Psychedelics, Healing, and LGBTQ+ Liberation: Alex Belser on Webdelics

When it comes to the relationship between psychedelics and the LGBTQ+ community, few voices are as insightful and compassionate as Alex Belser’s. In the latest episode of Webdelics, host Scott Mason sits down with Belser to dig into a complicated history, pressing present-day challenges, and the transformative potential that psychedelics can offer—when used with the right intent.

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For many listeners, it’s likely shocking to hear psychedelics discussed in the context of conversion therapy. Belser is clear: while these substances can open pathways to healing and self-acceptance, their powerful effects are deeply shaped by “set and setting.” If those providing therapy are operating with negative or coercive intentions—be it ignorance or explicit homophobia—psychedelics can reinforce trauma rather than release it.

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Conversion therapy, the discredited and dangerous practice of attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, is resurfacing in some corners of America, even in discussions around psychedelic-assisted therapy. Belser recounts the painful legacy of clinicians, including some luminaries in the field like Timothy Leary and Stan Grof, who once championed the use of psychedelics to “cure” homosexuality. Recent court cases threaten to roll back protections, opening the door for these practices to be revived.

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But the story isn’t just one of pain—it’s also one of resistance, resilience, and hope. Belser shares how queer people, thrust to the margins by social stigma, have often been at the forefront of psychedelic exploration and healing. In his anthology Queering Psychedelics, a chorus of queer and trans voices bear witness to the liberating, life-affirming aspects of these experiences when held in thoughtfully crafted, inclusive spaces.

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Belser reminds us that mental health challenges facing LGBTQ+ populations are rooted not in their identities, but in social rejection, harassment, and trauma. Accessible, affirming psychedelic therapy has real potential to help people dismantle the “closets” built by shame and societal rejection. He describes group ketamine sessions specifically for queer folks, where shared experiences and community support are woven into the therapeutic process, often producing beautiful transformations.

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The conversation doesn’t shy away from the realities of privilege and access. Belser recognizes his own advantages, calling out the need to decentralize psychedelic healing and make it accessible for marginalized people—including trans youths and homeless LGBTQ+ folks, who are often the most traumatized. He discusses models of community care, sliding scale clinics, and peer-led circles—real alternatives to a profit-driven medical system.

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Ultimately, Belser and Mason’s exchange is a call to action for anyone interested in psychedelics, queer liberation, or healing from trauma. Before entrusting your care to a practitioner, ask about their beliefs, philosophies, and intentions—especially if you’re carrying wounds from being marginalized. Amplification, after all, is only as healthy as what’s being amplified.

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Psychedelics are not a panacea or an inherently liberating force. They're tools—profoundly powerful ones—whose effects will reflect the heart and values of those who wield them. Used wisely, they can help LGBTQ+ people (and all people) move from self-hate and isolation towards self-love, connection, and pride. Used irresponsibly, they can reinforce the very systems that wound us.

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For more on this topic, check out Alex Belser’s Queering Psychedelics, his clinical guidebook Embark Psychedelic Therapy for Depression, and continue following Webdelics for essential conversations at the intersection of psychedelics and social change.

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If this episode moved you, consider subscribing to the Webdelics podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit. Visit webdelics.com to see our Top 100 Psychedelic Thought Leaders, sign up for the newsletter, and stay connected to the conversation.

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