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Saturday August 24th, 9:30am
Arctic Visions Conference, Anchorage, AK
“If you’re not a little bit anxious before taking psychedelics, then you’re not paying attention. ~ Dennis McKenna
The use of psychedelics in the United States has been on the rise in recent years. According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 5.5 million Americans aged 12 or older reported using hallucinogens, including psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), and MDMA, in the past year. This represents about 2% of the population.
The trend has been increasing, especially among young adults, driven in part by growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for mental health conditions like depression and PTSD.
The above quote by Dennis McKenna reflects something well-known about psychedelics – that while they have the potential for positive or even mystical experiences, there is also the potential for challenging experiences.
Many people worry about having challenging experiences during a psychedelic journey, but what’s often less discussed are the different ways peers can support someone who is having a difficult experience.
Join Dr. Ana Verzone, DNP, PMHNP in this free workshop as she explores various aspects of psychedelic harm reduction in the context of challenging experiences. Dr. Verzone received her post-doctorate certification as a psychiatric mental health NP at Johns Hopkins University and is an integration therapist and nurse practitioner who provides ketamine-assisted psychotherapy utilizing IFS, somatic experiencing, ecotherapy, and mindfuless-based approaches.
She has worked with Zendo at Burning Man, as well as harm reduction support facilities at other festivals and settings. Ana believes that appropriate support during a challenging psychedelic journey can help transform a potentially traumatic experience into a healing one.
In this workshop, we’ll discuss (and role play):
- Preventive approaches
- De-escalating difficult experiences (role play)
- Supportive measures
- When to seek medical management and/or more intensive psychiatric support
- ... and more.
Dr. Ana Verzone is also the founder of Freedom School and is the host of the top-rated Rebel Buddhist® Podcast. She focuses on resilience and post-traumatic growth as well as existential anxiety. She also completed advanced training in psychedelic-assisted therapy from the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, MAPS, and Medicinal Mindfulness. She has been an avid meditator since 1992, and completed a 2-year mindfulness teacher training with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, a 2-year program for Dedicated Practitioners at Spirit Rock, as well regular silent retreats. She is a current member of the 7th cohort of the Community Dharma Leader Program at Spirit Rock.
Disclaimer
It is important to note that at no time does Ana Verzone or Ana Verzone, LLC promote or require the illegal use of psychedelic drugs in any manner. While there are options for federally-approved medical treatment and psychedelic research, in no way does Ana Verzone or Ana Verzone, LLC promote, condone, or facilitate illegal activity. Programs are strictly for educational and harm reduction purposes only. Please be aware that certain psychedelic substances still remain illegal in many jurisdictions, including federally in the United States. This program and the contents of this website do not constitute medical advice, and are not a substitute for professional medical advice and treatment.