Five Trips: An Investigative Journey into Mental Health, Psychedelic Healing, and Saving a Life by Kendis Gibson is a candid and compelling memoir exploring the intersections of mental health, race, and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Emmy Award-winning journalist Gibson shares his experiences with psychedelics like MDMA, ayahuasca, and psilocybin, presenting them as part of his journey to address anxiety, depression, and the often overlooked stress of navigating a high-profile career as a Black journalist in predominantly white spaces.
“I’ve had a lot of things that have ailed me over the years,” said Gibson to UPTOWN. “I’ve had childhood sexual abuse. I’ve had the trauma of PTSD of the first person that I kissed as kid disappearing and, then, me eventually finding his body. I, then, had the trauma of living in a colonial racist country (Belize) and then coming to the US in the 1980s (at age 12), which still had quite a bit of racism at the time, all while trying to acclimate in what was a very, very white world.”
Though his ascent to the top of television news appeared to be one that was reached with great ease (as a result of his high performance as a news reporter and anchoring abilities), the reality of those days presented a perfect veneer of Gibson, dripping with the trappings of success, but within, there was a fragile soul of an individual who was in dire need of help. Eventually, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks (one actually occurred during an interview with Beyoncé) would take its toll and lead Gibson to attempt suicide, which was thwarted through what can be best interpreted as “divine intervention.”
In Five Trips, Gibson candidly recounts his personal struggles, including the impact of being a Black man who was raised in a traditional Christian household yet had a clear awareness as a child that he was gay. He also illustrates the scenarios that enabled him to experience psychedelic therapy, which led him to new insights and awareness. Through his “five trips,” Gibson has been able to successfully confront internalized pain, anxiety, and suppressed emotions to enjoy a happier and more content life.
Five Trips is accessible and moving and written in a style that balances personal vulnerability with journalistic inquiry. Gibson’s honest exhibition of his mental health struggles and transformative healing experiences offer a unique perspective on both psychedelics and the resilience needed to overcome trauma. Gibson also delves into the broader social issues surrounding access to mental health resources in BIPOC communities, addressing the role of stigma in limiting therapeutic opportunities for Black people and people of color.
Five Trips: An Investigative Journey Into Mental Health, Psychedelic Healing, and Saving a Life is scheduled to be released on Dec. 3, 2024. It will resonate with readers who are interested in mental health advocacy, psychedelic therapy, and the unique mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities.
