The Zendo Project: Psychedelic Harm Reduction for Festivals

[a1pha]

While visiting a presentation at BM last year I encountered this little gem. I quietly entered the space and found some amazing people providing an amazing service all of us here would appreciate. Thankfully, I didn't need any help but I had goosebumps seeing a service like this exist free from law enforcement harassment.

The Zendo Project aims to set up a quiet and safe place for people experiencing a negative psychedelic trip. Instead of risking possible arrest or further worsening the trip by vising medical professionals in the urgent care tent, people have the option to visit the Zendo where experienced psychedelic users will assist in easing the trip.

Incense, water, spray bottles, pillows, etc. They have it all but need support. Consider making real world harm reduction a lasting service.

[youtube]

The Zendo Project: Psychedelic Harm Reduction for Festivals

 

[dreamer042]

I also stumbled into the Zendo at last year's BM and was thoroughly impressed. We discussed a lot of what the project is doing and where it is heading in the Harm Reduction workshop at Psychedelic Science this spring as well. I am absolutely in love with the project and applied to volunteer, I have yet to hear anything back, but I'm very much determined to get involved so I can get a good foundation for starting similar projects in my own area.

Neat Fact: There is also the Full Circle Tea house that provides similar services (and tea!) and Doc Bronners has donated an art car to shuttle people back and forth between the Zendo and the teahouse which will be on opposite sides of the Playa this year. Much respect to Doc Bronners, buy moar of their soap! *End shameless plug*

Good stuff :thumb_up:

Edit: I see all that is mentioned in the video, I really should watch these things before I post

 

[Elpo]

Very interesting.

 

[No Knowing]

amazing idea, all festivals should have this!

Saw a few people FREAKING out being trucked to medical tent at a festival last weekend. Can't imagine EMT's being very calming to an overwhelmed mind.

But a wise experienced psychonaut would be awesome.

 

[adam]

Having been to many raves and festivals in the Detroit metro area I can say this is sorely missing from the scene. I see ALOT of people having negative trips being shuttled to the hospital which I can't imagine being anything less then traumatizing. Anyways I had this idea myself, this is something I would like to implement around here, I think it would be cool if at major festivals you could also have a medical professional volunteer just to be extra safe/ provide extra reassurance to the more freaked out.

 

[Humble Hermit]

Wow this is amazing. Fairly close to where I live a folk and bluegrass festival is held a few times a year. Great place to expand your mind, and all the people working there are old hippies, perfect for counseling a bad trip. I'd like to get a service like this started, defiantly looking into it!!

Peace:thumb_up: