The Heal Soul Campaign supports public education efforts, advocacy organizations, and political campaigns working to bring psychedelic-assisted therapy and medications to the mainstream in order to help treat depression, PTSD, addiction, and end-of-life anxiety.
The victories: the Oregon Psilocybin Therapy Initiative Yes on 109 in Oregon and the Decriminalize Nature DC Initiative 81 in Washington, D.C., were successfully passed on November 3. The release says these victories represent a “pivotal shift” among the American public with regard to psychedelic-assisted therapy and the need to decrease arrests of those using entheogenic plants.
“The Oregon Psilocybin Therapy Initiative creates a well-regulated program for psilocybin-assisted therapy for mental health and personal growth. This sets a nationwide precedent for how we should integrate the life-saving potential of psychedelics,” said David Bronner, Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner’s, in the release. “And in Washington D.C., where people of color are disproportionately arrested for drug possession, the Decriminalize Nature campaign makes personal cultivation and use of entheogenic plants for healing the lowest priority for law enforcement.”
Psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown promise in clinical trials at John Hopkins, NYU, and UCLA, the release notes, for treating psychological disorders. FDA has granted “breakthrough status” for MDMA-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant PTSD, and psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resisted depression. Canada has approved psilocybin therapy for people who are terminally ill and grappling with severe end-of-life anxiety.
“Our world is grappling with epidemics of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction that modern pharmaceutical approaches often fail to adequately address. Psychedelic-assisted therapy is life-saving medicine that the world needs now, especially highly traumatized populations like veterans, first responders and marginalized communities generally,” said David Bronner. “Our family is no stranger to severe depression and anxiety, and I’ve personally experienced the deep healing that these medicines can provide.”
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Additionally, Measure 110 in Oregon implements a “treatment not jail” approach to drug addiction; Dr. Bronner’s donated $1 million to that movement. The company also donated to push the passage of a medical cannabis measure in Mississippi and the end of cannabis prohibition in Montana and South Dakota.The company has donated over $5 million this year to support efforts on behalf of psychedelic medicine. Dr. Bronner’s also created a“Heal Soul!” labelfor its 32oz. Castile Liquid Soaps now available nationwide, which aims to educate the public about these medicines and therapies and about the advocacy organizations advancing this work.
“Used in the right settings, in combination with good diet, fitness, and other healthy lifestyle choices, psychedelic-assisted therapies and medicines offer dramatic healing for many people suffering from depression, end-of-life anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions,” said Michael Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s, in the press release. “Our Heal Soul message and campaign is about mainstreaming this conversation in a rational and compassionate way, to help enable access to these life-saving therapies as soon as possible with the goal of evaporating the misguided stigma that these medicines face.”
Other organizations Dr. Bronner’s has donated to:
- Indigenous Peyote Conservation Initiative. The initiative is an international collaboration of leaders in the peyote conservation effort. It focuses on the sustainability and indigenous sovereignty of peyote across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
- Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. The association is driving MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD through the FDA approval process, and is on track to submit the therapy to FDA by 2022.
- Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, Inc. This non-profit intends to change the landscape of veteran healthcare by finding solutions to mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress in order to help end the veteran suicide epidemic.
