Thank you for such an interesting article, and the added links. I've never used anything, but eventually might be interested if there are any benefits to microdosing for hand tremors caused by Essential Tremor.
I will add that I lost my husband of 22 years several years ago, and while utterly devastating, in hind sight I think it's a needed grief to deal with naturally. A wise friend told me in those first weeks "You can't go around the pain, you can only go through it."
I became a psychonaut in my 70s (in Oregon, of course)… trauma healer and imagination booster… and if you love art in any form, whether making or enjoying others’… it can be a BIG or natural event, but be with a pro or guide at first. I found psychedelics very informative when done carefully.
I am all for mushrooms, or whatever works to erase fear, doubt and uncertainty about death and dying. I have suggested to numerous others to look at VSED and to know that there are ten states and D.C. that have legalized medical assistance in dying. Here's the link to VSED, used by several whom we knew including Scott Nearing at 100. https://compassionandchoices.org/our-issues/vsed/
Loved listening to you and Steven, think I restacked it so others can find it. I remember when Oregon was the first state to make what is now called MAID legal and I thought then, how progressive. I had met Mark Hatfield who I admired as a progressive political leader. At the time this all began I thought that it was better than Jack Kevorkian's practice although I believe he had good intentions. It is rather fascianting about only 9,000 people having availed themselves of MAID and Julie's recognition about the injustice and inequities. Thanks, Debbie.
I resonate with the use of psilocybin in fear of death circumstances but am less familiar with its use in grief which seems more complicated and harder to study. Grieving the loss of our youth? Perhaps But the complicated grief of losing multiple family members with the associated anger, frustration, love, and disappointment? Not sure that psilocybin could be counted on to smooth that out.
Sam, I will look more into this. Plus I will make clearer where / how you can legally do a mushroom trip in the U.S. Dr. Bree mentions becoming part of a university study in the podcast episode.
Hope that is accessible! I think anticipating fear too much can be unhelpful and for me, feels a bit like controlling in anticipation. My absolutely beloved husband didn't die but he did leave us out of the blue after nearly 30 years of marriage and nothing could have prepared me for that grief. And surprisingly, honestly, I have somehow (thanks to incredible friends and support) come through to the other side - and it's actually sunny here! Always look forward to reading your Substack.
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/e_trim:10:white/e_trim:10:transparent/h_72,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb939748d-5d80-4d0f-867c-2ed252ac633c_1344x256.png)
Thank you for such an interesting article, and the added links. I've never used anything, but eventually might be interested if there are any benefits to microdosing for hand tremors caused by Essential Tremor.
I will add that I lost my husband of 22 years several years ago, and while utterly devastating, in hind sight I think it's a needed grief to deal with naturally. A wise friend told me in those first weeks "You can't go around the pain, you can only go through it."
I became a psychonaut in my 70s (in Oregon, of course)… trauma healer and imagination booster… and if you love art in any form, whether making or enjoying others’… it can be a BIG or natural event, but be with a pro or guide at first. I found psychedelics very informative when done carefully.
I am all for mushrooms, or whatever works to erase fear, doubt and uncertainty about death and dying. I have suggested to numerous others to look at VSED and to know that there are ten states and D.C. that have legalized medical assistance in dying. Here's the link to VSED, used by several whom we knew including Scott Nearing at 100. https://compassionandchoices.org/our-issues/vsed/
Gary, I’m planning a post on MAID (medical aid in dying). I did a fascinating podcast episode on the topic: https://debbieweil.substack.com/p/s6-ep8-steven-petrow-on-his-sister
Loved listening to you and Steven, think I restacked it so others can find it. I remember when Oregon was the first state to make what is now called MAID legal and I thought then, how progressive. I had met Mark Hatfield who I admired as a progressive political leader. At the time this all began I thought that it was better than Jack Kevorkian's practice although I believe he had good intentions. It is rather fascianting about only 9,000 people having availed themselves of MAID and Julie's recognition about the injustice and inequities. Thanks, Debbie.
I resonate with the use of psilocybin in fear of death circumstances but am less familiar with its use in grief which seems more complicated and harder to study. Grieving the loss of our youth? Perhaps But the complicated grief of losing multiple family members with the associated anger, frustration, love, and disappointment? Not sure that psilocybin could be counted on to smooth that out.
Sam, I will look more into this. Plus I will make clearer where / how you can legally do a mushroom trip in the U.S. Dr. Bree mentions becoming part of a university study in the podcast episode.
Sign me up, please
Hope that is accessible! I think anticipating fear too much can be unhelpful and for me, feels a bit like controlling in anticipation. My absolutely beloved husband didn't die but he did leave us out of the blue after nearly 30 years of marriage and nothing could have prepared me for that grief. And surprisingly, honestly, I have somehow (thanks to incredible friends and support) come through to the other side - and it's actually sunny here! Always look forward to reading your Substack.
Fascinating topic but for me quite daunting. I remember an interview with Dr. Roland Griffiths, a pioneer in all this I think you'll find interesting if you haven't already seen. https://www.google.com/search?q=tara+brach+talk+mushrooms&oq=tara+brach+talk+mushrooms&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigAdIBCTI0Mzc0ajFqN6gCFLACAQ&client=ms-android-telus-ca-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:5088fd91,vid:6F_VV-2mQPY,st:0