Opinion

My Submission to the PATH Caucus

October 3, 2024
Opinion
Politics

https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-170/issue-129/extensions-of-remarks-section/article/E809-3

Summary of the letter:

  • The PATH Caucus was created to raise awareness about the therapeutic potential of psychedelic and entactogenic drugs for mental health conditions.
  • The Caucus is seeking input on implementing programs and policies for novel therapies using these substances.
  • The Caucus aims to gather input from the public, those who have received psychedelic-assisted therapies, and stakeholders in the behavioral health ecosystem.
  • The Caucus acknowledges the cultural significance of certain psychedelic substances and seeks input from indigenous communities.
  • The Caucus is interested in input on risk mitigation frameworks, including public education, substance misuse prevention, and safety monitoring strategies.
  • The Caucus is seeking input on how to support states in developing infrastructures and service delivery systems for these therapies.
  • The Caucus is interested in input on how to ensure equitable access to these therapies.
  • The Caucus is seeking input on data standards and repositories for collecting data on the use of these substances.
  • The Caucus is seeking input on how to protect public health and safety when implementing these novel therapies.

Response:

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Oregon's regulation of synthetically derived cannabinoids

September 17, 2024
Opinion
Politics, Law

2025 Jan 08 UPDATE: OLCC clarified that Oregon prohibits the sale of artificially derived cannabinoids. There is no prohibition against possession. You can verify this by visiting Chapter 845 and searching for “penalty.”

Oregon’s approach to regulating synthetically derived cannabinoids has evolved significantly in recent years. Initially, the focus was primarily on controlling their sale and distribution, while possession was treated as a minor infraction under Measure 110, which broadly decriminalized drug possession.

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Polypaternity

July 22, 2024
Opinion
Semantics

Here’s a satirical take on polypaternity, parodying the concept of polyamory.

Scenario #

Suppose your relationship with your dad is loving but falls short of idyllic expectations. This isn’t attributable to paternity uncertainty; he is your biological dad, sharing 50% of his DNA.1 So what do you do? You obviously have only two options:

  • Work through existing conflicts with your dad to improve your relationship.
  • Abandon the pursuit of expansive satisfaction and contentment with one dad figure, instead seeking to fill the void with multiple dad figures.

Note that the belief that a single dad can never suffice is potentially self-fulfilling. The more firmly you hold this belief, the more likely you normalize and accept a mediocre relationship, allowing it to remain unimproved.

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Establishing Self/Part Connection, Beyond the Basics

May 10, 2024
Opinion
Internal Family Systems

Introduction #

Update Aug 2025: Connect this to self-like parts.
Update Oct 2024: I had the opportunity to receive consultation from Dick on this topic. I added the transcript with my reactions.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy emphasizes the client’s Self as the core element for achieving healing. The therapist guides and supports the client. They help connect the client’s parts with their Self. This connection is crucial for progress. Without it, healing can be significantly slowed down or even blocked. This is especially true for exiled parts that experience disconnection and carry emotional pain.

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Comment on Placement of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine in Schedule I

December 18, 2023
Opinion
Law, Politics, Psychedelics

Drug regulation should not be a criminal matter, but addressed by health care providers. I urge the DEA to drop this attempt to schedule more substances.

  1. Personal Liberty: At the heart of the decriminalization movement lies the principle of individual autonomy. Adults should have the right to choose what they put into their own bodies, as long as their actions don’t harm others. Criminalizing personal drug use infringes on this fundamental freedom, treating individuals as criminals for making private choices.

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On Body Positivity

November 21, 2023
Opinion
Internal Family Systems, Nutrition

What is the debate? 🥊 #

According to epidemiological studies,1 the threshold for BMI is 20–21 kg m-2.

💥 yet 💥

We envision a world where BMI does not exist, and is not replaced with another size-based, anti-fat measure of health.2

What is the impulse behind movements like Health At Every Size2 and Intuitive Eating3?

Shape of the motivating story 🎭 #

Suppose I have depression 😟. The only thing that fills that void in my heart is ice cream 🍨. If I don’t eat ice cream, I will kill myself 🪓. On the other hand, if I do eat ice cream, I might gain weight 🎈. Which option would you rather I pick? 🗳️

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