A Mental Health Anthology, Part 1: The Decline
The author recounts a decade‑long struggle with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, culminating in multiple psychedelic ceremonies—including ayahuasca and Bufo—to confront deep‑seated trauma. Early experiences, such as finding a childhood notebook filled with self‑harm thoughts, set the stage for a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and ten different antidepressants. Transcendental meditation and later ancestral‑focused psychedelic sessions provided moments of insight, linking personal pain to family lineage and prompting a shift from escapism to inner work. The narrative ends with a resolve to honor the wounded inner child rather than abandon it.
Let Cuba Live
The author’s visit to Havana highlights how the U.S. embargo fuels dire shortages in Cuban hospitals, exemplified by premature twins battling formula scarcity. The piece also underscores Cuba’s deep Black cultural roots, with public reverence for African heritage and a...