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Thursday, May 8
The Indiana Daily Student

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‘Mind Unveiled’ festival brings psychedelic education to Bloomington

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Organized by the non-profit group Indiana Psychedelic Society, “Mind Unveiled: Psychedelic Fest” featured three documentary film screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, sound healing, breathwork and an evening dance. 

Founded in Bloomington, the Indiana Psychedelic Society is a grassroots organization that advocates for the responsible and legal use of psychedelics, including substances like psilocybin, MDMA and LSD. A psychedelic drug is a psychoactive substance that alters perception, mood and cognitive processes, often leading to hallucinations and other changes in thought and emotion. 

The group's mission includes promoting harm reduction, respecting indigenous and traditional practices and supporting scientific research on psychedelics for mental health treatment. IPS also hosts monthly educational events, support groups for processing psychedelic experiences and community discussions. 

Tessa Stevens, the organization’s co-founder, said IPS views psychedelics not just as substances, but as tools for growth, connection and reflection. 

“We believe that psychedelics have the potential to heal and transform and inspire individuals and communities,” she said. 

GW Welsh, a local musician and attendee of the event, said he’s had positive experiences with psychedelics. 

“I micro-dose every day, it’s good for my conscience,” Welsh said. “I won’t use it if I’m not in a good mood because it amplifies whatever mood you’re in.” 

Welsh also emphasized the importance of context when using psychedelics. 

“I would recommend it, but only if you’re in a happy and safe environment,” he said. “Educate yourself, like anything, you don’t want to go into it blind.” 

The event began with meditation, breathwork, guided journaling and an artist-led interactive mural, followed by a sound healing session, where an experienced sound healer used instruments like gongs, singing bowls and chimes to create therapeutic sounds that promoted relaxation within attendees. While the festival provided educational opportunities on psychedelics, it did not distribute any psychedelic substances themselves. 

From there, the day’s main programming unfolded through three documentary screenings, one exploring a psilcybin experiment involving a Zen master and neuroscientist, another chronicling the life and work of psychedelic pioneer Stanislav Grof, and a third delving into the traditional use of ayahuasca in healing practices. 

These documentaries were followed by a live virtual Q&A with the filmmakers, offering attendees the chance to ask questions and reflect on the films.  

Bloomington-based artist Mike Wehner was invited to set up an artist-led interactive mural at the festival, where attendees could contribute their own artwork while also offering his paintings for sale. 

“Art and psychedelics kind of go hand in hand, there’s more art in your mind than there has ever been made in human history,” he said. 

Wehner said psychedelics shaped his life and creative practice. 

“It’s something that has changed my life tremendously, and I certainly wouldn’t be sitting here had it not been,” he said. “I’m an advocate for people following their own path. It’s helped me tremendously, and that’s all I know.” 

Attendees could also learn about the Decriminalize Nature initiative, a national movement focused on ending criminal penalties for natural psychedelics like mushrooms, cacti and plant-based compounds used by indigenous cultures in the Americas, Amazon Basin and Mexico. 

Morgan Thames, a Bloomington-based writer, yoga teacher and volunteer at the festival, led a guided journaling activity meant to offer a reflective pause amid the high-energy socializing. 

“It’s kind of just the space in the festival where people can come and take a moment,” Thames said. “You pick a prompt out of the bowl, and you can write, you can draw, you can just sit with it.” 

While Thames supports the personal freedom to use psychedelics, she stressed the importance of intentionality and community. 

“These are medicines that need to have guidance,” she said. “There can be harm done if they’re used irresponsibly, not just physically, but spiritually. I think we need teachers and circles and ways to use them connectively.” 

Education remains a cornerstone of IPS' mission, with a focus on creating a well-informed public. Stevens explained that the organization is dedicated to helping people make informed decisions about psychedelics, as they believe it is crucial for their responsible use. 

In Indiana, psychedelic policy reform has not yet made it to the state’s agenda. Psychedelics remain fully illegal in Indiana, classified under Schedule 1 of the state’s-controlled substances list, meaning they are considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.  

However, certain smoke shops and online retailers sell products labeled as “magic mushroom gummies” or “mushroom edibles” which often contain psychoactive substances like muscimol or ibotenic acid derived from the Amanita muscaria mushroom. 

These compounds are not scheduled substances, and their safety and legality are not well-defined. Such products may contain undisclosed ingredients, including psilocybin or other psychoactive substances. 

Psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA are being explored as potential treatments for mental health conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety and addiction. 

A 2020 study published by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, one of the nation’s leading centers for psychedelic research, found that just two doses of psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, significantly reduced depressive symptoms in participants, with many reporting sustained improvements months later. 

Similarly, MDMA-assisted therapy was granted "Breakthrough Therapy”status by the FDA in 2017. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies conducted clinical trials in 2021 that found 67% of participants no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD after three sessions of MDMA-assisted therapy. 

However, the FDA issued a Complete Response Letter in August requesting additional clinical trials for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy after concerns over study design and potential safety risks delayed approval. 

Cities like Oakland and Santa Cruz in California, Denver, and Washington have passed ordinances that decriminalize the possession and use of naturally occurring psychedelics, which include psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca and peyote. These measures typically reclassify such substances as the “lowest law enforcement priority,” though they stop short of full legalization. 

The final portion of the festival was an Ecstatic Dance; a two-hour freeform dance session set to live music, hosted by Soma Vibe, a wellness company specializing in energetic health and community experiences. 

The dance provided a space for attendees to connect with themselves and others through movement, offering a unique opportunity for emotional release and personal reflection. 

The IPS hopes to make “Mind Unveiled” an annual event and plans to expand programming throughout the year. 

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