Immerse yourself in a dimension-bending exploration of “psychedelic superheroes” as we investigate how these extraordinary beings might benefit from a trip down the rabbit hole of psychedelic medicine. At the intersection of comic lore and cutting-edge neuroscience, we’ll unpack how the mind-altering powers of psychedelics could enhance the abilities of eight renowned superheroes, unlocking untapped potential and offering new layers of depth to their complex narratives.

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Batman:

If we imagine that Batman is a real person, with real psychological struggles, we can begin to build a case for his therapeutic use of MDMA (although he may benefit from recreational use every now and then). Batman is a character that is defined by a single core traumatic event, around which he built his persona. That event is, of course, the death of his parents. This loss caused him to become the dark, brooding, and emotionally unavailable crime fighter that we know and love. He’s often depicted as someone who struggles with grief, anger, and guilt.⁽¹⁾

With this in mind, we think Batman would benefit from MDMA-assisted therapy for three key reasons:⁽¹⁾

1. Healthy Processing of Trauma: Bruce Wayne has experienced extremely traumatic events, most of which he hasn’t processed in the most beneficial manner (punching evil-doers probably doesn’t count as therapy). MDMA could help him explore and process this trauma in ways that allow him to develop new, healthier coping skills.⁽¹⁾
2. Improving Interpersonal Relationships: Batman is supported by a vast array of characters, many of whom are members of the Bat Family. However, even when he’s with people he can trust, he rarely opens up to them. (Perhaps with the exception of Alfred Pennyworth.) Dick Grayson, Barabara Gordon, and Damian Wayne are all close to Batman, but none of them truly know him. MDMA has the uncanny ability to help highly introverted individuals let people in, which would allow Batman to get closer to the people he loves most.⁽¹⁾
3. Reducing Feelings of Fear, Anger, and Guilt: Batman constantly struggles against his own emotions like fear (his symbol was chosen purposefully to strike fear into his enemies), anger, and guilt. MDMA has the potential to create joy and happiness and reduce sensations like guilt and anxiety. MDMA-assisted therapy may help Batman process all of these emotions more effectively while also making him a little happier (although if Batman is happy, is he really Batman?).⁽¹⁾

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Iron Man:

As a character, Tony Stark is a genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist. He often struggles with his own ego, guilt over his past as a weapons manufacturer, and trauma from his many near-death experiences. He’s struggled with addiction in various phases of the comics, and most importantly of all, he has a massive ego (meant in the colloquial–-arrogant—sense vs the psychological meaning of ego dissolution).⁽²⁾

We think that Tony could benefit from LSD for a few reasons:⁽²⁾

1. Insight and Perspective: LSD is known to help users take a deep dive into consciousness and see problems, both internal and external, from a different perspective. It could aid Iron Man in helping him find new ways to think about his past, the many strange and incredible events he’s been a part of, and the immense sense of responsibility he carries.⁽²⁾
2. Ego Dissolution: One of Tony’s most enduring traits is his ego (not that it isn’t deserved). As the inventor of the Iron Man suit and countless other gadgets, he’s often the smartest man in the room. However, this can sometimes get him into trouble (MCUs Ultron, who?). LSD, like some other psychedelics, has the potential to break down the ego, or sense of self, and allow us to view ourselves as part of a greater whole. This could help Tony tone down some of his negative traits while helping him feel more at one with the universe around him.⁽²⁾
3. Enhanced Creativity and Emotional Connectivity: As a character, Tony often exhibits a kind of emotional disconnection from those around him, partly as a defensive mechanism. LSD’s potential to heighten emotional awareness could perhaps aid in improving his relationships with others. LSD also enhances creativity, giving the already fantastically inventive Tony Stark an extra burst of creative juices. Who knows what sort of weird and wonderful creations these inventions could lead to?⁽²⁾

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Superman:

But what about his personal struggles? Deep feelings of responsibility can often become a heavy weight to bear (even for the world’s strongest hero). We think that the Amazonian brew, ayahuasca, could help him to deal with feelings of isolation, the burden of responsibility, and the grief he must feel knowing he’s one of the last Kryptonians.⁽³⁾

Here are some of the reasons we think Superman might benefit from ayahuasca:

1. Insight into Being a Kryptonian on Earth: Ayahuasca is known for inducing powerful hallucinogenic and perspective-shifting psychedelic trips. These could help Supermen explore his feelings of isolation and otherness, potentially leading to a deeper understanding of his role as Earth’s protector and acceptance of his dual identity as a Kryptonian and an adopted Earthling.⁽³⁾
2. Connection with the Past and Wider Universe: As a Kryptonian living on Earth, Superman probably feels deeply disconnected from his roots and his native culture. The mystical and spiritual experiences associated with ayahuasca might help him feel a greater sense of connection to his past, the cosmos, and his place within reality.⁽³⁾
3. Breaking Thought Patterns: One consistent theme across every iteration of Superman is his deep understanding of the fact that he has near-godlike powers. This can sometimes hold him back, as Superman nearly always pulls his punches. But like Batman, this hesitance to go all out has led to more than a few occasions where Superman has been defeated by a powerful foe. Ayahuasca could help him understand when and how he can let go to help him deal with Galaxy threatening villains.⁽³⁾

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The Hulk:

Banner’s internal struggles showcase an individual that’s as much at war with themselves as they are with the host of enemies that the Hulk plows through in every issue. This is exacerbated by his boiling rage, which is necessary for him to transform into the green engine of destruction that is the Hulk. It is for these reasons that we believe that Bruce and the Hulk may both benefit from the empathy-enhancing and deeply introspective experience that comes with the use of psilocybin, (aka magic mushrooms).⁽⁴⁾

Here are a few of the core benefits that Bruce Banner and the Hulk might get from psilocybin-assisted therapy:⁽⁴⁾

1. Insight into Connecting Bruce with the Hulk: A psilocybin-assisted therapy session could potentially help Bruce explore and gain insight into his dual identity. He might develop a deeper understanding of the Hulk as a part of himself, leading to greater acceptance and integration of the alter ego. This may allow him to more easily tap into the Hulk’s powers, without relinquishing total control to the big Green Guy.⁽⁴⁾
2. Anger (Or Rage) Management: Psilocybin can foster a sense of connectedness and empathy, and promote changes in perspective. This could potentially help Bruce better manage his anger, a key trigger for transforming into the Hulk. Of course, this could be a double-edged blade. Bruce may lose the ability to tap into his powers without his anger. However, we have seen some version of the Hulk (like the MCU interaction) that has achieved a sort of symbiosis with his alter ego.⁽⁴⁾
3. Enhanced Emotional Intelligence: Psilocybin is known to increase emotional openness and empathy, which could benefit Bruce in his relationships with others, and in coming to terms with his own emotions. For example, in the MCU, we see that the Hulk has a deeply personal relationship with Natasha Romanov (the Black Widow), while having something of a contentious one with other members of the Avengers. Psilocybin could help him establish stronger relationships with his other team members, making them a more effective fighting force.⁽⁴⁾

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Green Lantern:

The Green Lantern (assuming we’re talking about the most famous iteration, Hal Jordan) is a character whose power is fueled by will and creativity. Utilizing his ring. Hal can project his thoughts into reality, often creating powerful weapons and shields, or simply using his mind to lock an enemy in place. His responsibilities as a Green Lantern also place him under immense pressure, complicating his personal life and leading to many events that likely caused trauma.⁽⁵⁾

Here’s how mescaline-assisted therapy might hypothetically benefit Green Lantern:⁽⁵⁾

1. Enhanced Introspection: Mescaline can induce a profound state of introspection, which could be beneficial for Green Lantern. This experience might support him in understanding his emotions better. Often known as a heart-opener, mescaline has the potential to help him navigate his complicated personal life and his immense responsibility as a Green Lantern. It could also help the eternally cocky Hal mesh better with his team, as many comics have him getting into trouble due to a slightly oversized ego.⁽⁵⁾
2. Boosted Creativity and Willpower: Given that the power ring transforms thought into reality, creativity is essential to Green Lantern’s superhero role. The altered states of consciousness induced by mescaline might heighten creativity and give him fresh ideas for using his power ring. This could help Hal find new and interesting ways to use the ring’s powers, which would aid him in defeating some of the DC Universe’s most powerful villains.⁽⁵⁾
3. Stress and Anxiety Management: As a Green Lantern, Hal faces significant stress and anxiety, considering the nature of his job and personal life. When used therapeutically, mescaline could potentially help him explore and manage these feelings more effectively. Mescaline also enhances empathy, which could help Hal understand the views and ideas of others more effectively, enhancing his value as a member of the Justice League and Green Lanterns.⁽⁵⁾

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Doctor Strange:

Doctor Strange started as a highly respected neurosurgeon until an accident severely damaged his hands, leading him onto a path of the mystic arts. He eventually takes on the mantle of the Sorcerer Supreme, tasked with defending Earth from magical threats. But during this journey, he loses not just his hands, but also some of his closest friends and loved ones. The kind of loss can lead to deeply rooted emotional trauma, probably explaining why Doctor Strange always keeps others at arm’s length.⁽⁶⁾

Given his unique circumstances, the following are three ways Doctor Strange could theoretically benefit from using DMT:⁽⁶⁾

1. Enhanced Sensory Perception: DMT users anecdotally report its powerful ability to drastically change one’s perception of reality, often resulting in what they may perceive as experiences of alternate dimensions or realities. Considering Doctor Strange’s role as a practitioner of the mystic arts and his adventures through various dimensions, DMT could potentially amplify his perceptual insights and broaden his mystical experiences.⁽⁶⁾
2. Addressing Previous Trauma: Dr. Strange’s transformation began with personal trauma – a car accident that ended his surgical career. The introspective qualities of DMT might potentially assist him in facing and processing the emotional consequences of this incident and the associated guilt and feelings of loss.⁽⁶⁾
3. Spiritual and Mystical Insight: Doctor Strange routinely interacts with magical and spiritual dimensions as the Sorcerer Supreme. The spiritual experiences often associated with DMT use could potentially enrich his comprehension of these realms, enhancing his spiritual development and proficiency in the mystic arts.⁽⁶⁾

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The Flash:

We think the Flash might respond well to ketamine-assisted therapy. Known for its ability to cause users to experience time more slowly, ketamine may help the world’s favorite speedster slow down, reflect, and process all of the insane things he must deal with on a daily basis.⁽⁷⁾

Here are just a few things we think the Flash might take away from ketamine-assisted therapy:⁽⁷⁾

1. Slowing Down Time for Emotional Processing: Barry Allen’s world is always in fast-forward. Imagine the possibilities if ketamine-assisted therapy could help him hit the ‘slow motion’ button for a moment. While the world blurs by for The Flash, it’s essential for Barry Allen, the person, to take some time to address the emotional toll of his heroic responsibilities. Ketamine’s dissociative effects could allow Barry to experience time differently, giving him the much-needed space for introspection and processing emotions that he might normally rocket past.⁽⁷⁾
2. Heal Old Wounds: The Flash is not just racing against villains, but also against his past. Barry’s mother was tragically murdered, and his father was wrongly convicted for it. This traumatic event is the cornerstone of his character. Ketamine-assisted therapy has been researched for its potential to treat PTSD and depression. Through its therapeutic use, Barry might be able to confront and heal these deep-seated traumas, allowing him to run toward the future with a lighter heart.⁽⁷⁾
3. Enhancing Intuition and Reflexes: One of The Flash’s key abilities is to think and react at super speed. What if ketamine-assisted therapy could help him fine-tune this ability? By altering his consciousness, ketamine might potentially unlock new levels of intuition, allowing the Flash to become more attuned to his surroundings, and perhaps even gain a heightened sense of foresight.⁽⁷⁾

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Wonder Woman:

As a symbol of compassion and power, she courageously left her homeland to champion justice in the world beyond. Despite her heroic deeds, Diana’s journey isn’t devoid of challenges: including her isolated upbringing and the grim realities of war. These profound experiences make her a compelling candidate for the potential benefits from psilocybin-assisted therapy.⁽⁸⁾

Let’s consider three potential perks for our beloved Amazonian heroine:⁽⁸⁾

1. Bridging Past and Future: Psilocybin is known for its ability to modify perceptions of time, often leading to experiences where past, present, and future blend into a singular, unified experience. For Diana, this could mean an enriched understanding of her ancient Amazonian heritage and its influence on her current identity as Wonder Woman. It might allow her to better integrate her rich past and present responsibilities, leading to a more cohesive self-image that honors her roots, while acknowledging the realities and demands of her current existence.⁽⁸⁾
2. Dealing With Centuries of Trauma: Diana is not immune to emotional suffering, despite her superhuman strength and ability to deflect bullets. She has witnessed the horrors of war and experienced the pain of losing loved ones—Steve Trevor’s demise being a heartbreaking example in the film version. Psilocybin-assisted therapy is being studied for its potential effectiveness in addressing PTSD, and could assist Diana in navigating these traumatic incidents. Picture a revitalized Wonder Woman, emerging from this psychedelic journey with a mended heart, ready to face the world with renewed resolve.⁽⁸⁾
3. Fostering Empathy: Diana is widely celebrated for her kindness and empathy. However, the intense sense of interconnectedness often induced by psilocybin could further support her empathic abilities. Imagine a Wonder Woman capable of forging even deeper connections with those she defends, thereby invigorating her pursuit of justice with an intensified love for humankind.⁽⁸⁾

Humanity loves superheroes. They’re often representations of our best attributes and are symbols of hope for millions of people worldwide. But even superheroes have flaws. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be very interesting, and like us, those flaws, traumas, and problems could potentially be helped by psychedelics. Some, like Doctor Strange, even have their origins in psychedelia. This is what makes thought experiments like those above so interesting. They allow us to see ourselves in the characters we love, which begs the question: what superhero would you want to trip with?