house of psychedelics

The House of Psychedelics at this year’s World Economic Forum was for profit, but I have a different idea. I see Houses of Psychedelics springing up in all major cities and towns to meet the need for safe access to the psychedelic experience. First, we need to extend the use of psychedelic therapy to all interested psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychotherapists. As the example of Australia has recently shown, where therapeutic use of substances is now possible for all medical practitioners, authorized use means training. This training would be one of the services offered in psychedelic houses. Allow me to take you to one of these new facilities for a virtual visit.

We arrive at an inconspicuous house on a tree-lined street. No need to ring the bell or make an appointment – the door Is open from 9 am. Once inside, we are confronted by a large desk, where information about substances is laid out. The man behind the counter asks us what we came for. We are introduced to Annie who will show us around. Our mentor explains that the ground floor is dedicated to learning. She quickly opens and shuts the doors to two small and one larger room, all used for training and/or counselling. The library is to be found in what used to be the living and dining rooms of the house, turned into a cozy lounge lined with books, comfortable couches, and large plants. You can’t take any books home with you, Annie explains, but you can come here and sit and read anytime we’re open. Though empty early in the morning, the library is in brisk use, she assures us. In the back we find a small kitchen with free tea and water as well as vending machines for coffee and snacks.

The second floor is reserved for sessions of various kinds. This is where professionals and lay people accompany clients on psychedelics and where integration circles meet. For a reasonable fee, these rooms can also be reserved for private sessions with or without guidance. On the top floor, a lovingly decorated, remodelled attic is used for ceremonies and accommodates groups of up to twelve people. The thought alone that someone is on the premises, in case help is needed, has a reassuring effect, Annie explains. The services provided by the House of Psychedelic are open to anyone over the age of eighteen.

How would these facilities be funded? Membership is a good way, and educational courses help finance our colorful house. It also has sponsors, and the city recognizes with financial support that it is providing a valuable service, preventing harm by allowing its patrons to experience transcendence in a secure environment.

That’s how I would do it. Perhaps you also have ideas about the legalization of psychedelics that you would like to share with us?  In French-speaking Switzerland, the Eleusis Society and GREA (Groupement Romand d’étude des addictions) are gathering opinions and developing a concept on how to decriminalize psychedelics that will be presented to the Health Department of the Swiss Government. Your opinion and ideas matter!

I just returned from Elefsina/Eleusis where I visited the Symposium «How to Change your Mind to Change the World”, organized by the World Human Forum. It was a lovely event with great speakers. Among others, I met Brian Muraresku, author of The Immortality Key, a book I recommend you read asap. Unfortunately I spent half of my time there in bed with bronchitis, and I’m still not well. Please accept my apologies for the delay of this newsletter. I didn’t have the energy to get it done sooner.

Yours,
Susanne G. Seiler

P.S. You’ll find us at the gaialounge, Hochstrasse 70 (behind Basel’s SBB station, tram stop Peter Merian), every Thursday afternoon from 14 – 18 h. Welcome!

covering stan getz