8 Superheroes Who Would Benefit The Most From Psychedelics

Batman is one of the DC Universe’s most deeply traumatized heroes. From witnessing the death of his parents as a young boy, to the loss of his protege Jason Todd (who later became the anti-hero Red Hood), along with countless other friends and compatriots who have been injured, maimed, or damaged in some way, Bruce Wayne has seen and been affected by it all. Considering all that built-up pain and emotional trauma, we think Batman would benefit most from MDMA.⁽¹⁾

If we imagine that Batman is a real person, with real psychological struggles, we can begin to build a case for his therapeutic use of MDMA (although he may benefit from recreational use every now and then). Batman is a character that is defined by a single core traumatic event, around which he built his persona. That event is, of course, the death of his parents. This loss caused him to become the dark, brooding, and emotionally unavailable crime fighter that we know and love. He’s often depicted as someone who struggles with grief, anger, and guilt.⁽¹⁾

With this in mind, we think Batman would benefit from MDMA-assisted therapy for three key reasons:⁽¹⁾

Tony Stark’s complex psyche and struggle with his own identity could potentially benefit from the introspective and (potentially) ego-dissolving effects of LSD, helping him explore the depths of his personality and find greater self-acceptance.⁽²⁾

As a character, Tony Stark is a genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist. He often struggles with his own ego, guilt over his past as a weapons manufacturer, and trauma from his many near-death experiences. He’s struggled with addiction in various phases of the comics, and most importantly of all, he has a massive ego (meant in the colloquial–-arrogant—sense vs the psychological meaning of ego dissolution).⁽²⁾

We think that Tony could benefit from LSD for a few reasons:⁽²⁾

Superman (aka Clark Kent) is a near godlike character with a complex and often daunting relationship with humanity. Having been sent to Earth by his parents (who died when Krypton was destroyed) Clark grew up as a perpetual outsider, who managed to luck out and find the sort of family that some people can only dream about. The lesson his adoptive parents, the Kents, imparted gave him a deep sense of responsibility. This, coupled with the burden of having his power level, forged him into the Man of Steel that has saved Earth countless times.⁽³⁾

But what about his personal struggles? Deep feelings of responsibility can often become a heavy weight to bear (even for the world’s strongest hero). We think that the Amazonian brew, ayahuasca, could help him to deal with feelings of isolation, the burden of responsibility, and the grief he must feel knowing he’s one of the last Kryptonians.⁽³⁾

Here are some of the reasons we think Superman might benefit from ayahuasca:

The Hulk, also known as Dr. Bruce Banner, is one of Marvel’s most interesting characters. At times he’s been the mild-mannered physicist with a hugely powerful alter ego, and at other times he’s been entirely consumed by said alter ego: the Hulk. This duality makes him severely conflicted. That inner conflict, coupled with the rage that fuels the Hulk, can often cause the character to be a force of destruction as much as good.⁽⁴⁾

Banner’s internal struggles showcase an individual that’s as much at war with themselves as they are with the host of enemies that the Hulk plows through in every issue. This is exacerbated by his boiling rage, which is necessary for him to transform into the green engine of destruction that is the Hulk. It is for these reasons that we believe that Bruce and the Hulk may both benefit from the empathy-enhancing and deeply introspective experience that comes with the use of psilocybin, (aka magic mushrooms).⁽⁴⁾

Here are a few of the core benefits that Bruce Banner and the Hulk might get from psilocybin-assisted therapy:⁽⁴⁾

Green Lantern’s ability to create constructs with his power ring could be enhanced and expanded through mescaline’s visionary and imaginative properties, fueling his creativity and allowing him to manifest even more powerful constructs.⁽⁵⁾

The Green Lantern (assuming we’re talking about the most famous iteration, Hal Jordan) is a character whose power is fueled by will and creativity. Utilizing his ring. Hal can project his thoughts into reality, often creating powerful weapons and shields, or simply using his mind to lock an enemy in place. His responsibilities as a Green Lantern also place him under immense pressure, complicating his personal life and leading to many events that likely caused trauma.⁽⁵⁾

Here’s how mescaline-assisted therapy might hypothetically benefit Green Lantern:⁽⁵⁾

Doctor Strange’s mystical abilities and his familiarity with other dimensions make him an interesting candidate to explore the mind-expanding effects of DMT, which may offer the potential for transcendent experiences and a deeper comprehension of the multiverse. Given Doctor Strange’s unique role as the Sorcerer Supreme, and his frequent visits to other planes of reality, DMT could help him further his understanding of the mystical.⁽⁶⁾

Doctor Strange started as a highly respected neurosurgeon until an accident severely damaged his hands, leading him onto a path of the mystic arts. He eventually takes on the mantle of the Sorcerer Supreme, tasked with defending Earth from magical threats. But during this journey, he loses not just his hands, but also some of his closest friends and loved ones. The kind of loss can lead to deeply rooted emotional trauma, probably explaining why Doctor Strange always keeps others at arm’s length.⁽⁶⁾

Given his unique circumstances, the following are three ways Doctor Strange could theoretically benefit from using DMT:⁽⁶⁾

Barry Allen, better known as The Flash, is a speedster-type superhero that can give the likes of Superman a run for his money in a foot race. His life often has him bounding from one crisis to the next, while cracking quick-witted jokes and attempting to navigate the complexities of being the world’s fastest man. Barry’s high-octane life is amplified not just by his blinding speed, but also by the weight of his past—specifically, the loss of his mother. Added to this is the burden of being Central City’s primary guardian and a member of the Justice League.⁽⁷⁾

We think the Flash might respond well to ketamine-assisted therapy. Known for its ability to cause users to experience time more slowly, ketamine may help the world’s favorite speedster slow down, reflect, and process all of the insane things he must deal with on a daily basis.⁽⁷⁾

Here are just a few things we think the Flash might take away from ketamine-assisted therapy:⁽⁷⁾

Diana Prince, famously known as Wonder Woman, hails from Themyscira, a hidden island inhabited by Amazonian warriors. With her deep connection to the ancient past, a time of Gods and Goddesses, heroes, and monsters, Wonder Woman often represents a link between the old and the new. She is also a beacon of hope for the world. However, her ancient roots and vast age can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation. As a result, she has sometimes been depicted as (understandably) disconnected from the average human.⁽⁸⁾

As a symbol of compassion and power, she courageously left her homeland to champion justice in the world beyond. Despite her heroic deeds, Diana’s journey isn’t devoid of challenges: including her isolated upbringing and the grim realities of war. These profound experiences make her a compelling candidate for the potential benefits from psilocybin-assisted therapy.⁽⁸⁾

Let’s consider three potential perks for our beloved Amazonian heroine:⁽⁸⁾

Humanity loves superheroes. They’re often representations of our best attributes and are symbols of hope for millions of people worldwide. But even superheroes have flaws. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be very interesting, and like us, those flaws, traumas, and problems could potentially be helped by psychedelics. Some, like Doctor Strange, even have their origins in psychedelia. This is what makes thought experiments like those above so interesting. They allow us to see ourselves in the characters we love, which begs the question: what superhero would you want to trip with?