What Changed After 38 Years Sober:
Linda’s First Psychedelic Experience
From our friends at Normalize Psychedelics
By Artem Smirnov
Normalize Psychedelics
At 65, after 38 years of sobriety, Linda reflects on her first psychedelic experience and how an intentional psilocybin journey reshaped how she understands herself, her past, and her life. She speaks about releasing long-held anger toward her brother, living without the anxiety she carried for decades, and walking away from her business with a calm she had never known.
In this story, Linda reflects on:
Her first psychedelic experience after 38 years of sobriety, approached with intention and care
Releasing anger toward her brother that had quietly shaped her inner life for decades
Stepping away from her business with a calm and clarity she had never known
It changed how I see the world. It changed how I see me.
In Linda's Words
What drew you to your first psychedelic experience after nearly four decades of sobriety?
Linda: I had been reading about how psychedelics were being used therapeutically for trauma and PTSD. At first my recovery mindset told me, “You can’t do this, you’re sober.” But the more I learned, the more curious I became. Eventually I realized this wasn’t about escaping anything. It was about understanding myself and my trauma more deeply.
Was there a moment during the journey that changed how you see your past?
Linda: My brother came up during the journey. We hadn’t spoken for 15 years before he died by suicide, and I carried a lot of anger and resentment toward him and my family. Seeing his life differently gave me compassion and forgiveness I didn’t have before. It opened up space in my life that simply wasn’t there before.
What led you to walk away from your business?
Linda: I had raised that business like a child, and I had taken it as far as I could. It wasn’t aligned with who I was anymore. When I made the decision to walk away, a buyer showed up, and the entire process happened with zero anxiety. I sold my business and stepped out of my entire world without a plan, and for the first time, I felt completely calm about it
I sold my business and walked away from my entire world with zero anxiety.
How does microdosing show up in your day-to-day life?
Linda: I sleep better. I’m less hungry, and I naturally want to eat healthier food. It helps me process what’s going on in my head with more clarity. When I microdose, I take the same short walk each day and notice how present I feel with nature. Everything feels more peaceful.
This story was recorded in collaboration with Mycology Psychology. Linda references her personal experience with microdosing as part of her broader integration process.
You Are Not Alone
If Linda’s story resonated with you, we invite you to explore more psychedelic experiences or share your own story with Normalize Psychedelics.
About Normalize Psychedelics
Normalize Psychedelics is a nonprofit working to change public understanding of psychedelic medicine by sharing real stories of healing. Through firsthand accounts, we aim to reduce stigma and broaden the conversation around mental health and wellness.
