Are Psychedelics Demonic?
The short answer is: absolutely not.
There’s a growing trend online among christians to claim that psychedelics are “demonic”. This began to really heat up in the 1970’s & 80’s with the “war on drugs” which was fueled by Ronald & Nancy Reagan.
Here’s why they got it all wrong.
Psychedelic Therapy
Our world is going through a mental health crisis. In the US alone, over 20 million people are clinically depressed. Millions of veterans are struggling with PTSD. Nearly 20 veterans die by suicide per day in the US.
Often Christians claim “Christ is the only way to healing”... yet psychedelic therapy seems to be helping millions heal. (What if psychedelics are helping bring people closer to Christ? The two can coexist)
Johns Hopkins studies have shown significant reductions in depression symptoms, with effects lasting months after single or few doses. A 2021 JAMA Psychiatry study found psilocybin-assisted therapy was as effective as escitalopram (a common SSRI) for moderate-to-severe depression, with some evidence of faster and more sustained benefits.
Phase 3 clinical trials by MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) showed 67% of participants no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria after MDMA-assisted therapy.
Here are the key mechanisms behind why psychedelics work in healing:
Increased neuroplasticity.. creating new neural pathways
Default Mode Network disruption.. breaking rigid thought patterns
Enhanced emotional processing in therapeutic context
Ego dissolution allowing new perspectives on trauma
A Theological Angle
I personally have benefited greatly from intentional use of psychedelics, specifically Ayahuasca and mushrooms. One major benefit for me has been growing closer to God and Christ through my experiences.
This is not uncommon. My wife was an atheist when we first met. Her first Ayahuasca ceremony changed everything. Divine experiences in the medicine have led her to grow her relationship in faith as well.
I’ve led over 100 men into the jungle to work with Ayahuasca and other plant medicines. This is a common trend I see amongst participants.
Many report experiences of:
Profound interconnectedness
Divine and mystical experiences
Increased compassion and forgiveness
Reduced fear of death
Heightened sense of meaning
Does this sound demonic?
An Invitation to Be Cautious
Here’s the truth: psychedelics are not inherently demonic. They’re incredible “technology of the earth” that have the potential to help us heal ourselves.
But they aren’t all good. You must be very intentional with them or they can have unintended consequences.
A few keys:
Set & Setting Are Crucial
“Set” meaning your mindset.
Your mental state going into a psychedelic experience becomes amplified. Because psychedelics dramatically increase neuroplasticity and lower the brain’s normal filtering mechanisms, whatever psychological material you bring—whether anxiety, trauma, or openness—becomes magnified and more accessible. This is why it’s important to prepare properly and cultivate a mindset of acceptance and curiosity, ready to meet whatever arises rather than resist it.
“Setting” meaning your environment.
The physical and social environment during a psychedelic experience profoundly shapes its direction because these substances heighten sensitivity to external stimuli and social cues. A chaotic, unsafe, or unpredictable setting can trigger anxiety and paranoia that spirals into a difficult experience, while a calm, comfortable space with trusted guides provides psychological safety that allows for deeper exploration.
This is why I recommend working with a well-trained facilitator or shaman. I personally prefer to have these experiences fully immersed in nature. I travel to the jungles of Costa Rica to work with traditionally trained shamans.
“Integration” is the most important part.
What you do after the experience is everything. Do you go back to living the same way? Or do you use this opportunity to make real shifts in your life.
This is where true transformation comes from.
If you’re interested in exploring these plant teachers, I’d love to provide you with a safe container to do so. I host two retreats per year in Costa Rica where we work with Ayahuasca and other ancient plant medicines.
You can learn more here: