Part of TheraPsil’s 4-pillar mission is public education and we feel very strongly that sharing stories and amplifying patient voices is one of the best tools to break down stigmas and educate the public, healthcare providers, and the government about psilocybin-therapy.
As such, TheraPsil is very proud to support Thank You Plant Medicine Day, February 20th, 2021 where individuals and organizations across the world will be sharing stories of healing and gratitude for plant medicines and psychedelics. In honor of this day, we have compiled stories from some of the individuals we have supported in accessing legal-psilocybin therapy in Canada so you can read and hear first-hand how psilocybin mushrooms (which is not a plant, but rather a fungi and is classified as a psychedelic), in combination with therapy, is improving lives.
#ThankYouPlantMedicine - Stories of Gratitude
“Cancer introduced a level of anxiety into my life that was both new, and incredibly debilitating. Like so many people facing a terminal diagnosis, I was faced with dealing with this new reality and I discovered that I did not have any tools at my disposal that were effective.
I had fortunately heard of the psilocybin studies that were recently conducted by Johns Hopkins University, so I was aware that it was an option. Further investigation into these studies quickly provided me with enough information to realize that psilocybin could very well be the tool I was looking for.
TheraPsil assisted me both with the application for my section 56 exemption and with finding a therapist who was familiar with the use of psilocybin in a clinical setting. Their expertise and experience were a huge benefit for me, and I'm very grateful to them for making a stressful time in my life easier.
It would not be an overstatement to say that psilocybin has had a transformative effect on my life, and all of it has been positive.
It has restored a significant amount to my quality of life, and has tremendously reduced the level of daily anxiety that I experience.
If you or someone you love suffers from the same levels of anxiety that my terminal diagnosis gave me, then I hope that psilocybin is an option that is available for you to consider. If you could receive even a fraction of the relief that I have experienced, then it would be a worthwhile pursuit.
- Thomas Hartle, Saskatchewan
"Plant-based medicine...when humans realize that the current reality is but ONE default mode....free your mind! Thanks, TheraPsil and Team, when reading about classical psychedelic stories, you can wrap your mind around it.
Living it is priceless!”
- Christian F, British Columbia
“I’ve been pretty open over the last year or so about how psilocybin helped me in my fight with cancer. It helped me to deal with all the anxiety, grief, anger, and guilt that I was feeling and the black cloud of cancer that had been hovering over me was gone. That changed everything for me.
Psilocybin didn’t just help me though, it has helped my whole family as well. My husband and kids are worried about me, of course - they don’t want to lose me. But they are seeing me enjoy my life, whatever is left of it, rather than living in fear of dying. I laugh a lot and I’m finding joy in the little things. Relationships are closer and so much sweeter because I appreciate them so much more.
We are also able to talk openly about what is happening. My kids know that they are probably losing their Mom, but that she is and will be ok. I have bad days too, but I’m able to give myself the space I need to just be ok with feeling bad. Mostly, though, I am engaging in life, enjoying each day.
I know that I will probably die from cancer, but I don’t have to be a victim of it. I’m just not suffering any more thanks to my psilocybin trips. What a great gift that’s been to me and my family.”
- Laurie Brooks, British Columbia
“[After my psilocybin journey] there was such peace and comfort that I was able to let go of my trauma and
I was at peace...For the first time, I feel like I have won the battle in my mind and my anxiety and depression seem to be gone...
I am so strongly into the belief that these medicines should be free for everybody to use with the beautiful people who are willing to guide us. This shouldn’t be illegal. That is just not right”
Healthcare Provider Perspective
"Randomized controlled trials from prestigious academic institutions have suggested that psilocybin (found in “magic mushrooms”), can play a significant role in alleviating psychological and existential distress when used with adequate preparation and with trained sitters/ guides.
We are very fortunate in Canada to have access to exemptions that have allowed for legal medical access to psilocybin-therapy for alleviating the suffering of my patients with terminal illnesses."
- Dr. Ryan Pachett-Marble, Rural Generalist, Marathon, Ontario
Get Involved
We encourage our community to get involved by sharing a story about how psilocybin or psilocybin-therapy has impacted your life today, on February 20th 2021, in whatever way feels most comfortable: either with your loved ones or on social media by text, photo, or video, using the hashtag #ThankYouPlantMedicine.
You may also want to sign the pledge on the Thank You Plant Medicine website to stay informed, and join the Thank You Plant Medicine Group on Facebook to connect with others.
If you or a loved one could benefit from psilocybin-therapy, please contact us here.
