Psychedelics in Healing: Are You Using Them to Leave, or to Return?

Are You Using Psychedelics to Leave… or to Return?

Psychedelics are experiencing a renaissance, gaining recognition for their therapeutic potential. Once considered taboo, these substances are now mainstream—psilocybin ceremonies are trending, ketamine clinics are opening across cities, and ayahuasca retreats are booked months in advance. In my psychology practice working with KAP (Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy) and psychedelic integration, I’ve seen firsthand how these medicines can catalyze deep healing when used with intention.

But the landscape is changing. With psychedelics becoming more accessible, more people are using them on their own, outside of clinical or therapeutic settings. Whether through self-guided journeys, underground ceremonies, or with friends, the rise in independent use is undeniable. And while this has brought great potential for personal transformation, it also raises an important question for those using the medicines to reflect on: Is my use of psychedelics helping me heal, or is it helping me escape?

It’s easy to assume that because some psychedelics are linked to spirituality and healing, their use is inherently therapeutic. But that isn’t the case. While substances like ayahuasca and psilocybin are widely regarded as spiritual tools, the real difference lies not in the substance but in how we use it.

The Myth: “Spiritual Medicine” vs. “Escape Drugs”

Culturally, we tend to categorize substances into two groups:

• Escape Drugs like alcohol and cocaine, often associated with numbing or avoiding reality.
  
• Spiritual Medicines like psilocybin and ayahuasca, often seen as consciousness expanders or healing agents.
  

The truth is: any substance, no matter how sacred, can be used to escape. And yes, even substances like ketamine or marijuana, which could be seen as escapist, can be used with intention to reconnect. The key is your relationship to the substance. When it comes to working with consciousness, this is what differentiates a “drug” from a “medicine.”

Healing vs. Escaping: What’s the Difference?

While the type of substance doesn’t guarantee whether the work will become healing or escapist, it’s still the case that many who seek out psychedelics begin with at least some level of desire for it to be healing. Even if this intention is present, their mindset, frequency, or integration work may or may not support that goal. Let’s look at four common psychedelics used today and examine how they can be tools for either healing or escape, depending on how they’re approached.

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1. Ketamine

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic with psychedelic effects at therapeutic doses. It’s been shown to help with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and anxiety. However, ketamine also carries risks, including potential addiction and dissociation. Here is what it can look like when used for escapism versus healing:

• Used to leave: Dissociating without integration; using it to numb pain instead of addressing root causes; frequent use without therapeutic support.
  
• Used to return: Creating emotional detachment for safe processing of trauma; working with a therapist to integrate insights; reconnecting to emotional safety rather than avoiding feelings.
  

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2. MDMA

MDMA, also known as ecstasy, is known as an empathogen.  It tends to enhance empathy, emotional openness, and connection. Research has found it to be effective in treating PTSD and anxiety when used with therapy. However, when misused, it can lead to emotional overwhelm or dependency. Use might look very different when used with different mindsets:

• Used to leave: Seeking euphoria or emotional intensity without addressing underlying issues; using love and connection as a mask for unresolved trauma; repeating experiences without doing interpersonal healing in real life; only using in settings with intense stimulation.
  
• Used to return: Accessing difficult emotions safely; deepening compassion for self and others; rebuilding trust in your body, heart, and capacity for intimacy; exploring use independently, with a partner, or with a small group rather than only in party environments.

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3. Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)

Psilocybin affects serotonin receptors and can induce profound introspection, emotional healing, and spiritual insights. Research shows it can help treat depression, anxiety, and PTSD when combined with guided psychotherapy. Misused, it can cause confusion and worsen certain mental health issues. Like the other medicines, it can be used for bypassing or deep work:

• Used to leave: Getting lost in “downloads” while avoiding personal issues; becoming obsessed with mystical experiences and disconnecting from everyday life; using it to bypass resistance instead of exploring inner resistance; not allowing sufficient time between uses to integrate wisdom into daily life.
  
• Used to return: Sitting with grief, fear, or pain in a safe and supportive environment; transforming “downloads” to insights that create concrete change; reconnecting to nature, self-trust, and presence.
  

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4. Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a powerful brew from the Amazon, containing DMT, known for inducing deep visionary experiences. It has therapeutic potential for addiction and trauma, but when misused, it can lead to overwhelming psychological experiences. Here is how use of this substance can look in two different relationships with it:

• Used to leave: Seeking the next “purge” or revelation; outsourcing personal power to shamans or plant spirits; avoiding life’s challenges by labeling them “not in alignment.”
  
• Used to return: Taking deep responsibility for your choices and healing; facing trauma head-on, and processing it after your spiritual experience; living differently based on the teachings, not just talking about them.
  

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It’s Not About the Tool. It’s About the Intention.

With any psychedelics you are using, and any spiritual work you are doing, it is smart to revisit your use, intention, and relationship with the substances frequently, as it can change over time. So ask yourself the following questions to start this exploration:

• Am I more grounded and accountable after this journey?
• Am I using this to face myself—or avoid myself?
• Am I allowing time for integration, or am I jumping from journey to journey?
• Do I feel more connected to life or more detached?
• Do I feel like the only time I feel “right” now is when I’m journeying?
• If I took the medicine away forever, how would I cope with life differently than before?
  

These questions can help you reflect on your relationship with psychedelics to make sure that if you are exploring them, they help rather than hinder you.

Healing isn’t always easy—it can be raw, emotional, and uncomfortable. It’s owning your patterns, facing your grief, and making conscious choices. Psychedelics can support this journey, but they are not the end—they’re the beginning.

So the next time you’re preparing for a journey, pause and ask:

Am I using this to leave myself… or to return more fully to who I am?And if you’d like support exploring your relationship with psychedelics and self, don’t hesitate to get in touch! I’d love to walk with you on your journey.