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Only three things are guaranteed in life. Death, taxes, and the Costco hot dog staying $1.50 less daylight every winter. 

Some of us survive the darker months by slamming pumpkin spice lattes.

For others, this time of year brings on a type of depression known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. (The medical equivalent of naming your dog Dog.)

If you have it, you may have wondered whether psychedelics can help. 

So for today’s newsletter, we asked our network of licensed psilocybin facilitators: How can I use psychedelics to manage seasonal affective disorder? 

Here’s what they had to say.

A psychedelic journey can crack your heart wide open.

Sounds nice… until all those feelings are spilling out and making a hot mess. That’s the moment you realize integration isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a must.

So, we’re launching a small-group integration program, open to anyone craving structure to process a powerful experience.

You’ll meet with five to seven others (and a seasoned integration specialist) for eight weeks. By the end, you’ll have a peer group you can bare your soul to and be living in closer alignment with your goals.

Spots are extremely limited. And it starts Monday.

Science hasn’t answered this question yet, though it’s easy to see why people are asking. Kate Schroeder gives a measured response: “While research into psilocybin and depression is promising, we don’t yet have sufficient evidence to establish its effectiveness specifically for seasonal affective disorder.” 

SAD is a formal diagnosis, which is why the distinction matters. Sarah Mark warns it’s “not something you should try and treat in isolation, without professional help!” Psychedelics, she adds, “can be a tool in that treatment,” but are not “a pill you take to make symptoms go away.” 

Even with the right support, this path ain’t easy. Terry Turner makes the requirements clear: “One should not use full dose psychedelics unless he or she is willing to do the hard work before and after and is willing to bare one’s soul in humility and trembling before all that is!”

Managing SAD takes more than one approach, and psychedelics could be one of them. Clayton Ickes thinks psilocybin’s antidepressant punch could ease some symptoms, and would likely be “especially effective when combined with light therapy, exercise, and all of those other things.” 

Daily habits do a lot of the work here. Masha Steiner-Renoir adds to Clayton’s list: “I’d also focus on supporting your circadian rhythm through morning light, movement, consistent sleep, and connection.” 

Microdosing is also an option. Monica Ramunda points to its upsides this time of year: “Some people describe a lift in mood and a greater sense of connection.” She pairs the practice with “creating space for joy, getting outside, connecting with others, and noticing what helps you feel more like yourself.”

Treating SAD doesn’t have to mean battling winter. Patrick McWink argues for working with it: “I think the first thing is recognizing that we are seasonal beings. Our energy, mood, sleep, and rhythms can shift with changes in light and season, and there can be value in learning to attune to that rather than immediately fighting against it.” The question to ask, he says, is “What is this season asking of me?”

Psychedelics might help you answer that question. Benjamin Dancer says they can widen your view: “The medicine has a way to show us a map of the situation, including our own agency—choices we might not have yet noticed—and ways to be gentle as we take care of ourselves.” 

Working with winter doesn’t mean toughing it out though. Heather Hart offers some reassurance: “Honoring seasonal rhythms and receiving treatment can coexist. You deserve more than simply enduring until spring.”

Amanita muscaria is calming, dreamlike, and introspective. But you’ll want to do your homework first. Luckily, Amentara includes free dosage and pharmacology guides with its caps, capsules, chocolate, and tinctures.

Every winter slump is sad, but not every winter slump is *ahem* SAD.

A moody dip is a common and understandable response when the days get shorter. It usually passes. But if your slump lingers or starts messing with your sleep, work, or relationships, it may be worth talking to a clinician.

Either way, we’d start with the same recommendation. Plan for winter the way you’d plan for a ceremony.

Ok ok, it may sound corny, but hear us out. Consider the ingredients of a great ceremony. You’ve got your intention, a supportive witness, a little ritual, of course a safe space to contain the experience.

Easy, right?

Here’s our version for inspiration. 1) To rest, 2) my orange tabby cat, 3) savor a cup of coffee before checking the phone, and 4) the inside of my Snuggie®. (Not sponsored, we wish.)

Thanks to Don B. from San Jose, CA for submitting this week’s question. 🫠

Reply to this email to shoot your shot. If it’s a juicy one, we may select it for a future issue.

That’s all for today, Cyclists! Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help.

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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. The use, possession, and distribution of psychedelic drugs are illegal in most countries and may result in criminal prosecution.