The psychological, trauma-centered approach to psychedelics does an excellent job of recognizing how unresolved trauma lodges itself in the body, affecting both our self-perception and our interactions with others. Bessel van der Kolk’s work on how The Body Keeps the Score offers foundational insight into this.

But this leads to a deeper question—why does trauma get locked in our bodies in the first place?But this leads to a deeper question—why does trauma get locked in our bodies in the first place? Why do people so frequently dissociate from their painful experiences and bury them away? Is this response an innate human mechanism, or is it shaped by the values of our modern, civilized society?

Hard question to answer, but there is no doubt that our culture reinforces and normalizes it by instilling the belief that certain emotions, experiences, and aspects of ourselves must be suppressed. This conditioning begins in childhood and becomes so ingrained that we often mistake it for the natural order of things. Dr. Gabor Maté writes extensively about how trauma and cultural suppression shape our identities in ways we don't even recognize.

Psychedelics Don’t Just Heal—They Reveal

One of the more startling aspects of psychedelics is their ability to unearth these suppressed parts and bring them into our conscious awareness. Becoming aware of them is a great step in integration. But here’s where things get even more complicated—if we truly take these lessons to heart, doesn’t it mean we must also recognize dissociation and suppression as societal illnesses? When psychedelic explorers look beyond their own personal trauma stories they frequently see them wrapped up in their families. Look even more deeply and they are wrapped up in the wider culture. Most people find that they learned their patterns of dissociation and suppression from their parents, and parents pass them down to their kids in the same way they teach them ABC's. Psychedelics have taught me how important it is to live honestly and authentically, but if we do that, we risk coming into conflict with the cultural norms of dissociation and suppression.

Suppression as a Social Script

Before diving into what it means to live authentically, let’s examine the standard cultural model most people operate under. Suppression means that we move through the world performing what is socially acceptable while pushing down the parts of ourselves that don’t align. This is, in effect, a kind of unconscious performance art—showcasing to others that we are “good” people according to the metrics of our environment. In my hometown of Portland, for example, being a “good” person might mean advocating for progressive causes, demonstrating allyship, and prioritizing environmental consciousness. Social rewards follow—approval, belonging, validation.

In more conservative settings, a similar dynamic plays out but with different values. There, cultural approval may come from expressing commitment to traditional beliefs, voicing disdain for liberal ideas, or being active in a local church community. The specifics change, but the underlying game remains the same.

This isn’t to say that all our behaviors are masks, but rather that the social roles we adopt can become so intertwined with our sense of self that we lose touch with our deeper, more nuanced parts. At times, even acknowledging those suppressed thoughts and feelings can feel like a threat to our security and identity.

When the Mask Slips: The Side Effects of Repression

Of course, what is suppressed must find a release. People in my community talk about how these hidden aspects inevitably “come out sideways.” This can manifest through addictive behaviors, secret affairs, or private confessions to your therapist or dominatrix (depending on what's hidden inside!). The pressure of maintaining an acceptable identity builds up until it demands an outlet.

The Pain of Playing a Role

The core issue is that we craft a version of ourselves to present to the world and become so attached to it that our more complex, contradictory feelings get shoved into the shadows. These hidden aspects often conflict with cultural norms, making them feel dangerous to acknowledge. As a result, we seek relationships that reinforce our curated identity while covertly gravitating toward spaces where we can safely express our suppressed side.

Are Psychedelics Being Co-Opted by the System?

Growing up in a fundamentalist church, I learned how to play the role of the “good Christian.” The script was clear—there were established rules to follow and behaviors to perform. When I finally allowed myself to question those beliefs and voice my doubts, I became an outsider, a lost soul. If you’re progressive, you might read this and nod in agreement, seeing it as confirmation of the rigidity of religious conservatism. But I see something similar happening in progressive circles as well. The rules and expectations may differ, but the underlying dynamic is the same—certain questions are off-limits, certain views cannot be explored without social repercussions.

The Disruptive Power of Psychedelics

This is where psychedelics can become a real cultural disruptor. If you look at the psychedelic boom of the 1960's, this was exactly what was happening! Many people believe that psychedelics were made illegal then because of the threat to the social order they presented, and in order to get psychedelics legalized now we have to stay out of this terrain.

When used for deeper integration—not just to process the psychedelic experience or resolve trauma—they challenge the very foundations of the societal structures we navigate. This means actively questioning everything, even the ideals our culture deems “good.” That’s the real revolutionary potential of psychedelics. However, we can't simply "tear down" without also building a new framework in its place. Tearing down is the easy part, and building something new was not what my hippie heroes were good at.

The Real Revolutionary Potential

My concern, however, is that mainstream acceptance of psychedelics has come with the radical edge stripped away. If they are simply sold as tools for trauma healing and emotional regulation, they risk becoming yet another mechanism for reinforcing the status quo—another means of keeping people within the bounds of societal suppression rather than liberating them from it.

Integrate and Navigate the Uncomfortable Truths

If this reflection stirred something in you—if you’re feeling the tension between who you are and who you’ve been told to be—know that you’re not alone. Integration is not just about understanding your psychedelic experiences; it’s about navigating the uncomfortable truths they reveal.

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About the Author

Justin Levy has spent the majority of his life exploring the intersections of spiritual traditions and Plant Medicine, with a particular focus on kundalini. He started his own spiritual healing and integration practice (called Kundalini Mediumship) in 2009, based on decades of personal work with Ayahuasca and other plants, the spiritual tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, and the martial art of capoeira. His practice incorporates bodywork, movement and dance, and rhythm and song, with a particular emphasis on shadow work and integration. Justin has been teaching this medicine since 2011 and leading ceremonial work since 2020. His focus is on helping each person connect to and embody their own unique gifts and medicine within the context of tradition.

The Real Danger of Psychedelic Integration