Hi Reader,

🍄 Raves, Ceremonies & Psychedelic Healing

Can a rave heal your childhood trauma?

Might seem like a strange question, but science is starting to say... yes.

A recently published 2025 study tracked 85 people with rough childhoods. They took psychedelics in two settings: traditional ceremonies and modern raves. No therapist’s couch or clipboard.

Both groups showed significant drops in trauma symptoms and shame, as well as stronger feelings of connection. The improvements lasted months.

This new study found that what matters most isn’t the setting, it’s the experience.

• Ego dissolution softens old stories and shame.
• Emotional breakthroughs shake loose what’s been buried and repressed.
• Communitas — that sense of we ’re-in-this-together — helps heal isolation.

The findings of the study challenge us to rethink our assumptions about what therapy is and where it can happen.

Although raves might not be for everyone, I think this study means that we should be asking what the clinical models of psychedelic therapy can learn from the vibrant and dynamic cultures of raves and ceremonies.

Are there aspects of ritual, music, movement, and human connection that might be incorporated?

Although my preferred psychedelic setting is still something that looks more like psychedelic therapy for the most part (I do like that controlled and comfortable environment) I’ve felt the magic outside of that too. A cherished memory is when I took LSD at a Sigur Rós gig a couple years ago. The set built and cracked me open... tears, beauty, and mettā for all beings.

Have you ever had a breakthrough at a gig, festival or rave?

And if you mostly stick to solo trips or classic therapy, what piece of the rave or ceremony could you weave in next time? A group session for a sense of communitas? Or perhaps a section for movement to shake your ass?

Hit reply and share your thoughts. I might share a few in a future letter!

And if you’re curious, here’s a piece I wrote a while back about how society could rethink our relationship with psychoactive substances I feel is relevant to this topic:

📖 The Ideal Society in terms of Psychoactive Substances

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🎵Psychedelic Supplements

Still gets me...

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Sometimes just wanna do nothing...

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And psssst, if you’re more of an MDMA-at-a-concert person (or curious about how to do it well), I wrote a guide for that too. Most of it applies to psychedelics as well. Read it here.​

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📚 Microdose of Wisdom

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🎧 Psychedelic Playlist Tool – Help Me Help You!

Yes, I'm still working on my psychedelic playlist finder tool. Soon it’ll be an intuitive tool, fully searchable by mood, substance, genre, and more, designed to take your journeys deeper. But first, I want your input to make sure it’s exactly what you need.

Could you take 2 mins to fill out this quick survey? You’ll be entered into a prize draw for free or discounted access to the upgraded version.

This'll be the last time I ask as I put together finishing touches to it!

👉 Take the quick survey (and enter the draw for free access!)

Or forward to a friend so they can win too!

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❤️ Love and mettā,

John

John Robertson​
​Psychedelic Facilitator & Educator​
​Maps of the Mind​

Webdelics' Top 100 Psychedelic Thought Leaders and Content Creators​ 2025
Buzzfeed Top 20 Psychedelic Blogs and Websites 2025

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