A Mindful Approach to Dementia & Psychedelics: Our Shared Journey Series - What to Name the Blog?
I had been debating what to call this blog. How do I encapsulate a journey about dementia that started with mindfulness and then focused on microdosing? Upon reflection, there were other psychedelics in the last few years that played a helpful role in the unfolding journey of my husband, now in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. To be honest, as his spouse and increasingly more of a caregiver, the last few years in the psychedelic space have also benefited me. Sharing about both journeys and the mindful use of psychedelics is at the heart of this blog.
When approaching the use of any psychedelic—plant, fungi, poison, or synthetic (which I will get into in more detail in future blogs)—and when doing so with respectful intention in heart and mind and with qualified, safe support at hand, the benefits of psychedelics can surpass what medical allopathic medicine offers. For the average person living in today’s modern world, even faith or meditation practice may not bring the lived, embodied experience of the benefits of microdosing or higher-dose experiences. So whatever the name of the blog, I want to welcome you on this unfolding journey. I want to thank you for being open-minded to what will become, in the years ahead, an understanding of how psychedelics can bring greater peace of mind and heart to those with dementia and their caregivers.
Initially, almost a decade ago, I had thought about starting a blog about how I was approaching dementia from a heart of mindfulness. From the very beginning—well, not the VERY beginning, but when it became apparent that my husband had obvious signs consistent with dementia—I was determined to accept and understand it through the lens with which I live my life: MINDFULNESS. Of course, none of the signs were apparent to Henry, but that, I understood, was also part of the journey.
To me, MINDFULNESS has been a companion and guide to move through life with AWARENESS, SELF-REFLECTION, and connection to HEART & MIND… to ACCEPT every single moment with GRATITUDE, knowing that as hard as something might be—call it a challenge—it will help peel even more layers of who I am in this existence and help me be MORE WHOLE. Essentially, I see life as a healing journey. All that sounds quite lofty and saint-like, so it is important to add the caveat—TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
The lens of mindfulness has helped NAME certain experiences without those experiences defining me. For instance, when I noticed that Henry was doing strange things or showing abnormal behavior, I was initially shocked. This shock turned into months, if not years, of confusion. I was able to name and label: “I am in a state of confusion. I am in a state of chaos. I do not understand what is happening.” From a MINDFULNESS perspective, I knew that these states of confusion and chaos would pass. Everything is always changing. There is a deep understanding that IMPERMANENCE is the nature of reality. So I observed my states of confusion, chaos, and frustration. I did so with non-judgment, self-reflection, and mindful inquiry. I also did so with forgiveness… I was doing the best I could.
Doing the best we can is also at the heart of mindfulness. Every step of the way is where we are at the present moment. Being our authentic self is perfect at that moment. Embracing that, being kind, and having self-compassion is also at the heart of mindfulness. Continually cultivating more awareness is a lifelong process. The intent is genuine, so the day-to-day is the practice: to keep coming back to cultivating greater spaciousness of mind and greater expansiveness of heart, to the best of our ability, is all that matters. This is a way of being as opposed to a way of doing. Importantly, at the wellspring of all thoughts, words, and deeds is the intent that they spring from love, kindness, and generosity.
This is a tall order when a partner, child, friend, or colleague witnesses the unraveling of dementia in a loved one. However, I accepted this journey with a full and open heart. From the beginning, there was a deep knowing that this is, indeed, my journey as well. So my approach to all that was unfolding—and what I share in the blog—is from this place of POSITIVITY. It is a place where the heart expands, and each day, no matter how confusing, chaotic, frustrating, difficult, sad, or full of grief, is received within the understanding of being able to hold it all from the heart of mindfulness.
This mindful approach to life has been the invisible thread of my journey, always nudging me in self-discovery—grounded in greater wisdom and love. So it is only natural that this way of approaching psychedelics, microdosing or otherwise, is met from this same heart of mindfulness. For now, I have settled on A Mindful Approach to Psychedelics & Dementia: Our Shared Journey. We’ll see if that title changes over time. I am honored to have Henry’s support in sharing our journey, and I am honored to connect with you through our experiences. May they touch your heart and weave the power of community, of not being alone, but rather being part of a greater humanity… sharing in this life that we live.
- Lauren Alderfer, PhD.
