đ#163 No easy content today- An open letter & podcast episode from "Safe Heart" - The foundation supporting the survivors of the music festivals in Southern Israel.
.
This episode was a difficult conversation. Very open, very vulnerable, but it was a conversation I wanted to have with a the SafeHeart Foundation - A Professional support for the survivors of the music festivals on October 7th in Israel.
We decided to keep this episode as little political as possible. So we would be able to talk about what happened on and after the rave with the people attending, where they got attacked and how their trauma played out in the aftermath of the event.
Please listen to the episode hereâŚ.
And read the open letter hereâŚ
AN OPEN LETTER FROM SAFEHEART
On October 7th, 2023, Hamas launched a mass terror attack on Southern Israel, triggering a war in Gaza. As a result, both Israelis and Palestinians suffered widespread casualties and keep suffering in the aftermath of the conflict. In light of these devastating events, we extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected and hope for resolution and solutions that absolutely exclude violence and necessarily include freedom and justice.
On that day, one of the targeted places was an outdoor psychedelic music festival named Nova, attended by over 3,500 individuals. There, more than 400 people were killed, hundreds were injured, and dozens were kidnapped. The attack was characterized by its prolonged duration and extreme brutality. Numerous reports emerged of egregious human rights violations, including sexual violence and desecration of the dead. The survivors were forced into harrowing situations. To survive, people had to flee for their lives and hide amidst scenes of unspeakable violence and cruelty, and many escapees were under the influence of psychoactive substances, notably psychedelics.
On behalf of many in the academic community, we express our significant concern about the effects of traumatic exposure under the influence of psychedelics. Indeed, the traumatic experience, compounded by the altered state of consciousness induced by the substances, presents an unusual and extreme psychological hardship that requires extensive therapeutic intervention and thorough scientific investigation. This is especially relevant when one considers that psychedelics often increase sensitivity to context. In therapeutic environments, this usually manifests as empathy, self-awareness, and a sense of interconnectedness. However, in traumatic environments, psychedelic substances may make people particularly vulnerable to acute distress. Healthcare professionals need to better understand the experiences of the Nova survivors to provide the necessary support, which will require intensive empirical study.
In recent years, a renewed interest has developed worldwide in psychedelics as potential treatments for trauma-related psychopathologies. However, the subjective experience of trauma during altered states of consciousness and its subsequent impact on recovery trajectories remains underexplored.
Within our work at SafeHeart, we have encountered distressing accounts from survivors still, months later, unable to discern reality from hallucination. This could suggest that traumatic exposure while experiencing altered states of consciousness may exacerbate the risk and severity of subsequent symptomatology, which may impede recovery, potentially increasing the risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related conditions despite prompt intervention.Â
For these persons, as a result of the difficulty of separating these experiences from reality, it may also be difficult to seek appropriate mental health care from well-trained professionals with specialized knowledge related to psychedelics training, or minimally a non-judgmental stance toward them. Furthermore, the effects related to psychedelic experiences may be misinterpreted as symptoms of mental illness, leading to misdiagnosis and ineffective, and even potentially harmful, treatments.
As we mentioned, the interaction of psychedelics heightened sensory sensitivity and neural plasticity with traumatic experiences raises concerns about an increased risk of PTSD and novel presentations of symptoms. This situation necessitates a comprehensive research approach to understand, treat, and support those affected by such unprecedented and challenging circumstances. Furthermore, a comprehensive research and support program should be implemented to better assess the long-term effects of mass trauma and provide the necessary resources to those who are in need.
Conversely, anecdotal evidence from survivors also highlights instances of remarkable resilience, stamina, and insight influenced by psychedelic states, which in some cases helped them survive and save others. This dichotomy underscores the urgency of delving deeper into the nexus of trauma and psychedelic-induced altered states of consciousness. By investigating these experiences, we aim to elucidate the prevalence, progression, and prognosis of PTSD in extreme contexts. We also aim to explore the potential for psychedelics to foster resilience, taking into account both pharmacological and extra-pharmacological factors.
Insights garnered from this research are vital for equipping healthcare providers with the knowledge to support this unique patient population effectively. In addition, they are vital for advancing PTSD treatment programs. We advocate for a concerted effort within the academic and clinical communities to address these research questions which hold significant implications for our understanding and treatment of trauma in the context of psychedelic experiences. Further research into this subject is essential to ensure that our healthcare providers are equipped with the necessary knowledge to effectively support this unique patient population. We also advocate for more research to be done into the long-term effects of psychedelic experiences. This will help to further refine our understanding of this complex phenomenon.
Kindly,
G. Simon1,2,3, A. Geva4,5,6, N. Tadmor2,3, A.D. Cherniak7,8,9, D. Halperin2,3,10
1 Faculty of sociology and anthropology, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
2 SafeHeart, Israel
3 Impulse Integrative Clinical Center, Israel
4 Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
5 Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
6 Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
7 Jerusalem Mental Health Center, Community Clinic for Mental Health, Jerusalem, Israel
8 Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
9 Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University (Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya), Herzliya, Israel
10 Department of Psychiatry, Maccabi Health Services, Israel
If you want to reach out to SafeHeart, go to the website!
https://www.safeheartil.com/en OR write to info@safeheartil.com
Sorry to snatch the cotton wrapper from you... but the attack on the festival was planned long in advance by the Israeli IDF - Israel wanted to justify the annexation of Gaza with the false flag terror operation. It has already been proven several times that Israeli helicopters shot at the festival and all the cars - "shoot everything that moves..." the military said - leaked and publicly visible. Open your eyes when consuming media âď¸