Psychedelics & Environmental Justice in 2025: How to be Aware, Awake, & Taking Action

The world seems to be at a crossroads (as always). Political polarization, ecological devastation, and a growing sense of both apathy and unrest reflect the fragile, turbulent ground on which our society stands. 

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in targeted misinformation about the impacts of climate change and human development. In the face of these challenges, we find ourselves grappling with the urgency for systemic change while feeling constrained by the limits of individual action. 

The dissatisfaction with “business as usual” grows louder as the stark realities of injustice and environmental crisis become impossible to ignore. This article is not written to dwell on the negatives but to shine a light on real-world opportunities for meaningful change—practical ideas for taking action and serving our communities. 

In a time filled with endless discussion, decisive and compassionate action is needed. Psychedelics hold a unique relevance here. These ancient tools, (scientifically) shown and known to increase empathy and deepen our awareness

of our environment, should not be used to escape or bypass the world’s problems. 

Instead, psychedelic medicines can inspire us to become better caretakers and advocates, working toward a more just and sustainable future. By empowering ourselves with factual information that weaves scientific data and Indigenous knowledge for the protection of traditional lands, we can support powerful change. Together, we have the power to take meaningful steps toward healing ourselves and our world.

Key Takeaways

1. Psychedelics Can Foster Nature Connectedness and Empathy: Psychedelics are not just tools for personal healing but catalysts for environmental awareness. Research shows they can deepen our sense of connection to nature, shift perspectives from self-centeredness to global responsibility, and inspire pro-environmental behavior.

2. Insights Translate Into Action: The revelations from psychedelics need to be turned into meaningful, actionable steps toward solutions. Whether through supporting local environmental efforts, advocating for sustainable policies, or building eco-conscious communities, individuals have the power to make a difference.

3. Partnership with the Earth is Essential: To address ecological crises, humanity must embrace stewardship over domination. Indigenous wisdom emphasizes reciprocity and balance with the earth, a mindset psychedelics can help amplify. Repairing our relationship with the planet requires resilience, intentionality, and collective effort.

Psychedelic Science & Environmental Science: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Psychedelics are a powerful tool for personal transformation, but their potential extends far beyond the individual. A lot of today’s psychedelic research is centered around health and mental health outcomes in humans—especially for conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders—but there is no shortage of research on the transpersonal elements of psychedelic use. 

For the sake of keeping this article short, let’s just say that there is a strong, established relationship between psychedelic use and environmental concern and nature connectedness, of which we will touch on briefly.

These substances—psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, DMT, ayahuasca, and more—challenge us to rethink our place in the world, confront our perceived individual limits, and understand the interrelation between us and everything around us.

Nobody is really surprised by this. Anyone who has psychedelic experience or has an awareness of the Indigenous lineages which have worked with these medicines for millennia knows about the deep relationship between altered states of consciousness and reconnecting with the expansive intelligence of the natural world. 

Here are some keynotes from psychedelic research:

• Psychedelics have been powerfully shown to impact adjacent issues like relationships (including romantic relationships and family dynamics), mental health, general connectedness, and sustainable living (Anderson et al., 2024) as well as “worker wellbeing” in the face of commercialism (Isham et al., 2021), which could all have indirect implications on the ways in which someone interacts with the natural world around them.

• Prevalent researchers like Gandy, Carhart-Harris, Kettner, and Haijen found that psychedelics shift users from “egoism to ecoism”—from focus on the personal to encompassing global concerns—with effects sustained for up to two years (2019).

• “Lifetime experience with (classic) psychedelics predicts pro-environmental behavior through an increase in nature relatedness” (Forstmann & Sagioglou, 2017).

• Interestingly, there was an increase in “nature relatedness” and a decrease in “authoritarian political views after psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression” (Lyons & Carhart-Harris, 2018).

• “Psychedelic use predicts objective knowledge about climate change via increases in nature relatedness” (Sagioglou & Forstmann, 2022).

• Winston Ross notes that the real issue is the “societal container” of “consumerism” (2023), and while psychedelics can create feelings of connection, our social environment post-trip has significant impacts on how well that integrates into a long-term shift in perspective and lifestyle. Set and setting is just as important for sustaining changes in environmental perspectives as it is in creating lasting therapeutic outcomes.

As Anderson and colleagues noted, psychedelics are not a “‘quick fix’ for social and environmental problems” and there is a strong need for holistic, intentional approaches when utilizing these substances for their potential benefits. They do, however, have clear implications on environmental awareness. 

The next step is knowing how to transform these insights into positive action on the individual level, and how to convey these perspective-shifts to our leaders as they have the largest-scale impact in environmental and social justice (Deevoy, 2023). Maybe these leaders should be required to experiment with these substances themselves!

Regardless, in spite of psychedelic users often feeling more connected to the planet, psychedelic communities are somehow associated with some ungrounded narratives around climate change, environmentalism, and other political ideologies, which we touch on in the next section.

Acknowledging the Link Between Psychedelics & Conspiracy Theories

We have to also spotlight the pipeline between psychedelic use, hippie culture, and what Chacruna has dubbed “Conspirituality.” From escapism to denialism—from the “matrix theory” of reality to elite reptilian races—we have to acknowledge that many psychedelic communities are actively denying or dismissing climate science and scapegoating real issues via conspiracy theory.

”I think it’s fair to say that psychedelics are trickster molecules. They can act as truth serums in some instances, forcing individuals to confront issues they’re not facing; they can generate deeply healing states and life-changing realizations, but they can also engender delusions, spiritual inflation and a tendency to adopt grandiose, overly romantic ideologies” (Harpignies, 2020).

This spotlights the importance of psychedelic education, education in general, and an awareness around the potential dangers associated with psychedelic use—namely their ability to destabilize reality, unground and unearth latent biases which, if not brought to light, can fester into damaging narratives. 

To be able to navigate the sea of logical fallacies and elaborate mythologies fabricated from every corner of the internet, we have to be able to lead with compassion, know who to trust and when to trust the information we’re consuming, and really pay attention to our own inherent biases and desires.

The Best Environmental Charities, Indigenous Groups, & Psychedelic Movements

1. Aniwa & Huya Aniwa Foundation: Their focus us to “revitalize and preserve cultural heritage and sacred lands in partnership with indigenous communities and their leadership” with a focus on “integrating traditional wisdom into sustainable land stewardship.” Aniwa also hosts regular community festivals and events to raise awareness.

2. Psychedelics for Climate Action: PSYCA works to amplify climate solutions, educate, and hosts legal consciousness-expanding experiences for better environmental outcomes. Their vision is to raise awareness around psychedelics (and other tools) that may play a pivotal role in the paradigm shift toward nature conscientiousness.

3. Indigenous Climate Action: Being an Indigenous-led organization, they “believe that Indigenous Peoples’ rights and knowledge systems are critical to developing solutions to the climate crisis and achieving climate justice,” working to protect the land, water, and their cultural heritage.

4. Honor the Earth: “Honor the Earth is an Indigenous-led organization fighting to dismantle settler-colonialism, racial capitalism, white supremacy, and imperialism by helping our communities resist exploitation, withstand crises, and prepare future generations of leadership.”

5. Indigenous Environmental Network: Focusing on education and community events, this indigenous group spotlights environmental issues and indigenous perspectives on solutions.

6. EarthJustice: They take donations and combat harmful climate policies, advocating for political action and environmental services to be taken seriously, to preserve and protect our green planet.

7. The Nature Conservancy: From water pollution solutions to plastic pollution solutions, the Nature Conservancy is a worldwide nonprofit dedicated to protecting the environment.

8. Defenders of Wildlife: They make moves to prevent distinction and protect wildlife habitats, protecting nature from harmful human interferences. 

Additional Reading:

• Nature Brain: The Soil Gut Brain Connection

• How Does the Effect of Placebo on Psychedelics Impact Therapy Outcomes?

• Optimizing Psychedelic Therapy with Brain Plasticity and Self-Directed Neuroplasticity

How to Get Involved: Eco-Activism, Psychedelic Activism & Environmental Justice

Taking action makes a difference, no matter how big or small your gesture is, and each gesture can inspire collective change. One of the biggest hurdles to cross is getting past our own desires to prioritize convenience and profit over care and responsibility.

While psychedelics can foster transformational insights, we have to be able to translate these insights into concrete action to create meaningful change. Here are practical tips for impactful eco-activism and community involvement:

1. Engage in Local Environmental Activities

It doesn’t have to be large-scale, political change. Small steps to help your direct community makes a difference as well. You can join or volunteer for local initiatives, such as clean-ups, tree planting, or community gardens. Support regenerative agriculture projects, permaculture groups, and learn about sustainable practices in your area. Volunteering can go a long way.

2. Advocate for Policy Change

Environmentally sustainable policies at the local, state, or national level are necessary to truly make big impacts. Know who your politicians are and vote for those who are advocating for better policy. Write to your representatives, sign petitions, or attend town hall meetings to push for accountability on climate action. Vote, baby, vote!

3. Build Communities of Care

Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a difference. Create or join local groups focused on environmental activism or psychedelic advocacy to amplify your impact, and find ways to reach out and encourage others to get involved as well. If there is a need in your area, you don’t have to wait for others to form a community. Maybe your community needs you to be the one to take the initiative!

4. Practice Reciprocity with the Earth

We can honor and embrace indigenous teachings about living in harmony with nature, like giving back to the earth as much as you take. These are mindset shifts that would collectively benefit the planet and our communities if adopted. Shifting from “ownership” to partnership, treating the earth as an equal ally rather than a resource to exploit would improve the deep-seated ways in which we are interacting with our environment.

5. Focus on Education and Awareness

Use your voice to raise awareness about the connections between psychedelics, empathy, and environmental action. Share knowledge about sustainable practices, biodiversity protection, and the importance of climate action with your community. Educate others about the role psychedelics can play in fostering empathy and care for the planet, and also the bypassing and shadows of present communities (with love).

6. Avoid Psychedelic Apathy

Insights from psychedelics are only meaningful if they lead to action. Don’t let powerful revelations remain as ideas—turn them into steps toward change. Keep a journal or create an action plan to hold yourself accountable for translating your insights into progress.

7. Advocate for the Responsible Integration of Psychedelics

Support efforts to ensure that psychedelic industries prioritize ecological sustainability and give back to the environment. As the psychedelic industry grows, it will be important to check the ways in which psychedelia is monetized, gatekept, and put into practice in our overarching culture.

8. Cultivate Resilience for Long-Term Action

Understand that repairing the damage to the earth is hard work that requires persistence. Use the inspiration and emotional resilience from psychedelic experiences to stay committed to the cause, even when progress feels slow.

9. Take Small, Consistent Steps

You don’t need to tackle everything at once. Focus on achievable goals, such as reducing your carbon footprint, switching to sustainable products, or supporting eco-friendly businesses. Remember, collective action is made up of countless small steps taken together, and there is a lot that needs to happen in larger industries and politics that we as individual citizens have limited control over. Using your voice through boycotting, petitioning, spending your money wisely, and volunteering can be individual ways to impact these larger issues.

A Call to Eco-Activism & Partnership with the Earth

Humanity must move from dominating the earth to partnering with it, rebuilding a balanced, respectful relationship with the natural world. Psychedelics can inspire this shift—so long as they aren’t used as tools to escape reality but further immerse us in it. 

The time to act is now. Together, we can move toward a future of harmony, sustainability, and collective stewardship. What step will you take today?

Personalized, Digital Health Tools & Neurodiversity-Informed Psychedelic Education for You

Thank you for exploring this topic with us! We hope the insights resonate with your goals for personal growth, healing, or professional development. To dive deeper into neuroplasticity, psychedelic therapy, and how neurodiversity intersects with these fields, visit our blog for cutting-edge articles, our practical tools for personalized support, and stay up to date on our latest releases!

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