Psychedelic Society of Utah

“My background in biochemistry helped me understand the science, but it didn't prepare me for the harsh realities of healthcare innovation. I discovered that available treatments rarely represent the best possible solutions. They represent only what can successfully navigate the labyrinth of regulation, market forces, and implementation challenges.

Even brilliant innovations fail to reach patients for countless reasons: regulatory hurdles, manufacturing limitations, marketing missteps, or simply because they don't fit neatly into existing healthcare systems.

The gap between what's scientifically possible and what actually reaches patients represents an enormous lost opportunity for those who need help now.

Utah stands at a crossroads. Our mental health statistics demonstrate a clear need for innovative approaches, and the research on psychedelic therapy shows remarkable promise. While our legislative efforts have faced setbacks, the unanimous passage of SB 266 in 2024 demonstrates bipartisan recognition of the problem.

As we prepare for future legislative sessions, we must focus on building broader coalitions, addressing practical implementation challenges, and emphasizing the human cost of inaction. With Utah's su***de rate 61% higher than the national average, we cannot afford to wait.

The path forward may be complex, but the potential to save lives and alleviate suffering makes this effort worthwhile. As a biochemist, an advocate, and a member of the Utah community, I remain committed to advancing evidence-based solutions to our state's mental health crisis.”

Dr. Steven Christiansen serves as Medical Strategy Director for the Utah Patients Coalition and was a speaker at the Psychedelic Society of Utah's recent conference.

Utah's Psychedelic Therapy Legislation: Progress and Challenges What are Utah's psychedelic laws? What psychedelics are legal in Utah? What is happening with m**a and psilocybin assisted therapy in Utah? Dr. Christiansen sheds light on current legislation, future advocacy goals, and what you can do to help.

We toured Utah’s new mental health crisis center last week and couldn’t help but wonder…what would a mental health crisis center look like, what services would it provide, what kind of professionals would be there if it followed the underlying principals of psychedelic assisted therapies/wellness?

If you have put a significant amount of thought into this topic, fill out the weekly discussion topic form in and your idea could be featured!

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Tyson C Kunz’ path to psychedelic facilitation began through personal healing and ceremonial work. “I was introduced to peace circles early in my life,” he shared. “Through these sacred spaces, I learned that healing happens in community, in movement, and in honoring our ancestors.”

His work is influenced by Indigenous healing traditions, focusing on ritual, storytelling, and embodiment as tools for processing psychedelic experiences. “Ceremony has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” he said. “When we engage with psychedelics, we’re engaging with something ancient—something that calls for reverence and responsibility.”

Embodied Psychedelic Healing: Embracing Life’s Cycles with Circles Tyson Kunz Tyson Kunz, a somatic and psychedelic integration coach and co-founder of Rabbit Hole Wellness, shared his expertise on embodied healing, pe

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Dr. Higgins’ introduction to altered states was unconventional—her first psychedelic-like experience occurred in an MRI machine following a car accident. “The drumming started, and suddenly, I was in Africa,” she recalled. “There was a fire, stars above, and I was walking with a jaguar. It was the coolest thing that had ever happened to me.”

This experience introduced her to theta brainwave states, which are associated with deep relaxation, subconscious insights, and heightened creativity. As she later discovered, sonic induction through rhythmic drumming can reliably induce similar states, offering a powerful tool for those seeking non-chemical psychedelic experiences.

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Psychedelics, Death, and Sonic Induction: Insights from Dr. Jude Higgins Dr. Higgins emphasized that psychedelic experiences do not always require medicine. “With the growing interest in psychedelics, we also need

1 in 5-7 women experience postpartum depression.

60-80% experience “baby blues” (tearfulness, mood swings).

Su***de is the #1 cause of maternal mortality.

Current treatments—SSRIs, SNRIs, and antipsychotics—often take weeks to work and may require stopping breastfeeding, adding another layer of stress for new parents. “We need new ideas,” Kincaid emphasized.

Read more:

Psychedelics for Perinatal Mental Health With Kate Kincaid CMHC LPC Birth is often described as a psychedelic experience—a state of non-ordinary consciousness, deeply emotional and physically overwhelming. Wh

Utah Patient Coalition is doing incredible advocacy work!

S*xuality and intimacy are deeply neurochemical and psychological experiences. Jeff Lundgren outlined key neurotransmitters involved in both sexual function and psychedelic states, including:

Serotonin – Regulates mood, but paradoxically drops during peak sexual experiences to allow dopamine-driven pleasure.

Dopamine – Drives reward and desire, reinforcing intimacy and connection.

Oxytocin – Known as the “bonding hormone,” oxytocin fosters emotional closeness and trust (especially heightened by M**A).

Glutamate & Norepinephrine – Fuel arousal, motivation, and cognitive engagement, contributing to sexual drive and function.

“Psychedelics and sexual experiences share neurochemical parallels, making them uniquely suited for addressing sexual dysfunction and intimacy challenges,” Lundgren explained.

Psychedelic Assisted S*x and Relationship Therapy With Clinician and Author Jeff Lundgren CMHC CST PATP S*xuality and intimacy are deeply neurochemical and psychological experiences. Lundgren outlined key neurotransmitters involved in both sexu

Are we ready as a society for the healing and teaching psychedelics offer?

Are there systems that need shifting before we’re ready?

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