Psychedelics, including ketamine, are still used as recreational drugs, and ayahuasca is used for spiritual and healing ceremonies by indigenous communities. Science, especially the science that doctors use to treat patients, has a difficult relationship with spiritual and mystical practices. The Merriam Webster online dictionary defines woo-woo as “dubiously or outlandishly mystical, supernatural, or unscientific.” Psychedelics have lived in the land of woo-woo since they were outlawed. The music is an essential part of the treatment experience and it stretches from nature sounds, to the primal, to classical music. Still, I am not shy about telling people: this is a little bit of medicine and a little bit of woo-woo!

Source: New York Times July 23, 2024 15:01 UTC