By a father
I wrote an op-ed for COL months ago about psychedelics and my adult son’s tribulations. Read it here. The article prompted many people to reach out to me. I will share those conversations with you and some of what I learned.
I will also share the good news that my son just entered rehab. If you want to be a part of his recovery, please click here.
*
Risk vs. Reward
We constantly weigh risks and rewards in everyday decisions, yet psychedelics often evade serious scrutiny. Many people rely on a friend’s story or an internet anecdote: “I tried it, and it was a great experience,” or upon advice from a trusted authority figure—even a rabbi or psychologist. You might hear about a gathering at a trendy spot and feel it’s a hip, cutting-edge way to explore. In doing so, you may push aside your usual risk-reward evaluation instincts, opting for impulsiveness or the comfort of recommendations. But do you really know the risks?
Psychedelics May Sound Cool Until You Receive The Kinds Of Calls That I Did
Reports from parents and siblings of individuals now suffering permanent effects: schizophrenia-like symptoms, psychosis, dissociation from reality, HPPD (Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder, where users experience ongoing visual disturbances), and irreversible cognitive decline. According to the scientific literature, these effects occur in 1-5% of users.
Users with long-term effects like anxiety, depression, flashbacks (HPPD), PTSD, emotional instability, disorganized thinking, memory impairment, depersonalization, derealization, psychotic episodes, sleep disorders, or full-blown psychosis. These symptoms affect 10-30% of users and may last for years.
Users describing short-term effects during and immediately after use: mild anxiety, confusion, nausea, dizziness, hallucinations, altered perception of time, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, paranoia, euphoria, visual distortions, heightened sensory perception, dry mouth, sweating, pupil dilation, tremors, impaired coordination, disorganized thoughts, mood swings, and panic attacks. These effects occur in 50-90% of users.
Death
One heartbreaking call came from a mother whose adult child, while high, inadvertently committed suicide. Tragically, this mother discovered that she was not alone and told me of other mothers that she came to know and the circumstances of their childrens’ psychedelic deaths.
Marijuana
Other parents called whose children were severely and permanently impacted by marijuana, which has become increasingly potent and is often laced with synthetic drugs.
S Abuse
I also became aware of the high risk of intimate abuse linked to psychedelics. These substances lower inhibitions and distort reality, leaving users more vulnerable to manipulation and assault—or even causing them to initiate reckless behavior themselves.
Vaping
Vaping slips under the radar as a harmful activity; nearly any drug, including psychedelics, can be vaped. This method amplifies the effects of already harmful substances, increasing both absorption and the associated risks.
Risky Perspectives vs. Reality Deflection
A promoter of these substances who refers to himself as a rabbi, called me to express empathy but claimed that my son’s suffering was due to his inability to “integrate” the psychedelic experience. He essentially blamed my son for the aftermath rather than the drugs themselves.
Mental Illness Stats
20% of the population experiences mild to serious mental illness in any given year, and an additional 15-30% of the population is predisposed to mental illness but may not develop it unless triggered by certain factors (e.g., trauma, stress, substance abuse). That’s a total of 35-50% out of all of us.
Alibis
Proponents of psychedelics often deflect with a mantra-like excuse: “Those who suffered from psychedelics were already predisposed to mental illness. [Sure, it’s a risk, but the benefit for the rest of us is so great. Their suffering is due to genetic destiny, and the rest of us—99.9999%—are safe and immune from any lasting bad effects.]”
Firstly, this self-deceptive anecdotal sophistry ignores the stats that 35-50% of the population is at extreme risk for psychedelic harm from the get-go.
Secondly, there are many among the other half of the population not predisposed to mental illness, who are now suffering long-term effects and some who have even lost their lives.
The Medicine Argument
Some argue that there is emerging research supporting psychedelics as medicine. But what exactly are these powerful, often debilitating drugs treating or curing? Might the serious and abundant side effects make them too risky for most people to experiment with? Might the efficacy be so clinically insignificant vs the risks, that it’s back to the drawing board for real scientists to analyze and investigate, and time for the promoters and hucksters to find another vocation?
Witch Doctors, Culture, and Ontological Shock
The shaman chants in a foreign tongue while leading the pseudo-religious ceremony, handing out Ayahuasca or mushrooms. Ayahuasca is often represented to be the body of ayahuasca mama that is imbibed as part of the ritual, like wine and bread during Christian ceremonies, and similarly, mushrooms are viewed by the Aztecs as the “flesh of G-d.”
The cultural and pharmaceutical shock of these drugs often leads to a deeper ontological upheaval; unfamiliar worldviews, foreign practices, and the depersonalization, derealization, and dissociation induced by the drugs themselves can create a volatile mix, a Molotov cocktail to the self, devastating many participants both in the short and long term.
Gurus and Pushers
Why are friends, rabbis, and professionals encouraging people to attend retreats, parties, and gatherings to use these dangerous substances? If the scientific literature shows that certain plant compounds have medicinal potential, shouldn’t we leave it to scientists to develop controlled treatments prescribed by medical doctors?
Questions for the Promoters
Why are select friends, rabbis, and professionals stepping out of their lane and pushing illicit drugs for purported healing and escape? If it’s all about healing, what happened to the Hippocratic dictum that all doctors live by: “First, do no harm”?
Have these friends and pseudo-healers exhausted promoting “over-the-counter” remedies like a whole food diet, good sleep, and exercise?—proven methods of discipline that cure most modern diseases and profoundly benefit mental health, but take real work.
Have the promoters run out of enriching experiences to recommend? Is the world so limited in captivating and meaningful adventures that the only alternative is to escape reality with a fleeting, virtual, drug-induced high that could ruin your life?
The Rebbe did not support this; see here. Additionally, these drugs have a cultural cultish component interwoven in their use that is anathema to Yiddishkeit. How is it that some Rabbis, therapists, seeming intellectuals, mothers, fathers, and even grandparents are getting swept up into this?
Let’s connect: 718 540-8307. I’m launching CoolDrugs.org so that the public can submit short personal videos to tell their story of personal or witnessed psychedelic harm. You are invited.
Thank you for sharing!
Wishing your son a refuah sheleima
Unfortunately, the new age mentality has hit Chabad especially CH 50 years late. Hippie idealogies are big in CH. They don’t realize the dangers.
If only people learnt history…
You are a lucky man. And your son is very fortunate to have you. TFS. I wish parents knew that their young adult children smoke weed and experiment w “mild” drugs in apts here in CH. Girls try it as a social thing, the way one might’ve tried a cigarette back in my day. The mix of alcohol (l’chaim) and drugs today is awful and scary. The youth just don’t have the depth of understanding to appreciate that it is ruining their health and life.
Thank you again for bringing awareness to this issue. It’s essential we continue to educate our children about the dangers involved. The more they hear about where this road can lead them, the more they will think twice before taking that first step. Its a crazy upside down world we live in. And its scary and confusing that legitimate people are advocating these methods of escaping reality. I think it has alot to do with instant gratification. Too many people are willing to try an exciting, quick fix rather than putting in the hard work it takes to nurturing their… Read more »
First of all the letter of the rebbe is about LSD being used for spirituality Many people using psychedelic treatments in the frum community is to treat anxiety and depression, and second but more important what do you have to say to the countless people who’ve tried medication and therapy but the only thing that managed to help them not be suicidal was psychedelics, You can’t say that we should ban all knives or all guns because there is violence in the world, people overdose every single day on every type of substance the problem is not the psychedelic medicine… Read more »
You don’t seem to think they should be subject to studies, warnings etc. So many of us were up in arms because the covid injections didn’t have enough years of studies. We also are concerned about how studies even over years on vaccines and standard medicine and procedures are done. Yes, we’re frustrated about AMA style insufficient or warped seeming regulations, warnings etc (though a lot of traditional medicine is required to have so many warnings now to protect from law suits). With natural drugs suddenly there’s NO regulations, no warnings, no willingness to listen to this presentation of some… Read more »
What did these type of people do before drugs were a thing? Suicide rates have only gone up in recent years..
I am a baal teshuva and hate to say that I have a much better upbringing than many of you, religion is a duty for each Jew but for sure doesn’t make you better and no person can correct their soul using drugs , rabbis encouraging these practices are low IQ , fake and guilty of the destruction of whoever they advise. People are lost in mimicking , pretending they understand The Rebbe instructions but most are bots, robots acting out of routine. G-d forbid any people associates with my kids with people defending drugs. Is a miracle I am… Read more »
Your entire comment is full of ironies, but your most ironic grievance is that everyone is “condescending.”
The pot calling the kettle black.
Is this why countles people were committing suicide before psychedelics were introduced, and since then the number dropped dramatically?
How exactly are you doing your statistics?
by educating themselves. there is a new book that came out on amazon called Marijuana and Psychedelics in Halacha: Halachic and Kabbalistic Reflection on Cannabis and Psychedelicsthis needs to be read by everyone to educate themselves on true chassidic and torah outlook on this topic.
I think this father should be putting his efforts into promoting emotional processing education for children and teens instead of making a war against psychedelics.
The real killer is the persons own lack of self-acceptance and his or her ability to process pain and grow from it. You can fight the solution all day, but don’t forget to treat the problem.
Love how whenever someone does something good u have ppl suggesting they do something else.
Thank him for what he’s doing and if you have better ideas, you are free to act on them.
So why not work on self acceptance without resorting to drugs with unpredictable side effects
Good that his father spoke up and wrote the article and didn’t give in time peer pressure because of trending drugs. When so many people convince you it’s okay and make you feel as if something is wrong with you for speaking against it or not trying it,that’s the biggest problem. Vulnerable peoples lives have been ruined.
You are advocating for a bunch of fancy therapeutic concepts, while the father is advocating that we stop supporting a dangerous drug.
Which is more practical?
Psychedelics, when used responsibly and with proper integration, can be life-changing and, in some cases, life-saving. It’s important to recognize that if you or your child are facing difficulties, it’s crucial to take responsibility for the challenges, rather than blaming psychedelics. Think of psychedelics like undergoing surgery: the procedure itself may be transformative, but without proper care, integration, and follow-up, it can have negative consequences. Just like with any powerful tool, psychedelics require thoughtful preparation, responsibility, and ongoing support to ensure their potential benefits are fully realized. They are not a magic solution, but a tool for healing and growth,… Read more »
Comparing it to a serious operation shows this drug isn’t safe. Surgery is usually performed for life saving measures. Who said surgery can’t have terrible side effects and take a person weeks to recover from. Yes thy need p roper care. So why take something that requires so much care afterwards? Doesn’t sound healing,sounds like you have to heal from it,like a serious surgery.
Why take something that requires you to heal from it “like a surgery” when what you’re seeking is healing?
I am starting to believe that all platitudes created by hippies in the 70s are back, maybe grandkids of them are peddling this destructive ideas. If someone is in ICU, extreme cases they will not be posting about addiction or surgery risk etc.. In the USA any person can get a prescription, heter for anxiety, depression , ADHD marijuana, psychedelic’s but if even if goyim can manage their emotions why not religious chassidic Jews ? part of life is being anxious is galus but not self destructive. DRUGS kill and destroy lives, marriages of younger people in decline for “trying… Read more »
this is nothing short of seudo science and I bet the person writing this is getting financial benefits from poisoning both adults and children with this.
It’s amazing how so many people when the Covid vaccine came out or even the epidemic considered it a hoax and refused to put anything in their body. The science was not out. The government is trying to manipulate us. They used all types of excuses. They even threw the greatest rabbi in the communities under the bus stating that they were also manipulated. But when it comes to these things, suddenly everyone is game open and ready to experiment. The average person doesn’t trust a pill from a pharmacy, but they’ll trust a bootleg suppository sold at a grocery… Read more »
You exhibit clearly the trickery of the yetzer haro, That’s 100% the craft to prey in not smart people.
This comment makes sense.
Thanks for channeling your pain into lessons for others
This is not really the place for this comment but you are absolutely right that psyechedlics can be dangerous and should not be used by everyone but I just doubt that this is the way to guide those already doing it or considering it to either take it safely (if thats an option for them) or stop if it is causing or may cause harm. What happened to your son is horrible and tragic (and I will personally try to donate something to help you) however that does not make it unsafe for everyone. There are a very large amount… Read more »
The question is not whether there’s some anecdotal evidence of effectiveness.
The question is whether the people being encouraged to try psychedelics are fully aware of the risks vs benefits before starting these treatments. Have they truly exhausted every other potential remedy with known risk/benefit profiles. Are they undergoing these treatments under proper medical supervision to monitor for adverse effects
Just throwing these drugs on people without any awareness of risk is irresponsible and harmful.
Yeah that is absolutely correct %100 and is insanely important to inform people and do more research. But all im saying is that the solution is not to say never do it in any circumstance and its horrible just because to some people it has negative effects, if you do that you are just doing the same the “new age hype” (which im not even sure what that means) because now you are depriving those it can ACTUALLY save from getting help. Point is there needs to be actual research into this from a place of authenticity not just fighting… Read more »
Do we have ANY statistics on this?
Please provide links to the studies that show these rates of lasting/permanent side effects?
even though it’s very hard to make studies in mental wards and cemeteries. But the main point is it’s not this father’s responsibility to “provide links.” Ahem: He’s a little busy and in a situation of tremendous stress. “Please provide” donations to his son’s rehab. Have a heart.
If he wants to bring awareness about this issue, he better have the time to do that.
However, I think it is MUCH more important for those advocating for psychedelics to provide proof and studies that they are extremely helpful with minimal harm than for those against it.
There is no reason to take a random drug just because you have no proof that it is harmful. You need prove that it is SAFE.
Keep up the fight against this new wave of “therapy”. You voice what many others are thinking.
Under just the right(or wrong) circumstances (it’s not scientifically established which), any random person could be susceptible to experience a very negative, damaging and scary experience. What is called a “bad trip” (1 in 200 chance) can be itself a very traumatic experience. there is no worst place to be than a mental prison of panic and anxiety.
Majority I’ve heard from have bad side effects,its just trending so to admit it is unpopular.
Renowned Jewish speakers are amongst those pushing and encouraging this. Why? Is someone behind him.
These leaders need to be held accountable
Probably there getting some gelt.
After years of suffering from depression and taking different meds that did not lift my depression but just made me feel numb on top of it, I was hoping that this could help me.
I am now afraid to do this treatment, is there ever a safe way ? are there success stories ?
dont do it
yes, just make sure to research properly which medicine you are using and the person you are using it with.
I’m so sorry that you are going through this. There are amazing holistic approaches that you can take that may help. Going to an energy healer, acupuncture or gem therapist may be the answer. This will also make you feel like yourself without negative side affects.
Hatzlacha!
Yes there are many successful stories, but it does not mean there are no risks. Look around for qualified people (not just with a degree but as a person) who can give you better advice in this field if you are genuinely suffering and not rely on an article online here from someone who is clearly biased and not coming from a healthy place.
Try S. John’s Wort for depression. Its all natural, little to no side effects and really helps!
I’m sure you mean well. Just: Natural medicine is still medicine. Those who are genetically predisposed to manic depression/biopalar are at risk of manic depression/bipolar being triggered in themselves from certain rx SSRI’s as well as the over the counter natural S. John’s wort. I’m sure you meant well. Both main stream psychiatrists who prescribe SSRIs (against depression and anxiety) and properly trained alternative practitioners who recommend S. John’s Wort (like SSRIs but natural) are usually aware of this. Some people are probably very helped, thank You, Hashem, by different psychiatric and herbal medicine. But it has to be specifically… Read more »
St. John’s wort interacts with many medications. If you want to take it speak to your doctor first.
I was on meds suggested by my therapist. They weren’t helping at all. I switched therapists, got off the meds, and started healing. No meds, no drugs. What I (ppl?) needed was a good therapist (not all of them are so if it ain’t working, switch) and to put in the work (speaking, unpacking, breathing exercises, meditation etc).
And it feels soo much better. Instead of just trying to make yourself feel good, you’re really healing the things inside of you, and getting to be your real self you never knew existed. It’s amazing
The answer is no.
I can’t say anything on this particular method in the article as I am not well versed in it. Though I can give some guidance on some natural roots.
Emotion code / body code
Cranialsacral
Emdr
Tapping
Mekubalim
I struggled for years (16 years old to 29 years old) with depression and anxiety, the debilitating kind, and once I added more protein to my diet, went from 1 serving of animal red meat protein a week to 2-3, my mental health improved. Stop eating so much grass and add more meat to your diet. try to cut the 5 evil whites: WHITE SUGAR, FLOUR, RICE, PASTA, POTATOS.
Look into a proper psychedelic informed therapist who can make a referral to a psychiatrist. There is a proper and safe way to go about it (taking it in a therapists office etc.) provided you’re the right fit. Definitely do proper research first to make sure you’re going to someone who is a good fit for you and who is professional and competent.
I admire your strength.
These are less known holistic modalities I found immense relief and deep healing through, that I highly recommend.
There’s TAT (Tapas Accupuncture Technique) energy release modality that has helped me tremendously.
There’s cranial sacral therapy
There’s the chiropractor which incorporates electrical stimulation
There’s homeopathy too that can help while working thru the tough stuff.
Good luck in your journey!! With determination and perseverance, you’ll get really far! You have the tools and strength in you❤️ it’s tough but it’s so worth it 💪
For some, psychedelics have been life changing. For some, it can really be harmful. That’s why, this should be done only by someone with knowledge, wisdom, and experience. There should obviously be a consultation before hand, To insure this is the right thing, and the right time, and the right dose. for this particular person. Must be also done in a safe setting. It is a medicine, and should be treated as such. follow up is crucial. and most importantly, INTEGRATION. To help integrate into day to day life. It’s like saying surgery is not for everyone. Not every person… Read more »
Of course this is helpful. Many of us are considering it and it’s extremely important to know all of this. Ty to the author for taking the time to share this in order to help others.
I think bad name. Misleading.
Should be something like
Drugdanger
can the author post all the helpful solutions you found to fix the problems they caused
Psychedelics and other drugs have sometimes done damage that haven’t been reversed. But tefilla can help. We want Moshiach now.
Idk, and my research didn’t uncover much in the way of medical therapies or recuperative protocol to recover. I do know though, that the Abishter created in each of us a remarkable miraculous physical body that we generally don’t appreciate or honor. Its constitution and function is mind blowing. For example, we each have over 60,000 miles of blood vessels, flowing and processing and doctors know some but they don’t know the totality of how it all works. Our bodies are self regulating in a zillion ways and that includes constant healing and repair. We need to feed it well,… Read more »
It is interesting that while you bring up many numbers, you haven’t added a link to any proof of these numbers. A simple Google search will lead you to many scientific research articles showing that things are not as simple as you make them out to be.
That being said, I am sorry for your pain and wish your son a refuah shleima.
I’m so sorry to hear about your son and his story. However you provide no sources or facts to any of the “science” you are talking about. They are very much still searching into this to see the affects it has. The fact you use the Rebbes letter as a proof is just a way of you seeing in the Rebbe what you want to see and not analyzing the letter objectively. If the Rebbe was against there would have been a clear this is not what we do, and no where in that letter do I find that direction.… Read more »
Rabbi Simon Jacobson presents the same letter when discussing psychedelics even though his discussion was not a “warning” with any particular bias. He was responding to viewers’ questions about a trend etc. It is a brocha that this letter was found during this crisis. As usual, the Rebbe seeing ahead sixty years. Read the letter.
I would note that the rebbe in this letter specifically says the following “which have a place only if they are necessary for the physical health”
The rebbe was only pointing out that this is not the way to achieve ruchnius, but clearly leaves room for those that need it for physical (which includes emotional) health
We need to teach our kids from a young age how to manage their feelings. Build healthy habits that focus on the body. This will make big prevention shifts.
A quick fix is just perpetuating the problem of emotional regulation issues. But it’s not cool to object to the new age drugs.
You are a brave man that fight for your son’ wellbeing , you can educate teens, and youth. But they need alternative ways to release their energy, to fight with anxiety and depression. Sometimes I feel that we are so focusing on Shlihus and forgot that our Shlihus is here in CH. When last time you said something when you saw something? We need to wake up and be responsible not for our kids but for all the neighborhood.
Drugs aren’t always bad for everyone nor always good for everyone.
Everyone is similar and different.
Why someone chooses to do something, their circumstances, and the outcomes, can differ.
We would very much like to be in a reality in which things are constant and fixed so that we control our existence, but it’s just not our reality
Try your best to exercise thoughtful consideration, research and advice before ingesting things that make changes. Every time.
May all make healthy choices and peace reign on earth
Cannabis purchased in licensed NY State shops (like it or not one just opened in CH) is not “often laced with synthetic drugs”, it is regulated and tested by the NYS Cannabis Control Board, and the shops are quite strict about not selling to minors since they don’t want their licenses revoked.
The potency of weed today is a few times more potent than just a short few years ago. Vape it and it’s as if you are upping todays dose of THC by a factor of 2 to 4x because of the efficiency of the delivery system. If your vape meets your mouth more often than your lips would inhale off a joint, you have magnified your THC intake off the charts. Notice the progression of my description, The delivered amount of THC is exponentially higher with example outlined. Do the rough math. And btw, I got pretty of calls from… Read more »
Potency just means you can smoke less and get more THC into your system.
I see that youve been responding to a few messages and tried to leave a message on your website but kept getting a server error.
I think that you have the motivation and focus to help our community (and by extension the world) and would love to chat about some ideas.
How can I contact you to have a mentschlech conversation?
It should not be lost or forgotten that funding is desperately needed to pay for this for this young man’s treatment ! It’s a real case Pikuach Nefesh
Which rabbis are promoting psychedelics? Why is no rabbinical ordination looking into this?
After turning 30, I hit some major low points in my life that led me to explore psychedelics. At my worst, I decided to try mushrooms and ayahuasca, and they completely transformed my life, helping me reclaim a sense of purpose and well-being. Now, I use mushrooms about once a year. Each time, the experience is incredibly therapeutic—I always sit down afterward and write a few pages reflecting on the insights I gain, which I later review with my therapist. Mental health struggles are more prevalent than ever, and for me, this approach has been far more effective than traditional… Read more »
You sound like an addict and delusional. People need to be careful of people like this that influence others and take them down with them.
When I was young, a long time ago, I and my friends experimented with pot. I stopped, but many of my friends went on to LSD and other drugs and I saw them totally ruin their lives.
B”H, I became frum and never tried drugs again. But the other people I knew are totally messed up and can’t live normal lives again.
My message: pot and other low level uppers look interesting and attractive to try, but try to get your high by pract what is written in Tanya and get close to HaShem instead.
Growing up reform in CA – I’ve seen everything under the sun. I gave up that lifestyle, even yoga, I was shown a letter from the Rebbe saying that this was a form of prayer even without saying the words. Decades later it is normalized in chabad houses, mixed seating at kiddushes, and mixed “frum” singing events. A lot of the frum influencers presenting a lifestyle that reminds me of my days in reform temple, even down to the dress. We gave up that life, but now our kids are circling right back to it. These are not new practices… Read more »
The subject of psychedelics is now upon us whether we like it or not. I think everyone will benefit from having both sides present their arguments in a public setting similar to how podcasts are done or debates are done for political purposes. Everyone can hear both sides articulated and see what rings true. Most people in the comments have no experience or have done any real research and they’re opposing side. They just know the standard propaganda/opinions that they are already biased towards. It’s time to elevate the discussion from yelling at each other angrily to having our best… Read more »
I remember in the 1970s people came to be baalei tshuva. They threw away the psychodelic drugs for the ruchnius of being with the rebbe in fabrengen. We had no need for psychodelics as we got our high from ruchnius. Now we dont see the rebbe. We arent with him in fabrengen to get a torah high, better than psychodelics. Its a totally different world. Our youth are looking for that high since they dont see and live ruchnius as we did then. So they look in the wrong places for it. We truly need moshiach. Taking st johns wort… Read more »
When I was in college 60 years ago, a nice Jewish boy took LSD, thought he could fly, jumped out the window, and died. A few years later a friend of mine, who was into recreational drugs but then was just starting to become frum, got behind the wheel of a little red Toyota after smoking something, skidded on ice, and was killed by a tractor-trailer truck. He felt invincible and was too high to use good judgment and not drive, especially in icy weather. Why are people not learning from 60 years of human mistakes and still beating the… Read more »
I became an addiction counselor specifically working with the families rather than their loved ones because the family is the best way to recovery. The program I am involved with has several frum counselors and is great for our community because you can remain totally anonymous and not have to go to meetings in person. For more info contact BALM family recovery and please tell them Frumma sent you.
I think the reason these substances are used so widely in our community is a lack of mental health support organizations.. amudim, neshamos.. do they really help enough for this to not be the option it is?