Fraser Valley Psychedelic Society

10/01/2020

So excited to share that two of our society members Dave and Peg recently released the first in a series of podcasts about psychedelics, with a special focus on psychedelics in Canada. I listened yesterday and was totally enthralled by their fascinating conversation. Please give this a listen and share widely!! (Link in bio or search for it in your favourite podcast app). ✨🍄🔊🇨🇦✨

09/17/2020

Hey folks, just a quick update to let everyone know we're busy planning the next covid-friendly gathering in the next few weeks (it's gonna be awesome!!) As well as some education opportunities in the coming month or two.

Also - we've just launched our website (link in bio) featuring some beautiful psychedelic artwork by Vancouver artist Erin Green.

Please check it out and if you haven't already please click the doorway image to sign up for our mailing list!!

♥️🍄♥️

Benny and Peg

09/17/2020

Hey folks, just a quick update to let everyone know we're busy planning the next covid-friendly gathering in the next few weeks (it's gonna be awesome!!) As well as some education opportunities in the coming month or two.

Also - we've just launched our website featuring some beautiful psychedelic artwork by Vancouver artist Erin Green.

https://fvpsychedelics.wixsite.com/home

Please check it out and if you haven't already please click the doorway image to sign up for our mailing list!!

♥️🍄♥️

Benny and Peg

09/01/2020

Loving this most recent issue of and loving this new-to-me Quechua word - "Ayni". "According to this principle. humans don't simply give or receive, but are always partaking in exchanges of energy that affect ourselves, others, our communities, and the planet". Hope everyone engages in some healthy exchanges of energy today, be well my friends ✨✌️✨

06/03/2020

Psychedelics are an area dominated by white men and this is being written by one. We need to do anything and everything we can to change this. Intentionally silent to amplify the voices of POC right now. Dr. Carl Hart ( ) and Dr Monnica Williams are voices we need to listen to. Please respond with others that folks should follow below 🙏

05/18/2020

(art by )

Perceptions dictate behaviour.

Recent news articles about a Covid-19 "outbreak" at the hospital where I work has led to a drastic decrease in presentations to the emergency department.

It's incredible to see how strongly we humans are impacted by the information we receive.
This got me thinking about perceptions of psychedelics. I think most people in our society still view these medicines as "dangerous drugs" that are used by "irresponsible people". Meanwhile, they likely don't think twice about other (socially acceptable) psychoactive substances like alcohol or caffeine.

Given the growing body of research that supports the safe and effective use of psychedelics to treat a myriad of mental health disorders and addictions, and the benefits that healthy "normal" folks receive from these medicines, I think we really need to think about how to start changing the misinformed perceptions that have long been held about psychedelics. That said, I'm not sure that scientific evidence has much influence over public opinion in the era of Donald Trump tweets and "Plandemic" conspiracy theories.

Michael Pollan's book "How to Change Your Mind" has done a lot to introduce the truth around psychedelics to the masses. So has an episode of " Goop" on Netflix.

In personal conversations I find that telling stories about individuals who have benefited from these medicines to be very powerful.
I'm curious what others think might be the most effective way of shifting the perceptions of our society towards the benefits and safety of psychedelics? How did you find out? How have you convinced friends, family, coworkers, or strangers in the supermarket?

05/12/2020

(A cell (green; artificially coloured) is heavily infected with the virus (pink) that causes COVID-19.Credit: NIAID/NIH/Reuters)

As a nurse working in the psychiatric emergency department of a large hospital I have noticed that for some individuals the current Pandemic and it's wide range of social and personal impacts has been leading to an exacerbation of existential distress and an increase of psychiatric symptoms. While on the flip side, it appears that there has been a marked decrease in emergency room visits among others. I am very interested to see the results of future research that will hopefully shine some light on how and why this virus has impacted the psychological well-being of our population, my guess is that there might be a correlation between decreased hospital presentations and an increase in spending time outdoors and connecting with loved ones. I believe that this virus and it's social effects are an example of an "extreme societal change" which demonstrate the potential of how such a change can impact the mental health of individuals in our society.

Given the overarching trend of increasing rates of mental health and substance use disorders within our society and their grave impacts on individuals and families (ie. su***de, unemployment, accidental overdose) it is the responsibility of clinicians and decision makers to offer the best possible treatment options for these illnesses. Simply stated: If people are dying from these diseases at unprecedented rates and a new treatment is emerging that is safer and more effective that our current approaches, the current Pandemic suggests that we must not allow social stigma to stand in our way to consider the provision of this treatment to the thousands of patients who might benefit and who are currently suffering. Perhaps what is needed is another "extreme societal change", one that might revolutionize the world of psychiatry and allow healthy connections to flourish.

Perhaps it's time for psychedelics.

05/02/2020

Greetings Fraser Valley Psychonauts,

In order to make communications a bit easier we have just created a quick form that will allow you to sign up for our email list. We would like to ask you to take one minute to complete this form so that we will be able to keep you up to date and aware of upcoming events. We promise to keep your info totally confidential and will not send too many messages. You are welcome to remove yourself from the list at any time.

Warm regards,
Benny

Sign up to receive updates and information about upcoming events

04/27/2020

Recently I listed to a podcast by where they coined a phrase "weirdness bypassing". That got me thinking about a conversation I had with a new friend at the Psychedelic Science Summit in Austin last fall. It's a question I keep coming back to. How does the weirder side of psychedelics fit into the "psychedelic renaissance"? Does the "weirder" appearance of certain members of this community scare away health professionals or other more conservative members of our society? On the flip side, the use of psychedelics often helps people to accept and embrace differences, so shouldn't this community be a place that demonstrates love and compassion towards everyone regardless of their appearance? Also, if we sterilize the psychedelic space, are we removing a crucial and important aspect or teaching that's is inherent to these medicines? Complicated and important questions for sure. I know sometimes I censor the things I share with the intention of not "turning people off" to the messages I am sharing with the hopes of reaching and connecting with a broader audience. At the same time, I'm feeling more and more comfortable "outing" my experiences with and interest in psychedelics within my healthcare workplace. I'd love to hear the thoughts that others have on this topic?

04/23/2020

Hi and welcome to the new "Page" for the Fraser Valley Psychedelic Society. If you are interested in learning more about the world of psychedelics and connecting with other like-minded, open-minded and kind-hearted folks from the Fraser Valley - this is the place.

One of the most beautiful aspects of psychedelics 🍄, in my opinion, is their ability to bring awareness to the importance of connections - with other humans💑, the ecosystems we live in 🌱, the planet 🌎, and spiritual realms ✨. Our goal is to foster a safe and supportive space to foster and strengthen these connections.

While we won't actually be able to connect in person due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we're working on some exciting and interesting projects to bring psychedelic-related information and interactions into you in your socially-isolated homes. Please stay tuned in (not to mention turned on and dropped out lol).

We're just in the process of getting all of our online platforms (ie. Facebook, Instagram, Website) up and running, so please bare with us while we work out some of the kinks.

If you're new here and interested in staying connected please:

- Follow our page https://www.facebook.com/FVPsychedelics/

- Join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3226402790767810/

- Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fv_psychedelics/

- Send an email to [email protected] and ask to be added to our email list

Hope everyone is staying balanced and finding joy in these strange and challenging times.

❤️✌️❤️
Benny

Altered States, New Connections. A community of individuals interested in increasing knowledge and awareness of psychedelics in the Fraser Valley. We intend to meet on a regular basis to host speakers, present film screenings and facilitate discussions ce