Welcome to this week’s edition of The Guide ⚡️ 

Today’s newsletter takes about 5 minutes to read—so if you’ve only got 60 seconds, here’s what you need to know:

• The research is promising, but the protocol is the difference-maker. Screening, preparation, set/setting, and integration can drive outcomes more than the specific molecules (although each psychedelic has a unique profile and use case).

• Clinical settings are where the strongest results show up. Controlled studies have shown meaningful reductions in depression, anxiety, PTSD, and cancer-related distress when psychedelics are paired with structured support and therapy.

• Safety is non-negotiable. Side effects and adverse events can occur, which is why screening, supervision, and integration planning are essential.

• 🎙️ This week on the pod: Dr. Manesh Girn Ph.D. breaks down practical preparation, cultural context, and real-world integration, so you can approach plant medicines with an evidence-informed mindset.

👉️ Knowledge is useless without application, which is why this week’s newsletter includes both…

The more you know, the better decisions you can make…

And making good decisions matters above all else!

🧠 The Webdelics Team

👋 New here? We do this every week… Join Us!

🎙️ Psychedelics 101 — with Dr. Manesh Girn Ph.D.

🍄 In this episode, Scott talks with neuroscientist Dr. Manesh Girn Ph.D. for a discussion about psychedelics, what they are, how they act in the brain, and who they may help. Manesh also discusses his research on plant medicines and psychedelics, their impact on the default-mode network, and his experience working with the world-renowned researcher Dr. Robin Carhart‑Harris at UCSF.

🫶 They cover safety fundamentals like intention, set/setting, screening, legal context, and integration, and tackle common questions about using psilocybin for depression, MDMA therapy for PTSD, and why psychedelic use is rising globally.

🎧 Whether you’re new or experienced, you’ll leave with clear, practical takeaways and a sharper way to think about psychedelics and your brain.

📜 The “Must Read” For The Week

Curious to Try Psychedelics? Here's What You Should Know Before Diving In...

In recent years, psychedelics have re-emerged as a topic of serious interest in both scientific and therapeutic circles.

And for good reason…

These compounds carry the potential to offer meaningful insights into personal growth, mental health, and spiritual development (amongst many other things).

But as you can assume, they are not without real risks or important considerations—especially outside of screened, clinical settings.

🔬 The Renaissance of Psychedelic Research

Modern research over the last few decades, including studies associated with leading academic centers, has helped to bring psychedelic-assisted therapy back into the scientific spotlight.

With recent clinical trials suggesting that (when administered with structured psychological support) psychedelics may help reduce symptoms tied to depression, anxiety, PTSD, and end-of-life distress.

Here are a few hallmark studies that have changed the way we look at psychedelics and plant medicines:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

  • Psilocybin-assisted therapy has shown clinically meaningful reductions in depression symptoms in randomized controlled trials.

• Cancer-related anxiety/depression + end-of-life distress

  • Controlled trials all the way back in 2016 were finding rapid and sustained reductions in anxiety and depression among patients with life-threatening cancer.

• PTSD

  • MDMA-assisted therapy has phase 3 trial evidence in moderate to severe PTSD (in tightly controlled therapeutic protocols).

    • Although the FDA denied MDMA as a therapy for treating PTSD back in 2024, there is still hope that this will be changed with new studies and research being published.

These psychedelic experiences are sometimes described as a kind of psychological “reset” by users and patients, but what the science is really pointing to is temporary changes in brain network activity, emotional processing, and learning windows, especially when paired with therapy and integration.

🧠 The underlying mechanism most often discussed is neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt, rewire, and form new patterns.

And yet, while we’re learning a lot about how psychedelics affect the brain, we still have far more questions than answers…

💭 Potential Benefits and Considerations

While psychedelics may facilitate healing and profound insight, they are not universally appropriate for everyone.

People with a personal or family history of psychosis, and in many cases those with unstable bipolar/mania risk, should approach these therapies with extra caution and qualified medical guidance…

More importantly, if you’re considering psychedelic-assisted therapy, do your due diligence and pursue it with a trained professional who has real-world experience facilitating these protocols.

Trust is the number one factor in this equation, so don’t rush to find your match!

Steve Elfrink, a highly trained facilitator and experienced expert in the psychedelic space, suggests interviewing a few different therapists to find someone you genuinely connect with.

A trusting and open relationship matters for outcomes, especially if you’re entering the process with a mental health diagnosis or significant stress load.

Dr. Stanislav Grof, one of the early worldwide researchers in this field, has also long emphasized professional screening, preparation, and a safe, supportive environment for these experiences.

Safety cannot be emphasized enough. 

Especially with how early we still are in this modern wave of investigating these molecules…

🧩 The Keys to a Safe Experience - Set, Setting, and Integration

• Set & Setting

  • Your mindset, expectations, and environment can meaningfully shape the experience and the outcome.

  • This is a pivotal aspect of ensuring the best outcomes for your experience, and often dictated by the mental and physical setting you choose.

• Integration

  • Applying and integrating insights gained from psychedelics to daily life is essential for lasting change. Practices like therapy, journaling, and community support can help promote long-term changes and lasting connections within the brain.

  • Since this is largely about learning and neuroplasticity, the hard work often happens before and after the session, not just during it.

🪜 Steps for an Informed Journey

• Research Thoroughly - Empower yourself with knowledge from reliable, peer-reviewed sources (like those found in The Guide 🙂)

• Seek Professional Guidance - Work with highly trained and qualified specialists to assess whether you’re a fit.

• Select a Psychedelic Guide/Therapist - Choose someone experienced who supports the full arc of therapy before, during, and after a session.

• Prepare Carefully - Build a clear intention, stabilize your mindset, and choose a supportive environment for your therapy.

• Plan for Integration - It’s essential to reflect, process, and translate the experience into real-life changes through structured practices and habits.

• Follow Legal Guidelines - It’s your responsibility to ensure compliance with local laws and regulated access where applicable.

⚙️ Psychedelics are powerful tools that require respect, preparation, and care, especially when clinical and mental health diagnoses are involved…

And while modern trials generally find classic psychedelics are often well tolerated in supervised research settings, adverse events do occur, which is another reason screening and supervision matter.

💡 So if you’re considering this path, it’s best to approach it with a curious, but cautious mindset, and find someone who you can work closely with.

By seeking wisdom and expert support, you can explore the potential for healing and transformation while minimizing avoidable risks.

So when you have more questions, we hope to provide more answers…

👉️ Subscribe to The Guide for evidence-based takes on psychedelics, research, and integration tools—delivered weekly to your inbox.

💬 You Are In The Driver’s Seat…

👉 Curiosity is powerful… But curiosity also killed the cat, right?

Psychedelics and plant medicines can open doors, but what you do before and after matters just as much as what happens during the experience.

🚦 If you got value from today’s issue, here’s what you can do to keep this train moving:

• 📖 Start Smart: Grab our Beginner’s Guide to MDMA for practical safety and integration guidance.

• 🧭 Give It Away: Share this newsletter with a friend who wants a grounded path forward!

• 🎧 Go Deeper: Check out the podcast episode with Dr. Manesh Girn Ph.D. for more insights in the world of psychedelics

• 🗺️ Keep Exploring: According to research by Donald D. Hoffman, your brain hallucinates your reality and is playing tricks on you…

At Webdelics, we’re here to make plant-medicine and psychedelic education clear, evidence-based, and actionable, so you can make informed choices with fewer regrets…

📩 If this helped, forward it to someone who needs hope and structure.

💬 Questions, corrections, or topics to cover next? Hit reply.

🪧 Want to sponsor? [email protected] 

🧠 The Guide - by Webdelics

Disclaimer: Webdelics does not support or promote any illegal activities, including the use of substances that may be mentioned in this newsletter. We encourage all readers to familiarize themselves with and adhere to the laws in their region. Please note that Webdelics does not offer mental health, medical, or clinical services and should not be used as a replacement for professional medical, psychological, or psychiatric care, diagnosis, or treatment.