The Wounded Healers Institute’s Reimagining of “Psychoactive”

1. Introduction: Deconstructing “Psychoactive” through the Wounded Healers Institute’s Lens

The term “psychoactive” is conventionally understood to describe any chemical substance that influences brain function, resulting in alterations to mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior. This definition encompasses a wide array of substances, from common compounds like alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine to illicit drugs such as heroin, LSD, cocaine, and amphetamines. The mechanism by which these substances operate involves influencing neurotransmitters within the central nervous system, either by mimicking their actions (as agonists), blocking them (as antagonists), or inhibiting their reuptake. The effects can vary significantly, ranging from heightened mood and increased energy, typical of stimulants, to calming sensations induced by depressants, or the euphoria associated with opioids and hallucinogens. However, it is widely recognized that sustained or excessive use of these substances can lead to tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and ultimately addiction, primarily through the overstimulation of the brain’s reward circuitry and subsequent alterations in dopamine production.  

This conventional understanding of “psychoactive” is largely reductionist, focusing predominantly on the chemical-biological interactions within the brain and their direct, observable behavioral outcomes. It frames “psychoactive” as an intrinsic property of the substance itself, primarily affecting the “mind” as a function of the brain. This limited scope, however, falls short in accounting for the broader, systemic, and deeply embodied dimensions that the Wounded Healers Institute (WHI) emphasizes in its approach to healing and consciousness. By presenting this narrow view, a baseline is established against which WHI’s expansive, interdisciplinary definition can be clearly contrasted, thereby highlighting the necessity for a more holistic understanding of what it means for something to be “psychoactive.”

The Wounded Healers Institute offers a profound reinterpretation of “psychoactive,” transcending a purely neurochemical perspective to integrate intricate factors such as trauma, dissociation, embodied memory, and broader societal influences. For WHI, the concept of “psychoactive” is inextricably linked with their foundational Addiction as Dissociation Model (ADM) and their overarching philosophy of healing. This framework redefines the very nature of the “psyche” itself, asserting that the physical body serves as the psychological unconscious. Within this paradigm, “healing states of consciousness” are considered central to genuine well-being. This perspective implies that “psychoactive” effects are not merely confined to brain activity but actively engage with a deeply embodied, dissociation-informed system of self-regulation. In short, “psychoactive” means turning the body on, which means that the past is in the present living mind, creating lived experience together (dual attention is a key ingredient for memory reconsolidation or trauma healing to occur). Like the word “psyche-delic” means “mind manifesting” from the body, suggesting that the consciousness that is stored in the body (that knows the score) comes into the conscious mind’s present to remind the mind that keeps the score what it knows – its lived experience (e.g., memory); and as memories ultimately become a part of the unconscious body, the physical body is the psychological unconscious and that unconscious consciousness is lived experience that can communicate, relate, and defend at all costs that they are calling pathology and we are calling the “gift of dissociation”, otherwise known as healing (O’Brien, 2023a).

2. The Wounded Healers Institute’s Foundational Framework: The Addiction as Dissociation Model (ADM)

Core Tenets of ADM

The Addiction as Dissociation Model (ADM), a theoretical framework developed from Dr. Adam O’Brien’s phenomenological doctoral research, fundamentally redefines the understanding of addiction. This model posits that addiction is not an isolated pathology, a moral failing, or a simple volitional choice, but rather a “trauma-bond to the dissociative process that trauma caused”. This reorientation shifts the focus from addiction as a primary disease entity to a consequence of deeper, unresolved psychological processes rooted in trauma.  

The ADM highlights the critical role of the brain’s survival-oriented system, specifically involving the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NA). This system, governed by unconscious regulation and dissociative mechanisms, is understood to fuel both the pain and reward pathways associated with addictive behaviors. From this perspective, addiction is recontextualized as an unconscious, self-regulatory effort that is conditioned long before the substance or behavior fully takes hold. Furthermore, the ADM expands the conventional scope of addiction beyond traditional substance use disorders to include a range of “universal addictions” such as gambling, overeating, sugar consumption, sex, Internet use, hoarding, investing, and thrill-seeking. All these behaviors are viewed as deeply rooted responses to unresolved trauma, mediated and perpetuated by ongoing dissociative processes.  

The Spectrum of Dissociation

WHI’s framework views dissociation not solely as a pathological symptom but as a natural, unavoidable, and fundamental process essential for both survival and thriving. Dissociation is understood to exist along a spectrum, ranging from normative, everyday altered states of consciousness (ASC) to extreme circumstances that can lead to pathological states, which WHI terms “dissociation-in-trauma”.  

The symptoms commonly associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are interpreted by WHI as manifestations of dissociation, representing the body’s inherent dissociative and stress response attempting to return to homeostasis following a traumatic event, even reaching to expressions of intergenerational trauma today. This perspective suggests that individuals experiencing active PTSD are, in essence, living in a chronic dissociated state, utilizing these internal systems for self-regulation. Dissociation, in this context, functions as a psychological defense mechanism, enabling individuals to emotionally detach from overwhelming or threatening situations.  

The Body as the Psychological Unconscious

A revolutionary concept central to WHI’s framework is the assertion that the physical body functions as the psychological unconscious, and that memories are physically stored within it. This perspective challenges traditional psychological and medical hierarchies by removing the perceived power struggle between what is physical and what is psychological, advocating for their inherent co-existence and mutual understanding.  

The unconscious is regarded as an educator, holding the key to understanding and healing, with the “Path of the Wounded Healer” presented as an “unconscious guide” for this transformative process. This concept implies that genuine consent, which WHI refers to as “unconscious informed consent,” must involve the body’s inherent knowing, not merely the mind’s intellectual assent.  

If addiction is fundamentally a “trauma-bond to the dissociative process” and the “body is the psychological unconscious” where traumatic memories are physically stored , then the effect of a “psychoactive” substance cannot be isolated to mere brain chemistry. Instead, its impact is interpreted as an interaction with this deeply ingrained, embodied self-regulatory system that has developed in response to trauma. The “psychoactive” effect, therefore, is understood as engaging with, or attempting to regulate, these unconscious, embodied traumatic and dissociative states. This broadens the understanding of “psychoactive” to include its dynamic engagement with the body’s trauma-informed self-preservation mechanisms, moving beyond a simple mind-altering effect.  

Table 2: WHI’s Core Concepts and Their “Psychoactive” Connection

WHI Core Concept	WHI’s Interpretation	“Psychoactive” Connection (from WHI’s perspective)
Addiction as Dissociation (ADM)	Not a standalone disease, but a “trauma-bond to the dissociative process that trauma caused”; an unconscious survival choice. Includes “universal addictions.”	The effect of a substance or behavior is interpreted through how it engages with or attempts to regulate these underlying, trauma-driven dissociative states. It is a mechanism for self-regulation, even if maladaptive.
The Body as the Psychological Unconscious	The physical body stores memories and functions as the unconscious mind; memories are physically embedded within us.	Substances or experiences interact directly with this embodied unconscious, affecting physically stored memories and influencing the body’s innate healing systems. The effect is not just mental, but profoundly physical.
Trauma & Dissociation (Spectrum)	Trauma is the initial event; post-event symptoms are dissociation, a natural survival mechanism ranging from normative to pathological.	Substances can induce or exacerbate traumatic experiences, leading to fragmented or inaccessible memories. Conversely, they can also facilitate therapeutic dissociation to process trauma.
Memory Reconsolidation	A key, natural mechanism for self-healing and maintaining a regulated state, allowing for the “rewriting” of traumatic memories.	Agents (especially psychedelics) are powerful tools to access and facilitate memory reconsolidation, making traumatic memories labile and amenable to reprocessing, thereby enabling deep healing.
Psychedelics	Catalysts for change and reclaiming the self; manifestations of unresolved dissociative memories; tools for navigating “healing states of conscious.”	These are the quintessential agents for WHI, valued for their ability to open the “unconscious body” and allow for profound memory work and spiritual insights, redefining “hallucinations” as meaningful psychological material.
Unconscious Informed Consent	A deeper, embodied agreement that resonates with the body and subconscious mind, beyond mere legalistic assent.	The ethical dimension of interventions. True healing requires alignment with the body’s unconscious wisdom, challenging practices that bypass this deeper consent.
The “Healer” Profession	A distinct profession crucial for guiding individuals through deep healing, understanding the territory beyond conventional psychology.	The therapeutic relationship with a skilled “Healer” itself has a profound effect, guiding the individual’s internal states, memory reprocessing, and overall healing journey, profoundly influencing the psyche’s capacity for transformation.
The “War on Drugs”	A “crime against humanity” that hinders healing and recovery research, disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, and is legally unsound.	This societal policy is impactful in its ability to profoundly alter individual and collective states of mind through fear, stigma, and criminalization, actively preventing access to healing and perpetuating trauma.

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3. “Psychoactive” Reimagined: WHI’s Systemic Definition

3.1. The Traumatic Nature of Drug Use

WHI posits that drug use itself, in its various forms, can be a profoundly traumatic experience, leading to the formation of unprocessed “drug memories” that function similarly to those resulting from other traumatic events. A single episode of drug use can generate such a memory, manifesting as intrusions, reenactments, and compulsive behaviors, mirroring symptoms observed in PTSD. Specific drug-related events, such as overdose, withdrawal, and adverse reactions to “hallucinogens” (often referred to as “bad trips”), are inherently traumatic. In relation to not understanding the dissociative spectrum, the system ignores the trauma of systems unaware knowledge of an experience that can “crack” them open. Breakdown or breakthrough? These experiences frequently involve extreme terror, helplessness, and perceived threats, often accompanied by frightening hallucinations that blur the distinction between reality and illusion.  

While conventional definitions focus on the effects of psychoactive substances, WHI uniquely highlights that the act of drug use itself can be a traumatic event. This means that the concept of “psychoactive” is not merely about altering the mind, but also encompasses the substance’s capacity to create or exacerbate trauma, which then becomes physically stored in the unconscious body. This understanding significantly expands the term, transforming it from a simple chemical descriptor to a dynamic agent capable of both inducing and, as further discussed, modifying traumatic experiences.

3.2. Potency and Route of Administration

The potency of a drug significantly influences its mind-altering effects and, consequently, its impact on memory formation processes. Higher potency can lead to more intense and potentially traumatic experiences, including the induction of psychosis, particularly if the individual’s unconscious is undefined and unaware.  

The route of administration (ROA) directly determines the acute brain state during which memories are encoded. A rapid, intense onset, such as that achieved through intravenous injection or smoking, is more likely to induce a sudden, overwhelming altered state—including psychosis, panic, or profound dissociation. This acute, intense alteration of consciousness, especially when coupled with feelings of fear or helplessness, is highly conducive to the formation of vivid, distressing, and potentially fragmented “drug memories” that function similarly to traumatic memories. Furthermore, research indicates that activating extra-synaptic GABA receptors with certain drugs can cause memories to be stored in an “inaccessible” manner, retrievable only when that specific drug-induced state is reactivated. This implies that the “psychoactive” substance itself can compel the brain to encode memories traumatically or in a way that makes them resistant to natural reprocessing.  

Beyond merely altering mood or perception, the potency and route of administration of “psychoactive” substances are critical factors that directly influence how memories are formed and stored, potentially leading to inaccessible or fragmented traumatic memories. This means the “psychoactive” property is not just about the immediate subjective experience, but about its lasting effect on the architecture of memory, particularly traumatic memory. This constitutes a deeper neurobiological implication of “psychoactive” from WHI’s perspective, linking it directly to the mechanisms of trauma and dissociation.

3.3. Psychedelics as Catalysts for Healing and Consciousness

WHI views psychedelics as powerful “catalysts for change and reclaiming the self”. They are considered tools that can profoundly influence memory systems and consciousness, facilitating memory reconsolidation. This process allows for the “rewriting” or updating of traumatic memories at a neurological core level.  

A key reinterpretation by WHI is that “hallucinations” experienced during psychedelic states are not simply sensory distortions but are understood as “manifestations of deeply held, unresolved dissociative memories and somatically held intergenerational expressions of stress and trauma”. This aligns with their core tenet that the “mind manifested” by psychedelics is, in essence, the “unconscious body”. Psychedelics are believed to lower inhibitions and ego defenses, making individuals more open to experiences or ideas, thereby allowing psychological material to “come up” and be processed. This can lead to profound insights into self, the past, or the fundamental nature of existence.  

WHI distinguishes between “psychedelic therapy” and “psychedelic care,” positioning the latter as ushering in a new era for trauma and addiction treatment with an unwavering clear and based in qualitative science equally (not separate but equal) understanding of dissociation by those who don’t believe in another possibility (1+1=2 only). They integrate psychedelic care into their “Path of the Wounded Healer” program, aiming to expand societal and cultural consciousness. While conventional views might categorize “psychoactive” effects as recreational or purely symptomatic therapeutic interventions, WHI elevates psychedelics to a tool for deep, transformative healing by providing access to the “unconscious body” and its stored traumatic memories. The “psychoactive” effect is thus redefined as a mechanism for profound self-discovery and memory reprocessing, crucial for their “Fountain of Youth” concept of psychological and biological renewal. This represents a core positive re-framing of “psychoactive” within their system, emphasizing its potential for profound, lasting change.  

3.4. Beyond Chemical Action: The Experiential and Systemic Dimensions

WHI’s expansive definition of “psychoactive” extends beyond mere chemical interactions to encompass any experience or process that profoundly alters consciousness or internal states, directly linking it to self-regulation and survival. This includes non-pharmacological modalities such as meditation (particularly states of dual attention), Brainspotting, EMDR, and even the natural dissociative processes the body employs to “rise above presenting stress, conditions, or situations”.  

The Institute critically examines the “science of consciousness” as presented by mainstream psychological professions, arguing that it often amounts to a rediscovery of what is already qualitatively known through literature, art, and common lore. This perspective suggests that these professions may be driven by a “pathology” related to perfectionism, altruism, and ambition, with “power, control, and money” acting as the “drug”. This implies that even societal systems and their inherent biases can have a “psychoactive” effect by shaping perception and hindering genuine healing.  

WHI’s concept of “universal addictions” and their critique of “industrialized psychiatry” illustrate a profound broadening of “psychoactive.” It is not limited to substances; any powerful experience or systemic influence that significantly alters one’s state of consciousness, perception, or behavior—especially in relation to trauma and dissociation—can be considered “psychoactive.” This includes the “addiction to the processes of life and death” or the pursuit of “power, control, and money” as a “drug” for certain professionals. This represents the broadest, most abstract level of WHI’s definition, encompassing non-pharmacological influences that profoundly shape the psyche and human experience.  

Table 1: Conventional vs. WHI Definition of “Psychoactive”

Category	Conventional Definition	WHI’s Systemic Definition
Primary Focus	Brain chemistry, observable symptoms (mood, awareness, behavior)	Embodied trauma, dissociation, memory reconsolidation, holistic healing
Mechanism of Action	Influence on neurotransmitters (agonists, antagonists, reuptake blockers)	Engaging the unconscious body, altering memory architecture, facilitating healing states, influencing self-regulation systems
Primary Goal	Symptom management, recreation, alteration of current state	Deep healing, self-discovery, psychological and biological renewal, moral development
Scope of “Psychoactive”	Limited to chemical substances (drugs, alcohol, caffeine, etc.)	Chemical substances, profound experiences (meditation, EMDR), societal systems (War on Drugs), therapeutic relationships, moral/ethical frameworks
Impact on Individual	Mood/perception changes, potential for dependence/addiction, altered cognition	Profound transformation, reinterpretation of reality, re-encoding of traumatic memories, shifts in self-perception, spiritual growth

4. Systemic Implications: WHI’s Critique of Conventional Approaches

4.1. The “War on Drugs”: A Hindrance to Healing and Research

WHI issues a scathing critique of the “War on Drugs,” unequivocally labeling it a “crime against humanity” that is both “legally unsound” and “unconstitutional”. This policy, they argue, has not only failed to reduce drug use but has exacerbated societal problems, fostering an environment where illegal drug activities thrive. The “War on Drugs” is perceived as a “war on drug users,” prioritizing prevention, prohibition, and punishment over the development of appropriate rehabilitative models. This approach has disproportionately targeted Black and brown communities, leading to mass incarceration and devastating social consequences without improving public safety or health. Crucially, WHI contends that this war has actively hindered genuine healing and recovery research by criminalizing what should be addressed as a public health issue.  

WHI’s strong condemnation of the “War on Drugs” implies that this policy itself has a profound effect on society and individuals. It actively shapes consciousness by creating fear, stigma, marginalization, and by preventing access to effective healing. This extends the definition of “psychoactive” to encompass societal structures and legal frameworks that profoundly alter individual and collective states of mind, behavior, and access to well-being. This highlights how “psychoactive” can be a descriptor for systemic oppression and its psychological impact.

4.2. Challenging “Informed Consent”: The Need for “Unconscious Informed Consent”

Dr. Adam O’Brien (PhD) introduces the concept of “unconscious informed consent,” which challenges the very foundations of modern medical models, legal rationale, psychological ethics, and spiritual morals. This concept moves beyond the conventional understanding of consent as merely signing a form, implying a deeper, more profound level of agreement that resonates with the “body and the subconscious mind”. WHI identifies this deeper level as having “unconscious consciousness” based on implicit memory systems.  

WHI argues that traditional informed consent, being a largely cognitive and legalistic process, often falls short and leads to a profound ethical breach when systems driven by “legal-ethics” rather than “moral-ethics” dictate treatment or restrict access to “natural healing agents”. This, they contend, infringes upon a more fundamental human right—the right to self-determination at a profound, unconscious level.  

The concept of “unconscious informed consent” implies that for any intervention, including the use of “psychoactive” substances (such as prescribed psychiatric drugs or ketamine) , to be truly ethical, it must align with the unconscious body’s wisdom. If a substance is “psychoactive” in the sense of altering internal states, then the ethical implications of its use (or the denial of its use) become an integral part of its definition for WHI. This means “psychoactive” also carries a moral and ethical dimension, where true “agreement” involves the deepest levels of being, not just conscious intellectual assent.

4.3. The Re-Emergence of the “Healer” Profession

WHI strongly advocates for the re-establishment of the “Healer” as a recognized profession, arguing that its absence is a significant reason for current challenges in genuine healing. They aim to “re-educate Healers on the art of healing” and train professionals to teach others how to heal themselves.  

The Institute contends that healing work is “better served if done in conjunction with a professional Healer” who “knows the territory more than the field of psychology does”. This implicitly critiques conventional psychological approaches that may pathologize normal human experiences or fail to grasp the deeper, embodied, and spiritual dimensions of healing. WHI emphasizes qualitative wisdom and lived experience over quantitative approaches in industrialized research.  

If genuine healing requires a “Healer” who understands the “territory” beyond conventional psychology , then the therapeutic relationship itself, and the guidance provided by a skilled Healer, possesses a profound effect. This relationship actively shapes and guides the individual’s internal states, memory reprocessing, and overall healing journey. This extends the understanding of “psychoactive” beyond substances to the interpersonal dynamics of healing, where the presence, expertise, and moral integrity of the Healer profoundly influence the individual’s “psyche” and its capacity for transformation.

5. Conclusion: A Holistic and Transformative Understanding of “Psychoactive”

For the Wounded Healers Institute, “psychoactive” is a profoundly expanded and multi-layered concept that transcends the conventional pharmacological definition. It encompasses a spectrum of influences that impact an individual’s internal states, consciousness, and overall well-being.

This comprehensive understanding includes:

• Chemical Interaction: The direct biochemical effects of substances on the brain, but always contextualized within an individual’s unique, trauma-informed neurobiology and embodied unconscious.
• Trauma-Inducing Potential: The inherent capacity of drug use itself, influenced by factors like potency and route of administration, to create or exacerbate traumatic, unprocessed “drug memories” that are physically stored within the body.
• Memory Modulator: The ability of certain agents, particularly psychedelics, to facilitate memory reconsolidation. This allows for the “rewriting” or updating of deeply embodied traumatic memories and fosters access to profound self-knowledge and healing.
• Experiential Catalyst: Any powerful experience or process—including non-pharmacological modalities like meditation, Brainspotting, and EMDR—that profoundly shifts internal states and engages the body’s innate healing mechanisms for self-regulation and renewal.
• Sociopolitical Construct: The significant influence of societal norms, legal frameworks (such as the “War on Drugs”), and professional biases that define, restrict, or enable access to altered states and healing. These often carry their own impactful consequences, such as stigma, marginalization, and re-traumatization.
• Ethical and Relational Dimension: The imperative for “unconscious informed consent” and the profound role of the therapeutic relationship itself. Here, the Healer’s deep understanding, presence, and guidance profoundly shape the individual’s psychological and biological renewal and moral development.

WHI’s transformative understanding of “psychoactive” calls for a radical paradigm shift in addiction, trauma, and mental health care. This includes advocating for:

• A truly holistic and integrated approach to well-being that acknowledges the body as the unconscious and prioritizes embodied healing.
• The universal adoption of trauma-informed and dissociation-informed care as foundational principles for all therapeutic and societal interventions.
• The responsible, ethical, and wise integration of psychedelics as powerful tools for memory reconsolidation, self-discovery, and spiritual growth.
• A fundamental re-evaluation of societal policies and professional practices to align with moral ethics and support genuine, comprehensive healing, rather than perpetuating harm, stigma, or pathologizing normal human responses to trauma.
• The formal recognition and re-establishment of the “Healer” as a distinct and essential profession, equipped with the nuanced understanding necessary to navigate the complexities of trauma, dissociation, and consciousness.

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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.