Eliza Dushku: From Hollywood to Healing, Advocacy for Psychedelic Therapy in Massachusetts

Eliza Dushku, best known for her roles in iconic shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Bring It On,” has traded the Hollywood spotlight for a powerful new mission: advocating for the legalization and regulation of psychedelic therapy in Massachusetts.

Dushku’s journey from Hollywood to health advocacy is deeply personal. She openly shares her struggles with substance use and childhood trauma, which she credits psychedelic therapy with profoundly alleviating. “It changed my life,” she told Boston 25 News. “I think I spent arguably most of my life numbing and taking drugs and alcohol to continue repressing the traumatic memories.” Dushku believes that this transformative experience can offer hope and healing to others facing mental health challenges.

Dushku, alongside her husband, Boston real estate developer Peter Palandijan, envisions a future where Massachusetts offers regulated psychedelic therapy under the supervision of trained professionals. They cite the growing body of research highlighting psychedelics’ potential benefits for veterans and individuals struggling with conditions like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addiction.

“Psychedelics have the ability to drop you into the root cause of what your trauma is,” Dushku explains, emphasizing their unique capacity to address the root of mental health issues, unlike many conventional treatments that focus on symptom management.

Ballot Question 4, the subject of Dushku’s advocacy, proposes the creation of a state commission to oversee the use of psychedelics in Massachusetts. If passed, this commission would regulate the licensing of therapy centers where individuals aged 21 and over could access substances under professional supervision. The approved substances include psilocybin, DMT, mescaline, ibogaine, and psilocyn.

The proposed five-member commission, appointed by the governor, attorney general, and treasurer, would play a crucial role in setting industry standards and regulations.

However, the proposal has faced opposition from groups concerned about potential community impacts. The Coalition for Safe Communities, led by spokesperson Chris Keohan, argues that the ballot question’s wording would force all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts to allow these facilities within their communities. They also express concern about potential risks associated with home cultivation and the possibility of cost barriers to accessing legal products.

If passed, Massachusetts would join Oregon and Colorado in legalizing certain psychedelics for therapeutic purposes. Dushku and proponents of Ballot Question 4 believe that state oversight can ensure that psychedelic therapy becomes a safe and accessible option for those seeking relief from profound mental health challenges. They advocate for a future where individuals can find healing and hope through this innovative approach.

Related posts:

Massachusetts Passes HERO Act, Establishing Psychedelics Working Group to Study Benefits for Veterans Psychedelic Therapies Gain Momentum in Europe: New Initiative Aims to Legalize Treatments Veterans Champion Psychedelic Decriminalization in Massachusetts: Hope for Mental Health or Unforeseen Risks?