#CommunityHigh

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#CommunityHigh 〰️

Meet Amanda Siebert (she/her). We sat down with her to chat about her work as a journalist in the cannabis and plant medicine space, and to discuss the exciting new launch of her new book Psyched: Seven Cutting-Edge Psychedelics Changing the World.

A love letter to our community, Community High is a spotlight series that celebrates local creatives, entrepreneurs and changemakers. We’re asking the hard (and not so hard)-hitting questions to discover what makes these inspiring people so rad!

Tell us about your new book Psyched?

In my new book Psyched, I break down the history, science, and cultural and medical uses of seven psychedelic drugs, including psilocybin, LSD, DMT and ayahuasca, mescaline, MDMA, ketamine, and iboga. Using a combination of research, expert testimony, and case studies from individuals who have experienced the benefits of using psychedelics, my aim with Psyched is to provide the reader with enough information to make educated choices about their own potential use of these powerful medicines.

What led you to writing about the world of cannabis & psychedelics?

Cannabis and psychedelics have had a profound impact on my own life, especially when it comes to my mental health. Both have been powerful allies against depression and anxiety, and they’ve undoubtedly helped me live a more authentic life. Hearing and learning about the many ways in which they have improved the lives of other people set me on a path of telling these stories in a meaningful way. Every day I’m grateful for the opportunity I have to do what I do.

What is the biggest change you hope to see in the psychedelic industry in the future?

I hope to see psychedelics available and accessible on a spectrum, one that includes use in therapeutic or medical settings, as well as group consumption within community settings, and everything in between. I don’t believe there is one right way to take a psychedelic, and I hope that as the psychedelic movement continues to grow, doubters open their minds to the idea that not all psychedelic experiences need to occur in a clinic to be safe.

What is your biggest piece of advice for someone who wants to become a writer?

First: if you want to become a writer, you have to believe you are already a writer. Delete the thought from your mind that you aren’t one, and just start. Second: I started out writing about all sorts of different subjects, which was helpful early in my career, but I’ve learned that having an area of focus is critical. If non-fiction is your jam, pick something you’re obsessed with, and go down all the rabbit holes you can find. Dive into your favourite subject matter and find a niche.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career?

Don’t quit, but do teach yourself to rest.

What is your best way to decompress from a long day?

After a long day, I take a seat on my “smoking” couch (a small teal-coloured couch by my living room window), enjoy a bit of cannabis, and then get into my body through gentle movement. Sometimes it’s yoga or stretching, and sometimes it’s dancing, but every time, the goal is the same: to get back to my center. If I’m feeling indulgent, I’ll follow that with a long sauna session and a cold shower.

Share a photo of you in your happy place!

What’s next after Psyched?

I’m hoping to write my next book about the psychedelic compound, ibogaine, referred to by some as “the Mount Everest of psychedelics.” Stay tuned!

Stay on point, and get in touch with our team to learn more.

#CommunityHigh - Amanda Siebert