Psychedelic Exceptionalism

<p>Last year while I was working with Zendo at Burning Man, I got to hear Dr. Carl Hart talk about “psychedelic exceptionalism.” Essentially, he talked about some concerning language he’s noticed in psychedelic-focused conversations. These narratives are creating “psychedelic exceptionalism” that, in his opinion, perpetuate harmful narratives around stigmatized drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine - and indirectly, the people who choose to use them.</p><p> </p><p>Psychedelic exceptionalism refers to the perspective that psychedelics are somehow better and more useful than other classes of drugs like opioids or stimulants. Especially when it comes to recreational use of these substances.</p><p> </p><p>Trust me, when I first heard him say that I was like… but… psychedelics ARE more beneficial!</p><p> </p><p>But after listening to him talk and speaking with him afterward, I realized that one of the main points of encouraging people to take a step back and try to have a different perspective is that ALL drugs are psychoactive. So it would be remiss to say that some are special and some are evil. Or that psychedelics get glorified while others have been demoralized since the War on Drugs.</p><p> </p><p>When we choose to think this way - that some drugs can be vilified (along with those who choose to use them) - we end up with harsher penalties and increased marginalization. That creates more separation between us as humans.</p><p> </p><p>For example, MDMA and methamphetamine have very similar chemical structures. Yet we have very different images of those drugs and the people who use them.</p><p> </p><p>And those who have a drug of choice that they want to encourage for medicinal reasons get nervous about being stigmatized with other drugs.</p><p> </p><p>Of course, all of this blew my mind at the time, but I think as a culture it would behoove many of us in modern industrialized society to get really curious about things. Sit in discomfort. Notice if we have resistance and where that is, and soften th