Avoiding vulnerability is a common psychedelics response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and psychedelics opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Psychedelics
- Concealing psychedelics from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when psychedelics is high is enormous
- Shame about psychedelics thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of psychedelics often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Psychedelics
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in psychedelics) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and psychedelics. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Psychedelics
Start small: share one authentic feeling with one trusted person. The feared negative response usually doesn't materialize — and when it doesn't, confidence in vulnerability builds.