IPN Blog
We Are Accepting Submissions
Our blog features monthly thought-provoking art and written psychedelic pieces from our members. The opinions of the authors do not represent those of IPN as an organization. If you are interested in submitting a blog post, please apply to be an IPN member (if you are not already), review the following, and send your submissions to media@intercollegiatepsychedelics.net.
Criteria and Considerations:
Provides a unique or undervalued perspective in the psychedelic space
Written pieces must be no more than ~2000 words
Opinion pieces should be evidence-based with references
Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis
Selected pieces will undergo ~2-3 rounds of peer review before publication.
Full disclosure: The blog coordinator and the ad-hoc review committee for each submission reserves the right to reject a submission outright after the first round of review. This is uncommon but can happen if claims are not well-founded and/or if the submission requires too much editorial work. This is done at the discretion of the review committee.
Ancient Medicine in Modern Practice
Rain gently patters the leaves outside of the forest hut deep within the forest of the ancient Amazon. A shaman humming an alien yet familiar tune hands you a wooden cup containing a deep maroon liquid, a light steam coming off its surface. The smell of wet earth fills your nostrils as the shaman gently places his hand underneath, urging you to drink until your cup is empty. This is your third helping, and you hand it back to him and he begins to fill it again. Your family shakes and rattles bundles of leaves called chakapas, which rhythmically accompany the shaman’s deep encaptivating melody. As you continue to drink, a euphoric sensation blossoms across your body, your abdomen filling with butterflies.
Interview of PsychedelX Co-Founder, Haley Dourron
Haley Dourron is a Ph.D. candidate in the Drug Use and Behavior Lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her research focuses on the neurophenomenological effects of psychedelics and their potential for inducing lasting behavioral changes. Haley pioneered the creation of IPN’s PsychedelX program in 2020 and 2021 along with the rest of IPN’s Research and Professional Development team (now called IPN Labs). Currently, she is working on a pioneering psilocybin-assisted therapy trial for cocaine dependence. Haley's work also delves into the parallels between psychedelic-induced states and psychosis, contributing to innovative approaches in mental health treatment. Explore her research publications here: Haley Maria Dourron - Google Scholar.
Bridging the Gap Between the Past and Present in the Psychedelic Renaissance
“It was my destiny to join a great experience”- This quote by Herman Hesse welcomed attendees to the 2023 biannual Psychedelic Science Conference hosted by MAPS in Denver, Colorado. Like hundreds of others in the crowd, I was filled with excitement and awe at being present for the world’s largest gathering of psychedelic enthusiasts.
Integrating Psychedelics and Paralysis: Understanding Non-Obvious Risks Before Pursuing Likely Rewards
A setting sun paints the San Diegan marine clouds a pastel palette as onlookers atop a coastal bluff wait for the famous green flash. Down below on the beach two gentlemen anticipate a different flash. Both have exited their wheelchairs for seats on the sand, the beach a purposeful setting for a ritual they’ve practiced before. They’ve ingested psilocybin-containing mushrooms and, while the Pacific Southwest is surely a beautiful natural setting they might aim to reflect into the mindset they’re about to occupy, there is a more profane reason they’ve come to the beach.
The Story of My Psychedelic Book Collection
In the corner of the dark, cold storage room of my family’s basement, a collection of fascinating books awaits. Broadly about altered states of consciousness, but mostly about psychedelics, this collection covers the history, science, and cultural impact of psychedelics and altered states. Almost entirely non-fiction – with the exception of the semi-fictional narrative portions of PIHKAL and TIHKAL – the collection contains diverse formats, including hardcopies, paperbacks, digital copies, a signed copy, and limited-edition publications. Stacked precariously on top of a dresser, they await their next psychedelic-curious reader. This is their story.