About Entheo

Informed by scientific evidence and experts in the field, Entheo provides an educational, pragmatic step-wise approach and a best practice guideline to reduce harm and facilitate ideal experiences for people who are interested in learning about or using psychedelics, often referred to as entheogens, such as psilocybin, LSD and MDMA. Entheo does not encourage, endorse, or promote any illegal activities or reckless drug use. Entheo bears no responsibility for anyone’s decision to do so, but does recognize millions of people use psychedelics outside the medical context, with or without good process. We want to provide resources and guidelines so you can trip without falling.

Health and well-being starts in communities. As part of your community, Entheo provides trusted information to help people educate themselves about psychedelics. Additionally, for those looking to take a psychedelic, we will suggest a step-wise approach to assess risk and important steps to move you through each stage of your journey: before, during, and after the trip. By taking care and planning at each stage of your journey you can reduce potential harms and make space for the ideal experience.

Non-ordinary states of consciousness occasioned by psychedelics can alleviate depression, tame anxiety, help process trauma, reduce negative thinking, inspire new narratives, improve creativity and mental flexibility. Psychedelics may also provide journeyers clarity and reveal insights that may help inform lifestyle changes that serve one's well being in the short and long-term. Although many individuals have positive experiences that incite personal growth, this is not guaranteed. Some people will have difficult experiences that can be destabilizing. At Entheo we’re here to help you learn about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, if they are right for you and what do if things get tough.

Definitions

Drugs are substances that are intended to affect the structure or function of the body. Similar to drugs such as caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol, entheogens also change normal bodily processes and function. Psychedelics are a class of psychoactive drugs that reliably make profound changes in perception, mood, and cognitive processes. Further, psychedelics often occasion non-ordinary states of consciousness that include spiritual or mystical effects, whether or not they occur in formal spiritual or traditional settings.

The word ‘entheogen’ is derived from the Greek word entheos, which means "god within" or "divine". The Greek word gen denotes the action of “becoming” through the ingestion of a psychoactive plant used in religious, ritual, or spiritual contexts (ref). Drugs such lysergic acid, psilocybin, MDMA, mescaline, peyote, ibogaine, DMT, and Ayahuasca are often categorized as entheogens all of which have the potential to change perception, mood and facilitate self-inquiry, transformation and healing. Importantly, entheogens are a catalyst for change and when used in conjunction with integrative practices that facilitates self-reflection, sense making and capacity for growth.

Entheogen and the term psychedelic are often used interchangeably although historically have different meanings. Psychoactive drugs such as mescaline, LSD and psilocybin were initially referred to as psychotomimetics, referring to a drug that produces symptoms mimicking psychosis, including delusions and/or delirium. At a later date, Psychiatrist Dr. Osmond Humphrey coined the term psychedelic to indicate a drug that ‘reveals the soul’ (ref). The term psychedelic also means ‘mind manifesting’ and is inclusive of drugs that occasion experiences that profoundly change perception, thoughts, one’s sense of self and an increased awareness of mental processes (ref). Finally, the word ‘empathogen’ is often used to describe drugs such as MDMA, that induce feelings of empathy, connectedness, benevolence, along with a sense of belonging and acceptance.  

The word entheogen also denotes the use of a psychoactive drug that occasions spiritual effects in a formal, process-oriented setting. It is through a good process prior to, during, and after a journey where one can reduce risk and move a journeyer towards an ideal experience where they can get in touch with the innate wisdom of the self, soul, the divine or intelligence from within.