By Dara Lightle, Psychedelic Info Line Supervisor
A little over a year ago, I found myself drawn to a volunteer opportunity that combined two things I care deeply about; science and heart. The mission of Unlimited Sciences sparked something in me because it wasn’t just about gathering data, it was about how that data could serve people. It created a bridge between rigorous psychedelic research and the very real, very human need to be met with compassion instead of judgment. That combination felt rare.
When I began volunteering on the Psychedelic Info Line, every call reminded me how important it is for people to be heard and to have access to accurate, research-backed information. Many of the people we talk to don’t have people they can open up to about psychedelics. Legal risks, stigma, and fear often keep them isolated. For some callers, we are the first people they’ve ever talked to about their interest in or experience with psychedelic medicine. That’s a big responsibility. They deserve thoughtful, research based answers and the space to be heard so they can begin to heal.
My own journey with psychedelics started long before Unlimited Sciences, but it looked very different back then. As a teenager, I tried psychedelics recreationally and had what most people would call bad trips. I used to say, “I can’t take psychedelics, I always have bad trips.” I truly believed that psychedelics just didn’t work for me. What I didn’t understand at the time was that those experiences weren’t about the substance itself, they were about my trauma showing up in front of me for the first time. It was raw and unfiltered and terrifying. I didn’t have the language or the support to navigate what I was seeing, so I walked away from it completely.
Now, years later, through my education and my work with Unlimited Sciences, I’ve come to understand just how important research, intention, set and setting, and integration truly are to healing. These aren’t just buzzwords; they’re essential tools for working safely and meaningfully with psychedelics. I’ve learned what it means to create safe containers and to meet the experience with respect, not fear. That shift changed everything for me.
My path into this work has been shaped by many layers: being a caregiver for my adult daughter, supporting community healing spaces, walking through personal trauma, holding ceremony, and now, going to school to become a certified psychedelic facilitator. Being offered the chance to grow from a single volunteer to now leading our mighty team as the Psychedelic Info Line Supervisor means the world to me.
When I started, I was only one of two volunteers answering calls. Today, we are a team of eight; seven incredible volunteers and myself. Each of them brings their own lived experience, wisdom, and curiosity into this work. I’m deeply proud to mentor and grow with them.
I’m also incredibly grateful for the leadership and trust extended to me during this transition. Katie Pickard, who recently stepped into the role of Executive Director, offered me the opportunity to step into mine. Her belief in my ability to lead this team has been both grounding and empowering. I’m also thankful to Dr. Matthew X. Lowe for his ongoing leadership and the research side of Unlimited Sciences, his work as Chief Scientific Officer provides the solid scientific foundation we build from every day. Last but not least, I give huge kudos to Heather Jackson and Del Jolly, our co-founders, thank you for seeing something in me, maybe even before I saw it in myself.
I believe in this work because I’ve lived the questions our callers are asking. I know what it feels like to seek healing in a world that doesn’t always make space for it. And I believe that education, empathy, and access can change lives.
We’re not just answering questions. We’re helping shape a culture where curiosity and care can coexist, where science can be delivered with a human voice, and where no one has to feel alone on their journey.
This is just the beginning.
If you’re looking for personalized guidance and support before or after a psychedelic experience, the Unlimited Sciences Psychedelic Info Line offers free, 1:1 support for answering questions about psychedelic safety, integration, and emotional processing.
