Psychedelic Water CEO Pankaj Gogia Talks About The Future Of Psychedelics - Exclusive

Psychedelics are becoming more mainstream — micro-dosing mushroom gummies are trending, and Psychedelic Water just hit the shelves of Walmart and Urban Outfitters. The term "psychedelic" was created by Humphry Osmond, one of the first psychiatrists who studied using LSD as a treatment option for alcoholism and other mental health issues when LSD was first discovered. To Osmond, the word meant "mind manifesting." He saw successful results in his first clinical trials in the early 1950s and encouraged other mental health professionals to use it. LSD therapy became popular in the late 1950s and early '60s — many believed it would be "the next big thing" in psychiatry. 

However, in 1962, Congress and the Food and Drug Administration tightened regulations on research and when LSD leaked to the public, it gained a bad reputation and was outlawed by the federal government in 1968 (via The Guardian). "Currently, there's still a lot of fear and uncertainty around psychedelics in the eyes of the public. 50+ years of drug war propaganda tends to have that effect," says Pankaj Gogia, CEO of Psychedelic Water. Gogia think psychedelics are becoming more socially accepted. He discusses the benefits of psychoactive substances and the future of psychedelics in an exclusive interview with Health Digest.

Psychedelic Water is paving the way for a more accessible psychedelic experience. The drink will not make you hallucinate — but it does contain psychoactive substances like kava, damiana, and green tea extract that have mood-boosting benefits. Many individuals and organizations are working to educate the public and destigmatize psychedelics. "We want to contribute to this normalization with a unique approach. We feel that having a psychedelic-branded product on the shelves of your local convenience store between cans of Red Bull and jugs of milk could have a significant impact on the public perception and normalization of psychedelics," says Gogia. 

Psychedelic Water aims to be approachable to people who are interested in psychedelics, but maybe are hesitant or unfamiliar with them. The drink has similar effects of psychedelics but with FDA-compliant ingredients. "We want to act as an entry point for people into the wider world of these substances and their many benefits," shares Gogia. And the benefits are immense. Psychedelic Water helps boost your mood and promotes stress relief. "People have described themselves as feeling giggly, bubbly, serene, and content after trying our blend. Basically, it gets you feeling good and puts a smile on your face while keeping your head clear and your cognition intact."

Recently, clinical research around psychedelics for therapeutic use has amped back up. The latest studies have shown that psilocybin, a natural substance found in some mushrooms, can help decrease anxiety and depression in cancer patients (via The Washington Post). Other recent studies reveal that LSD helps ease anxiety around life-threatening illnesses, with no negative side-effects. 

There have also been new studies on MDMA-assisted therapy for psychological disorders and trauma, cannabis for post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as ibogaine and ayahuasca for drug addiction (via Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies). "There have already been announcements and changes regarding decriminalization and legalization in medical and recreational settings in some states. With full legalization still on a distant horizon, we see a large opportunity in the psychedelic space," says Gogia.

While Psychedelic Water isn't exactly psychedelic, its psychoactive ingredients can help shift your perception, mood, and consciousness in a positive way. "Psychedelic Water relaxes your body, elevates your mood, and leaves you feeling lifted."

To find out more about Psychedelic Water, you can visit the website and online shop.