A Psychedelic Experience - At 68
Summary: At 68, Scott Wright took psychedelics for the first time. The result? A transformation he never saw coming.
On his 65th birthday, Scott Wright's wife served him some unvarnished truths, which became the impetus for this dramatic action three years later.
He had his first psychedelic experience.
A recent story in The Guardian tells of Scott Wright, who was celebrating his 65th birthday with his wife. After raising a toast to him, his wife decided to be candid with him and told him about his reputation for being difficult.
This moment of honesty set him on a path of deep self-reflection, ultimately leading him to a psychedelic retreat in Mexico three years later.
Wright's career has been anything but linear. He began as a radio DJ in Chicago, transitioned into a role as a promotion executive for Epic Records, then pursued a lifelong dream of making wine in Napa Valley, and then later shifted into filmmaking.
After taking his wife's comment on board, Wright decided it was time to explore his inner psyche. Drawing inspiration from Michael Pollan's book, How to Change Your Mind, and the research of psychiatry and neuroscience professor Roland Griffiths, Wright embarked on a journey of self-discovery.
At a one-on-one retreat held in San Miguel de Allende, Wright consumed psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound found in magic mushrooms. Wright's experience turned out to be nothing short of profound.
Wright described it as "the most profound, intense, and mind-blowing minutes" he has ever experienced–like witnessing a spectacular light show while simultaneously undergoing the equivalent of 20 years of therapy, all condensed into just a few hours.
After the session, Wright said he felt fundamentally changed as if he had been born again. He admits to becoming more sincere, kinder, and humbler towards others, which Wright's wife also gratefully acknowledged.
And there's no stopping him. His latest project involves writing, and he's producing a screenplay about his time as a DJ.
Our Take - A New Perspective on Midlife Transformation
Thinking about attending a psychedelic retreat in your 60s might feel unconventional or even a little bold based on what society typically expects. Some might label it as a midlife crisis—not exactly a shiny red sports car, but still a dramatic shift in direction.
But that kind of thinking misses the heart of the matter. Reassessing your life during midlife isn’t about crisis—it’s about growth. At The Interlude Café, we see midlife, and beyond, as a time ripe with opportunity for reinvention, reflection, and self-discovery.
For many, psychedelic experiences have opened the door to profound self-awareness and major shifts in perspective. Research increasingly highlights their potential to foster meaningful changes—whether it’s lifting low moods, easing anxiety, or helping people reconnect with themselves and their relationships. If these experiences offer a way to enhance understanding, purpose, and fulfillment, why not consider them?
That said, this isn’t a “just try it and see” scenario. Psychedelics are powerful and require intention, preparation, and the support of experienced professionals in safe, guided settings. This isn’t about promoting or discouraging their use—it’s about recognizing them as one of many tools for midlife transformation and growth.
The real takeaway here isn’t whether psychedelics are the right path for you. It’s about challenging the belief that aging should lock us into predictable patterns or rigid societal expectations. If lifelong learning is the goal, there’s no age limit on exploring new ways of thinking, whether that’s through psychedelics, creative outlets, or reevaluating the paths we choose.
The most important thing is staying curious, open, and ready to evolve at any stage of life.
Further Reading
- How to Change Your Mind, by Michael Pollan. The book explores the use of psychedelic substances and their potential for self-discovery and therapy.
- The Trip Treatment, a New Yorker article by Michael Pollan.
Author's note: Remember that this summary provides an overview of significant themes mentioned in the study, with our insights thrown in for good measure. For the full context and depth of content, always refer back to the original studies and articles.
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