🫠 Psychonaut POV

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Melissa Lavasani had no interest in psychedelics until a battle with severe postpartum depression left her with no other options. Now she’s pulling the strings on Capitol Hill to make these medicines accessible to all, through the nation’s first Psychedelic Medicine PAC.

We spoke to Melissa about channeling her personal struggle into political activism, her strategic plans to influence psychedelic policy, and how everyday citizens can help make life-saving psychedelic medicine available nationwide.

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Can you share a bit about your personal experience with postpartum depression and how psychedelics played a role in your healing journey?

I had zero experience with psychedelics recreationally, and as a kid, they never appealed to me. In the past, a couple of friends had bad trips on mushrooms, which put me off exploring them. But everything changed when I faced postpartum depression. I was desperate for relief but hesitant to take antidepressants after witnessing two friends struggle with them and tragically end their lives.

I decided to address my mental health naturally, but talk therapy was challenging when I was deeply depressed. I tried all kinds of alternative methods like meditation, acupuncture, and cupping, but nothing worked. I felt like a burden to my family, and the thought of ending it crossed my mind.

During this private battle with my husband, a friend recommended a podcast featuring the mycologist Paul Stamets. He spoke about the therapeutic potential of psilocybin mushrooms, which fascinated me. I had never tried psychedelics, but my husband had experience from his upbringing in Alabama where mushroom picking was part of their culture.

We decided to grow our own psilocybin mushrooms secretly, given our government jobs, young children, and the potential risks. This was back in 2018-2019 when psychedelics were still underground, except for Denver's decriminalization efforts.

I started with microdosing to ease into the experience. Within three days, the change was remarkable. After years of feeling terrible and disconnected from my children, I found myself playing with my baby for the first time. It was a profound turning point in our lives.

How did that experience lead you to becoming an advocate and champion of the decriminalization effort in DC? What was Initiative 81 and to what do you attribute its success?

It all started when we became curious about the campaign in Denver to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms. We reached out to Kevin Matthews from the campaign, initially without a clear agenda. We wanted to understand the campaign's progress, what government officials in Denver thought, and public opinions on the matter. Kevin connected us with various people in the field. Initially, we thought about using our connections in DC and the mayor's office to hold closed-door meetings and discuss the potential of these medicines and how laws could better support users.

However, things took a different turn when we got in touch with David Bronner's team in DC. They were interested in starting a campaign here, and they believed I should lead it. At first, I was hesitant; I had just recovered from an extremely difficult period in my life, and starting a political campaign seemed daunting. But something inside me urged me to share my story and use my 20-year career experience in Washington DC for a greater purpose. Against all logical reasons not to, I decided to pursue it.

The campaign ran amidst the challenges of the first year of COVID, which brought mental health issues to the forefront for many people. Our message resonated with the public: our healthcare system needed better solutions for mental health and addiction, and psychedelics showed promise as cost-effective, non-toxic, and non-addictive medicines with scientific backing, even before the war on drugs. The campaign's remarkable success resulted in a 76% victory—the largest margin for any ballot initiative in DC's history.

Initiative 81, the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020, was a significant milestone for us. Although we couldn't officially decriminalize due to congressional oversight, we deprioritized criminal offenses associated with natural psychedelics in DC. This change allowed for fewer arrests related to psychedelics, with police understanding and respecting the new policy.

What motivated you to establish the Psychedelic Medicine Coalition, and what are its primary goals?

After the success of Initiative 81 and witnessing the surge in demand for psychedelics, I felt compelled to start the Psychedelic Medicine Coalition. I realized that people were desperate for solutions to mental health issues, and psychedelics showed promise. However, I also became concerned about the unregulated gray market for psychedelic products. I questioned if the general public had been given enough education and if decriminalization were the only way to measure progress in this space.

I knew that we needed federal engagement and recognition of the mental health crisis beyond just psychedelics. Our current mental health care system is broken, with a shortage of therapists, limited insurance coverage, and ineffective treatments with harsh side effects. To elevate the discussion and prioritize patient safety and access, we needed to evaluate the lessons from cannabis reform.

The key was pursuing the science behind psychedelics to legitimize the space and avoid the same pitfalls faced by the cannabis industry. By anticipating what policymakers want and advocating for science-based approaches, we could avoid unnecessary political battles and focus on facts.

Thus, the Psychedelic Medicine Coalition was created as a member organization representing various stakeholders, aiming to secure research funding for these medicines. This approach would provide quicker access to psychedelic therapies without being mired in partisan politics and unnecessary roadblocks.

How does the Psychedelic Medicine PAC fit in? What are your strategies for advancing psychedelic medicine at the federal level and influencing policymakers?

We've recently started two initiatives: a 501(c)(4) organization called Psychedelic Medicine Advocacy and a national messaging campaign. The purpose is to engage the psychedelic space in the political process, supporting elected officials who are early advocates for psychedelic medicine. By providing them with political cover during their reelection campaigns, we aim to keep them in office as strong advocates for this cause. It's essential to have lawmakers already in office recruiting others to support psychedelic medicine, as this peer-to-peer conversation can be powerful in influencing their decisions.

Politicians tend to follow the issues their peers and constituents care about, so we need to support those who already support this cause and engage constituents from all over the country. Many people in middle America may not be familiar with psychedelic medicine or its importance. That’s why we’re working on creating a national messaging campaign that includes TV and online ads to reach those who have yet to be touched by this topic but might be struggling with mental health or addiction issues.

The impact of mental health and addiction issues is widespread, touching many individuals and their loved ones across the country. It goes beyond just healthcare; it affects various aspects of people's lives and their contributions to society. By supporting Americans in finding effective ways of healing, such as with psychedelics, we can empower them to be better citizens, engaged in their well-being and the well-being of their communities.

We want to create an informed and educated population that recognizes the opportunities for healing with psychedelics, making this an issue that resonates with many people in the country. By doing so, we hope to drive progress and bring about meaningful change in mental health care and addiction treatment.

What advice can you give to our readers who might be interested in becoming advocates for psychedelic medicine in their communities or on a larger scale?

Getting involved with psychedelic societies and community groups is a great starting point. These organizations already have an infrastructure in place and can benefit from a variety of voices. By actively participating in these groups, you can help recruit more people to the cause and expand the reach of psychedelic education.

One example close to my heart is "Millions of Moms," a project I’m spearheading with Tracey Tee from Moms on Mushrooms, which aims to bring together mothers as a powerful voice for mental health and addiction awareness. Participating in these kinds of campaigns can make a difference, whether you're a mother who cares about mental health or a veteran who wants to support your fellow service members.

Finally, engaging with elected officials is crucial at every level of government. Reach out to your city council members, state senators, and other representatives. Educate them about the advancements in the psychedelic space, the existing scientific research, and the potential opportunities for helping people with mental health and addiction issues. Let them know that this issue requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, not just state or federal governments alone. We’re going to need all hands on deck to create meaningful change throughout society.

Want more from Melissa? Join the mission to elect leaders committed to improving the lives of Americans through psychedelic medicine.

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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. The use, possession, and distribution of psychedelic drugs are illegal in most countries and may result in criminal prosecution.