For my final degree intervention, I created a traveling exhibition space titled “Safe T.R.I.P.” meaning “therapy research in psychedelics” that would be a safe haven for those individuals who want to explore their psyche and learn about psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy options. This space includes opportunities for people to explore the options for therapy and the benefits it can have, but in an immersive, FUN, space that doesn’t feel clinical or intimidating. There are quiet, comfortable areas to enjoy the curated artwork displayed on the walls, and talk to friends about their experiences of mental health, psychedelic experiences, or whatever they want. The more we talk about our feelings, the more connection we create with loved ones and feel less shame attached to any type of suffering we may be dealing with, so why not create a trippy art exhibition to be a place for that conversation to start? No one can underestimate the power of even one person sharing their story—because someone, somewhere, needs to hear it.
To further this conversation, I designed an Instagram platform to be place of sharing personal stories, struggles, artwork, juicy pieces of psychedelic history, etc. that can then be shared with others globally. When used intentionally, social media can create ‘brave spaces’ for groundbreaking conversation to blossom.
Sacred medicine and psychedelics can help so many heal from their trauma’s when accompanied by a trusted professional, in a place where they can be guided and supported through their trip. When taken in high doses, the drugs help to metaphorically reset or reboot the brain. If a person is suffering from an extreme depression or addiction, it can help alter the way the brain is processing information, and hopefully that change can carry over into longer-term changes that can have therapeutic benefits.
The Instagram platform could be a place for individuals to talk freely about their experiences, make connections with others, and learn from professionals who are experienced in this line of treatment. Live streams or "reels" could be created to share historical information and answer questions people may have about this treatment that they wouldn't otherwise be able to receive.
Safe TRIP Exhibition Floor-plan
I’m very pleased with what I was able to design for this intervention, I stayed true to myself while simultaneously reaching out of my comfort zone in created a physical space. It was a really fun experience that taught me a lot about the history of psychedelics, the research behind this treatment option, and our society as a whole. From focusing specifically on the improvement of mental health through psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, I hope this space (if it was real) can impact people in more ways than one, showing them that we’re all dealing with underlying issues, giving them an opportunity to make a positive first-or-new perception of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and how it can be a breakthrough way to helping people feel better. Creating the Panoform VR application to mockup what this space would look like, I challenged myself to follow the grid, and include things I wouldn’t have even considered before. This project gave me a great opportunity to speak about the awareness of mental health, self expression, and using art as a form of therapy. Overall, I hope this project can be continued in the future by decriminalizing these drugs and making them a more accepted form of therapy. I hope the individuals who come in contact with this work will help to stop the stigma, learn to ask their friends how they really feel, try a new approach to feeling better, and of course have a safe trip.