Unlocking the Power of Psychedelics: Integrating Transformative Insights into Design
Could psychedelic experiences revolutionize the world of design, fostering inclusive, sustainable, and empathetic spaces that nurture personal growth and ecological awareness.
In recent years, the conversation around psychedelics has shifted dramatically, moving from stigma to exploration of their potential benefits in various fields, including creativity and innovation.
As we begin to understand the profound insights that psychedelic experiences can offer, designers have a unique opportunity to integrate these perspectives into their work. By embracing the transformative power of psychedelics, we can create spaces and products that not only resonate with users on a deeper emotional level but also promote sustainability and inclusivity. This exploration invites us to rethink our approach to design, fostering environments that nurture personal growth, community connection, and a harmonious relationship with nature.
Mush love, Alexandra 🍄
Today:
Integrating Transformative Insights into Design
How Psychedelics Spark Design Innovation by our partner Tripsitter
Our new WhatsApp group
Exciting stuff happening from our friends & partners MAPS and Psychedelics Today / Vital
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Integrating Transformative Insights into Design
How can we integrate the unique experiences and insights of psychedelic experiences into design to ensure they are inclusive and supportive of Mother Earth? Speaking off, here are some ways to move forward with this idea:
User-Centered Design: Engage individuals who have undergone psychedelic experiences in the design process. Their insights can inform the creation of spaces and products that resonate with emotional and psychological needs, fostering a sense of safety and connection to nature.
Holistic Integration: Incorporate principles of psychedelic integration, such as community support and ritual, into design practices. This can create environments that facilitate healing and personal growth while promoting sustainability and ecological awareness.
Empathy and Ritual: Design can incorporate elements that acknowledge and honour the process associated with psychedelics, encouraging users to engage with nature and their surroundings in meaningful ways. This approach aligns with the principles of empathic design, ensuring that the spaces created are nurturing and reflective of users' experiences.
Nurture Nature: Whenever we design, can we integrate Nature as a client or user persona into the process?
How Psychedelics Spark Design Innovation
Our partner Tripsitter has published an incredible article about how psychedelics inspire out-of-the-box thinking to tackle design challenges, break through mental blocks, and uncover innovative solutions to complex problems. The article mentions the 4 design principles we currently developed - giving real-world examples:
1. Mind Expansion
Designs that dissolve the barriers between one’s self and their surroundings.
An example of this is the TeamLab Borderless in Tokyo, Japan, a digital art museum that creates immersive environments where the boundaries between the viewer and the artwork dissolve.
2. Intuitive Connection
Designing in a way that taps into subconscious elements of human instinct and emotions. These designs feel natural for us to interact and explore without applying effort.
An example of this is the design of Apple products. Steve Jobs credited his use of LSD with helping to shape Apple’s design ethos, which focuses on intuitive and user-friendly interfaces that connect with the users’ needs and emotions.
3. Interconnectedness
Creating designs that reflect the unity of all things — often promoting values like sustainability and community.
The Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, is a good example of this principle. This construction consists of large biomes housing various plant species. It's designed to demonstrate the interconnectedness of global ecosystems and promote environmental sustainability.
4. Transformation & Growth
Using design to facilitate or inspire change.
An example of this is The Waterwheel by Warka Water. This passive structure harvests drinking water from the atmosphere. The innovative design of the Waterwheel aims to improve access to clean water and support sustainable living in remote and resource-limited communities.
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ENGAGE
Psychedelics Design WhatsApp Group
Join our conversations, about what psychedelics can potentially do for better futures by design; and also find inspiration and share insights and resources into design for anyone looking to stack their creative skills.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/HOjIXKeuo9R8Q3CmgJpOqq
FROM OUR PARTNER
MAPS, Psychedelic Fundamentals Course
Curious about psychedelics? How do psychedelics work? What are psychedelics being used to treat? Are psychedelics safe to use? Which drugs are considered psychedelics? Are psychedelics legal? What is microdosing?
Psychedelic Fundamentals is an introductory course for just $ 29.99 guiding newcomers through the basics of psychedelics via a series of short, easy-to-follow lessons. Within a couple of hours, Fundamentals provides students with a broad overview of the most interesting and important aspects of psychedelic history, science, clinical research, therapeutic uses, and harm reduction, backed by over 36 years of MAPS experience.
This educational experience is the perfect starting point for those considering psychedelic use, seeking information to support a loved one, or interested in how psychedelics work and what benefits they may provide.
VITAL by Psychedelics Today
Vital is a comprehensive 12-month education course — ideal for medical specialists, mental health professionals, therapists, and wellness practitioners seeking to integrate psychedelic knowledge into their practice.
No specific licenses or prerequisites are required, though prior experience with non-ordinary states of consciousness and some educational background in psychedelics is recommended.
Enrollment for our September cohort of Vital is currently underway with limited seats – if anyone is interested in applying, the application is now zero-cost, but we encourage them to get their applications in soon because the demand has been nuts so far!