Psychedelic medicine is still a largely unexplored frontier in the modern scientific age. However, entheogens—psychedelic compounds that produce spiritual effects or experiences—have been administered as medicine for pain and emotional trauma since ancient times. Only now, following decades of cannabis advocacy and legislation, are chemicals like psilocybin and MDMA being introduced into the plant medicine conversation and studied for their therapeutic potential.
Stephanie Karzon Abrams is at the forefront of plant medicine and psychedelics, helping rewrite the rules on how these products are understood and accessed. As the founder of Beyond Consulting, she leverages her expertise in neuropharmacology and passion for public education to empower consumers and reshape the retail experience. In a world where plant-based therapies and psychedelics are finally gaining mainstream attention, her insights into education and technology offer a roadmap for the future.
Bridging Science and Accessibility
From her foundational work in neurology and pharmacology to her hands-on involvement in MDMA and psilocybin therapies, Abrams bridges the gap between cutting-edge science and consumer accessibility. Beyond Consulting’s mission, as she described, is to provide “science-driven, operational, and strategic solutions for the natural product and psychedelic sectors,” with a strong focus on consumer education and transparency.
Consumers are becoming increasingly informed and discerning, particularly when it comes to their health and well-being. According to Abrams, the lack of regulation in the natural product and underground psychedelic markets creates significant challenges for finding trustworthy, high-quality options. “Consumer education becomes paramount in this environment,” she explained. “People need more than just information on which product to choose—they need to understand how to use these products safely, recognize when a product might not be suitable for them, and learn about potential risks and contraindications.”
Retailers and tech platforms, Abrams argues, have an opportunity to go beyond just selling products by creating spaces that prioritize informed, safe usage. “Integrating educational resources and tools empowers consumers to make choices rooted in knowledge and safety,” she emphasized.
Leveraging Technology for Education and Trust
To achieve this, Abrams advocates for the use of technology to educate and engage consumers. Digital platforms and apps can simplify the process of product selection, usage, and safety considerations. Multimedia content, such as videos and podcasts, can demystify plant-based and psychedelic products, making their benefits and risks accessible to all.
Real-time assistance through AI-driven chatbots further supports users by providing tailored, reliable information. Additionally, Abrams stresses the importance of sharing scientific research and leveraging blockchain to enhance transparency in product sourcing and certifications.
Success in Action: The Kanna Case Study
One successful example of these principles in action comes from Beyond Consulting’s partnership with a kanna company. Abrams and her team designed an observational research study in collaboration with a tech-enabled clinical research company. Using a HIPAA-compliant platform, they seamlessly collected robust data, which was transformed into educational and marketing materials. The outcomes included a published white paper, press coverage, and interviews, showcasing the company’s commitment to transparency and positioning them as thought leaders in the plant medicine space.
Looking ahead, Abrams envisions retail technology evolving to include immersive tools like AR and VR for interactive education, AI-driven personalization for tailored recommendations, and integrated telehealth services for expert guidance.
For emerging brands in the psychedelic space, Abrams advises leveraging accessible tools like social media, email marketing, and blogs to share educational content. She also suggests partnering with educators to host workshops and webinars and using tech-enabled research platforms to gather insights and build credibility.
“Consumer education and transparency are the keys to establishing trust,” Abrams said.
Her work at Beyond Consulting continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the plant medicine and psychedelic sectors, offering innovative solutions that empower both consumers and brands.
