How Psychedelics Help Uncover Suppressed Truths
Psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly with ibogaine, can help dismantle deep-seated patterns of self-censorship. These substances work by temporarily disrupting the default mode network (DMN) in the brain, which is responsible for maintaining habitual thought loops and ego-driven fears. This disruption allows individuals to step outside their conditioned narratives and gain a more objective perspective on their lives, including the ways in which they have suppressed their own truth.
Ibogaine, which is technically an oneirogen rather than a classic psychedelic, is known for its introspective nature, and facilitates a deep review of one’s life, revealing patterns of avoidance and self-denial. This makes it particularly effective for individuals struggling with addiction, where self-censorship and shame play a key role in maintaining destructive cycles.
Ayahuasca and psilocybin help dissolve the barriers of fear and repression, often bringing repressed emotions and unspoken truths to the surface in a deeply emotional and cathartic way.
5-MeO-DMT, sometimes referred to as the “God molecule,” offers a profound ego-dissolving experience, referred by many as being a deeply connective and spiritual experience, allowing individuals to access states of consciousness where fear-based self-censorship is entirely absent.
By disrupting conditioned patterns, psychedelics provide an opportunity to examine past trauma, outdated beliefs, and external pressures that have shaped a person’s self-expression. This newfound clarity often allows individuals to rewrite their internal narratives and is the key role of psychedelics in releasing self-censorship.
Understanding Self-Censorship and Social Filters
Many people hesitate to express their thoughts openly, fearing judgment, conflict, or social rejection; however, not all restraint is self-censorship; therefore, distinguishing between a social filter and self-censorship is essential.
What Is a Social Filter?
A social filter is a natural and necessary thinking skill that allows individuals to assess their environment, relationships, and context before speaking. It helps people determine which thoughts should be verbalised and which are best kept private. Having a social filter promotes respectful and constructive communication while ensuring that expression remains contextually appropriate.
What Is Self-Censorship?
Unlike a social filter, self-censorship stems from fear—fear of rejection, criticism, loss, or conflict. It is the suppression of one’s thoughts, beliefs, or emotions to conform to external expectations or avoid discomfort. Self-censorship can occur in various areas of life, from personal relationships to workplace dynamics and social media interactions.
Common reasons people engage in self-censorship include:
- Fear of losing a job, friends, or social standing
- Anxiety over being misunderstood or misrepresented
- Pressure to conform to group norms, especially in politically or socially charged discussions
- Internalised beliefs that one’s voice lacks value or credibility
Why Do We Censor Ourselves?
From a young age, self-censorship is conditioned into us. As children, we express ourselves freely—singing when we want to sing, speaking when we have something to say, and acting without filtering our emotions. However, as we grow older, we begin to adopt the thoughts, beliefs, and fears of those around us—parents, teachers, peers, and broader society.
Gradually, we learn that self-expression can lead to rejection, criticism, or conflict, and so we begin to filter ourselves. We adjust our words and actions to gain acceptance, fearing that revealing our authentic selves might result in isolation. This is deeply rooted in our primal survival instincts—human beings need connection, and the fear of rejection can feel like a threat to that connection.
Over time, this suppression can create a misalignment between who we are internally and how we present ourselves externally. This disconnect often manifests as exhaustion, frustration, depression, substance addiction or even burnout. Living a life that is not aligned with our truth is depleting because it requires constant effort to maintain a version of ourselves that is not fully authentic. This is where psychedelics can play a key role in helping to release individuals from self-censorship.
Recognising the Ways We Self-Censor
Self-censorship takes many forms and can be as subtle as choosing to stay silent in a group discussion or as significant as withholding personal dreams and desires due to fear of judgment. Here are some common ways people self-censor:
- Avoiding difficult conversations with family, friends, or colleagues to prevent conflict.
- Staying silent in discussions even when holding a different perspective.
- Withholding creative expression (e.g., avoiding singing, dancing, writing, or posting on social media) for fear of criticism.
- People-pleasing—agreeing with others to maintain harmony rather than expressing personal opinions.
- Pretending to be someone else to fit in with a social group or workplace culture.
- Minimising personal experiences or struggles, believing they are not valid or worthy of expression.
Each of these actions distances us from our true selves; but the fact is, no one else can speak your truth for you. If you are not expressing your authentic self, you may be living a life shaped by external expectations rather than your own desires.
Ibogaine, for example, has a unique ability to induce a deep state of self-reflection, and allows individuals to recognise when and why they began suppressing their voices. Many who undergo ibogaine treatment report uncovering childhood experiences where they learned to prioritise external approval over their own truth. By rewiring habitual thought patterns and providing emotional clarity, ibogaine can serve as a catalyst for unlearning self-censorship and embracing self-expression, and have helped many of our clients at Tabula Rasa Retreat heal from conditions such as PTSD or substance addiction, or behavioural addictions.
Similarly, ayahuasca and psilocybin facilitate emotional breakthroughs, allowing individuals to release long-held fears about speaking their truth. These psychedelics often play a key role in releasing self-censorship—a crucial step in moving beyond self-imposed silence.
The Three Pillars of Moving Towards Mindful Self-Expression
- Understanding Your Relationship with Self-Censorship
The first step in overcoming self-censorship is awareness. Many people do not even recognise when and why they suppress their voice.
Ask yourself:
- In what situations do I hold back my thoughts or opinions?
- Who am I most likely to censor myself around?
- What specific fears or concerns prevent me from speaking freely?
- Defining What You Stand For
Once awareness is established, the next step is taking responsibility for self-expression. This involves defining personal values and using them as a guide for communication.
Consider:
- What are my core values (e.g., honesty, respect, autonomy, integrity)?
- How can I express myself in alignment with those values?
- What boundaries am I willing to uphold when communicating?
Psychedelic experiences often force individuals to confront difficult truths about where they have compromised their values for the sake of external approval. Ibogaine therapy, in particular, has a way of revealing self-betrayals—moments when individuals sacrificed their truth to avoid conflict or discomfort.
The role psychedelics play in releasing self-censorship is that by showing these patterns in stark detail, they empower individuals to take ownership of their voice and make conscious choices about how they engage with the world once they step back into their lives after treatment.
- Practising Courageous and Mindful Communication
The final pillar is actively practising self-expression in a way that is both honest and mindful.
Key strategies for cultivating mindful expression include:
- Starting Small: Begin by expressing small thoughts or opinions in safe environments.
- Embracing Discomfort: Speaking authentically can feel uncomfortable at first, but discomfort is a necessary part of growth.
- Recognising Healthy Conflict: Disagreement is not inherently negative—it can lead to deeper understanding.
- Distinguishing Between Silence and Censorship: Not every situation requires speaking up. Sometimes, silence is a thoughtful and strategic choice.
Many people emerging from ibogaine therapy describe a newfound sense of clarity and confidence, feeling as though they are no longer “hiding” behind societal masks. Similarly, ayahuasca and psilocybin promote emotional release, allowing individuals to practice unfiltered expression in therapeutic settings—an experience that often carries over into daily life.
For those who have spent years suppressing their voice, psychedelic therapy provides a space to reclaim authentic self-expression, free from conditioned fears.
The Path to Authentic Self-Expression
By cultivating awareness, defining personal responsibility, and practising courageous self-expression, individuals can break free from the patterns of self-suppression and step into a life of authenticity and integrity.
Psychedelic therapy, particularly ibogaine treatment at Tabula Rasa Retreat, provides a unique opportunity to unearth suppressed truths, heal emotional wounds, and rewire habitual patterns of self-censorship. Now, more than ever in human history, the world benefits from diverse voices, and every person has the right to express their truth without fear.