Cannabis Assisted Psychedelic Therapy (CAPT)
CAPT, like other psychedelic assisted therapies, provides an opportunity to quiet down our well-worn patterns of thinking that can result in feelings of ‘stuckness’, and allow us to explore new insights and perspectives we may not typically have access to. Cannabis is also a somatic medicine, meaning that it can increase one’s perception of the body where tension and ‘stuckness’ is held, and can often help explore, loosen and release those constrictions. Likewise, it can also help amplify feelings of positivity and vitality in the body. CAPT combined with breathwork is an especially helpful tool in regard to somatic healing (see Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk’s The Body Keeps The Score as a widely cited resource for understanding how stress and trauma get stored in the body).
Within a CAPT session, participants are encouraged to “be with” what comes up, whether it is insightful, expansive, uncomfortable, ecstatic, weird, spiritual or challenging. This may involve emotion, laughter, movement, tears or stillness. Preparatory sessions before CAPT help participants understand what they can expect in the process and help build skills to deepen the benefits of the psychedelic experience. Integration sessions after CAPT help transform insights and energetic shifts from the psychedelic experience into practical shifts in one’s daily thinking, feeling and behaviors.
Advantages of Psychedelic Cannabis
Cannabis is unique among other psychedelics. It has a very wide safety margin, very few contra-indications, and one can easily titrate the intensity of the experience through more gradual dosing and optional breathwork. Cannabis also allows for more personal agency as one explores the psychedelic space, which is especially useful for those who have experienced PTSD or negative experiences with other psychedelics. CAPT sessions are shorter than classic psychedelics and transitioning out is generally smoother and more gentle on the body and mind. Cannabis is legal to purchase and possess in California, abundant and easy to grow, and it’s use does not encroach access to cultural medicines from around the world.
In addition, cannabis has other medicinal benefits on the body, and with guidance can easily be incorporated into a personal healing practice. To learn more about traditions and practices with psychedelic cannabis, I recommend the book Psychedelic Cannabis by one of my teachers and co-founder of Center for Mindfulness Medicine, Daniel McQueen.
Services
Preparation and Integration Sessions for CAPT (1 hr)
Preparation sessions include understanding more about the CAPT process, discussing your goals and current patterns, and building the start of a trusting relationship. It is also an opportunity to learn mindful embodiment practices - powerful navigation tools within psychedelic states - which help slow down the mind, regulate the nervous system, and build emotional awareness.
Integration sessions help support new patterns of thinking or behavior inspired by your CAPT experience, and may include reflection, artwork, movement, nature connection and goal setting.
Mindful Embodiment Sessions (1.25 hr)
Many of us experience our sense of being in our head, and our body as the part that allow us to move around in the world. This separation of ourselves from the neck down leaves us with an incredible opportunity to integrate the wisdom from our whole body. Mindful embodiment practices – which help slow down the mind, regulate the nervous system, and build emotional awareness – are powerful navigation tools within psychedelic states. Mindful embodiment sessions are recommended for those who are new to psychedelic states and don’t already have a mindfulness embodiment practice of their own.
Psycholytic Cannabis Session (1.5 hr)
A therapeutic experience combining low-dose cannabis with mindful embodiment practices. These sessions are useful for those who are new to cannabis or psychedelic states, and may include guided meditations, movement and discussion. Psycholytic cannabis sessions can also be useful tools for integrating experiences from other psychedelic experiences.
Cannabis Assisted Psychedelic Therapy (CAPT) Sessions (3-5 hrs)
A CAPT session is an inward exploration that incorporates intention, cannabis, and evocative music over a period of several hours. Individual experiences vary widely, and often include somatic releases, inner visuals, and personal insights that support psychological and physical wellbeing. CAPT sessions require at least one initial preparatory session and are followed by at least one integration session.
Introductory Call (.5 hr)
These sessions are offered free of charge to prospective clients to explore our goodness of fit for working together with CAPT.
Service Fees
I offer services on donation basis in support of mutual community care. My own healing and training has been supported by those who offer sliding scales, and if you are committed to doing the personal work, I am committed reducing a financial barrier that may be in your way. There are no minimum or maximum contributions for service. As a reference point for donations, a typical hourly rate for credentialled CAPT practitioners range is $120 an hour, and sliding scales typically offer a 10% to 50% reduction in standard fees.
As a client, you will bring own cannabis and I can help guide you on what varieties will be a good fit. Cannabis can legally be purchased in California from a licensed dispensary.
Safety
Cannabis has a very wide safety margin and by itself causes no medical danger even in very high doses. There are some conditions that are often contraindicated for Cannabis Assisted Psychedelic Therapy, and these include a history of Bipolar Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder or Schizophrenia, as well as some rare heart conditions. If you have any questions about medical safety for any medications or pre-existing conditions, please consult your health care provider.
While some people may experience temporary anxiety with high doses of cannabis, this is most likely to happen with edibles taken in a social or recreational setting, and poses no medical danger (although it is temporarily uncomfortable). With thoughtful therapeutic preparation and context, vaporized cannabis can be easily titrated and is much less likely to result in anxiety. For those who prefer not to vaporize or smoke cannabis, specific edibles can be used for CAPT with preparation and care.
Credentialling & Accountability
The Center for Medicinal Mindfulness, established in 2012, is among the first legal psychedelic plant medicine centers in North America. As a credentialled Psychedelic Guide through CMM, I am accountable to their Community Code of Ethics as a practitioner. In addition, I participate in continued mentorship and peer practitioner support within the greater psychedelic field. Any inquiries, questions or feedback about my services can be directed at safecommunity@medicinalmindfulness.org.