Secret Wilderness: Psychedelic Therapy Adventure Stories

The Parable Foundation
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

In-depth, anonymous, remarkably honest accounts of psychedelic therapy.

  1. Sep 28

    Are Spiritual Insights on Psychedelics Bull$#!* or What?

    On September 21 — just a week ago — Rolling Stone published, “Inside the New Psychedelic Awakening.” The article, written by the journalist Claire Hoffman, focuses on one question: Are psychedelics starting a religious revival? The idea that drugs could cause real religious experiences might seem comical to some people, & fair enough. But for many who have done psychedelics, it’s no joke. In fact, a scientific paper that helped kickstart the “psychedelic renaissance” made the argument in its title: “Psilocybin Can Occasion Mystical-Type Experiences Having Substantial and Sustained Personal Meaning and Spiritual Significance.” So what gives? Why do people trust the spiritual insights from psychedelics? &, just as important, why do they doubt them? Chapters (00:00) Intro (04:20) Alex’s story, part 1 (08:05) The feeling of knowing. (12:35) The absurdity of the mythic. (18:30) Alex’s story, part 2 Notes Alexandra’s episode: “Why Did I Cut Myself? Therapist Meets Hidden Self with Psychedelics” Ravi’s episode: “Did Psychedelics Break My Brain?” Citations: James, William. The Varieties of Religious Experience. Digireads.com, 2004. Reference for James’s description of the “noetic quality” of mystical experience. Cole-Turner, Ron. “Psychedelic Epistemology: William James and the ‘Noetic Quality’ of Mystical Experience.” Religions 12, no. 12 (2021): 1058. Source for James’s noetic quality & how the concept is used in current research. Hoffman, Claire. “Inside the New Psychedelic Awakening.” Rolling Stone, September 21, 2026. Source for concept of a psychedelic religious revival & support of the notion that “Psilocybin Can Occasion Mystical-Type Experiences Having Substantial and Sustained Personal Meaning and Spiritual Significance” was a catalyst for the psychedelic renaissance. Edits: To focus this episode’s themes and narrative, we cut down our guests’ analysis, observations, narrativizations, & story. We also cut all of Alex’s questions & comments. Other edits are limited to dead space, audio blemishes, unnecessary words, & unessential content. We consulted with our guests during the original production of these edits, & they approved of the flow. Theme song: Secret Wilderness’ theme song is “Winter Solstice” by Löwenzahnhonig. Released by Inselgruppe, published by A Tree in a Field. Other music: We used additional tracks covered by our Artlist subscription. Other sounds: We used the tracks: “Early morning sun ruse at Cocha Cashu research station in Peru.mp3 by pmarcush -- https://freesound.org/s/555536/ -- License: Creative Commons 0” “Generic Censor Tone by deleted_user_3656686 -- https://freesound.org/s/245892/ -- License: Creative Commons 0” “Car Crash by squareal -- https://freesound.org/s/237375/ -- License: Creative Commons 0” “Police highway chase - car theft_kevman.wav by Kevin_Manickam -- https://freesound.org/s/513248/ -- License: Creative Commons 0”

    Are Spiritual Insights on Psychedelics Bull$#!* or What?

  2. Aug 17

    I Was Almost a Bad Shaman. Can I Become a Good Guide?

    The psychedelic world has lots of stories of delusional & predatory spiritual leaders. Perhaps I’m a bit naive, but I must admit: This phenomenon confused me for a long time. If psychedelic experiences were just goofy fantasies that routinely padded your own ego, then it would make total sense… but this was not my experience. My experience was that quote-unquote “getting high” would kick your ass as often as it would make you laugh. Even weed was like this for me. The first time I truly smoked, I was immediately confronted with 2 of the most painful things in my life. These weren’t comforting delusions. They were frightening realities. & facing them… sucked. So for the longest time, I could understand having a psychological break on psychedelics, but I struggled to see how they could corrupt you. How could dosing truth make you more egotistical? This question brings us to Changuito’s story. Chapters (00:00) Intro (02:43) A not easy childhood. (03:55) The first LSD trip. (05:46) “Terror, horror.” (08:00) The little green man. (10:44) The teacher (13:52) The therapist. (16:09) Fine ego traps. (18:23) When you’re allowed to help. (20:52) Closing thoughts. Notes Edits: To focus this episode’s themes and narrative, we cut down Changito’s analysis, observations, narrativizations, & story. We also cut all of Alex’s questions & comments. Other edits are limited to dead space, audio blemishes, unnecessary words, & unessential content. We consulted with Changito, & he approved this flow. Theme song: Secret Wilderness’ theme song is “Winter Solstice” by Löwenzahnhonig. Released by Inselgruppe, published by A Tree in a Field. Other music: We used the tracks “Binaural Sleep Vol. 3,” “Shadows In The Dark,” “Konfrontation (Romeos Erbe),” "Cinematic Desert 4," & “Iran Vol. 1” by Sascha Ende. This music is free for commercial use under the CC BY 4.0 license. Other sounds: We used the tracks: “VINTAGE CAMERA SOUND by Jorgemaca -- https://freesound.org/s/773049/ -- License: Creative Commons 0.”

    I Was Almost a Bad Shaman. Can I Become a Good Guide?

  3. Jul 7

    Did Psychedelics Make Me Psychic?

    In part one of this story, psychedelics sent Tony tumbling down the rabbit hole. First, he told us, they reunited him with his deceased brother. Then they recovered memories of sexual abuse. Now they revealed a tragic secret. But Tony’s tale is far from over. Buckle up. This tunnel has a few more twists. Chapters (00:00) Intro. (03:08) Dealing with guilt. (10:55) Mediumship? (15:09) Telepathy? (19:14) A strange experience in Jamaica. (23:10) Final thoughts from Tony. (27:27) Wrapping up loose ends. Notes Edits: To focus this episode’s themes and narrative, we cut down Tony’s analysis, observations, narrativizations, & story. We also cut all of Alex’s questions & comments. Other edits are limited to dead space, audio blemishes, unnecessary words, & unessential content. We consulted with Tony, & he approved this flow. Theme song: Secret Wilderness’ theme song is “Winter Solstice” by Löwenzahnhonig. Released by Inselgruppe, published by A Tree in a Field. Other music: We used the tracks “2. Epic (Restrained Power) [Cinematic Underscore Loops - The Core Collection],” “Supernatural - The Original,” & “Bar Performance 10: Solo Cello & Piano” by Sascha Ende. This music is free for commercial use under the CC BY 4.0 license. Other sounds: We used the tracks: “rising AAAHh2 REV DEEP.wav by Leady -- https://freesound.org/s/26719/ -- License: Attribution 3.0,” “weird bell 2 (fractanimal metal-cylinder-hit remix).flac by arseniiv -- https://freesound.org/s/703236/ -- License: Creative Commons 0,” “Dark Tribal Drum and Atmo.wav by szegvari -- https://freesound.org/s/575536/ -- License: Creative Commons 0,” “Real heartbeat sound fastest by under_the_hood -- https://freesound.org/s/455440/ -- License: Creative Commons 0”

    Did Psychedelics Make Me Psychic?

  4. May 30

    Can Psychedelics Heal Suicide Grief? Man "Visits" His Late Brother on MDMA

    Tony couldn’t function after his brother’s suicide. Growing up, they did everything together. They were best friends. After spinning out for months, Tony stumbles onto psychedelics. Desperate for relief, he takes the leap. This is part 1 of the story of what he found. Chapters (00:00) Intro. (03:53) Losing a brother. (07:17) MDMA trip 1 (16:13) MDMA trip 2 (22:11) Then it hit me… Notes Edits: To focus this episode’s themes and narrative, we cut down Tony’s analysis, observations, narrativizations, & story. We also cut all of Alex’s questions & comments. Other edits are limited to dead space, audio blemishes, unnecessary words, & unessential content. We consulted with Tony, & he approved this flow. Theme song: Secret Wilderness’ theme song is “Winter Solstice” by Löwenzahnhonig. Released by Inselgruppe, published by A Tree in a Field. Other music: We used the tracks “Stalker Heart of Chornobyl Atmosphere 7,” “7. Pastoral (Vast Peace) [Cinematic Underscore Loops - The Core Collection], “Sounds Of The Sea 4” “Beauty Of The Earth 1 - Sunrise” & “Sounds Of The Sea 6” by Sascha Ende. This music is free for commercial use under the CC BY 4.0 license. Other sounds: We used the tracks: “ForestDay_BW.66.wav” by sonidosreales245 -- https://freesound.org/s/517042/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 & “Lightswitch being turned on/off from various distances” by a3poify -- https://freesound.org/s/372003/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    Can Psychedelics Heal Suicide Grief? Man "Visits" His Late Brother on MDMA

  5. Episode 30

    The Future of Secret Wilderness

    Today we’re taking a break from our regularly scheduled programming.  We won’t be exploring someone’s psychedelic therapy story, but we will be exploring something else:  The future of this show.

    The Future of Secret Wilderness

  6. Mar 29

    Can I Trust Psychedelics?

    In our first story, Jane has a terrifying trip the day after she had a [quote] “healing” moment on mushrooms. In our second, Lana faces her fear of psychedelics years after she thought LSD [quote] “broke” her brain.  Can we trust psychedelics despite their risks?  These stories explore that question.  Chapters (00:00) Intro.  (02:49) Jane’s terrifying trip.  (20:41) Lana faces her fear.   Notes Jane’s episode: ⁠Can Psychedelics Heal the Mother Wound? Part 2⁠ Lana’s episode: ⁠Why Did I Have a Bad Trip? ⁠ Edits: This episode is created using edited clips from original episodes. We’ve added music to the clips and made a few minor cuts. Theme song: Secret Wilderness’ theme song is “Winter Solstice” by Löwenzahnhonig. Released by Inselgruppe, published by A Tree in a Field. Other music: We used the tracks “Loop Paket 0008,” “The Backrooms Music Vol. 23,” “Cinema Blockbuster Trailer 11,” “Halloween 2025 Vol. 8,” “Binaural Sleep Vol. 2,” “Cinematic Desert 2,”  &  “Podcast Music Vol. 25 [Evening Calm]” by ⁠Sascha Ende⁠. This music is free for commercial use under the ⁠CC BY 4.0 license⁠.

    Can I Trust Psychedelics?

  7. Mar 8

    Can Psychedelics Heal Generational Trauma? Part 2: The Mother Wound & the Father Wound

    We re-enter Vaughn’s story as the course of his psychedelic therapy takes a turn. For years, Vaughn’s experiences had taken him, he believes, into his family’s traumatic history. He met its villians & victims — many were both — & discovered he could free himself from their burdens by experiencing their experience. This adventure, chronicled in part 1, went on for years. But then things changed. Psychedelics stopped taking him to his ancestors & started showing something else. His childhood. Chapters (00:00) Intro. (02:55) Alone in the crib. (07:41) Starting smoking at 50. (10:50) Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. (14:07) Forgiving dad. (19:13) Inside the house. (23:34) Why people choose to live. Notes Edits: To focus this episode’s themes and narrative, we cut down Vaugn’s analysis, observations, narrativizations, & story. We also cut all of Alex’s questions & comments. Other edits are limited to dead space, audio blemishes, unnecessary words, & unessential content. We consulted with Vaughn, & he approved this flow. Theme song: Secret Wilderness’ theme song is “Winter Solstice” by Löwenzahnhonig. Released by Inselgruppe, published by A Tree in a Field. Other music: We used the tracks “The Backrooms Music Vol. 20,” “Bar Performance 10: Solo Cello & Piano,” “Lost Place Atmospheres Vol. 2,” “Podcast Music Vol. 4 [Mystery Ambience],” “Dream Of A Dream 2,” “The Backrooms Music Vol. 6,” “Disturbing Sounds 2 [for your neighbors],” & “Halo Stream Music Vol. 10,” by Sascha Ende. This music is free for commercial use under the CC BY 4.0 license.

    Can Psychedelics Heal Generational Trauma? Part 2: The Mother Wound & the Father Wound

  8. Feb 15

    Do Psychedelics Hurt or Heal? 3 Anonymous Psychedelic Campfire Stories

    Today, we explore the complex power of psychedelics through 3 different stories. In our first story, Jane [quote] “telepathically” communicates with her abusive mother on psilocybin. In the second, Lev tries to address relationship issues with ayahuasca. In the last, Trip takes MDMA as a last-ditch effort to prevent his own suicide. Chapters (00:00) Intro. (03:36) Jane’s psychedelic conversation. (15:41) Lev hits eject on ayahuasca. (26:08) Trip’s MDMA trip. Notes Jane’s episode: Can Psychedelics Heal the Mother Wound? Part 2 Lev’s episode: Who Says Ego Death Is Good for Me? Trip’s episode: Can Psychedelics Help Me Love Myself? Edits: To focus this episode’s themes and narrative, we cut down our guests’ analysis, observations, narrativizations, & story. We also cut all of Alex’s questions & comments. Other edits are limited to dead space, audio blemishes, unnecessary words, & unessential content. We consulted with our guests during the original production of these edits, & they approved of the flow. Theme song: Secret Wilderness’ theme song is “Winter Solstice” by Löwenzahnhonig. Released by Inselgruppe, published by A Tree in a Field. Other music: We used the tracks “Drones over New Jersey,” “7. Pastoral (Vast Peace) [Cinematic Underscore Loops - The Core Collection],” “African Desert,” “The Most Shocking Halloween Trailer 3,” & “Binaural Sleep Vol. 4,” by Sascha Ende. This music is free for commercial use under the CC BY 4.0 license.

    Do Psychedelics Hurt or Heal? 3 Anonymous Psychedelic Campfire Stories
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In-depth, anonymous, remarkably honest accounts of psychedelic therapy.

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