Synergetic Press, Author at Synergetic Press

Nature-Inspired Giving: The Earth-Lovers Gift Guide

by Synergetic Press | December 13, 2023 | Sustainability & Ecology

Explore our Earth-Lovers Gift Guide, unveiling 10 purposeful products for those who cherish the interconnectedness of all living beings. From permaculture books and sage bundles to Indigenous perspectives on land reclamation, each item inspires regenerative practices and positive impact on the planet. Discover the power of conscious gifting and contribute to the flourishing of independent creators, small businesses, and the vibrant Earth-loving community. Gift consciously and let each item be a reminder of our profound connection with the Earth and its diverse inhabitants.

**1. The Regenerative Landscaper: Design Landscapes that Repair the Environment by Erik Ohlsen, $32.95**

An awe-inspiring guide that weaves together permaculture design, food resiliency, climate adaptation, community organizing, and Indigenous wisdom that you can implement in your own backyard. This book has been crafted for beginner gardeners and large-scale permaculturists alike. It is a step-by-step manual starting from your landscaping ideas and ending with seeds and trees confidently planted. More than a mere landscaping guide, it serves as a motivational read addressing climate change, species extinction, and ecological collapse. Ideal for nature enthusiasts, eco-conscious individuals, and anyone passionate about sustainable living, this book makes a thoughtful gift that empowers readers to make a positive impact on the earth.

2. Social Forestry: Tending the Land as People of Place by Tomi Hazel Vaarde, $29.95

Social Forestry is an essential guide for individuals seeking a reciprocal relationship with their communities, themselves, and the breathtaking landscapes that surround them. While many Indigenous peoples have honed regenerative management through generations of living in harmony with their environments, modern society lacks widespread examples of holistic planning and participation. In an era marked by climate challenges, human survival imperatives, and the urgent need to preserve biodiversity, this book advocates for a radical return to roots. For anyone seeking to transform their connection to the environment and learn the art of tending to ecosystems, Social Forestry is an indispensable manual offering wisdom and actionable insights.

3. The Mind of Plants: Narratives of Vegetal Intelligence edited by Monica Gagliano, John Charles Ryan, and Patricia Vieira, $24.95

Dive into the intriguing world of plant consciousness and human connections with nature in The Mind of Plants. From apples to ayahuasca, this collection of essays, narratives, and poetry explores the conscious essence of plants and their intricate interactions with humanity and the world. With contributions from notable authors like Robin Wall Kimmerer and Jeremy Narby, the book delves into the wisdom gleaned from scientific research, spiritual teachings, and personal reflections. Ideal for animists, earth lovers, and anyone who engages in conversations with the more-than-human world, this captivating anthology is a perfect gift.

4. Landback Publication Bundle by NDN Collective, $22

The LANDBACK Publication Bundle, featuring Issue 2 of the LANDBACK Magazine and Let’s Get The Land Back: A Toolkit to Restore Our Relations, offers a comprehensive exploration of Indigenous perspectives and actions related to land reclamation. With over 140 pages of compelling content in Issue 2, readers will delve into topics ranging from the quest for an Independent Hawaiʻi in the aftermath of the Lahaina Fire to the challenges and triumphs of Indigenous filmmaking and the transformative power of motherhood and ceremony in overcoming disconnection. Additionally, the toolkit serves as a practical roadmap, inspiration source, and resource guide for those committed to restoring land to tribes. A perfect gift for earth lovers, this publication bundle not only educates but also inspires meaningful engagement with the vital issue of land restoration and Indigenous sovereignty.

5. Dancin’ Frogs Packable Chair by Parks Project, $85

Crafted for those who cherish the great outdoors, this camp chair from Parks Project is not just about comfort; it’s a statement of commitment to leaving our outdoor spaces better than we found them. Parks Project is on a mission to protect and preserve parklands for future generations through education, advocacy, volunteering, and activating park supporters like you. The organization has already made a significant impact, channeling over $2,500,000 toward crucial projects in parks across the United States.

6. Pink Oyster Mushroom Mini-Farm Grow Kit by Far West Fungi, $25

For those eager to deepen their connection with the natural world and foster a more intentional relationship with their food, the Mushroom Mini-Farm Grow Kit is the perfect gift. This extraordinary kit features Pleurotus ostreatus, a tropical strain of oyster mushrooms that resembles succulent clusters of shellfish, reaching up to 18 inches in diameter. With vibrant pink fruiting bodies reminiscent of coral or rose petals, these mushrooms boast a meaty taste, making them an excellent substitute for vegetarians. The high iron content contributes to their vivid color and rich flavor. This grow kit, a unique and captivating present, requires only light misting to yield three to four crops over a two-month period, producing one to two pounds of these delectable mushrooms with proper care. It’s a thoughtful gift for anyone seeking a delightful and immersive experience in cultivating their own food from the fascinating world of mushrooms.

7. Sage Bundle with Lavender & Crystal by Pura Luna Apothecary, $34

Indulge in the harmonious embrace of nature with Pura Luna Apothecary’s mountain sage, lavender, floral Accent & citrine crystal Sage Bundle. Crafted for nature lovers, this bundle is a sensory journey designed to instill calm, cleanse, and create tranquility in both your space and aura. Combining dried sage and lavender incense brings a dual essence of spiritual clearing and relaxation. Supporting small businesses and ventures owned by women and minorities, Pura Luna Apothecary has a thoughtfully crafted selection, including everything from herbal blends and tinctures to candles to oracle decks.

8. Vegetable Garden Seed Collection by Hudson Valley Seed Co, $22.95

Gift the Hudson Valley Seed Co’s Vegetable Garden mix to someone special, and sow the seeds of a deeper connection with the food they eat. Perfect for individuals living both in and out of urban environments, this boxed set of organic seeds is an invitation to cultivate a more direct relationship with plants and the source of our sustenance. Each seed variety in this collection, including Brilliant Beet Blend, Danvers Carrot, Radiant Radish, Tri-Color Bean, and Ultimate Salad Bowl, represents a flavorful journey into the world of homegrown vegetables. These organic seeds, ready to be planted directly into the ground, offer not just the promise of a bountiful harvest but an opportunity to get creative with your gardening endeavors.

This holiday season, cozy up with Conscious Step’s Socks That Plant Trees. Crafted from GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, these socks offer not only warmth but also a commitment to sustainability. Featuring Fairtrade Certified production, vegan-friendly materials, and a dedication to environmental causes through 1% for the Planet, these socks make every step a statement of ethical living. Give the gift of coziness and consciousness, reminding your loved ones that our choices can bring warmth and positive change even in the winter chill.

10. Mushrooms Bandana by Hemlock, $17

Step into the enchanting world of Hemlock Goods with the bestseller, Mushrooms! The slightly funky, slightly mystical design features creamy, dreamy fungi and earth-toned moths on an olive green background, creating a natural and whimsical charm that’s sure to earn you gushy compliments. Their bandanas are versatile and resilient, ready to hold your hair back, complement your outfit, clean up spills, or safeguard your favorite snacks and treasures. Founded on the ethos of saving people from undesirable jobs, Hemlock Goods collaborates with a production partner in India, ensuring each bandana is screen-printed by hand with 100% cotton.

Psychedelic Stocking Fillers: A Gift Guide for Your Psychonaut Friend

by Synergetic Press | December 5, 2023 | Consciousness & Psychedelics

Embrace the art of conscious gifting as we delve into a curated selection designed for the discerning psychedelic explorer. This gift guide unveils 10 thoughtfully chosen products that spark conversations and foster intentionality within the realm of psychedelic healing and exploration. From profound literature on psychedelic integration and visionary ceramics to ceremonial cacao and herbal elixirs, each gift is a portal to a realm where exploration and self-discovery intertwine. By supporting indie books and small businesses, you not only gift unique and meaningful experiences but also contribute to the flourishing of independent creators and the vibrant tapestry of the psychedelic community.

1. Psychedelic Integration: Psychotherapy for Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness by Marc B. Aixalà, $26.95

Accessible to psychedelic-assisted therapists and practitioners, as well as those simply seeking to learn more about psychedelic integration to process their own journeys, “Psychedelic Integration” is one of the most comprehensive books on the subject to date. Written by psychotherapist and long-time breathwork practitioner, Marc B. Aixalà, this book traces the history and evolution of psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration research from the 1960s to the present moment, detailing therapeutic techniques and real-world observations on the deep work of healing. Ideal for giving to a friend who is beginning their healing journey, this insightful guide offers a compassionate and informed exploration of the profound impact psychedelic experiences can have on personal growth and well-being.

2. Journal of the Psychonaut by MAPS, $12.95

This journal is an invitation to explore your inner universe. Psychedelic experiences have the potential to dramatically change us for the better, but only if we truly integrate what we’ve learned from them into our everyday lives. This journal serves as your sacred space to prepare for and then integrate these lessons from your explorations of non-ordinary states of consciousness. Perfect for those looking to unpack and process their inner contents, it is an invaluable tool for integrating experiences. We encourage you to color outside the lines, break the rules, and, above all else, work with this journal in the way that fits you best. Use the blank pages to Set the Setting and prepare for Before, During, and After your experience.

3. Ergot Alkaloids: History, Chemistry, and Therapeutic Uses by Albert Hofmann, $35

A true collectors item, any psychonaut would want this beautiful gold-embossed, hardcover classic on their shelves. This book is a detailed account of chemical compounds and pharmacological investigation into the potential of visionary plants. Starting with the botany and cultivation of the ergot mushroom, Hofmann takes us through the historical elaboration of the fungus including the poisoning epidemic of ergot and its early medical uses to the use of psilocybin as a “magical drug”. ⁠ With a detailed timeline, we explore the growth of the pharmaceutical-chemical investigation from 1816 to 1961 with a total synthesis of ergotamine including tables of chemical structures and the role of lysergic acid, d-lysergic acid and lysergic acid diethylamide in experimental psychiatry gaining increasing importance in psychotherapy as a medical aid.⁠

4. A Subscription to DoubleBlind Magazine, $12.99

DoubleBlind is a biannual print magazine and media company covering timely, untold stories about the expansion of psychedelics around the globe. Subscribing to DoubleBlind includes a copy of their latest issue, renewing again before their next issue as well as a free 1-month DoubleBlind membership trial which includes monthly virtual consciousness-shifting journeys such as cannabis ceremonies, breathwork, and integration circles, access to all past and future DoubleBlind workshops/webinars, discounts on courses, and access to their private online community forum.

5. Waverly Long Studios Ceramics Mushroom Mug, $120

Based in North Carolina, Waverly Long Studios creates beautiful nature-inspired ceramics, including everything from mugs to planters to earrings. Their products are small-batch and quick-selling, so don’t hesitate to snag yourself a piece! Their mugs, in particular, stand out as unique and visually stunning creations, making them the perfect gift for fungi lovers who appreciate the intricate beauty of nature captured in each exquisite piece.

6. Ruk’u’x’Ulew Cacao, $40-50

Ruk’u’x Ulew [Roo-Koosh-Ouh-Leh-Ou] is a 100% Mayan-owned, all-Indigenous women’s collective that produces artisanal Guatemalan growth ceremonial cacao. Ruk’u’x Ulew translates as ‘Heart of The Earth’ which honors founder, Cecilia Mendoza Chiyal’s, Mayan culture and ancestry but also relays her belief that cacao is a divine representation of the ‘Heart of The Earth.’ This healing and heart-opening ceremonial cacao, crafted with intention, is meant to be savored alone or shared, creating moments of connection and profound introspection.

7. Mindfold Eye Mask, $19.95

The Mindfold mask was created in 1978 by artist and visionary, Alex Grey, to help you with your inner meditation journey by blocking out all light with your eyes open. Over the years the myriad of uses has gone far beyond meditation, sleep, relaxation, and travel. Ideal for your psychonaut friend, this mask is a versatile tool that can enhance their explorations into consciousness, providing a unique and immersive experience during their inner journeys.

8. Psychedelic Journey Intention Cards by Gwella, $12.99

Intention setting is an ancient practice that opens us up to new interpretations of our circumstances and our agency within them. Setting intentions helps us clarify what’s most important, and allows us to focus on who we want to be. This pack of 24 cards consists of prompts and reflections designed to guide conscious self-discovery and self-awareness. They can be used in individual or group settings, and are great for perhaps gifting to the psychedelic explorer in your life.

9. Pejuta Akišni Healing Medicine Tea by Lakota Made, $30

Pejuta Akišni (pay-jhoo-tah ah-kee-shnee) means Healing Medicine in the Lakota Language, and the tea includes nettle, goldenrod, elderberry, raspberry leaf, flat cedar, chaga mushroom. Uses: Steep 2-3 tablespoons for 5-7 minutes in your preferred method of brewing tea, enjoy hot or cold, add some local honey and game on. Lakota Made LLC, owned and founded by Megan L. Schnitker, from Milks Camp, South Dakota, is a company that specializes in small batch Indigenous First medicines and eco-friendly personal care products that use locally sourced and sustainably harvested ingredients.In the winter months, a healing medicine tea like Pejuta Akišni becomes a comforting and soul-nourishing companion, offering warmth and holistic wellness to navigate the colder seasons with intention and self-care.

10. Adaptogenic Medicinal Mushroom Chai Elixir by Xálish Medicines, $34.50 CAD

The Fountain of Youth Adaptogenic Mushroom Chai stands as a potent elixir crafted from a harmonious blend of roots, spices, and medicinal mushrooms. Beyond its exquisite taste, this chai serves as a nourishing and energizing elixir with properties that support both physical and mental well-being. Ideal for individuals grappling with the strains of modern life, it provides a holistic approach to combating stressors that may affect the body, mind, and spirit. Xálish Medicines intricately weaves the spirit of plant medicine and ancestral reverence into each offering, aiming to reestablish a harmonious connection with our plant kin, ourselves, our environment, and the entirety of creation. It can serve as an excellent companion after challenging experiences, fostering shared moments of connection and boosting both mood and spirit.

What is Buy Nothing Day?

by Synergetic Press | November 24, 2023 | Sustainability & Ecology

In a world where the pursuit of material possessions often overshadows mindful living, Buy Nothing Day emerges as a poignant reminder to pause, reflect, and resist the allure of unchecked consumerism. This global movement, born in Vancouver, Canada, in the early 1990s, has transcended borders, urging individuals worldwide to reconsider the impact of their choices on the environment and society.

Origins and Evolution of Buy Nothing Day

Buy Nothing Day was first conceptualized by artist Ted Dave, with the inaugural Buy Nothing Day being orchestrated in Canada in 1992 with the intention of prompting society to scrutinize the problem of overconsumption.

The concept was later championed by the magazine and non-profit Adbusters and the observance of Buy Nothing Day was shifted to the Friday following American Thanksgiving, commonly known as “Black Friday,” a day that ranks among the ten most hectic shopping days in the United States, and now the world.

Buy Nothing Day serves as a protest against consumerism. As Adbusters writes on their website, “This Friday, keep the credit card holstered. Keep your cash in your jeans. Don’t buy. Just breathe.”

They continue, “Step outside. Feel the pulse of the planet — the earth beneath your feet, the sun on your face. Listen to the wind. Watch a bird fly by. Give five bucks to a homeless person. Have a heart-to-heart chat with a friend.”

The Environment Impacts of Overconsumption

Buy Nothing Day is more than just a one-day break from shopping; it represents a conscious choice to alleviate the environmental impact of rampant consumerism. The consequences of unchecked consumption, ranging from pollution to resource depletion and climate change, underscore the urgency of reevaluating our purchasing habits.

A significant aspect of this environmental impact lies in the generation of waste. Fast fashion, single-use plastics, and disposable goods contribute substantially to overflowing landfills. Additionally,the production and transportation of goods for consumer markets contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change. By choosing not to participate in the shopping frenzy on Buy Nothing Day, individuals inadvertently reduce the demand for new products, thereby decreasing the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and transportation.

Moreover, many consumer products rely on non-renewable resources whose extraction and processing contribute to environmental degradation. By practicing Buy Nothing Day, individuals indirectly contribute to the preservation of these resources, fostering a more sustainable and responsible use of materials.

While Buy Nothing Day serves as a concentrated effort to raise environmental awareness, its principles are worth integrating into our daily lives. A consistent and intentional approach to mindful consumption can lead to lasting benefits. It reflects a commitment to long-term environmental stewardship and contributes to a gradual shift in cultural norms. By making sustainable choices every day, individuals can empower the demand for ethical and responsible practices, encouraging a market shift towards products and services aligned with environmental and social values.

Looking to the Future

Terence McKenna once wisely articulated, “We have to create culture… the nexus of space and time where you are now is the most immediate sector of your universe.” This sentiment aligns with the essence of Buy Nothing Day, urging individuals to reclaim their minds from cultural diversions and materialistic pursuits.

As a brand committed to ethical practices and sustainability, we recognize the paradox of encouraging consumption on Black Friday while advocating for mindful and responsible purchasing. At Synergetic Press, we believe in fostering a culture of conscious consumption and making choices that align with our values. While we understand the significance of offering discounts and promotions, we choose not to celebrate Black Friday as a day of heightened consumerism. Instead, we are dedicated to providing value to our customers throughout the year, offering fair pricing and periodic discounts on our thoughtfully curated selection of books.

Honoring Veterans Day: Highlighting MAPS’ Impact on PTSD Treatment

by Synergetic Press | November 11, 2023 | Consciousness & Psychedelics

As Veterans Day unfolds, it prompts contemplation on the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals who have served in the military. Among the complexities lies post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that affects a substantial number of military personnel. Recent years have witnessed a transformative development in the realm of PTSD treatment, with our co-publishing partners, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), emerging as a key player in reshaping mental health care for those who have experienced the harsh realities of war.

Navigating Unseen Wounds

For veterans, the aftermath of war often leaves wounds that aren’t immediately visible. PTSD can manifest as a persistent and debilitating presence, affecting various aspects of an individual’s life. Conventional treatments, while beneficial for some, may fall short in providing relief for all. It is in this context that the innovative strategies employed by MAPS become particularly significant.Exploring the healing mechanisms behind MDMA in his book Changing Our Minds: Psychedelic Sacraments and the New Psychotherapy, journalist Don Lattin writes, “Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly how PTSD affects the brain, and how MDMA may work in treating that mental dysfunction. The neuroscience is still progressing, but it seems clear that it is related to how the brain detects danger and processes feelings of fear. MDMA makes people less fearful, and more trusting, so it makes sense that it would be a valuable tool for therapists treating people who are unable to process fearful memories in a way that does not overwhelm them.”

MAPS’ Contribution to PTSD Treatment

MAPS, a non-profit organization dedicated to research and education, has been at the forefront of investigating the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, notably MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), in addressing PTSD. MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in a controlled and therapeutic setting, aiding individuals in processing and healing from traumatic experiences.

In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration awarded “breakthrough therapy” status to MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD treatment, enabling an expedited development process for promising experimental drugs. Subsequently, breakthrough status was granted to psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression in 2018. This designation accelerates the development of potentially impactful treatments in their respective therapeutic domains.

Clinical trials conducted by MAPS indicate that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can lead to substantial reductions in PTSD symptoms. The approach involves carefully guided sessions in which individuals, under the influence of MDMA, explore their traumatic memories with the support of trained therapists. This process facilitates a deeper connection with emotions and memories, offering a potential path to profound and enduring healing.

Most recently, MAPS conducted its second Phase III clinical trial with MDMA, finding that the substance in conjunction with psychotherapy is effective in reducing the symptoms of PTSD. MAPS intends to submit the findings to the Food and Drug Administration as a component of an application seeking approval to market MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment for PTSD.

Involving a total of 104 participants, the study revealed that 86.5 percent of individuals in the MDMA group saw a measurable reduction in symptom severity. Additionally, around 71 percent of those in the MDMA group improved to the extent that they no longer met the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, according to researchers.

In a recent New York Times article, Berra Yazar-Klosinski, the senior author of the study shared, “MDMA-assisted therapy would be the first novel treatment for PTSD in over two decades,” if approved.

On this Veterans Day, as we contemplate the experiences of those who have served, it is essential to acknowledge the ongoing struggles they may face. MAPS’ pioneering work in the field of PTSD treatment offers a glimmer of hope, presenting an innovative avenue for healing the unseen wounds of war. By supporting organizations like MAPS and advocating for progressive approaches to mental health care, we contribute to a future where individuals, regardless of their background, can access comprehensive and effective support.

Understanding Interoception and Its Connection with Psychedelics

by Synergetic Press | October 24, 2023 | Books, Consciousness & Psychedelics

In our daily lives, we constantly receive sensory information from our environment. Most people are familiar with the classic five senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—but there’s another sense known as “interoception” that’s not as commonly discussed. Interoception is at the crux of our internal bodily sensations and plays a pivotal role in how we perceive and interact with the world. Adding another layer of depth to the concept of interoception is the theory of predictive coding, a fundamental framework of brain function. When we merge these concepts with insights from research into psychedelic-assisted therapy, we can cultivate a deeper sense of connection, improving our relationships with ourselves and others.

What is Interoception?

Interoception is our ability to sense, interpret, and integrate internal bodily sensations. It’s the reason we feel hunger, thirst, and the need to breathe. Author of the recently published book How to Change Your Body: The Science of Interoception and Healing through Connection to Yourself and Others, Saga Briggs, explains that “…interoception is like mindfulness for the body—it’s what allows us to be aware of our own well-being. And it’s unique for everyone, although it’s generalizable enough that we can often understand each other’s descriptions of interoceptive sensations.”

Interoception helps us be aware of our heart rate, respiratory rate, and even the sensations in our gut. All these internal signals provide feedback to the brain about the state of our body, playing a crucial role in maintaining physiological homeostasis. Beyond just physiological sensations, interoception is closely connected with our emotions. Ever felt “butterflies in your stomach” when nervous, or a “heavy heart” when sad? These emotional states manifest as tangible bodily sensations through the interoceptive system.

Highlighting this connection between physiological sensations and emotions, Briggs writes, “You may have noticed that emotional and physical feelings are part of the same list. That’s because the interoceptive process that allows us to sense the state of our internal organs also allows us to experience and regulate emotion.”

According to neuroscientific research, it has been found that body sensing and emotion processing take part in the same part of the brain, the insular cortex. Briggs explains, “We tend to think that signals for emotions like joy or anger have nothing to do with signals for body processes like hunger and thirst, but this is a mistake. They are part of the same interoceptive system. Body and emotion are inseparable.”

Predictive Coding: A Brief Overview

Adding to the notion of interoception is the theory of predictive coding, one of the most commonly accepted accounts of human brain function. The brain is an incredible prediction machine. Instead of passively receiving information, it actively predicts what’s coming next and generates a reliable model of the world based on past experiences. Predictive coding suggests that the brain constantly creates a model of the world to forecast sensory input.

“According to this theory, the brain creates models for our perception, concepts, and feelings based on experience, and anything falling outside these models results in a ‘prediction error,’ which is then either updated by new information (adapting to the temperature of a hot bath) or by prior beliefs (the feeling of having a real limb where one is missing, as in phantom limb syndrome),” writes Briggs. “Although it’s meant to serve an adaptive function, too much prediction in the wrong direction can trap us into destructive belief systems and habits, including substance abuse.”

The Interoceptive System, Predictive Coding, and Psychedelic Research

Our understanding of how our early life experiences shape our connection to our own bodily sensations – or interoception – has expanded over the years. Briggs highlights the work of Dr. Kristina Oldroyd, at Utah Valley University, which calls attention to the significant impact of early social experiences on the development of interoception. As our caregivers recognize and validate our bodily experiences during childhood, our sense of interoception becomes more precise. However, if these experiences are denied or devalued, our connection with our own bodily signals can become distorted. This connection with our bodily signals, known as interoceptive awareness, plays a crucial role in our emotional and mental well-being.

Psychedelics offer unique insights into the mechanics of our brain. Instead of merely amplifying brain activity, they alter the predictive filters, allowing us to experience the world around us in a richer, more detailed manner. This alteration in perception can be beneficial, especially when dealing with mental health conditions such as depression. Depression often traps individuals in a loop of negative self-perception and rumination.

Introducing psychedelics into the system can disrupt this cycle, allowing for new patterns of thought, and pulling individuals out of their mental, emotional, and physical ruts.

“Psychedelic science offers some of the best evidence for predictive coding by showing us what happens when it is compromised,” writes Briggs. “Instead of simply increasing brain activity, substances like psilocybin and LSD loosen the predictive filter that’s normally in place, allowing us to perceive other possibilities—for example, being arrested by the incredibly vibrant detail of a daffodil rather than passing it off as just another flower in the garden.” Furthermore, research emphasizes the close interrelation of mind and body, revealing that our feelings about life and our well-being are deeply connected with our bodily sensations.

This intimate connection between mind, body, and society challenges the traditional labels and understanding of mental illness. “Not only is the mind inseparable from the body, but the body is inseparable from social relationships,” shares Briggs. “Human afflictions are biopsychosocial, closely tied to emotion states arising from relational bodies. This is something long known by clinicians and scientists, but still the notion of a ‘chemical imbalance’ dominates narratives of illness, just as the meaning of thought patterns tends to outweigh the significance of bodily signals in psychiatric settings.”

Rather, Briggs suggests that most illnesses are failures of connection to ourselves, our bodies, and others, positing that psychedelics help us “expand the social-embodied possibility space” by improving interoceptive awareness and breaking our deeply entrenched predictive coding.

Tools for Cultivating Interoceptive Awareness

In Saga Briggs’ How to Change Your Body the profound connections between our internal bodily sensations, our perceptions, and the world of psychedelics are masterfully explored. This deep dive into our internal navigation systems uncovers how they influence not only our physiological responses but also our emotional states, behaviors, and connections.

Briggs suggests some helpful tools in order to cultivate a greater sense of interoceptive awareness including focusing attention on the body through practices such as rhythmic breathing, body scans, physical activities such as yoga, respiratory practices such as slow, deep breathing, somatic practices such as Hakomi Experiential Psychotherapy or the Feldenkrais Method, as well as social justice approaches which understand that interoception might differ for those with marginalized bodies such as Nkem Ndefo’s Resilience Toolkit.

Ultimately, as Briggs illuminates, the journey to self-awareness and healing is one of reconnecting with our bodies, breaking away from restrictive patterns, and expanding our understanding of our own possibility space.

Artwork by Rafael López.

How to Change Your Body: The Science of Interoception and Healing Through Connection to Yourself and Others

How to Change Your Body provides an enlightening discourse on the missing piece of the mind-body relationship — our need for social connection.

Emerging from a written article for the MIND European Foundation for Psychedelic Science, this book combines expert interviews from leading institutions around the world such as Johns Hopkins and Oxford, independent research and lived experience, connecting the dots of three timely themes: interoception, psychedelics, and mental health.

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