Image Analysis

                                                  Image from http://therevealer.org/archives/5262

      This is an image of an Alex Grey Painting that I chose to do my image analysis. Alex Grey uses psychedelics in his personal life and I am amazed by his ability to re-create his visions in his art work. I chose this image because to me it represents visually how a person on psychedelics could possibly be able to step back from themselves and objectively record and process their feelings, emotions, and memories. In the lower left corner there is what appears to be a demonic face and a skull representing the persons own inner demons but the subject is protected by a luminescent blue light surrounding their body. It also gives me the feeling that the person is aware of the demons presence but is able to feel safe and not let them affect his current journey knowing that he is safe from them. This painting also show a representation of the person's chakra's and eyes being open and clear as well as a powerful guardian standing behind him possibly guiding him and protecting him during his visions.
     I feel that this painting is a positive representation of how the use of psychedelics could be helpful in therapy showing that it is an inward based journey in which a person could potentially come to terms with their inner traumas and/illness. To me this painting shows the union of the sub-conscious with the conscious interpretations of experiences which I believe can lead to healing.

Psychedelic Research Question

         My research question for my argumentative essay is: "Should psychedelics be legal to use in therapeutic settings?"

     Currently my answer to this question is yes, because so far in my research it appears that using psychedelics in a controlled setting with a trained professional can have lasting benefits for persons suffering from P.T.S.D, mental illness and addiction. And, so far I have not come across anything that proves that psychedelics use is addictive or harmful when used at proper dosages or when they are not mixed with other substances. I think that a lot of information that the general public is subjected to regarding these substances is often negative in nature and places a lot of fear into people about their use.   I'm not arguing for complete legalization to the general public as I think that each person will react to these substances differently and some people may not be mentally stable enough to handle how their body/mind reacts, but for the legalization for use in controlled settings.

     I think people with other viewpoints may be against the legal use of psychedelics in therapy because there have been documented cases of persons committing crimes as well as harming themselves and others while under the influence of psychedelic substances. I think people would also argue against the legal use of psychedelics in therapy because of the nature of psychedelics altering one's perception to the point that they may behave irrationally leading to harmful behaviors. This is a point of view that confuses me a little and I feel that it doesn't really make a lot of sense because alcohol is legal and also causes an altering of perception leading to irrational and potentially harmful behaviors with significant, well documented health risks.

     I want to learn more about legislation on psychedelics and the history behind the laws created against them. I am also interested to delve into and learn what other people's opinions are on the subject. I am excited to start reading studies that have been conducted on the subject and learn more about the history of psychedelics in therapy, why research in this area seemed to die down for  a long time and why it is gaining more momentum currently. I also want to learn more about why the research in this area that was being done in the 1960's went awry and what led to it's downfall then. I'm also really interested in finding out what, if any, are the possible physical and mental side effects and dangers to psychedelic therapy.

Intro to Psychedelic Therapy

     Hi, I'm Jenny. I am creating this blog to explore the topic I've chosen for my argumentative essay. The topic that I chose to focus on is the use of psychedelic substances in therapy to aid in the treatment of P.T.S.D, anxiety/depression, addictions and other mental illnesses and trauma related issues. I first became interested in this topic after reading about how some war veterans who were severely depressed and traumatized who were having difficulty re-adjusting and carrying on post-war, had miraculously found themselves "cured" after taking a psychedelic plant medicine called ayahuasca. Then I discovered that there are quite a few Universities that have renewed clinical studies of the use of psychedelics in therapy in recent years. I'm pretty fascinated by the subject and am excited to do research to learn more about the findings of this type of therapeutic treatment. Thanks for reading my blog. I look forward to hearing your feedback.