselves from negative self-talk or dial our empathy way up so we all treat each other better.
We’d like to thank Lynn for being a part of the Psychedelic Titans series. Stay tuned for more profiles on leaders in the psychedelic industry.
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