Rediscovering Fun, Playfulness, and a Childlike Spirit Through Psychedelics

Let’s have some fun.  I know, maybe not what you expected to hear from a psychedelic therapy and wellness company, but in the hustle and grind of adulthood, it’s easy to lose touch with the carefree joy and boundless imagination we experienced as children. Responsibilities pile up, societal expectations weigh us down, and the idea of “having fun” often takes a backseat to productivity and success. But what if there was a way to reconnect with that playful, curious part of ourselves? From our experience, this is where psychedelics can come in. For many of our clients they have been significantly helpful for rekindling the childlike spirit that lies dormant within us.

When used responsibly psychedelics can help us break free from rigid thought patterns, explore the world with fresh eyes, and rediscover the magic of play, freedom, and fun. This article delves into how psychedelics can facilitate this reconnection and why it’s an essential aspect of healing and personal growth.

Why Playfulness Matters

Play isn’t just for kids. Research shows that engaging in playful activities can:

• Reduce stress: Play activates the brain’s reward centers, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine and endorphins.  It can also lower cortisol (stress) in our system and provide a breath of fresh air in comparison to the hustle and bustle of life.
• Enhance creativity: A playful mindset encourages experimentation and innovation, helping us think outside the box.  We can see this in children who make creative and imaginative objects with Legos.
• Strengthen relationships: Shared moments of fun create bonds and build trust with others.
• Improve mental health: Play has been linked to reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.  Reconnecting with fun and play can also contribute to a more balanced overall wellness.

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However, many of us struggle to access this state of playfulness. Cultural conditioning often teaches us that play is frivolous, immature, or a waste of time.  Unfortunately, that can lead us to suppress our natural instincts for exploration and joy. Psychedelics, when approached responsibly, can help soften these barriers.

How Psychedelics Foster Play and Creativity

1. Breaking Free from Rigid Thinking

One of the most profound effects of psychedelics is their ability to disrupt entrenched thought patterns. Substances like ketamine, psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA temporarily reduce or change activity in the brain’s default mode network (DMN), which is responsible for self-referential thinking and rumination. When the DMN quiets down, we’re able to approach the world with a sense of wonder and curiosity—much like a child experiencing something for the first time.  Notably with ketamine we’re also able to create a disconnect from some of the physical stress we feel in our bodies and reconnect with a somatic sense of freedom.

2. Enhancing Sensory Perception

Psychedelics often heighten sensory awareness, making ordinary experiences feel extraordinary. Colors appear more vibrant, music resonates more deeply, and textures become more fascinating. This sensory amplification invites us to engage with the world in a playful, exploratory way, rediscovering joy in the simplest things.

3. Cultivating Emotional Openness

Many psychedelics promote a sense of emotional vulnerability and connection, making it easier to express feelings of joy, love, and curiosity. This emotional openness can help us reconnect with the uninhibited, carefree aspects of our personality.  Finding this vulnerability and connection can also help our internal shame or feelings towards the “immaturity or frivolousness” of play.

4. Facilitating Laughter and Joy

Laughter is a natural byproduct of many psychedelic experiences. Whether it’s giggling at the absurdity of life or marveling at the beauty of the universe, these moments of spontaneous joy remind us of the simple pleasures of being alive. 

Real-Life Stories: Rekindling the Inner Child

Sarah’s Journey: Rediscovering Play Through Ketamine (conglomeration of clients – not a single story to maintain confidentiality)

Sarah, a 35-year-old graphic designer, described her first ketamine experience as “a trip back to childhood.” Her experience, facilitated with her therapist, was about an hour and a half and was filled with a sense of openness, lightness, and wonderment.  When processing it during an integration session she brought up the feeling of ‘awe’ and that it was an ‘awe’some experience.  By feeling this lightness and wonderment she was able to bring back with her the felt-sense or experience of those things and bring that to times and places in her life that she was able to introduce more fun. “I found myself feeling open like I hadn’t in decades,” she said. “It wasn’t just fun—it was healing. I realized how much joy I had been missing in my daily life.”

Responsible Use: Keys to a Positive Experience

While psychedelics hold immense potential, their use should always be approached with mindfulness. Here are some guidelines for using psychedelics to reconnect with playfulness:

1. Set a Clear Intention

Before a psychedelic experience, take time to reflect on your goals. Are you looking to explore creativity, tap into joy, or simply let go of stress to create a more fertile environment for play to happen? Setting an intention helps influence the experience and provides a sense of direction.

2. Choose the Environment

The setting plays a crucial role in shaping a psychedelic experience. Opt for a safe, comfortable space where you can move freely and engage in playful activities, whether it’s dancing, painting, or exploring nature.

3. Work with a Therapist, Guide or Facilitator

If you’re new to psychedelics, consider working with a trained therapist or guide. They can help create a supportive environment and assist you in integrating insights after the experience.

4. Consider Dosing

For those seeking a playful, exploratory experience, a low to moderate dose is often sufficient. This allows you to engage with the world in a heightened state of curiosity while still staying more grounded in the liminal space between conscious and unconscious mind.

5. Prioritize Integration

After the experience, take time to reflect on what you’ve learned and how you can incorporate playfulness into your daily life. Journaling, therapy, or creative activities can help solidify these insights.

Incorporating Playfulness into Everyday Life

While psychedelics can provide a powerful nudge toward fun and playfulness, the real work lies in integrating these lessons into your daily routine. Here are some ways to keep the spirit of play alive:

• Schedule time for fun: Treat play as an essential part of your week, just like exercise or work.  We often lose this in our schedules between our work, friends, family, or obligations we have throughout the week. 
• Reconnect with childhood hobbies: Whether it’s drawing, dancing, or building with Legos, revisit activities that once brought you joy.
• Surround yourself with playful people: Spend time with friends who inspire laughter and creativity.  As the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine.  By putting yourself around playful people and in playful situations you make it a lot easier to reconnect with playfulness.
• Practice mindfulness: Cultivate a sense of wonder by fully immersing yourself in the present moment.  The present is often ‘awe’some if we allow ourselves to be in it and feel it.

Final Thoughts

In a country that often prioritizes productivity over joy, reconnecting with fun and playfulness is a radical act of self-care. Psychedelics, with Elument offering ketamine, offer a unique pathway to rediscovering these essential aspects of ourselves, reminding us of the beauty and magic that exist in everyday life.

By approaching these substances with intention and responsibility, we can tap into our inner child and embrace a more vibrant, joyful existence. So, whether it’s through an assisted psychedelic journey or simply by dancing in your living room, remember: it’s never too late to play.