Psychedelics Anonymous – NFTs & Mental Health.
Reading Time: 12min
Psychedelics Anonymous is a Web3 NFT community of creators, collectors, and psychedelic advocates offering real-world utility to its members.
Marc, what are those weird figures you keep on posting? They are creepy. (*No they are not)
But I feel it is time, to throw some light on my passion for “PA”.
Psychedelics Anonymous was one of the first projects that caught my attention when discovering Web3.*
(*The-future-is-now landscape of the internet, uniting users through decentralized networks, providing control over own data, and integrating the principles of decentralization, blockchain technology, and token-based economics.)
The whole appearance of Psychedelics Anonymous fascinated me from the beginning and I remember, how I was impressed by their older website and the whole atmosphere surrounding it. I did not understand much to be honest, all sounded very multilayered and complex. Staking, Mycelium, PSY, Liquid Axiom, Midnight Machine, The Moonlight Forest – It was a whole new language and an intriguing approach to storytelling. All very mysterious, bold and cinematic. It was a first fascination, also a bit unattainable, very abstract in the sense their NFT - yes “a jpg” - cost around USD 3’000 at that time.
It was late spring of 2022 and I did have a clue of NFTs, let alone having a wallet yet, – as said the whole world of cute/funny looking NFTs was somehow abstract to me, I could not understand neither value (50’000 USD for a single digital picture of a monkey, pardon ape?) nor motivation, besides hearing people use it as an investment and trade them on online marketplaces.
Psychedelics Anonymous was different. It had a different aura.
My friend Pascal was the one opening the door to a whole new world, and my entrance was owed more to the fact that he had the idea of experimenting and launching utility-NFTs for the project EcoNation. He was already deep into NFTs and Crypto and suddenly I was hooked, too. - suddenly, it also started to make sense, and I realized the added value, the connection to real life adaptions. I started to understand what NFTs can be used for, that they are more of a technology than an Investment asset (for me at least) – However, the story of how I tumbled down the infamous rabbit hole of Web3 and NFTs is a tale of its own – and I am playing with the idea of sharing that story, too..
With my limited knowledge, Psychedelics Anonymous, – often referred to as “ PA “, – initially seemed like an unreachable 'Top League' project. At this point of my Web3 journey I was just starting to grasp the basics. Seeing them on Twitter, I couldn't help but admire them; it felt a bit like back in school, where you look up to the older, cool kids.
It's funny and an intriguing psychological aspect — Web3 often makes you 'feel young again,' evoking a special excitement that many people experience in the space. It brings back emotions often lost with the passage of time and the responsibilities of adulthood. More on this later, but the sensation you experience when buying a super limited Psychedelics Anonymous trait pack is, without exaggeration, like being a kid again. It’s like unwrapping a Christmas present, where you have no idea what surprise await.
Psychedelics Anonymous sounded so cryptic, mysterious, mystical and kept on triggering my interest, since they touched some of my favorite topics like personal development, mental health, neuroscience or also nature/-medicine.
“At the zero hour, we gather in the darkness seeking refuge from the counterfeit dreams of our clockwork lives. We are the night.”
In today's fast-paced world, mental health challenges have become increasingly prevalent. The weight of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder affects millions of individuals across the globe, often leaving them in search of effective and innovative treatment options.
”We are harnessing the transformative power of nature by supporting advancements in mental health. Through donations and strategic investments in companies that are exploring Psilocybin research, we will provide support to those who are innovating the treatment of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. We seek to improve lives and support transformation. We can make a difference.”
I got my first Psychedelics Anonymus Genesis on September 27, 2022 at 02:27 at night; Blockchain, all is transparent;)
My first PA. At the time, it carried a price tag of around 850 USD. Overwhelmed with happiness, I kept it mostly to myself.
Do I regret it? (“Is NFT dead”, did the bear market make me chance my mind, etc. ?)
Not a second!
It has been one of the best experiences ever since than and I learn from it constantly. A PA Genesis has around half the value at the moment. At some point it was even around 10 times more. – I don’t really care. For me opersonally, the value lays in so many other things.
I vividly recall the rush when connecting my wallet and getting my first PA NFT very clearly. I was quite nervous and I made almost a ritual out of it. I wanted to maximum -enjoy the moment. My intention was clear, and the plan was from the beginning – this NFT shall become my digital identity in Web3, – my PFP – my personal profile-picture.
The art of Psychedelics Anonymous has a somehow similar effect on me as that of one of my favorite tattoo artists, Stéphane Devidal. I like it, but I find it challenging to put into words. There's a complexity – I don't fully understand it, but simultaneously, I'm drawn to it profoundly. It's a feeling, a visual riddle that both perplexes and soothes me. It's a personal, visual mystery that, again, defies explanation. – And that's what makes it magical for me.
On a side note, I got a tattoo from Stéphane on my forearm in 2017, and it remains an enigma. I love it immensely..
As soon as I changed my profile picture on X, which was called Twitter back then (..) I began gaining new followers.
A lot of them! I received a warm welcome and an invitation to join the Discord server, where the community and founders communicate. After verifying my wallet as a new holder, 'I was in.' I became a PA – a Psychedelics Anonymous.
A surgeon is a PA, famous basketball players are PAs, TED speakers, fireman, wood construction workers, crypto investors, surfers, neuroscience researchers,.. – the community is absolutely diverse, but one can feel from the beginning, the whole frequency of this group is different.
One of the technical innovations that intrigued me was the coaching section, designed for holders to access the gated platform and engage in 1:1 mental-health coaching, (or community breathwork, web3 learning sessions, etc.) In a landscape where mental health services are frequently inaccessible, web3 solutions like this one offer vital support and healing, made possible through blockchain and token gated technology. All accessible through a mobile phone and a wallet—without the need for a bank account, a crucial advantage in regions where access to financial institutions is limited or nonexistent. This not only revolutionizes mental health support, but also makes it more accessible to diverse communities worldwide.
At the moment, unfortunately, this program is on pause due to regulatory and legal considerations. Nevertheless, it remains, in my view, a promising and important innovation and solution. Web3 is all about experimenting, creating, and building. I'm particularly fascinated by the idea (/dream/potential) of blockchain technology to serve humanity – not merely as a tool for wealth creation but as a force for positive global change. It's not just innovation; it's a commitment to building a better world – “a harmonious coexistence between technology, people, and our planet.”
Diving deeper into the ecosystem of Psychedelics Anonymus, one realizes the different layers the project offers.
A web3 project is (or should) steadily evolving and Voltura, the mastermind and founder and Voltura Labs, the Australian company behind PA and the team, constantly keep the quality high. Disruption is not just a buzz word, the team is constantly listening to the pulse of the moment and most of all, keeps delivering radical innovations.
Given the multitude of challenges in the Web3 space (it is still in its early stages!) like legal hurdles, regulatory uncertainties, market fluctuations, and security challenges (DON’T CLICK ANY LINKS;) inherent to its crypto foundation, it's inevitable that mistakes or also unforeseen events may arise.
Voltura and Psychedelics Anonymus consistently maintained transparency in their communication and remained honest. In Web3 communities, where significant amounts of money are at stake, expectations can be demanding, and emotions can run high.
Despite these pressures, the floor price was never manipulated, and no shady tricks & tactics were employed (thanks to the transparent nature of the blockchain technology, all actions are “visible”.) PA's motivations goes beyond seeking fame or a quick cash-out, a trend seen in many projects, particularly during a bear market when the entire market collapses.. If you were in purely as an investor, of course this all not for you. PA keeps building and delivering, as a company and a brand. This of course builds trust, a sworn community. Fans.
The Zero Hour
The Spotify podcast The Zero Hour is only one example of the high quality of Psychedelics Anonymus and the different layers of the ecosystem. In Zero Hour such illustrious experts as for example professor Robin Carhart-Harris, psychologist and neuroscientist at Imperial College London or Gül Dölen, professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, talk ‘Exploring the Social Brain in Health and Disease’,
Or Paul Stamets, one of the most renowned mycologists on the ‘Transformative Power of Mushrooms’ and how he founded the CEC – Center for Ecological Consciousness (CEC), an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations. (highly recommended)
Another innovation from PA and utility of the NFT (which works as an entry pass, the “digital membership card” to the ecosystem of Psychedelics Anonymus) is the Voltura Labs owned platform New Dawn.
As stated by Voltura (see Youtube video above) the customization of your NFT is an integral part of the project and opens to a certain degree the freedom of expression.
On Chain Trait Marketplace
I find Voltura’s example more than descriptive, that we all stand up in the morning, put on what we want and get dressed. In a time, where a lot of aspects of our daily lives switch into the digital realm (good or bad, it’s a reality) and profile pictures and our digital identity become more important, – may it be your game character, social media branding, institutional or whatever, – digital personalization will more and more become relevant.
Example? Wear your SDGs pin on your avatar.
With the platform New Dawn PA created a whole new ecosystem, where NFT users may buy, sell and trade different parts - traits - of your NFT and re-build it with their own taste. The interesting part also comes with the “change of metadata”, which means the newly build NFT, will also directly change on the blockchain itself.
This is even more fun that it sounds and is a game changer for digital identities and customizing your NFTs.
A rare trait, that only exists 10 times in the whole collection is of course much more sought after and valuable. Sometimes a certain mask or head can easy be 3x the price of the actual NFT base. I saw single traits that sold for USD 1’000.
By trading, buying and selling those traits in a closed decentralized ecosystem, a whole new economy originates, where people may even earn money.
Suddenly I was able to customize my ..at that point almost outdated looking NFT, into a much more appealing, much more stylish, more.. Me. The transformative power of personalization breathed new life into my digital asset, allowing it to reflect my individuality and unique taste. With each carefully chosen element, my NFT became a true representation of my visual vision, making it a standout piece in the vast world of digital (profile picture) art.
Psy-Points & Trait Economy
Claim your PSY points.
The most loyal holders of the community will even remind the other holders, that might also have lost track of the project and were not active, to go log in to the platform with their wallet and claim their collected so called “PSY Points”.
Translated, owning a Psychedelics Anonymous NFT will collect “loyalty” credits over time, just by holding it in your wallet and being part of the ecosystem. As more NFTs and components of the project one owns, the more PSY points accumulate in the background. Which also means, one has to claim them by interacting with the Ecosystem.
The utility of an NFT in context of loyalty programs, is a most exciting topic which editoria33 strongly believes in. There is so much potential in empowering your brand together with your loyal community/customers/>fans(!) and interact, add value, feel the pulse/needs of the market, gift, upsell, etc. – the potential and the possibilities, also for storytelling, are endless!
The PSY points may one day even become a token, but as for now may be used to interact and “pay” in the the PA ecosystem, like a currency, since they do have a value. Owning a Psychedelics NFT and by that automatically staking PSY, a NFT holder may also access different courses & retreats (Peru/Mexico) for topics like holistic addiction recovery, spiritual guidance & mentoring or spiritual healing experiences. (Which is of course a very specific, personal/niche utility.)
The most useful and at this point of the roadmap beneficial/direct use of PSY is (besides irl merchandize ) are the Trait Packs, which launch all couple of weeks in a new limited series drop. The PSY pack cost 6000 PSY are limited to 2-per-holder and contain 5, randomly mixed uncommon and common traits. Again, and those traits can be sold (or traded) in the New Dawn marketplace. If you only sells one trait, it’s already a profit. This is of course financially interesting. (NFA/DIOR)
The Trait packs sell out within minutes of release—whether purchased with PSY or bought via FIAT (credit card). Legendary packs for USD 300 sell instantly. They contain traits that sell easy for the double, again in minutes – this is an absolute exciting ecosystem and a further proof of how innovative Web3 brand interaction can be. The storytelling goes as far as themed Halloween traits drops or airdropped traits like a limited zipper, for participants of an event or game. Web3 technologies opens a complete new world of creative customer relations, loyalty engagement and community building activations.
Community
“A group of like-minded people.”
In the fast paced space of online connections, friendships transcend physical boundaries, reshaping the very essence of human bonds. No longer constrained by geographical barriers, individuals can cultivate relationships through shared interests, for example on social platforms and more and more on collaborative ventures in virtual spaces. Technology acts as a catalyst, introducing innovative possibilities of communication, having interactions in shared virtual environments in much more immersive ways.
The members of the community (re ‘the ones who purchased a Psychedelics Anonymus NFT and by that have a sort of a “ digital membership card” into the community) – like in every club or association – share the same passion, even if they have different backgrounds or life stories. Individuals sharing a mutual curiosity for mentioned topics, the artwork and the community vibe of PA, naturally come together. Discord is one of the main communication channels of the project (any Web3 project), the same applies for X (Twitter) and its PA group chat. What happens on top, which is interesting, is the interaction with the other holders, as an example for building your grail – your personal rare NFT, with the traits you want to put together to create your digital identity.
This makes me (positively!) grin sometimes —it might sound downright bizarre (and, of course, nerdy as heck) to an outsider. Picture a grown, successful, hyper-intelligent man participating in online chat groups, earnestly posting something like ”Looking to trade for a pink moon sweatshirt” or “selling my golden nightfall mask etc …” – to only minutes later, after having constructed the new NFT in New Dawn, proudly posting it on social media, where hundreds of people like and comment things like beautifully constructed, or I like the pop of purple complementing the darker shaded background making the zipper of the hoody melt in the contrast very well”.
– No one denies the dopamine flash, reminiscent of childhood days when we traded Panini football cards (or Pokemon for the younger ones) and experienced the joy of presenting a completed album — the ultimate grail:
An aspect that personally stands out is the community sentiment - that “frequency” which I briefly mentioned before.
The holders of the project are passionate and open-minded towards the topics of mental health, neuroscience and personal development, and the helpfulness among each other is often inspiring. The vast majority of the members live by the values of compassion, kindness and most of all (good) intention. The holders are very mindful, conscious and to be honest also very funny. – But I guess every community will tell you similar, and I believe that it has to do with the fact, that when people feel ‘in a safe space, they open up to let go.
I can tell countless stories of honest and deep connections that emerged from the Web3 space and experience them myself weekly, if not daily. Psychedelics Anonymus help each other in moments of challenge, mental health struggles or depression. Friendships bond and the intentions are pure, authentic and again, inspiring. I've formed meaningful friendships within the project, connections I deeply appreciate.
In the digital age of AI and hyper-modern societies, I believe this is very promising — the emergence of genuine connections in digital spaces among humans.
On another level, individuals who share the same passions, are interested in technology, innovation, web3 disruption, and new financial models, are most likely to also be exciting potential business partners. I sense that numerous ideas are emerging from various tribes & communities. it is a very exciting time, and again still early.
Mushroom-infused Chocolate
Embarking on a journey into the captivating world of biohacking, Psychedelic Anonymous has recently introduced its latest creation— Forest Bars. This endeavor adds an additional element to the project, seamlessly connecting its overarching mission to tangible, real-life products. Aligned with the contemporary shift towards functional sustenance, PA unveils with Forest a range of natural supplements meticulously crafted for human enhancement, and defined by scientific analysis.
Forest Bars are full-spectrum, bioactive chocolate, infused with the medicinal power of mushrooms – organically cultivated and sustainably sourced. The functional mushrooms (Lion's Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Turkey Tail) support the immune system, stress response, increased energy levels and brain health to keep body and mind in harmony.
Lion’s Mane, for example, a personal favorite, has been shown to support memory, cognition, and mental clarity. According to a 2020 abstract in the Journal of Molecular Science, Lion’s mane mushroom may be even a potential alternative treatment for depression.
The pairing of cacao and mushrooms can be traced back thousands of years, with ceremonies in various cultures.
– To avoid misunderstandings, Forest chocolate bars do not contain psilocybin and have no hallucinogenic effects. At the moment, the functional small-batch supplements are initially presented in the US, with plans for a broader rollout in the near future.
Psychedelic Anonymous NFT holder profit it an affiliate program and may earn up to 35% royalty on sales (depending on the number of PAs one owns. Holding 10 PAs makes you a ‘Shaman for example, Five a ‘Guide.
Psychedelics Anonymus is inevitable.
Thanks to the Web3-powered community strength, sharing this precise sentence with your PA on the platform X, remarkably made the project trend on Twitter the other day, as happened on several occasions. This is surreal and exciting at the same time. Their main account, with 170,000 followers, underlines the remarkable influence of the PA movement.
As we approach the two-year anniversary of Psychedelics Anonymous, there's something cooking, something is in the air. I can feel it, and I can't wait to see what the future holds!