Psychedelic Breathwork for Healing Somatic, Relational, Societal, and Intergenerational Wounds: Announcements and Updates
Cannabis-Based Breathwork for Somatic, Relational, and Intergenerational Healing
The Wounded Healers Institute (WHI) offers specialized re-educational programming centered on the Path of the Wounded Healer (PWH). This module focuses on using cannabis and breathwork to access innate states of healing by leveraging the body’s intrinsic mechanism of psychological resolution: Memory Reconsolidation (MR). This is fundamentally a philosophical, moral, and academic re-orientation designed to advance the professional practice of healing, regardless of licensure.
The Core Tenet: Healing Through Adaptive Dissociation
Our framework is predicated on the qualitative discovery that the physical body is the psychological unconscious. Trauma and addiction manifest as dissociation. Therefore, true, universal healing requires addressing the unconscious body’s stored experiences.
This program teaches participants how to activate and regulate the body’s innate healing capacity through Mindful Dissociation or Adaptive Dissociation. Adaptive dissociation allows individuals to intentionally navigate dissociated states of consciousness, which are fundamentally protective and healing in nature.
Mechanism of Action: Breathwork, Cannabis, and Memory Reconsolidation (MR)
Healing is defined as MR, an evidence-based psychological algorithm that resolves unprocessed traumatic memories by moving them from short-term/active storage to long-term storage. This program utilizes dual methods recognized scientifically and historically to induce the necessary dual attention states for MR:
- Breathwork (The Natural MoA): Breathwork and meditation are recognized as powerful Mechanisms of Action (MoAs) that train the mind to remain a grounded, present-moment observer of thoughts and sensations, thereby facilitating the natural reconsolidation of stressful memories. Any practice—including breathing—that accesses MR is already evidence-based.
- Cannabis (The Psychedelic Catalyst): Cannabis (THC/CBD) is classified as a classic psychedelic. It is a welcomed visitor to the body that activates the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which is instrumental in physical and psychological healing, maintaining repair, and combating invaders. Cannabis use increases alpha waves, supporting conscious awareness, focused attention, and mindfulness practices necessary for dual attention.
By intentionally combining focused breathwork with the use of cannabis products (where legal and appropriate), participants catalyze a Dual Attention State (DAS) where the unconscious awareness is brought into conscious awareness, initiating deep healing. This state also decreases activity in the Default Mode Network (DMN), a common effect of psychedelics.
Healing Profound Wounds
Our specialized training targets unresolved experiences that conventional models often fail to diagnose or address effectively.
1. Somatic Healing (The Body Keeps the Score)
The body holds the score of past experiences because memories physically become a part of us. Somatic healing focuses on regulating the body to stabilize the individual. This process facilitates the safe access and release of traumatic energy stored in the body, transforming symptoms from “disorders” into the body’s intelligent communication about an unresolved wound. Healing occurs through the repair processes of the endogenous opiate and endocannabinoid systems.
2. Relational Wounds (Addiction as Dissociation)
Addiction, including universal addictions such as perfectionism, altruism, and ambition, is fundamentally a conditioned, dependent relationship formed through trauma-related dissociation.
This module re-educates participants on the underlying mechanics of dependence:
- The chronic stress of dissociation creates dependence on regulatory states of mind.
- The dual attention states induced by cannabis-based breathwork facilitate the resolution of addiction memories (drug trauma) through MR, which is critical for preventing relapse and unconscious reenactment.
- We use dissociation-informed methods, such as MASA, to assess where the person is in their addiction/dissociative profile and to obtain the Unconscious Informed Consent (UIC) necessary for profound relational healing.
3. Intergenerational Wounds
Traumatic and spiritual wounds are often inherited. We address the reality that trauma can be tracked across generations (as suggested by genetic research).
- Process: Healing intergenerational cycles is accessed and assessed through trauma reprocessing utilizing somatic awareness and storytelling.
- Outcome: Expanding consciousness through the combination of cannabis and breathwork allows individuals to somatically connect with their origins and heal deep family, ancestry, and historical traumas.
Registration and Program Logistics
This Cannabis-Based Breathwork module is an experiential, qualitative educational offering, often integrated into the PWH Training Intensives or as a component of the Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) Gym and Spa maintenance program.
Who Should Attend?
This program is designed for anyone interested in exploring the true nature of healing and transforming their lived experience, including professionals, informed citizens, seekers, and individuals in recovery. We specifically support those looking to apply wisdom gained from near-death experiences (NDEs), long-term recovery, or psychedelic experiences.
Prerequisites and Application
- Required Readings: Review of the Addiction as Dissociation Model (ADM) Class/Dissertation, the PWH Manual (including Memory Reconsolidation and Psychedelic Therapy), and Mindful Meditation Class + (MMC+) is required.
- Application: Submit an application, including an essay/artwork/video detailing your “Wounded Healer Journey”.
- MASA Interview: A Meeting Area Screening and Assessment (MASA) interview with Dr. Adam or an approved trainer is required for the PWH track. This qualitative assessment gauges re-education needs and validates the client’s dissociative and addictive profile before engagement.
Important Cannabis Policy and Disclaimer
- Re-Education, Not Treatment: This is an educational and re-educational program. We do not diagnose or treat mental health disorders; we focus on performance enhancement, resiliency, and spiritual/moral development.
- Substance Use: Participants are invited to bring their own CBD or cannabis products to the training to explore state-dependent learning and enhance the re-educational process. Cannabis is acknowledged as a safe medicine.
- Age Requirements: Participants must be 21 or older to participate with THC. Those 18 and younger can participate using CBD with parental consent.
- Accountability: Participants must affirm they are physically, psychologically, and spiritually fit to participate safely. They are responsible for their actions and safety, including arranging transportation post-session.
For more on our work and cause, consider following or signing up for newsletter or our work at woundedhealersinstitute.org or donating to our cause: HERE.
References
O’Brien, A. (2023a). Addiction as Trauma-Related Dissociation: A Phenomenological Investigation of the Addictive State. International University of Graduate Studies. (Dissertation). Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/courses/addiction-as-dissociation-model-course/
O’Brien, A. (2023b). Memory Reconsolidation in Psychedelics Therapy. In Path of the Wounded Healer: A Dissociative-Focused Phase Model for Normative and Pathological States of Consciousness: Training Manual and Guide. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/courses/addiction-as-dissociation-model-course/
O’Brien, A. (2023c). Path of the Wounded Healer: A Dissociative-Focused Phase Model for Normative and Pathological States of Consciousness: Training Manual and Guide. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/
O’Brien, A. (2024a). Healer and Healing: The re-education of the healer and healing professions as an advocation. Re-educational and Training Manual and Guide. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/
O’Brien, A. (2024e). Path of the Wounded Healers for Thrivers: Perfectionism, Altruism, and Ambition Addictions; Re-education and training manual for Abusers, Activists, Batterers, Bullies, Enablers, Killers, Narcissists, Offenders, Parents, Perpetrators, and Warriors. Re-Education and Training Manual and Guide. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/
O’Brien, A. (2025). American Made Addiction Recovery: a healer’s journey through professional recovery. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/
*This is for informational and educational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.
