A Psychedelic Journey: From Artistic Inspiration to Social Impact
+ Q&A with Jannyl V. Molina, Graphic Designer @ Psychedelics Today
Welcome to our journey uncovering the transformative power of psychedelics in shaping design processes!
Jannyl V. Molina is a Graphic Designer at Psychedelics Today, creating compelling visual content for their social media, events, and educational materials. She is a multidisciplinary designer, holding a Bachelor of Design in Industrial and Product Design from OCAD University.
We spoke with Jannyl about how her experiences with psychedelics influenced her approach to nature, design and creativity, specific design applications and challenges she had to face navigating societal perceptions while integrating these experiences into her creative or professional endeavours.
Today:
Q&A with Jannyl V. Molina, Graphic Designer at Psychedelics Today
Possibly the first-ever research survey aimed at investigating how psychedelic substances affect the design process
Event announcement: 2nd conference on July 11, 2024
News from our partners
Q&A Jannyl V Molina, Graphic Designer Psychedelics Today
How has your experience with psychedelics influenced your approach to design and creativity?
My creative journey began intertwining with psychedelics in adolescence. Art has always been a constant in my life. I began experimenting with psychedelics at around the age of 16, in Mexico. I found a unique connection between my acid trips and painting. This fusion brought fluidity to my artwork, often reflecting visual hallucinations. Today, I explore textures, immersing myself in a creative "flow" to integrate mindfulness into my psychedelic experiences. As a graphic designer, I draw from psychedelic insights and current research to visually express complex themes like "Integration" or "default mode network" for Psychedelics Today's editorial pieces.
Have you noticed any specific shifts in your perspective or ideation process?
I've found that when I hit a creative block, microdosing helps me regain my creative flow (macro dosing too!). Ideation is meant to be generative by definition. Psychedelics are the essential ingredient allowing for new ideas to burst out. Even if only a small fraction of these ideas materialize, the iterative process becomes smoother and more fulfilling.
Lately, I've noticed that I'm more inclined to start creating toward the end or immediately after a psychedelic session. I suspect this is because my brain's neuroplasticity is amplified during these moments. It sparks in me the desire to embark on something fresh - a new poem, painting, or a novel approach to an ongoing project. This inclination proves particularly beneficial when I find myself stuck on a project or idea. Typically, if something isn't yielding the desired outcome, I tend to lose interest and need to take a break from it. However, after a psychedelic experience, I can revisit the project with a renewed perspective, making edits or even completing it with newfound inspiration.
Have psychedelic experiences influenced your perspective on the relationship between humans and nature, and if so, how does that influence your design process?
Psychedelics profoundly influence my design process. They heighten my sense of responsibility toward nature and others, emphasizing healing for both myself and the Earth. This feeling tends to intensify with each journey. One pivotal moment occurred during my ayahuasca experiences, which inspired me to design a public mental healthcare system where psychedelic therapies coexist alongside the current standard of care in Ontario. This became my undergraduate thesis project at OCAD University.
“Psychedelics profoundly influence my design process. They heighten my sense of responsibility toward nature and others, emphasizing healing for both myself and the Earth. ” – Jannyl V. Molina
Can you provide insight into how you identified the challenges within Ontario's mental healthcare system, through user personas and utilized journey mapping to inform the creation of your prototype?
My thesis project covers design research and the development of a prototype. I interviewed individuals who had experience with Ontario’s mental healthcare system, revealing their struggles to access appropriate support and medications due to socioeconomic factors. Secondary research highlighted a higher prevalence of mental health issues among BIPOC communities. From there, I defined the problem space as twofold: on one side, there was a lack of efficacy with SSRIs and psychotherapy, exacerbated by long wait times and financial barriers.
On the other, there was the stigma surrounding psychedelics (which we know are more effective medicines). The next step was to define the user personas, stakeholders, and pain points, focusing on the experience of a woman of color navigating the system as my primary user persona. Journey Mapping illustrated how she went through multiple SSRIs and little counseling, without finding relief. Additionally, I utilized the experiences of two healthcare providers as my other stakeholders. The system I prototyped is meant to be publicly funded and serve as a community healing space.
When I finished my thesis in April 2019, I called it a “speculative future” project, anticipating its implementation by 2025. With that deadline nearly approaching, it is remarkable to see how much progress has occurred in the psychedelic sphere since then. I’m genuinely excited about the direction things are heading because I believe that, over time, that vision can indeed materialize into reality.
In what ways do you believe designing with nature (or sustainable design) aligns with the insights gained from psychedelic experiences?
Nature embodies profound intelligence, interconnectedness, and exquisite design. As designers, tapping into this intelligence—whether through fungi, plant medicine, or simply connecting with our breath—can empower us to create sustainable solutions to our current challenges. Altered states of consciousness can offer augmented awareness, prompting us to question our design practices: How would nature approach design to ensure the well-being of ecosystems and their inhabitants?
Through intentional introspection during journeys, we can act as sustainable design directors, considering factors like accessibility, potential misuse, environmental impact, and the necessity of our creations. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of our designs' ripple effects and encourages exploration of alternative, more eco-conscious solutions.
Deepening my connection to psychedelics fuels my passion to align my values with my life's work, as I focus on designing healing spaces for underserved communities, collaborating on a non-profit in the Dominican Republic providing holistic care for youth, where I serve on the board and contribute to various aspects of the project, eagerly anticipating our upcoming retreats and the impact we'll make.
How has the stigma surrounding psychedelics, which are often negatively perceived, impacted your personal experiences and professional life, and what challenges have you faced navigating societal perceptions while integrating these experiences into your creative or professional endeavours?
My history with psychedelics is long and varied; there have been peaks and valleys along the way. Initially, my experiences were purely recreational, within the context of the underground rave scene in Northern Mexico. Societal stigma, alongside the illegality of these substances, was definitely present and palpable. Despite this, I found immense value in these experiences as they fueled my creativity. However, I also experienced a sense of guilt, knowing I was experimenting amidst the backdrop of an intensifying Mexican War on Drugs. I felt that as a consumer, I was partially to blame for the turmoil in my country. There was also a period when I was misusing MDMA, which I kept hidden. That was a definite low point. Over the last seven years, my perspective on these substances has evolved into using them more sparingly, as medicine and with intentionality. Becoming a parent played a huge role in this shift. Now, I’m grateful for the opportunity to openly discuss psychedelics, aiming to destigmatize and educate. My openness to discussing drugs has led to some relationships faltering but has also attracted like-minded individuals who see me as a resource during their own journeys.
Professionally, I’ve been fortunate to start my journey in this industry at Psychedelics Today, surrounded by the least judgmental people you could find. Collectively, they hold a goldmine of knowledge and reverence for these substances. Together, we share the common goal of fighting the stigma surrounding psychedelics through education.
See more of Jannyl’s work on her online portfolio here: www.jannylvmolina.com
Take part in the possibly first-ever research survey aimed at investigating how psychedelic substances affect the design process
We would like to invite you to participate in this research project which forms part of our specific psychedelic user research focusing on designers.
The findings of this anonymous survey could inform future research and guidelines for the safe use of psychedelics in design, contributing to broader discussions on their role in creative processes and a shift to life-centred design.
Ultimately, the study aims to inspire a fresh perspective and deepen understanding of psychedelics' benefits and risks in design. Thank you for your contribution!
NEWS
Psychedelics Design Conference, July Edition
Join us online at our 2nd event this year on July 11, 2024. Gain insights into the media's role in shifting the psychedelic narrative, learn about product design and growing a consumer brand fit for the future, and more.
Speakers include Dennis Walker (founder Mycopreneur), Peter Reitano (founder Mojo and Gwella) and more! Get your early bird ticket for £ 19 / $ 23 via Eventbrite
FROM OUR PARTNERS
Horizon Conference, New York
Join us for the 16th edition of Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics on May 8-11, 2024 at the New York Academy of Medicine in New York City. The conference spans Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with workshops offered on Wednesday.
We've been attending the conference for several years, whether in person or online. It holds a special place in our hearts and serves as an excellent entry point into the psychedelic community!
Learn more and register at horizonspbc.com/newyork