Five Trips

An Investigative Journey into Mental Health, Psychedelic Healing, and Saving a Life

By: Kendis Gibson

Narrated by: Kendis Gibson

Five Trips chronicles Emmy Award-winning journalist Kendis Gibson’s personal journey through five psychedelic experiences, exploring the access issues faced by the BIPOC community in using psychedelics for mental health conditions, set against the backdrop of his challenges as a Black journalist at ABC network and the racial treatment that fueled his public meltdowns.

Five Trips takes you on a profound journey with Emmy Award-winning journalist Kendis Gibson as he navigates the complex interplay of identity, resilience, and healing. This powerful memoir delves into his personal experiences with psychedelics, examining their transformative impact against the often harsh realities of racial inequity and limited access in the BIPOC community. Gibson’s candid recounting includes a gripping anxiety attack during a rare interview with Beyoncé, a public confrontation with deeply entrenched racism at ABC, and his private struggle with sexual identity, all woven into the fabric of an illustrious yet tumultuous career in the media. Five Trips is not just a memoir—it’s a beacon for those seeking to understand the potential of psychedelics in mental health, a testament to overcoming adversity, and an insider’s perspective on the pivotal moments that shape public figures behind the scenes. Join Kendis Gibson as he reveals the unspoken truths of a life spent in the spotlight, offering insights and hope to those on their own paths to healing.

©2024 Kendis Gibson (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

The issue of race in the media

The revelations of psychedelic trips and effects on the psyche. The frozen cons of this type of therapy for depression.

Come for the shrooms, stay for the truth

There sure is something provocative about a prominent news anchor describing an exploration into psychedelic therapies. This story builds on a growing body of journalistic inquiry into psychedelic treatment for traumatic memories. (Google Ethan Rocke's investigations into veteran's mental health outcomes for another great rabbit hole on this topic). Boy this book is so honest. I think, in this case, the experience of reading it is greatly enhanced by the audiobook. The storytelling is brilliant, but most remarkably because it is fearlessly honest. It's like the book you could probably write yourself if you didn't have your stupid ego.

Finding Strength Through Life’s Challenges

Five Trips by Kendis Gibson is a beautifully written reflection on healing, resilience, and finding clarity through life’s challenges. Kendis shares his journey with vulnerability and insight, creating a book that feels deeply personal yet universally impactful. It’s a reminder that sometimes the hardest moments can lead to the most meaningful growth. An inspiring and heartfelt read!

Got me thinking…

I don’t want to say anything bad about this book or story since it’s somebody’s real life. I do think it makes you think about shrooms and what your experience would be. Because I heard this book was coming out by Kendis I was excited to hear his experience at ABC News which was shared…only it wasn’t to the extent I thought as I was hyped up about the book from a radio personality. Anyway, I used to watch Kendis & Diane Mercado in World News Now and loved their chemistry. It saddened me and he left then her…I soon came to realize that everyone leaves after a period of time.

Within the story I think I can identify with his experience when it came to things said at the workplace and little to no reaction or response from fellow co-workers of the same race. That disturbs me the most…we have so much power in numbers yet, more so than not, “we” decide self preservation is better than us as a whole. That’s a HUGE issue.

With that being said, I appreciate the book and what Kendis shared. I pray that he’s happier and has found what he was seeking.