Our Mission

Modern Western culture has by in large neglected the importance of emotional and spiritual well-being in mental and physical healthcare. This limited perspective has contributed to the growing epidemic of mental health and psychosomatic disorders [including anxiety, depression, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)]. In such problems, the role of underlying emotional trauma deserves more attention.

Approaches that address both underlying emotional trauma and the spiritual dimension of illness broaden possibilities for healing. Addressing unresolved trauma often leads to improvements in mental and physical health and increased awareness.

Modern Spirit is dedicated to demonstrating the value of spiritual healing in modern healthcare by illuminating the intersection between biology, emotion and spirituality. As a non-profit dedicated to scientific research, community-building, and educational programs, we are working to expand our culture’s capacity to heal. Our network extends from our base in the Phoenix Metro area, to our connections in California, and outward across the globe. Our projects include:

MODERN SPIRIT EPIGENETICS PROJECT
Our first major initiative was the Modern Spirit Epigenetics Project (MSEP), developed during integrative work with traditional Amazonian healers. The Modern Spirit Epigenetics Project has been based at the University of Southern California (USC) Dept. of Psychiatry in Los Angeles and is being conducted in collaboration with the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). In this study, we have been looking for ways in which MDMA-assisted Psychotherapy can lead to measurable biochemical (“epigenetic”) change. We collected saliva samples from study participants in order to analyze the epigenetic effects of this form of trauma healing. The first results from this pioneering research were published in 2023 in Frontiers in Psychiatry (C. Lewis, et al. Pilot study suggests DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) is associated with MDMA-assisted therapy treatment response for severe PTSD).

PARTNERSHIP WITH KUMAY
We have also joined forces with the Colombian-based non-governmental organization Kumay, focused on promoting cultural education, strengthening artistic processes, and traditional/indigenous knowledge among native, rural and urban peoples for social development. We initially became involved in Colombia with the organization Cultural Tras La Huella (which is now based primarily in Chile). We supported editing and translation for their film project Kumanday: The Way of the People, bringing the ancestral wisdom of the Americas to a larger audience.

AND MORE
Modern Spirit is developing educational programs for both healthcare workers and the larger community; drawing upon collaborative efforts between Western medical practitioners, research scientists, integrative healthcare providers, spiritual practitioners and traditional healers. Additionally, we host monthly online community discussions through our Modern Spirit Community Patreon.