Psychedelic healing in all directions of time—ancestral, future and alien
1. Ayahuasca changes your DNA
A six-month naturalistic study of ayahuasca ceremonies in the Peruvian Amazon found:
Rapid, lasting mental health improvements: Marked decreases in depression, anxiety, and distress, sustained at six months post-ceremony.
Deep psychological effects: Participants reported greater self-compassion and reduced negativity in autobiographical memories.
Epigenetic changes: Preliminary evidence suggested changes in DNA methylation (notably at the SIGMAR1 gene, implicated in stress response), hinting at biological mechanisms behind the psychological impact.
Significance: This research underscores how traditional, ceremonial psychedelic use can produce persistent and measurable benefits for mental well-being.
2. Psilocybin delays cellular aging
A groundbreaking experimental study explored the biological effects of psilocybin and its metabolite, psilocin, on cellular and animal models:
Extended cellular lifespan: In human cell cultures, psilocin delayed cellular aging and preserved telomere length.
Increased survival in aged mice: Aged mice treated with psilocybin had higher survival rates and signs of improved vitality compared to controls.
Molecular mechanisms: The researchers observed upregulation of SIRT1 (a regulator of aging and stress resilience) and reduced oxidative stress, supporting the idea that psychedelics may promote cellular repair and longevity.
Broader implication: Psilocybin may provide systemic, whole-body benefits—extending far beyond its psychological effects—by influencing fundamental processes of aging and healing.
3. DMT enables contact with Alien Consciousness Species
In his new book and interview, neurobiologist Andrew Gallimore challenges mainstream views on DMT's effects:
A portal to non-ordinary realities: Gallimore argues that DMT transports users into “entirely nonhuman worlds,” populated by seemingly autonomous, intelligent entities—a phenomenon that is difficult to explain with current neuroscience.
Radical implications: He suggests that DMT may allow for real interaction with unknown forms of intelligence, compelling us to question the nature of consciousness and reality itself.
Therapeutic mystery: Even if the nature of these realms is still speculative, clinical research is finding that such profound and bizarre experiences can still have lasting, positive healing effects—such as alleviating depression.
Gallimore's caution: He acknowledges that these experiences are challenging and not fully understood, but insists the enigma should be embraced as an essential part of advancing psychedelic science.
The Meaning for the Future of Psychedelics and Healing
Based on these findings and perspectives, the future of psychedelics points toward:
Profound, rapid, and sustained healing: Both large-scale and individual-use studies report significant improvements in mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and distress—even where standard treatments have failed.
Mind-body integration: Evidence suggests that psychedelics not only promote psychological healing but may also act on gene expression, cellular aging, and fundamental biological processes—potentially extending lifespan and healthspan.
Paradigm shifts in consciousness studies: Classic psychedelics like DMT challenge basic scientific and philosophical assumptions about consciousness, reality, and what it means to "heal"—inviting radical curiosity about the universe and mind.
Personalized and holistic approaches: Modern psychedelic therapy is evolving toward blended models—combining psychotherapy, ceremony or ritual, and biological markers to optimize outcomes and support lasting change.
Societal and cultural transformation: As regulatory and scientific landscapes shift, psychedelics are poised to move from the fringes to the mainstream, potentially transforming the fields of mental health, spiritual exploration, and even aging—provided safety, respect, and meaningful integration are prioritized.
In essence, these studies suggest the future of psychedelics may not just be about symptom relief, but about opening new frontiers of healing, meaning, and understanding—both for individuals and society at large.