Sociologist Rebecca Huntley will launch her new book Sassafras at Byron Writers Festival. We speak with her about her experience of new drug treatments.
Q: Your new book Sassafras is a memoir about using MDMA to overcome intergenerational trauma and trauma in your own life. What led you to MDMA therapy?
Over lunch a friend asked me “how are you?” and in that moment I decided to be really honest about what I was struggling with. I decided to tell her I wasn’t going to see my mother anymore. Instead of judgement, I got understanding and a recommendation to see a woman she had gone to for an MDMA session. I took a gamble and decided to try the therapy, having never taken the drug before although I had read about it in books on trauma by writers like Bessel van der Kolk. I would never have believed how life changing it has been.
Q: As a social researcher, what surprised you when researching this book and the treatment?
The origins of the drug are interesting to me. The oil from the root of the sassafras tree provides the building blocks for the drug, and all parts of that tree were utilised by some Native American groups for its healing powers. Before it became a “party drug”, MDMA was used in couples’ therapy. I didn’t realise there was a global movement working to get clinical trials up, and those trials have been very encouraging. It’s a powerful drug, with all the good and the not so good that comes with that.
Q: What lessons or ideas are you hoping to share with readers?
I hope my experience is a useful contribution to the important national and international discussion about the efficacy of psychedelic treatments for complex trauma and PTSD. If we get the approach right, we have a chance to really help people help themselves.
Q: You will be launching Sassafras at Byron Writers Festival, what are you looking forward to about the festival?
Without wanting to lean too heavily on a cliché, I love the vibe of the festival. It’s stimulating and relaxing at the same time. I’m looking forward to the panel I will be on, talking about psychedelics with James Bradley, a long-time friend whose kind words about my memoir feature on the front cover of my book. I’m excited to be in conversation with David Marr about his book and also to catch up with colleagues, friends and readers.
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