Psychedelic Science 2023

Dear Rose People, 

This week I attended a conference in Denver called Psychedelic Science, by MAPS. More than 12,000 people came, the largest gathering ever in the field. For many decades, a dedicated group of researchers has been holding the vision of a more balanced view of medicines that can change our minds, expand our consciousness, and heal past traumas. There have been several documentaries and best selling books on the use of psychedelics in therapeutic settings to cure complex PTSD, anxiety, depression and even alcoholism and opioid addiction. The research covers studies on plant medicines such as Psilocybin, Iboga and Ayahuasca, as well as synthesized molecules, such as Ketamine, MDMA and LSD. These are all very strong medicines. Some of the studies are on “hero doses” or “journey doses”, where there is massive short term perceptual change. Some of the studies are on “micro-doses”, where there is limited perceptual change, but shifts and healing are nonetheless occurring. Oregon and Colorado, and some parts of California, have already decriminalized these medicines. We think the whole world will eventually go in this direction, as the data on human benefit is irrefutable. Sometimes life in a human body needs more of a reset than our normal states of consciousness can provide.  

Like many of you, I was raised in the era of “this is your brain on drugs”, where the text was accompanied by a picture of a fried egg in a pan. I didn’t know then that the “war on drugs” was politically motivated and even politically engendered, that it was actually a “war on people”. I conflated the non-ceremonial or non-therapeutic use of drugs that create addiction and dependency with the conscious use of drugs to invite a breakthrough, a way to get behind our accumulated neuro-patterning, our fears, our injuries, the places we were frozen in our hearts and minds. Today, after 12 years of working with the plants, I believe in the selective use of these kinds of medicines to reset our psyches and spirits, in the right set and setting.  

Addiction is a serious issue- especially to alcohol, which is so incredibly poisonous to the liver, kidneys, brain - and to family systems!  Alcohol removes people from being present and attuned to those around them. Interestingly, alcohol used to be considered a depressant, but new research shows that alcohol addiction is actually opioid addiction: that alcohol converts to the opioid THIQ and is stored in the brain stem. This is what makes it so hard to quit. It’s also socially acceptable- the art and craft of wine making, of whiskeys, of beer, of mixology is highly celebrated. For women in particular, wine o’ clock is a running joke. Marijuana has many benefits, but can cloud our perception. While it’s not my medicine of choice, I’m glad it’s available, as it such a blessing plant for so many. Opioids lessen pain, but also steal your wealth, health and relationships. It is the habitual and unconscious use of altering substances that causes problems.

This also applies to other kind of addictions, like sex and shopping. That said, the research is in:

• If you have relationship problems, doing a therapeutic counseling session with MDMA will shift things.
• If you have trauma locked up in your system, even from combat experience, Psilocybin will likely help.
• If you have generalized anxiety, Ketamine therapy will help.
• If you are an alcoholic, Iboga (or microdosing Psilocybin) will help.

And these are one time things....you won’t be stuck on a lifelong prescription, or a lifelong addiction to be at home in your body.  I went to the Denver conference to introduce a different idea: our vision of gentle plant allies and healers, beyond the big mega-flora that create these cathartic healing experiences mentioned above, to the ones that help us in our everyday life. Everywhere on earth where humans have settled, plants have co-arisen to deal with the common ailments of life in a human body.

• If you are one of the 1 in 3 people who are anxious or depressed, and are considering pharmies, try plants first.
• If you have pain or inflammation and don’t want to become addicted to opioids, try plants first.
• If you are having trouble opening your heart, try plants first. 

Plants that bring you into your body, don’t create a cognitive distortion, and aren’t addictive. I brought along our Heart (anxiety, depression, heart opening, empathogenic) and Ease (body pain, inflammation, tension) gummies, we gave out samples, and people responded very well. This morning I received this note from one of the people I met there: “My wife and I bought the Kanna gummies, and it’s amazing how transformative it is. Thank you!” Personally, I have the Heart gummies before a date night, and the Ease gummies whenever I have joint pain or body discomfort, as it is an analgesic that works on non-opioid pathways, and non-addictive. 

People. Practices. Plants. 

 My belief in plants is how we formulated our topical products also: bisabolol, damiana, ashwaghanda, schizandra, rose, witch hazel, arnica montana… each of these plant molecules or extracts has a role to play in intimate wellness. They are all research-backed for their positive impact on our tender skin, and just right for vulva and vaginal care.

Nature provides.


We are the medicine for each other.

We do practices to help feel whole and good.

Sometimes, we turn to plants to help. 

 May you be happy, whole and complete today and everyday.

 If you have any questions on these topics, I'm happy to answer or refer you to other experts. 

Christine Marie Mason

Founder, Rosebud Woman