McPsychedelics: The Rise of Psychedelic Individualism
The psychedelic renaissance isn’t new—it’s been quietly gaining momentum since the early 1990s. However, what we’re witnessing now is a peculiar new phase, one that’s both promising and concerning. This latest chapter, which I like to call McPsychedelics, takes the profound potential of these substances and packages them into convenient, ego-serving, and often profit-driven experiences which contribute to the economic and consumerist systems that cause the need for healing.
Much like McMindfulness, which diluted the transformative power of mindfulness and secularized Buddhism into something marketable and superficial, McPsychedelics represents a commercialization of sacred medicine that often contradicts the wisdom these ancient plant and fungi organisms impart. Rather than fostering genuine self-discovery or collective healing, we’re seeing psychedelics being used—intentionally or unwittingly—as tools for self-serving, ego-enhancing purposes.
This phase of the psychedelic renaissance reflects our current societal set and setting, one steeped in materialism and individualism. As psychedelics intersect with this hyper-commercialized culture, their original teachings about reciprocity, interconnection, nature, and the dissolution of self are at risk of being overshadowed.
Yet, as troubling as McPsychedelics may be, it is important to remember that this is only one side of the story. Beneath the commercialization, there remains a deeper potential for psychedelics to lead us back to something sacred—our connection to nature, Mother Earth, and perhaps even to a universally recognized sense of the divine.
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What is McPsychedelics?
McPsychedelics takes many forms.
One of the most visible is the rise of social media influencers and self-styled “shamans” who market themselves as spiritual guides after only minimal personal experience with psychedelics. Platforms like Instagram are flooded with posts promoting the latest plant medicine retreat or microdosing regimen. These influencers present themselves as experts, yet many have only scratched the surface of these powerful substances. Their messages often cater to ego-enhancement rather than true self-exploration and service, emphasizing the idea that psychedelics will help you optimize your life, boost productivity, or find instant liberation—if you’re willing to pay for their guidance, of course.
Another prominent manifestation of McPsychedelics is the surge in wellness retreats. Targeting affluent individuals like "paradigm-shifting visionaries" and "conscious entrepreneurs," these retreats often promise profound transformation for a high price. While the settings may be luxurious, the focus is more on optimizing personal performance and success than on genuine, community-oriented healing. Instead of fostering deeper connections to nature or addressing the root causes of suffering, many of these retreats offer shallow experiences designed to cater to a wealthy clientele in search of quick fixes and self-fulfillment.
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of McPsychedelics is the corporate and legal exploitation of traditional psychedelic practices. Companies like Compass Pathways have attempted to patent basic therapeutic components such as sound systems, hand-holding, and soft furniture—elements that have been integral to psychedelic healing for centuries. This corporate move raises ethical questions about how the commodification of psychedelics may restrict access to these therapies in the future, favouring profit over the wellbeing of people.
At its most harmful, McPsychedelics also includes unethical practices in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Some therapists exploit their clients by crossing boundaries and justifying inappropriate behavior as part of the "healing process." These abuses not only harm individuals but also threaten the integrity of psychedelic therapy as a whole, casting doubt on its legitimacy as a healing modality.
Moreover, there is a darker undercurrent to McPsychedelics, where individuals use psychedelics to reinforce dangerous ideologies. Instead of fostering empathy and self-awareness, some people misuse these substances to validate extreme views or promote harmful behavior. This distortion of psychedelics represents a complete betrayal of their traditional purpose and highlights the risks of these substances being co-opted by those seeking to promote control, division, or manipulation.
In all its forms, McPsychedelics reflects the contradictions of a culture that seeks to commodify the sacred. By commercializing psychedelics, we risk stripping them of their beneficial potential and reducing them to yet another product for personal and economic gain.
Tradition & the Sacred
Before the rise of McPsychedelics and the commercialization of these substances, psychedelics—such as ayahuasca and psilocybin—were deeply embedded in the spiritual and healing practices of Indigenous cultures around the world. For centuries, these sacred medicines were used in ceremonial settings, guided by experienced shamans and healers who had cultivated a deep understanding of their power and significance. In these traditional contexts, psychedelics were seen not as tools for personal optimization or financial gain but as gateways to spirituality, communal healing, and connection with the Earth.
In cultures like those of the Shipibo people of the Amazon, ayahuasca ceremonies are conducted as collective experiences where the plant medicine is used to heal both the individual and the community. The role of the shaman is to guide participants through challenging emotional landscapes, helping them to confront pain, release suffering, and gain insights into their interconnectedness with nature and the cosmos. Similarly, psilocybin mushrooms have long been used by Mazatec communities in Mexico for healing and divination, with ceremonies designed to foster deeper connections to the natural world and to the spirit realm.
These traditional uses of psychedelics stand in stark contrast to their modern-day commercialization. The sacredness and communal focus that once defined these experiences are often lost in today’s wellness retreats and Instagram-driven spirituality. The deep reverence for the plants and fungi, the respect for the communal nature of healing, and the emphasis on spiritual guidance are frequently replaced by superficial promises of personal gain, quick fixes, and ego-driven transformations.
The tension between these traditional, ceremonial uses of psychedelics and their modern, commodified versions is at the heart of the McPsychedelics phenomenon. As we witness the rise of corporate interests and social media influencers in the psychedelic space, it's important to remember the roots of these substances in Indigenous practices that prioritize healing, connection, and respect for nature. These practices offer a reminder that psychedelics were never meant to be consumed casually or for selfish ends but rather as sacred tools for deeper healing and understanding of our place in the world.
The Shadow Side of the Psychedelic Renaissance
As the psychedelic renaissance gains momentum, it’s increasingly clear that this revival comes with a shadow—a darker side fuelled by individualism, corporatization, confusion, and exploitation. What was once a subversive movement aimed at personal and communal awakening and healing is now being reshaped by individualistic and commercial interests, leading to distortions of the traditional, and perhaps natural purpose of psychedelics.
One of the most prominent issues is the growing debate over how to legalize psychedelics. While there is a consensus that psychedelics have the potential to transform mental health treatment, the question of who controls this transformation remains a point of contention. In this new phase of McPsychedelics, corporations are vying for control, often pushing for models that prioritize profit over accessibility or safety.
Companies like Compass Pathways and ATAI Life Sciences have sought patents for standard therapeutic practices that have been part of psychedelic healing for decades, such as the use of specific sound systems, hand-holding techniques, and even the arrangement of comfortable furniture. These elements have long been understood as basic components of set and setting—an essential part of a healing session, not something to be commodified or patented.
This push for corporatization raises a troubling question: Who will have access to psychedelic therapy in the future? As pharmaceutical companies work to patent and commercialize these methods, there is a risk that the very communities who could benefit most from these therapies will be priced out or excluded entirely. The fear is that psychedelics, once tools of spiritual discovery and communal healing, could become another cog in the economic machine, available only to those who can afford high-end retreats or prescription-based access.
But the shadow doesn’t end with corporate control—it also extends to the growing presence of fraudulent guides and unethical therapists. As interest in psychedelics has exploded, so too has the number of individuals posing as shamans, healers, and therapists, exploiting vulnerable people searching for relief from trauma or mental illness. These self-proclaimed guides often lack the training or understanding necessary to safely facilitate, putting participants at risk.
In some cases, these frauds use their position of authority to take advantage of participants, financially, emotionally, or even sexually. The wave of accusations of sexual abuse by psychedelic therapists is a painful reminder that psychedelics are not a panacea and that their misuse can cause deep harm, especially when wielded by those who seek power rather than healing. These abuses not only damage the individuals involved but also cast a shadow over the entire field of psychedelic therapy, making it harder for legitimate practitioners to build trust with those who need healing the most.
At a broader level, the confusion over legalization and the corporatization of psychedelics reflects a deeper societal issue: the clash between the transformative, non-materialistic essence of psychedelics and a culture obsessed with power, money, and control. Psychedelics have the potential to show us our interconnectedness with the world, our communities, and the Earth itself. Yet, when viewed through the lens of profit-driven enterprise, their ability to transform society is diminished, reduced to a consumer product that promises individual enhancement rather than collective healing.
As the psychedelic renaissance unfolds, it is critical to be aware of these shadow elements. The same substances that have the power to heal and enlighten can also be manipulated by those seeking profit or personal gain, reinforcing the very systems that psychedelics have historically helped to challenge. The danger of McPsychedelics is that, in the pursuit of legalization and mainstream acceptance, we may lose sight of the deeper wisdom that these substances offer—wisdom that can’t be patented, commodified, or sold.
Set & Setting of the Modern World
One of the most fundamental concepts in psychedelic healing is that of set and setting—the internal mindset (set) and external environment (setting) in which the psychedelic experience takes place. Traditionally, this concept has focused on creating a space of safety, intention, and openness, where deep emotional and spiritual healing can unfold. But what happens when psychedelics are introduced into a society whose broader set and setting are defined by materialism, consumerism, and a relentless pursuit of individualistic success?
Today’s societal "set and setting" is one that values fame, wealth, and power. From social media influencers flaunting their latest luxury purchases to tech entrepreneurs optimizing every aspect of their lives for maximum productivity, the modern world has created a culture where worth is measured in dollars and followers. Into this environment enter psychedelics, substances that were once used in ceremonial and communal settings to foster deeper awareness and connection. Instead, they are now being co-opted to serve the very values they were meant to challenge.
Psychedelics are increasingly being marketed as quick-fix solutions to achieve the very things modern society prizes most—money, status, and personal power. Psychedelics, which historically have been used to transcend the ego and dissolve the illusion of separation between self and other, are now being employed in service of ego-driven pursuits. They are sold as tools for self-optimization, ways to "unlock" the secrets to greater business success or improve one’s brand on social media.
This is where the phenomenon of McPsychedelics is most evident. The promises that are being made about psychedelic healing are rarely about facing one’s shadow or embarking on a difficult inner journey. Instead, the message is clear: psychedelics can help you achieve more of what you already want, without having to change who you are or how you engage with the world. Health, happiness, and transcendence are being sold as products, available at a price and with a guarantee of results. The inconvenient truth, of course, is that genuine healing and transformation rarely come in such tidy packages.
Many corporations have jumped on the psychedelic bandwagon, eager to meet the growing demand for these substances. Their marketing strategies are designed to appeal to people’s deepest human needs—happiness, health, connection, and meaning. But rather than promoting the hard, uncomfortable work that these things often (but not always) require, they offer empty promises of a better life on the other side of a microdosing regimen or a ketamine spray. They present psychedelics as a way to fix yourself quickly, without delving into the painful or uncomfortable aspects of your psyche.
Psychedelics are powerful tools for transformation, but that transformation is neither easy nor instant. Healing is rarely a linear process, and it requires more than just popping a pill or attending a weekend retreat. It demands vulnerability, a willingness to confront your deepest wounds, and an openness to let go of the parts of yourself that no longer serve you. But in today’s quick-fix culture, where everything is expected to come fast and easy, those who seek deep healing are often left disappointed by the superficial solutions being marketed by the McPsychedelic enterprise.
Rather than offering an escape from the societal pressures that cause so much suffering, McPsychedelics often reinforces them. Instead of encouraging people to step outside the system and question its values, it promotes the idea that you can achieve health, wealth, and spirituality without ever having to confront the deeper personal and societal issues that underlie those desires. The result is a cycle in which psychedelics become just another commodity, promising to deliver more of what society already craves, rather than offering a path toward true awakening, healing and freedom.
In this sense, the modern "set and setting" of the psychedelic renaissance is a reflection of the broader culture in which we live—one that prioritizes material success and personal gain over collective wellbeing, self-awareness, and connection to nature. As long as psychedelics are used to fuel this drive for more, they will continue to be co-opted by the forces of capitalism and consumerism, losing much of their potential for true healing along the way.
The McPsychedelic Happy Meal
As psychedelics move into the mainstream, there’s growing concern over their commodification by pharmaceutical companies eager to capitalize on their therapeutic potential. This leads us to the notion of the "psychedelic Happy Meal"—a convenient, mass-market product that promises happiness and healing but without the true, often difficult, inner work that psychedelics traditionally demand.
In the same way that fast food provides a quick, superficial fix for hunger, the psychedelic Happy Meal offers a sanitized, watered-down version of the psychedelic experience. Companies are already working on subscription-based models, where users can regularly take a patented psychedelic pill that mimics the effects of these substances without requiring participants to go through the intense, sometimes painful, process of self-exploration and emotional release. The allure is obvious: get all the "benefits" of psychedelics without having to face the darkness within, the trauma, or the difficult realizations that genuine healing often requires.
In this model, psychedelics become just another pill to be taken alongside your vitamins or daily Prozac. It’s a product that fits neatly into the consumer-driven wellness industry, offering users a shortcut to happiness without ever having to confront the root causes of their suffering. No need to participate in a ceremony or reflect deeply on your life choices—just take a psychedelic capsule, track your progress on an app, and move on with your day.
But by reducing psychedelics to a Happy Meal, we lose the transformative essence that has defined their use for centuries. Traditionally, psychedelic experiences have been ceremonial, communal and often challenging, requiring participants to confront their shadows, grapple with their fears, and experience emotional and spiritual breakthroughs. These journeys are often messy, uncomfortable, and far from the polished, Instagram-ready wellness narratives that McPsychedelics promotes.
Moreover, the pharmaceutical takeover of psychedelics risks creating a one-size-fits-all approach to healing, where the unique spiritual, communal, and ecological dimensions of psychedelic healing are ignored. Instead of honouring the sacredness of these substances and the ancient practices that accompany their use, McPsychedelics seeks to fit them into the existing mold of Western medicine—pills for profit, with little regard for the deeper, more profound healing they can offer when used with intention and reverence.
The idea of a psychedelic Happy Meal may seem far-fetched, but we are already seeing the early signs of this shift. As companies work to patent psychedelic substances and treatment protocols, there is a growing push to commodify and control access to psychedelic experiences, turning what was once an important spiritual practice into a product for mass consumption. In this world of McPsychedelics, the sacred journey into the depths of the self is replaced by a quick-fix pill promising easy happiness—a dangerous oversimplification of what psychedelics are truly capable of.
Psychedelics & the Medical Establishment
As the modern psychedelic renaissance continues, the growing influence of the medical establishment is shaping how these substances are used and understood. Historically, psychedelics were seen as tools for personal and spiritual transformation, facilitating deep inner exploration and profound emotional release. But today, the process of medicalization risks reducing these complex experiences to something far more sterile—a series of chemical interactions designed to "fix" mental health issues in the same way traditional pharmaceuticals are prescribed.
The modern medical industry often takes a reductionist approach to mental health, framing conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD as purely chemical imbalances in the brain. This model has led to the widespread prescription of antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and other drugs that aim to regulate the brain’s neurochemistry, while often ignoring the societal, environmental, and lifestyle factors that contribute to these conditions. It’s not uncommon for patients to be told they need a medication to correct their brain’s “chemical imbalance”, rather than being encouraged to address the root causes of their suffering—whether that’s trauma, isolation, overwork, or disconnection.
Now, as psychedelics gain mainstream recognition for their potential to treat mental health conditions, there is a growing fear that these substances will be co-opted into the same medical framework that has dominated psychiatry for decades. Pharmaceutical companies have already begun investing heavily in psychedelics, seeing them as the next big profit opportunity in mental health treatment. Companies like MindMed, Compass Pathways, and ATAI Life Sciences have attracted millions of dollars in investment to develop psychedelic-based therapies for conditions like depression, addiction, and PTSD.
While there’s no denying the potential of psychedelics to help people suffering from these conditions, the role of big pharma in this space raises important concerns. As these companies develop synthetic or isolated versions of psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin or MDMA, the risk is that these therapies will be marketed as quick fixes—much like traditional SSRIs—rather than as catalysts for deep, transformative healing.
Moreover, the push to medicalize psychedelics could result in the loss of the communal and spiritual dimensions that have historically been central to their use. In Indigenous and shamanic traditions, psychedelics are often used in ceremonial settings that emphasize connection to nature, community, and the spirit world. These rituals are not just about treating symptoms; they are about healing the whole, addressing the physical, emotional, spiritual, and communal aspects of suffering.
But in the hands of the medical establishment, psychedelics risk being stripped of these deeper layers of meaning. Instead of creating spaces for spiritual growth or emotional breakthroughs, the focus may shift to prescribing psychedelics in clinical settings, where patients are given a dose and monitored, but the broader context of healing is lost. The fear is that psychedelic-assisted therapy will become just another service offered by the healthcare industry, one that emphasizes symptom management over personal transformation.
There’s also the growing interest in microdosing as a medical treatment, particularly in the tech and entrepreneurial sectors, where the focus is on enhancing productivity and cognitive function. While microdosing may have legitimate benefits for mental health and creativity, the way it’s marketed—often as a tool for optimization—aligns more closely with the West’s obsession with individual achievement and performance enhancement than with the deeper, soul-level healing that psychedelics traditionally offer.
As psychedelics move further into the medical mainstream, there is a very real risk that their profound potential for personal transformation and spiritual awakening will be diluted. Instead of guiding patients through the sometimes-difficult inner work that these substances can inspire, medicalized psychedelics may simply become a new way to treat symptoms, offering relief without requiring the patient to confront the underlying causes of their suffering. This is particularly concerning when we consider how our society tends to medicalize mental health without addressing broader societal issues like inequality, trauma, or ecocide—factors that contribute to the very conditions psychedelics are being used to treat.
While the involvement of pharmaceutical companies in the psychedelic space may lead to increased access and legitimacy for these substances, it also brings with it significant challenges. As we look to the future of psychedelic therapy, it’s essential that we remain vigilant, ensuring that these powerful tools are not reduced to mere pharmaceuticals but are used in ways that honor their deeper potential for healing, growth, and transformation.
A Trojan Horse for Wisdom?
There is still hope that McPsychedelics may serve as a Trojan horse for deeper wisdom and healing. Beneath the surface of flashy retreats, social media influencers, and corporate control lies the untapped potential of psychedelics to lead people toward a rediscovery of the sacred—something more meaningful than optimization and profit.
It’s possible that McPsychedelics, despite its shallow commercial facade, might be the gateway through which many people first encounter psychedelics. For some, this initial exposure may serve as a catalyst for deeper exploration, leading them beyond the superficial promises of happiness and success, and into the mystical, communal, and ecological dimensions of these substances. In this sense, McPsychedelics could act as a bridge—a way for people to begin their journey toward rediscovering the sacred interconnectedness of life.
The sacred traditions surrounding psychedelics have always emphasized their ability to connect people with the Earth, the cosmos, and a sense of divine interconnectedness. While the modern, medicalized use of psychedelics may focus on treating mental health disorders or boosting productivity, the deeper potential of these substances lies in their power to transform individuals’ relationships with themselves, others, and the planet. Through psychedelic experiences, people can access a sense of wholeness, a recognition that they are part of a larger web of life—one that includes not only humanity but all living beings and the natural world.
This potential for rediscovery is especially important at a time when so many people feel disconnected—from themselves, from nature, and from each other. As the environmental crisis deepens, and societal structures continue to promote unwholesome ways of consumerism and individualism, psychedelics offer a unique opportunity to reconnect with what truly matters. In the right setting, with the right guidance, psychedelics can help people move beyond the limitations of the ego and experience a sense of unity with the world around them.
The possibility that McPsychedelics could lead to a deeper understanding of these substances mirrors the historical trajectory of other spiritual movements. Often, the initial wave of commercialization and superficial engagement gives way to a more profound, widespread recognition of the core principles that were obscured in the process. In the case of psychedelics, the hope is that, while McPsychedelics may dominate the current phase of the renaissance, it will ultimately give way to a broader movement of sacred rediscovery and reconnection.
The Psygaia hypothesis suggests that healing and transformation occur when we realign ourselves with the Earth and the larger systems of life that sustain us. In this light, psychedelics are not just tools for personal healing but also ecological agents—helping individuals reconnect with the natural world and, in doing so, contributing to the healing of the planet itself. As more people engage with psychedelics, there is the potential for a collective awakening, one that fosters a deeper sense of responsibility for the Earth and all its inhabitants.
In this way, McPsychedelics may serve as an unexpected ally in the movement toward sacredness and interconnectedness. While the commercialization of psychedelics is certainly troubling, it may also be planting the seeds for a more widespread awakening—one that ultimately transcends the superficial narratives of profit and self-enhancement. If the psychedelic movement can navigate the pitfalls of McPsychedelics and return to its roots, the future holds the promise of a deeper, more meaningful use of these substances—one that honors their sacred nature and their capacity to heal not just individuals, but entire communities, ecosystems, and the planet.
The Future of Psychedelics & a Call for Responsible Use
McPsychedelics is is not the end of the story. As more people come into contact with psychedelics, there is hope that they will move beyond the surface-level narratives of profit and self-optimization and instead rediscover the deeper, transformative potential of these substances.
While McPsychedelics may dominate the headlines now, the future of psychedelics still holds promise. The seeds of genuine healing, self-discovery, and reconnection with the sacred are being planted, and as the movement matures, there is the potential for a shift. Psychedelics are not just tools for personal growth—they offer paths to communal, ecological, and spiritual healing, helping individuals rediscover their connection to nature, the Earth, and the divine.
But for this potential to be realized, it is crucial that we approach psychedelics with responsibility and respect. The rise of McPsychedelics reminds us of the importance of being critical of the commercialization surrounding these substances. As corporations and pharmaceutical companies seek to profit from psychedelics, it is up to individuals to ensure that their use of these substances honours the wisdom of nature and the sacred traditions that have long surrounded them.
This means seeking out psychedelic experiences that go beyond the superficial, ones that embrace the challenging process of healing, transformation and reconciliation. It means being mindful of who we trust as guides, avoiding those who seek to exploit the power of psychedelics for their own gain. And it means recognizing that true healing often comes from facing the darkness within, not from seeking a quick escape from discomfort.
The potential for psychedelics to transform our world is immense, but it depends on how we choose to engage with them. Will we allow McPsychedelics to dictate the terms of the renaissance, or will we reclaim these substances as tools for deeper healing and reconnection with the Earth and each other? The choice is ours, and the path forward lies in responsible, intentional use that honors the sacred potential of psychedelics to heal not just ourselves, but all life on Earth.
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