Flight of Thoughts

This episode of the podcast covers common presentations of life threatening substance-use emergencies and how to effectively manage them outside of hospital. I break down the common classes of drugs used recreationally, what signs/symptoms to watch for that may indicate a life threatening emergency, and how to effectively respond to save their life. I come at this topic from the perspective of what to do as the average person without training, as well as tips for first responders and healthcare professionals to enhance their patient care and prognosis.  I bring together my experience as a paramedic, harm reduction/overdose prevention worker,  Basic Life Support instructor, and expertise in substance-use disorders to help you enhance your confidence saving a life.  This will be one you won't want to miss! Follow Flight Of Thoughts! Instagram @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers YouTube @flightofthoughts This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered mature or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  The statements and opinions shared on this podcast are not meant to replace advice from a qualified medical professional.

I come back with a new episode to discuss processing grief and empathic strain.  We start by exploring a cool new story in neuroscience where researchers recreated music generated from the brain activity of epilepsy patients.  This leads us into how our brains process perception and project our perceptions of reality onto the outside world.  Grief is highly complex and each of us have unique needs and ways of processing loss.  There is no "correct" way or timeline to heal from grief.  I then  introduce the concept of "empathic strain" that affects those in high-stress helping professions and how to manage it when it shows up in yourself.  Empathy is like a muscle that can be injured when overused or we do not create space to express or process difficult emotions.   I share tips on how to arm yourself to prepare for entering difficult situations to support others, as well as how to disarm and transition back into a calm restful state.   I use the CHIME framework to expand on how we can take care of ourselves and recover from crisis or burnout.  Once our basic needs are met (physical, psychological, social safety) we can direct our attention to enhancing our sense of connectedness, hope/optimism, identity, meaning, and empowerment.  This allows us to build a strong sense of purpose and meaning in your work and challenges you face.  Using this framework for your own self care and building rituals to switch from your helper/healer role back into your personal life, without bringing the energy and trauma you experienced with you.   Follow Flight Of Thoughts! Instagram @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers YouTube @flightofthoughts This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered mature or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  The statements and opinions shared on this podcast are not meant to replace advice from a qualified medical professional.

The war on drugs has caused a toxic street supply and increased the harms on those who struggle.  Toronto Public Health provides free and anonymous drug testing services through The Works and other harm reduction organizations, which tracks what chemicals and adulterants are ending up in various black-market substances.  I discuss the pathophysiology and impacts on those using the substance that is being adulterated.  Drug dealers add these adulterants to save money and increase potency/addictiveness.  Providing regulated safe drug supply alternatives is the best way to overcome this and help individuals struggling to move towards recovery. Exploring the neuroscience and anatomy behind substance-use disorders is a powerful way to understand why we use substances and what factors make us susceptible to addiction.  Substance-use or behavioural addictions require: a drug/behaviour that stimulates the Nucleus Accumbens and Ventral Tagmental Apparatus (motivation-incentive-reward circuits), an organism made susceptible by bio-psycho-social factors and adverse childhood experiences, and stress.  After reading the current literature and working clinically in this field it is easy to understand why substance-use disorders and addictive behaviours can be so difficult to overcome without effective supports. I go over recent updates in cannabis research regarding lung health and evidence-based harm reduction tips to avoid negative consequences.  Legalization and regulation have reduced many of the perceived harms of cannabis, which has improved our ability to navigate safe/effective use.  I wrap up by discussing how community crisis intervention teams deter the need for police/paramedics responding to mental health crisis calls.  This includes how we greatly need to increase funding of social services and community resources to increase public safety, decrease the number of individuals struggling with homelessness, and empower our communities to overcome mental health and addiction challenges. Follow Flight of Thoughts! Instagram @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers YouTube @flightofthoughts This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered mature or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  The statements and opinions shared on this podcast are not meant to replace advice from a qualified medical professional.

This episode features updates on the 6-month pilot for the new non-police led Toronto Community Crisis Service, which sends mental health specialists to mental health or addiction crisis calls instead of police/paramedics.  The evidence shows that most 9-1-1 calls did not result in the need for police and that the crisis team was able to manage 78% of calls without the support of other emergency services.  The team can be accessed by calling 9-1-1 or 2-1-1 (2-1-1 is the most direct way to avoid police response).  The Toronto Community Crisis Service is a multi-disciplinary team of mental health specialists that take a harm reductive, trauma-informed approach to responding to and managing crisis calls across the city.  On the majority of calls the team is able to assess and manage the crisis without the need to transport the person to hospital.  Each person that the team responds to will receive the option for 6-months of intensive case management to help prevent future crises and address the root causes.   See what areas of the city the service is currently covering as it starts to expand across Toronto: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/public-safety-alerts/community-safety-programs/toronto-community-crisis-service/toronto-community-crisis-service-areas/#location=&lat=&lng= More information on the Toronto Community Crisis Service can be found here: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/public-safety-alerts/community-safety-programs/toronto-community-crisis-service/ I also highlight updates from the frontlines of the drug poisoning epidemic.  The city of Toronto is still seeing a large number of overdose-related fatalities due to the unregulated street supply of fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine.  I talk about what we are finding in drug samples collected by Toronto Public Health and the risks associated: https://drugchecking.cdpe.org/reports/ Finally,  I share some thoughts on the state of cannabis research and some tips on how to navigate a lot of the bad reasearch that exists out there.  I finish off with some ideas on how to increase effectiveness and reduce harms around your cannabis use. Instagram @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers YouTube @flightofthoughts * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered mature or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  The statements and opinions shared on this podcast are not meant to replace advice from a qualified medical professional.

Wrapping up 2022 with a gem of an episode!  Carl Waggett, host of Canadian Shroomer, has 20 years experience as a firefighter and has become an advocate for psychedelic healing for first responders (and all who want to access it).  Carl takes us through his journey from first responder to psychedelic mentor.  We go over what it truely takes to be reslient in the face of traumatic situations.  This includes the mistakes many first responders make that should be avoided for a long/healthy career.  This is also an opportunity to talk about how psychedelics (especially psilocybin) work on allowing the brain to shift its perspectices and move toward recovery of depression or trauma-related disorders.  Carl shares his take on how one should prepare if considering a psychedelic experience, to avoid harms or overwhelming distress.  One of my favourite analogies he came up with is his idea of the "psychedelic bouncer" as a symbol for a difficult experience in the early "come up" stages of a psychedleic trip.  It was a privilage to hear Carl's wisdom and candid, no-bullshit perspectives on where the world of first responder resiliency and psychedelic healing could be heading.  I hope to have him on again soon!    Check out these links to his social media for Canadian Shroomer content, livestreams, and updates: YouTube: Canadian Shroomer TikTok: @canadianshroomer Discord: discord.gg/Tnyyfm8fZA   Follow Flight of Thoughts on... Instagram @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers YouTube @flightofthoughts * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered mature or difficult for some individuals.  We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  The statements and opinions shared on this podcast are not meant to replace advice from a qualified medical professional.

On this episode I discuss the paradigm shift towards non-police led community crisis teams responding to mental health calls in the city of Toronto.  I outline the multidisciplinary approch these teams use and how they can be more effective than police/EMS-led models, while simultaneously taking burden off of police and paramedic services.  Community crisis teams work alone or alongside police and paramedic services where necessary.  In this episode I also discuss how liminal/transitional spaces are tied into crisis work.   * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  The statements and opinions shared on this podcast are not meant to replace advice from a qualified medical professional.

The show returns from a break to discuss managing dysregulation/dysfunction from burnout and how to intervene during the initial phases.  I talk about the burnout that I expereinced recently that led to taking a stress leave from my regular job in clinical case management on an intensive mental health team.  This goes into some of the systemic problems that make it difficult to cope with stress in our society and the exaustion felt by many of us from the COVID-19 pandemic.  I also discuss building your own map to recovery from burnout and post-traumatic stress. * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  The statements and opinions shared on this podcast do not replace advice from a qualified medical professional.

This episode explores the bio-psycho-social (plus) nuances that go into traumatic experiences.  Luke Montgomery joins us to discuss his latest documentary that asks the questions: What is trauma?  What factors go into the vast responses human beings have to traumatic experiences?  As well as, how can we turn traumatic experiences into opportunities for growth and enhanced resiliency in the face of chaos? There are many different forms of traumatic experiences.  Some seem to mostly breed unnecessary suffering (sexual assaults, abuse, neglect, etc.) while others have the potential to create heroic traits and promote individuation that leads to success.  It is important to remember that trauma is not the incident or experience in itself, but our relationship to that experience that makes it either shocking, or awe-inspiring.  Our minds, bodies, and nervous systems are built to manage stress better when we have the resources, supports, and capacity to face the challenges in our lives. Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based some thoughts or comments from the host and guests may be “off the cuff”...this is your trigger warning!

Charlie the Paramedic joins us again to talk with me about how he has been coping while working on the frontlines of this pandemic.  We share stories about how the ongoing pandemic and increase in positive cases cause major strain on our healthcare system and emergency services.  We also share some funny stories to lighten the mood.  We both have seen many preventable deaths due to increased emergency wait times and overwhelmed hospitals.  You will hear some stories that highlight the challenges first responders and healthcare workers are facing in the fight to keep patients alive.  We also share what measures we take to maintain resilience despite the increase in stress. We discuss the complex misinformation and fear of loss of control that leads to vaccine hesitancy.  It is a normal human reaction to deny facts when it challenges your point of view in times of overwhelming stress.  Over 90% of ICU admissions and deaths from Covid-19 are in the unvaccinated, while hospitals in areas with high case numbers are beyond overwhelmed.  It is also well known that a large portion of survivors (even asymptomatic) may have long term damage to several organ systems.  Charlie and I are lucky enough to have been taught the skill of evidence-based research appraisal, as well as built clinical practice experience that help inform our understanding on this topic. With everything we know about this virus, vaccines, and infectious diseases we still see individuals who lean towards conspiracy thinking instead of professional guidance.  This is due to a failure to cope from fear of uncertainty, loss of usual comfort routines, lack of rounded understanding, and lack of effort put into educating the public effectively to make the right choices.  It was been over 18 months since the pandemic began.  All of you listening have been through your own personal challenges to overcome.  Stay informed with credible sources, take good care of YOUR needs, and keep track of the bio-psycho-social factors that influence your wellbeing.  We are all in this together and we will get through this!  Enjoy the episode. * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based some thoughts or comments from the host and guests may be “off the cuff”...this is your trigger warning!

Carlos Plazola (Decriminalize Nature Chair) and Larry Norris (Co-founder of Decriminalize Nature) join me to discuss their campaign and the state of decriminalization in North America.  Decriminalize Nature is an organization that aims to help human beings access psychedelic/entheogenic plants while applying harm reduction and community-based principles.  We discuss the framework needed to restore a meaningful connection to these plants and avoid the need of unnecessary barriers.  They and others like them are advocating, educating, and shifting political perspectives.  We also discuss the need for accountability through a trauma-informed and community minded lens, while expanding access to plants with entheogenic and/or psychedelic properties.  This includes personal cultivation, providing healing services, and other topics surrounding decriminalization.   Follow Decriminalize Nature at decriminalizenature.org and... twitter: decrimnature Instagram and FB: decriminalizenature crypto donations: https://bitpay.com/31323/donate * Flight of Thoughts * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based some thoughts or comments from the host and guests may be “off the cuff”...this is your trigger warning!

Join the Executive Director of the Montreal Psychedelic Society (Roxanne Hallal) in her discussion with me about the basics of trip sitting and harm reduction!  Folks who joined the livestream were able to ask questions and learn more about why we trip sit, how to know if you're ready to do so, and what to talk about with the people that will be tripping.   We also cover what emergencies can arise, and how to respond to them. Research has shown that harm reduction and education allow individuals to avoid risks when using various substances. This webinar can be beneficial for the average person curious about psychedelics, first responders/healthcare workers providing care, harm reduction workers, public event volunteers, and more!   The pandemic has shown an increase need in this type of education, so this will be recorded to be made available for future access. We include a Naloxone/Narcan training near the end as well!   Follow the Montreal Psychedelic Society and the Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers on Facebook!   Flight of Thoughts Website: flightofthoughts.blog Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based some thoughts or comments from the host and guests may be “off the cuff”...this is your trigger warning!  

I recorded this workshop with The Foundation of International Medical Graduates to provide some tools and resources for maintaining mental health resiliency during stressful challenges.  In addition to residency applications, research and overall being a competitive medical graduate, we need to remember to take care of ourselves and especially our mental health.  This workshop applies to students, healthcare professionals, and first responders.  Here is the recording of our full workshop for you! Come hang and relax! Foundation of IMG (Website) https://foundationofimg.org/ Flight of Thoughts Website: flightofthoughts.blog * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based some thoughts or comments from the host and guests may be “off the cuff”...this is your trigger warning!

This special episode features Firefighter, Rob Leathen, and former Police Officer/Founder of Boots On The Ground, Dave McLennan.  The three of us discuss the struggles shared amongst all first responders.  We talk about some of the differences and common struggles faced by Paramedics, Police, Fire Fighters, Corrections Officers, and others.  This highlights the power and importance of having peer support available. I ask Dave and Rob about their experiences with mental health through their careers and what makes Boots On The Ground an important resource for all first responders to have in their toolkit. It is well understood that trauma, burnout, and other common mental health problems are heightened among first responders and frontline workers.  There are PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL, and EMOTIONAL aspects to growth and resiliency in the face of chronic stress.  Whether you are in need of expanding your resources or are not sure where to start, Boots On The Ground has specially trained peers that you can reach out to. Dave, Rob, and myself share the strengths and the areas where the culture is shifting in emergency services.  We talk about the good and bad decisions made by those who do not have their needs met.  To be strong and grow from what we experience we must be aware of the limitations of being human.  Further, it is important for us to learn to integrate our mind, body, and nervous system to process challenging experiences.  To do this it is important to build up strong self care routines that strengthen you physically, psychologically, and socially to remain grounded. Visit www.bootsontheground.ca  to find out what resources are available to first responders. Most people have no idea what a First Responder goes through, though they try. Even among our own, it can be hard to talk about "work". That's why we started Boots On The Ground. It's an anonymous Ontario-based helpline where First Responders can talk to someone who's been through it. We're not therapists. We're here to listen. No call display. No judgment.  Whether you are a retired or serving, sworn or civilian: Firefighter Police Officer Paramedic Nurse Corrections Officer Emergency Dispatch Operator We're here to be your first call, when you're ready. 1-833-677-2668 (anonymous and available 24/7). Jake's Websites: jakemitchellservices.ca flightofthoughts.blog   * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based some thoughts or comments from the host and guests may be “off the cuff”...this is your trigger warning!

Chad Bartalone is a Firefighter/Paramedic from the United States and host of the Abiders Urban Achiever Podcast.  We discuss our experiences working on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic as first responders.  The topic of de-escalating individuals who are aggressive or confrontational is addressed from our first-hand experiences.  Where does anger come from during crisis? Chad brings up how this pandemic is similar to a difficult psychedelic experience that is teaching each of us personalized lessons about ourselves that we have never been forced to face before.  This is where we tie it in to managing your stress response during challenging times, where your needs may not be fully met day-to-day.  We share what we do to remain optimal physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally during the last few months (at work and at home).  Check out The Abiders Urban Achievers Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-abiders-urban-achiever-podcast/id1466004118 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NMUKnSSbKYx43Q8keY13f ...and other podcasting platforms! * Flight Of Thoughts Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

I share some emergency situations as examples of how radical acceptance helps the mind stay in control to make the best decisions.  As human beings we are programmed to resist feeling a lack of control, while submitting to the fact that we are not in control of all aspects of our environments is often the best way to remain calm and think critically.  Practicing mindfulness, breathing, and grounding techniques can help you train your mind and nervous system to default to this survival response.  I also talk about how we can monitor ourselves for when we are reacting to situations with anger or defensiveness.  This often stems from an unregulated sense of fear, confusion, hopelessness, or sadness attached to the situation we are reacting to.   Two tandem tools that work well together when responding to or supporting someone in crisis. Whether they are reacting with anger, inconsolable sadness, shutting down communication, or other responses it is important to remember where it is coming from. They may have many reasons for experiencing those feelings that may be chronically unresolved or overwhelming in the moment. Use your OARS (motivational interviewing technique) to help build connection and understanding. This also works well when exploring the source of difficult psychedelic experiences and cannabis-induced anxiety. Both of which are likely rooted in unresolved sadness, hopelessness, pain, confusion, or fear that has been brought to the surface. Website: flightofthoughts.blog * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Jamison Rambharose joins me to discuss a range of topics in the psychedelic community.  He has facilitated psychedelic experiences, has been very active in the community, and has harnessed tools like float tanks and Lucia Light technology.  We cover how we can all better hold space for those having psychedelic experiences or in altered states of consciousness.  This will include harm reduction tips, mental health first aid tools, preparation and integration ideas based on various factors. * There is a big picture approach to substance use that we address.  We must take into account all biological, psychological, social, emotional, and other factors that contribute to how substances affect us differently.  Why can some use opioids and not form a problematic relationship with them?  How can some drink alcohol, while others become alcoholics?  How can some use cannabis all day and not become impaired, while some exacerbate stress with their use?  I share what I've learned as an Addictions and Mental Health Worker, Harm Reduction Worker, and Paramedic to inform how we can navigate these factors more effectively. * Of course, we address coping with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and changes that come with it.  How do we enhance our well-being and avoid mental health decline.  How do we turn this into an opportunity for growth and resiliency?  Lets figure it out together! Here are some links to the groups and organizations we spoke about: MAPS (Multi-disciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies) https://maps.org/  Zendo Project (Festival Trip Sitting and Harm Reduction Training) https://zendoproject.org/  Lucia Lighthouse (Toronto, Canada) https://www.lucialighthouse.com/?fbclid=IwAR2v5nvlXQZ6O6xzZFEXFnOoN9f5C7Z2iad37lRqni0Z5tb9LrJSH_qRj6A  Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge-Guelph Psychedelic Society https://www.kwcgpsychedelicsociety.com/?fbclid=IwAR2Op4UG_I0RHE4rznCacfmjAhQo0NVlR9rtDfTlT9rE3YTVdtVTEVDVuqI  Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers https://www.facebook.com/PsychedelicFirstRespondersAndEmergencyWorkers * Website: flightofthoughts.blog * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Ben of The Tantra Punk podcast, joins me virtually to discuss a lot of deep topics that have been resurfacing more recently such as how to be a modern survivalist, prepared to handle daily challenges of a pandemic and uncertain economy.  With the riots happening in North America, including the storming of the US Capitol Building it is more important to be prepared for adversity.  We bring up healing from psychological trauma and the various modalities that western medicine hasn't fully embraced yet.  We bring together the ideas of Eastern philosophies with the scientific understandings of neurobiology and endocrinology, to break the stigma of alternate healing pathways. * Ben shares his experiences and understandings of harm reduction in regards to substance use and sex.  It is important to make harm reduction information as low-barrier and accessible as possible for everyone to stay safe.  Ben busts some myths about Tantric Healing and Tantra work, which he practices alongside his Tantra Punk website (www.tantrapunk.com).  He strives to help others on their journey with an effort to increase regulation and safety to prevent manipulation and negative intentions of gurus.  Many Healers and practitioners of alternative modalities are regulated or held to a high standard, while other manipulate the system and put others at risk.  We talk about "spiritual narcissism" and how to avoid those who fall into its trap.  Psychedelics, mind/body awareness, and other tools can be used to enhance the work you do to improve your health and wellness.  Check out Ben's podcast and website to find out more of what he brings to the field! * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

This was a really fun episode catching up with Charlie Bronson!  Charlie is a Paramedic, former 9-1-1 call taker, EMS Logistics, and has education in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology.  We catch up about the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise in violent workplace incidents.  I update everyone on my recent Post-Traumatic Stress Injury and how I addressed it before it broke me.  I also discuss taking time off for post-traumatic stress and how a very helpful friend/counsellor took me underground for an MDMA-assisted therapy session that helped me release an immense amount of trauma.  Charlie and I talk about stories from the frontlines of Emergency Medical Services, cannabis health and wellness tips, and share some serious events that I have had to respond to recently.  Head a trigger warning on some of the stories we share because of the nature and brutality of certain details!  Enjoy... Website: flightofthoughts.blog * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Many people are experiencing "pandemic fatigue" or work-related burnout.  What have you been doing to maintain optimal physical, mental, social, and emotional resiliency?  Preparing yourself for stressful challenges or chaotic situations is an ongoing process that is different for each person.  Watch your sleeping and eating habits as well as your use of substances during times of stress, to keep control of them. * On the frontlines of the opioid crisis we are seeing many atypical drug overdoses due to the unpredictable street supply, caused by the war on drugs.  We have been seeing more signs/symptoms of benzodiazapines and carfentanil leading to more severe emergencies.  Here I talk about "fentanyl rigidity" and "flail reactions".  I also discuss training new first responders during a pandemic without putting your compassion fatigue on them.  Teach your new colleagues how to thrive in chaos by being a calm and patient mentor, allowing them to grow and challenge themselves. * I finally go into some of the latest research surrounding psychedelic microdosing (LSD and psilocybin).  Dr. James Fadiman has a lot of clinical information on the subject and I share his microdosing guide with you all.  There are risks that can be avoided with simple harm reduction advice.  Microdosing is not for everyone and is not yet fully regulated in North America.  Many have seen cognitive benefits and flow-state activity with proper use, although some have felt anxiety or uneasy when doing it without proper guideance.  I hope to explore this topic more in my the episode. * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook Page: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

This episode covers a deep fear that emergency workers carry.  We want to feel that we are trained and prepared to handle anything.  It is soothing to pretend that every skill and ability we have harnessed will carry us through any challenge we are met with.  The truth is that we can be faced with situations where our training or skills may not be able to overcome the adversity at hand.  What we CAN control is working on our self-awareness, communication with peers, doing our best self-care, and maintaining skills/knowledge as updated as possible.  Then when a situation does not go well, it is easier to recognize the other factors that we could not control. * Not being at our best is a sign of not having our needs met...not a sign that we are incapable.  Find out what your best physical, mental, social, and emotional self-care routines are to meet your needs; being ready to be at your most optimal to roll with the energy and use your expertise to the best of your ability.  Remember!  Our knowledge and skills are only as effective as their limitations allow.  If you feel a situation did not go well and you are ruminating about it, reach out to a peer or professional you trust to talk about it. * Website: flightofthoughts.blog * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Here, I share some cases where we applied non-violent crisis intervention tactics to de-escalate persons in emergency situations, avoiding the need for police intervention.  One situation was during a major overdose, where the client was combative while he was in respiratory failure, the other features someone locked in a bathroom threatening staff. * The last month has been very difficult on the frontlines of the pandemic and opioid crisis.  Healthcare workers are experiencing high rates of clinical depression and many other frontline workers are feeling burnt out.  Lets catch up on some self care and making sure we are meeting our needs in this episode.  What self-care are you doing that fits physical, mental, social, and emotional/spiritual well-being? * I finish up with some advice on using medical cannabis to calibrate your nervous system, while avoiding negative effects or dependency.  Various cannabis strains affect people differently, so its important to find which strains you respond best to and what terpene profile they hold. * Website: flightofthoughts.blog * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Paramedic and podcaster, Chad Bartalone, joins me from Indiana  to talk about some of the more surreal and heavy topics surrounding emergency medical services.  We talk about how to take away the negative stigma of inevitable death, learning to appreciate and embrace it instead of fear it.  How do we normalize the conversation and bring more education and autonomy to patients?  Our discussion also covers how to bring order to chaos through radical acceptance and preparation for challenges.  We talk about how emergency services can do more for mental health training and integration of spirituality.  As healthcare providers and first responders we must challenge our own trauma and biases to reduce stigma, and systemic discrimination.  We also talk about The Big Lebowski and Chad's podcast that references how to use the ideals presented through the character, The Dude, to better handle the stressors and challenges that life throws at you.   Chad Bartalone is a board certified and state licensed Paramedic in South Bend, IN. He has been practicing emergency medicine for 16 years, 10 of which as a firefighter/paramedic for the fourth largest fire department in the state of IN. He is a former adjunct faculty member for Ivy Tech Community College, the largest in the state, and the former program chair of the health science department at South Bend Community School Corporation.  During his time as a student at university, his focus was towards human behavioral psychology and that has informed his position in education, medicine, and advocacy.   Chad is the host of the Abiders Urban Achiever Podcast, loosely based on the “Dudeism” following and more closely related to the tenets of Daoism and old animist tradition.   Boots On The Ground is a 24/7 peer support service for first responders.  Visit their website for resources and more information: https://www.bootsontheground.ca/   Flight of Thoughts Website: flightofthoughts.blog * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Here comes another solo flight of thought I was having about how we can be better human beings by being "trauma-informed".  This leads into how to identify prejudice in ourselves and how it is programmed into us.   A major point focuses on the "mental health continuum" model that many first responders and healthcare workers have been introduced to.  Being aware of your mental health continuum and the signs that you are struggling can help you avoid falling into crisis, as well as empower you to maintain your most optimal functioning. * This pandemic and the civil rights movements happening simultaneously have shaken the foundations of many around the world.  This is the perfect time to pay attention to your mental health and build up your most effective self care rituals and become aware of when you are healthy, reacting, injured, or ill on your mental health continuum. * Website: flightofthoughts.blog Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Kai Carlsen has clinical experience as a Paramedic, Flight Respiratory Therapist, as well as building experience in clinical development and education.  He has worked in various settings from controlled hospital environments to the chaos of ambulance and aircraft response.  Kai has been growing through a journey of mindfulness, self-awareness, and peer support that allows him to remain optimal through his career.  We worked together early in my career and I always felt he had the perfect energy and intellect for emergency medicine.  On this episode we go deeper into some topics like controlling your mind during emergencies, staying healthy in a high-stress profession, and how we can make peace with the idea of death and human suffering. * Website: flightofthoughts.blog * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

After an intense month with a car accident and a stressful work injury, I update everyone on how I have been coping with these and the growing pressure on the front lines of the pandemic.  Learning to identify your responses to stress can be an effective tool for overcoming challenging times.  How does stress activate certain thought patterns you have?  How does stress store as tension or discomfort in your body?  Learning your symptoms and how to work through them can push your from distress to optimal function  in your window of tolerance.  I also talk about monitoring your mental health and self-care during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The collective stress, trauma, and uncertainty we are all feeling can make isolation a catalyst for psychological crisis, so it is important to maintain social connection and wellness routines to avoid struggling with your mental health.  Finally, do not use cannabis to escape or avoid emotional discomfort.  Cannabis is most effective when used as a reward for psychological discipline, enhance self-care, or as a tool to work through overwhelming symptoms.  To avoid any negative impacts from cannabis its best to balance your use with other methods of self care to allow your cannabinoid system to avoid depending on cannabis as its primary means of activation.  Regulated sleep, nutrition, and exercise help in doing this! Website: flightofthoughts.blog * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!   

I'm joined by my friend, Kai Carlsen, a former paramedic with experience on the ambulance, in a correctional facility, doing hospital triage, and as a medical communication officer.  He is currently certified as a respiratory therapist and worked in a large teaching facility, mostly in intensive care and transitioned to critical care flight respiratory in the arctic.  We talked about staying sane during pandemic isolation, various ways of coping with mental health struggles, and managing your own internal crisis as a healthcare worker.   We also discussed his experiences in the field and how they have helped him grow as a first responder/healthcare worker.  Kai currently works in medical education with physicians.  One big point that keeps coming up is that we all respond differently to stress and often require personalized strategies to be resilient. I apologize for the audio quality as I am still mastering recording the audio from virtual meetings!  It improves at 13 minutes into the conversation. * Website: flightofthoughts.blog Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

In this episode I talk about how first responders and safe injection sites are continuing to battle the opioid crisis through this coronavirus outbreak in Toronto, Canada.  I also discuss self-care and how to avoid burnout while working on the frontlines.  The growing Covid-19 pandemic has started to put massive strain on healthcare systems and public health initiatives.  First responders and healthcare staff put themselves at risk to keep life-saving services running strong, despite how personal protective equipment supplies are running low and the stress of catching the illness is an ever present fear.  The safe injection sites that I work at have strong protocols in place to keep our clients safe and help compy with Public Health's recommendations of social distancing.  We are continuing to serve our communities with harm reduction, overdose response, and social services to help vulnerble populations remain as safe as possible. * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts * The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Pete Tripp is an Advanced Care Paramedic with experience in many fields of paramedicine including as a flight medic.  Pete's journey is a powerful story from his start as a Janitor at his local emergency hospital to his spectrum of expereince he built as a paramedic.  He is open about his struggles with childhood trauma and finding his way as a troubled youth.  Through building up personal resiliency and never giving up, Pete was able to become an excellent paramedic and carry on through an incredible career.  He uses what he has learned over these years of experience to shed light on some of the dark sides of mental health stigma in emergency services, along with ways we can improve the atmosphere to make it safer to address these issues in the workplace.  If every first responder knew how to cry, knew how to be mindful, and knew how to connect with compassion things would become much easier over time.    Pete now has been focusing on helping first responders recognize signs of post-traumatic stress and acheiving post-traumatic growth.  He has been involved in his own initiatives like Navigate Change, an initiative to raise awareness and support for first responders struggling with PTSD.  He feels the work he was able to do with Project Trauma Support was a major factor in his resiliency and post-traumatic growth.  It was a pleasure hearing his story and his valuable perspectives on the state of emergency services and mental health stigma.  Together, we discuss our own experiences with mental health struggles as paramedics and where we hope to see changes to improve the longevity of this wonderful career.  We will be working together on initiatives to train new and current first responders in addictions/mental health awareness, with tools and knowledge to prepare them for a career that inevitably exposes you to major psycological trauma. First responders must build an extensive toolkit of self-care and support for there ongoing continuum of wellbeing.  Everyone will be different and an open mind will allow you to explore many avenues to improve your resiliency and ability to cope with the stressors of the career.  What are the biological, psychological, emotional, social, and other factors that protect you or put you at risk for mental health distress? * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts FaceBook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

For this episode Daniel Greig joins me to explore themes surrounding trauma, darkness, and the complexity of the human experience.  He teaches me how dark imagery fits in to human cognition and how altered states relate to healing.  Daniel discusses how he is writing a book with Dr. John Vervaeke about the journeys we take through our lives on gaining insight, remaining grounded, and the various pathways to enlightenment!  The book is called "The Cognitive Continuum: From Insight to Enlightenment". Daniel is an educator, organizer and artist living in Toronto. He studied Cognitive Science and Philosophy at the University of Toronto, specializing in wisdom, consciousness, and spiritual belief and experience. In 2015, he founded the Mapping the Mind conference, which raises much needed funds for psychedelic research. Daniel regularly host lectures and workshops, on topics in cognitive science. He is currently writing a book with Dr. John Vervaeke on the science of enlightenment, which will be published in 2020. When not contemplating the realm of the intellect, Daniel delves in the sonic perturbations of music, writing and producing progressive metal. * Visit Daniel Greig's website: www.sonofdawn.com * Contribute to his book's Indiegogo campaign for some great perks! Indiegogo - The Cognitive Continnum: From Insight to Enlightenemnt * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts FaceBook page: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!  

After experiencing some burnout and my first needle-stick injury, I am back on track and ready to share what I have learned.  Harm Reduction and other frontline workers of the opioid crisis are a section of first responders that are often forgotten about.  Harm Reduction Workers, Overdose Response Workers, and Community Mental Health Workers are underpaid and overworked because there is a lack of support and funding that other essential services are otherwise afforded.   Just how paramedics used to be misfit first responders, cast aside as mere "ambulance drivers", frontline overdose prevention and mental health workers are not yet recognized for their effectiveness in our society. In this episode I talk about what some of the busier days have been like in a Safe Injection Site, some of the skills and expertise Harm Reduction Workers have, and some improvements that would make them more effective if given more resources.  I share how I recognized that I was having signs of burnout and how an injury at work caused me to re-evaluate how I monitor my balance between work and self care.  My goal is to remind listeners that its easy to neglect your own wellbeing when stress builds up, how important it is to maintain strong support structures, and what signs you can look for to self monitor for compassion fatigue or "burnout".  Practice mindfulness and reaching out to friends/family for help monitoring your mental health continuum.  Aside from practicing what I've learned to overcome these struggles, exercising with maintaining good nutrition and sleep habits has helped me bounce back faster than I would ever have thought possible. * Instagram @jake_flightofthoughts The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers: https://www.facebook.com/PsychedelicFirstRespondersAndEmergencyWorkers/ * Check out my website for more content: https://flightofthoughts.blog/ * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!  

Before embarking on an adventure to India to explore and film, Sébastien Clérmont joins me in a coffee shop to discuss the various ways that our society copes with death and dying.  We talk about how other cultures view death and how we may shift ours to a healthier and more effective way to cope.  Society has structures embedded within that harm effective addiction and mental health care which can be overcome when exposed by artists and filmmakers.  We talk about these structures and stigmas that we must overcome to effectively address addiction and mental health issues, and improve our quality of life.  Throughout the conversation we touch on the crisis of meaning that human beings face.  Sebastien shares what he has learned about human behaviour and what his experiences show him about growth.  He has been on the show a couple other times where we go more into his previous projects and perspectives on psychedelics.   * Sébastien Clérmont is an experimental filmmaker who has done a lot of work that pushes boundaries and enahnces empathy.  Check out his work at his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Moutonrondouillard * Flight Of Thoughts Links... Website:  https://flightofthoughts.blog/   Instagram:  @jake_flightofthoughts   FaceBook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers   *   This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

There will be more episodes on drugs, substance-use, and supervised consumption sites in the near future, but this one introduces the topic since I started working at one.  This episode summarizes some of what I've noticed in my first run of shifts doing harm reduction and overdose response.  I also talk about stigma in cannabis users and other populations of drug-users.  Many first responders (and most other Canadians) are afraid to come forward about how cannabis is helping them because they fear discrimination from their workplace.  This episode introduces this topic that will be explored with future guests!  I bring up neurodiversity, a concept I hope to explore more as well.  Self-care and avoiding burnout is another area that I hope to address with other guests that I have on soon, but I talk about the rules that I am trying to put in place for my own self-care.  If you have a high-stress profession (or kids) then you need to learn to recognize when you are failing to care for yourself and what works for you.  Everyone is different in what activities or techniques work for them! * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts  Facebook Page: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Flight Of Thoughts #20 goes into how you can learn to harness cannabis for healing.  Each person has different cannabinoid combinations that they may respond best to, so its important to take your time to find the ones that work for you.  What strain do you feel increases your cognitive functioning? First Responders and Healthcare workers often ask how they can use cannabis for their symptoms whole avoiding impairment that can affect functioning. While spending time with family or doing activities that require cognitive efficiency, avoid higher levels of THC and lean towards strains that favour CBD (unless THC works better for you). * Many paramedics that I’ve worked with tell me that strains high in terpenes like pinene and limonene to compliment the CBD can enhance cognitive efficiency even more. I personally recommend avoiding THC while on duty, and finding a strain that is 5-10% CBD (no more than 5% THC); that has a terpene blend that works for your body. Harnessing the various vaporizer temperature settings is another way to limit THC intake when needed! * Each person responds differently to cannabis based on their specific endocannabinoid set-up. This is why it is best to find a cannabis specialist who can guide you through finding the best balance of THC, CBD, and of the hundreds of terpenes that work best for your target effects. * Watch the groundbreaking documentary, “From Shock To Awe”; following the newest treatments that are resolving PTSD, addiction, and depression in 80% of patients (including first responders and veterans)!  This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!  

Flight Of Thoughts Episode 19 was recorded at Balsam Lake camp ground in Ontario, Canada. I share the most updated advice and information on preparing set/setting/intention, and managing a difficult psychedelic experience. These techniques also work on de-escalating emotional crisis or working through emotional trauma. * First, I talk about how to prepare for an effective psychedelic experience with proper set, setting, and intention behind it. I then go into how to manage the energy or “the fear” that comes on during the onset of psychedelic energy. If you can work through the difficult energy, it allows you to heal and re-process emotional trauma that usually takes years of therapy to relieve. Do your research and follow this harm reduction advice! * The second part of this episode discusses what it is like promoting psychedelic healing and research in downtown Toronto; despite the stigma and push back from some of the public. I recap my day at Kensington Market promoting the Psychedelic Society Of First Responders and Emergency Workers at a major market and breaking stigma through conversation.  Follow The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers on Facebook to join the conversation, network, or exchange information on these topics! * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts  Facebook Page: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Sébastien Clermont joins me to talk about his new short documentary on the rise of psychedelic medicines and the war against drugs; called Forbidden Fruits.  We discuss how we are overcoming the war against psychedelics and gaining the right to heal with these alternative medicines.  Why have psychedelics been demonized for so long?  What can they do for psychotherapy and spirituality?   * Sébastien shares what he has learned researching the human history of psychedelic use, various cultural perspectives, as well as his own experiences with Ayahuasca and DMT. We also discuss how we must respect these powerful substances and avoid the harm that may come from going into them without proper education. * Our conversation goes into how healthcare workers and first responders are using psychedelics to relieve trauma and compassion fatigue; including the police officers who seek Ayahuasca underground. Many psychedelic communities are sprouting up networking and connecting various psychedelic healers with enthusiasts and others.  Look for a psychedelic community in your area to learn more about psychedelic initiatives! Watch the new short documentary Forbidden Fruits:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHJAR-oxE0Y&t=383s Visit Sébastien's YouTube channel to see his other work:  Sébastien C * Follow my Instagram to keep up with topics from the podcast: @jake_flightofthoughts * Follow  The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest news in psychedelics, as well as networking with other First Responders and healthcare workers that advocate for the use of psychedelics for healing or enhancing quality of life! * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Vito (@papaviitz ) joins me to discuss the opioid crisis in North America.  We cover the history of opioid use in our culture, both medically and recreationally. This includes the factors that caused this epidemic to get worse over the last 30 years.  The complexity of addiction and how opioids work on the brain are also discussed to help educate those who are curious. This includes how to recognize and respond to an overdose, using naloxone/narcan. Overdose and suicide are the leading causes of death in North America, higher than car accidents and heart disease.  Opioid overdoses are on the rise due to many complex factors, such as over-prescription of pharmaceutical painkillers and synthetic versions being laced into street heroin. In the 1960s 80% of heroin users started with heroin.  In 2019, 80% of heroin users started because of a prescription painkiller.  Therefore, physicians are now limited in prescribing painkillers in Canada and many states.  *When opioids overwhelm the receptors in the brain, they suppress the central nervous system. They can fully lose consciousness, pupils may constrict to pinpoint size, breathing stops or becomes ineffective, the skin goes very pale or blue/purple.  This will lead to death if it is not reversed immediately! Play video of opioid overdose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL4-Umip_Cc Overdose First-Aid Signs/symptoms of an overdose: -Blue/purple colour around face and lips -gurgling or loud snoring sounds -Unresponsive to shouting and shaking or aggressively rubbing sternum with knuckles -Ineffective breathing or not breathing at all First-Aid: Shout their name and shake their shoulders if the scene is safe Call 9-1-1 if they are unresponsive Give Narcan/naloxone (one dose of nasal spray or muscular injection) Perform rescue breathing by pocket mask and/or chest compressions If there is no improvement after 2-3 minutes, repeat steps 3 and 4. Stay with them. If the person begins breathing on their own, or if you have to leave them on their own, put them in the recovery position.  There is a high chance of vomiting and withdrawal, monitor ABCs. *Healthcare Providers (HCP): Airway management and ventilation by Bag Valve Mask with oxygen; only beginning chest compressions if NO pulse! The “Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act” provides some legal protection for people who experience or witness an overdose and call 9-1-1 for help: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/problematic-prescription-drug-use/opioids/about-good-samaritan-drug-overdose-act.html#a2  * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts * Facebook Community Group: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Filmmaker, Luke Montgomery (Montgomery Picture) joins me to talk about how psychedelics have influenced our mental health, along with the current research and mental health benefits.  We discuss how to avoid abusing psychedelics or causing harm, how to hold space for an experience, and the proper integration of set/setting/intention to avoid negative consequences.   Luke also walks me through some surreal moments in classic films that shaped how he views the art and his life.  Great films have the ability to either recreate or project a sense of uneasy reality that can spark inspiration and emotion.  He also talks about his views on their relation to mental health. Another area that we discuss is how struggling with depression can in some cases come from a loss of meaning and negative framing of circumstances.  This can be affected by various biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Follow Luke Montgomery @montgomery.picture on Instagram to view his photography and information on his films.  View a beautiful short film that documents his trip to Columbia on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UHd9aiCglI  (The Montgomery Picture) * Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts   Follow of join The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers: https://www.facebook.com/PsychedelicFirstRespondersAndEmergencyWorkers/ * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!  

Derek (Advanced Care Paramedic) and I discuss the topic of suicide and how to effectively provide suicide intervention. This includes talking about the stigma, the importance of building connection through listening, and how to have a conversation about suicide.  Suicide and Overdose are the leading causes of death in North America, above heart attacks and car accidents; yet most people do not understand these issues or how to properly save the life of someone who is struggling with it.  I have managed many suicide-related emergencies as a paramedic and mental health worker and would like to share what I have learned through my experience and recent training.  Derek provides great insight on this issue with his 15 years of experience as a paramedic. * We go into how healthcare workers can be more effective during mental health emergencies to causing harm to our patients.  Many healthcare workers feel that they are not comfortable with mental health emergencies due to a lack of training and comfort around the subject.  During my last 7 years in the field I have grown a passion for understanding and assisting mental health emergencies.  There is a major amount of research emerging in this field which allows us to understand mental health more each year.   * The suicide rates among first responders are the highest of any profession due to accumulating trauma, hopelessness, sadness, fear, and confusion that go unresolved. This is the first of many episodes where we talk openly about mental health, suicide, and how we can make our workplaces and communities safer. Being honest and anti-stigmatic about suicide will reduce the rates of death and empower more people to find their “life voice” again. * Boots On The Ground is a crisis support service for First Responders.  Reach out and call if you are ever in crisis or feeling suicidal to connect with fellow first responders who are volunteering to provide peer support, by phone or by meeting you in person.  You may simply talk to us about your struggles or ask about how we can connect you with appropriate services, or even emergency if needed.  This takes away the fear of stigma at your workplace and provides a safety net for the long wait periods to see a professional counselor or psychologist. https://www.bootsontheground.ca/ * Anyone who is having a mental health crisis or is feeling suicidal can call their local crisis line or mobile crisis team, where available, if you do not want 9-1-1. * To learn more about how psychedelics and cannabis can help first responders and other healthcare workers heal from PTSD, compassion fatigue, and other stress-related illnesses follow this page: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * You can also follow me on Instagram for ongoing content and information on the topics covered on this podcast: @jake_flightofthoughts * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Episode 14 features Derek Davis, an Advanced Care Paramedic who is hitting 15 years of experience in EMS. He takes us through several topics that all connect to mental & physical health and wellness. * Derek elaborates on the struggles he has faced as a paramedic and his journey to overcoming them; which many listeners will empathize with and learn a lot about themselves from.  We shed more light on how common mental health problems are among first responders and why we tend to hide them. More paramedics die by suicide than in any other profession in Canada and very few effective supports are available. Workplaces still discriminate against workers who are struggling from a condition that we are all statistically expected to have. * He has now been a major advocate of mental health care and education, self-care, and increased peer-support. It is important to be aware of our emotions and identify when we are feeling fear, confusion, hopelessness, or sadness from our experiences before they come out at anger and pain. We go into the signs and symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress that can range on a complex spectrum. We share self-care techniques and how to raise more awareness and supports among first responders and emergency workers. * Charlie Bronson (from past episodes) also joins us to add insight, as Derek was Charlie’s preceptor when he was a student paramedic!  This is a conversation that many first responders and mental health advocates should listen to!   * Instagram @jake_flightofthoughts * Facebook Community The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * Boots On The Ground is a crisis support service available to first responders across Ontario (Canada).  Please reach out to this service if you are in crisis and are not sure where else to turn.  A team of fellow first responders, specially trained, can respond to you by phone or in-person visit to help provide support and resources.  https://www.bootsontheground.ca/about-us * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

My friend Charlie (Paramedic/911 call-taker) joins me to share some mental health first aid tips that you can use in the workplace when noticing a co-Worker is struggling or needs support We discuss the different symptoms and peer-support interventions for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and trauma-related disorders, substance use disorders, and disorders of psychosis.  We explain the neurological processes of each disorder and how to react to assist someone experiencing a crisis related to them.  I also share the latest research on how psychedelics can be used to heal addictions and mental health disorders! Dark comedy is an amazing tool to process trauma and are effective measures to tell if you have healed or have processed passed traumatic experiences.  We explain the neurological processes that make being “offended” a choice we just overcome unless our immediate life is threatened.  Being offended at jokes or words people use will ruin your sense of true threat and danger by confusing your fight or flight circuits.  Overcoming negative emotions and working to process them make us stronger. We also look at a book of Old Settler’s Remedies and laugh at how they used to treat medical problems and emergencies hundreds of years ago! Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts  Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

On this episode @papaviitz joins me to explore the complexity of addictions and the biological, psychological, sociological, spiritual factors that can protect us or put us at risk. . Vito is studying addictions and mental health with me at Centennial College and grew up in the Riverdale community in Toronto, giving him a lot of experience seeing the effects of different socioeconomic levels on addictions and mental health around the city. We also discuss the various recovery goals that individuals may have (harm reduction VS abstinence VS reducing frequency). The “stages of change” are broken down with which strategies work best for supporting someone in each stage of their goals. We also explore the neuroscience of addiction and what risk factors we can and can’t control. . Many topics are covered from how trauma and mental health disorders relate to addiction, various forms of addiction, why certain substances are more addictive than others; even breaking down why substance misuse is often a form of relief from various symptoms of suffering or trauma. . At the end I also add a small bit about the “Bell Let’s Talk” camping summarizing the pros and cons while adding in a few ways they can be less ignorant and more effective at opening the dialogue around the realities and darkness of various mental health struggles. We will be doing another episode diving deeper into these topics soon as one hour is not enough to cover the complexity of addiction! . Instagram @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers *   This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

This is an exciting episode with my good friend Charlie, who worked with me as a Paramedic and as a 9-1-1 call taker.  We share some of our most intense experiences working in emergency services, how we use cannabis for self care to prevent PTSD as first responders, healthy VS unhealthy coping strategies, and more surreal framing of how we view life and death.  We also talk about a few calls we have done that caused an acute stress response and what measures we took to re-process and overcome them, before they manifested as trauma.  Enjoy this ride through life and death moments, using psychedelics and cannabis for self care, while integrating our dark sense of humor!  Cannabis can be an effective self-care tool for the overall benefit to the mental health of first responders and emergency workers when used responsibly with education!   Strains that are high in Myrcene, CBD, and Linalool are best for combating the acute stress reaction that you may have 24-48 hour after a stressful emergency call.  Avoid high levels of THC (above 12%) when experiencing distressing emotions or anxiety, as CBD-dominant indica and hybrids are much better for managing those symptoms.  Sativa strains high in THC can exacerbate rumination and distressing emotions, so stick to strains that promote a healthy balance of terpenes and CBD when possible! * Instagram @jake_flightofthoughts *  Facebook The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Horror movies are notorious for showing death as either glamorous or completely unrealistic.  Many first responders and emergency workers sit through these kinds of movies, just buzzing with corrections we wish we could make.  In real life death can be both disturbing and artistic in a surreal context, yet horror movies rarely tap into the art of realism.  Chris Kinsella joins me to analyze the holiday-horror-classic Black Christmas!  We discuss how this movie paved the way for future horror slashers like Halloween and Friday the 13th, as well as how each death WOULD have looked in real life based on my paramedic experience and calls that I have responded to with similar injuries.  Enjoy this holiday episode with a nice sativa-dominant hybrid and plenty of trigger warnings! *Watch the YouTube version of this episode and our episode analyzing The Shining for video clips that accompany each scene that we are discussing to follow along with:                              Black Christmas Analysis (YouTube): https://youtu.be/YSGxmJWXFvo The Shining Analysis    (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InQ8qXBb9EQ&t=995s * Instagram @jake_flightofthoughts Community Facebook Page: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers  * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

For this episode I am joined by my friend Maggie Grainger to talk about ADD/ADHD and cognitive functioning. Maggie has a BSc in Biological Anthropology and Psychology, now expanding her expertise into Addictions and Mental Health Work. Maggie helps me take apart the different symptoms of ADD/ADHD in both men and women, the complexity and importance of proper of diagnosis and treatment, how the ADD/ADHD brain is wired, as well as exploring the idea of optimal cognitive functioning. Why does the THC in cannabis compliment the ADHD brain so well? We also explain what is happening in the ADD/ADHD brain to cause the various symptoms. It has been confirmed by Electro-Encephalography (EEG) studies that the right prefrontal cortex falls asleep when symptoms are present, causing theta wave deep-sleep. This is why those with ADD/ADHD require extra dopaminergic stimulation and often seek high-risk behaviours or careers to compliment this!  I personally feel that I chose to work in emergency services because of how my brain is wired, and I feel many others in high-risk fields may feel similar.  Enjoy this episode and feel free to leave comments on how you cope with symptoms of ADD or ADHD for others to learn from! * Instagram @jake_flightofthoughts  * Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!  

This is a special segment of Flight of Thoughts that analyzes classic movies to explore themes that are related to mental health, trauma, psychedelics, and other surreal themes that may have been missed by audiences. This time we look at Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining".  I am joined by my good friend Chris Kinsella, a horror movie connoisseur and lover of the darkly comedic, artistically surreal, and disturbing aspects of the genre.  Our goal is to combine our passions to break down these ideas; integrating them into our views of mental health and human behaviour.  There are many rabbit holes to dive into with The Shining, but we pick out messages about overcoming addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as discussing Danny's "shining" from the perspective of pediatric epilepsy (seizures).  This will be an ongoing segment that is integrated with the rest of the Flight of Thoughts podcast.  Stay tuned for more movie break downs with Chris and myself! * Instagram:  @jake_flightofthoughts Facebook: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers  * Chris Kinsella will be starting his own series on YouTube exploring horror movies from his darkly comedic takes on society, and passion for the art and power of effective moments in horror cinema!  Until then follow him on Instagram for ongoing content, with rants on movies and our society as a whole! @ckinsella    

Scott Mason from the Toronto Psychedelic Society joins me again to explore some incredibly surreal topics.  Scott shares with us the story of his near-death experience where he had to be resuscitated by paramedics; as we breakdown the best way to hold space and comfort someone who is dying.  There are very strong parallels between near-death and psychedelic experiences that we draw correlations to as well.  We also explore how to harness your emotional response to overcome fear and perform in life or death situations, recognizing human suffering in modern societies, reframing psychosis, and more harm reduction/prevention tips!  Enjoy this episode with a smooth hybrid or indica strain...you may need it for this one! * Instagram @jake_flightofthoughts The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers https://www.facebook.com/PsychedelicFirstRespondersAndEmergencyWorkers/ The Toronto Psychedelic Society https://www.facebook.com/TorontoPsychedelicSociety/ * This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

This was a very intense, engaging conversation about the human brain and it’s processes. Why do some people thrive in chaos and others fall apart? Why do psychedelics help heal trauma? Daniel Greig has been studying cognitive science and philosophy at the University of Toronto with a growing passion about psychedelic science, advocacy, and education. He volunteers with the Canadian Students for a Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP) and runs a psychedelic seminar series. We talk about what happens in the human brain when we experience traumatic events, addictive impulses, psychedelic healing, near-death experiences, and other important neurological processes! We also explain the five default human responses to a life-threatening moment or crisis; as well as how to recognize which one you are prone to when you enter a situation that is "do or die".   Flight of Thoughts Instagram: @jake_flight of thoughts   Psychedelic Society Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PsychedelicFirstRespondersAndEmergencyWorkers/   This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!

Sébastien Clermont is a filmmaker and student at York University, with his film-making style ranging from experimental to documentary style.  Recently, he has been exploring major Canadian issues that have been emerging in mental healthcare.  The documentary he is currently working on covers the emerging psychedelic-assisted therapies, the opioid crisis, and other major trends that branch out of intergenerational trauma and addictions in Canada.  This conversation was very effective in communicating the complexity of the roots of the addiction and mental health crisis in Canada, as well where we must shift our focus to overcome them. Check out Sébastien Clermont's work at Youtube: Moutonrondouillard Instagram: absentinsomniac   Flight of Thoughts Instagram: @jake_flight of thoughts    Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PsychedelicFirstRespondersAndEmergencyWorkers/   This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!  

I recorded this a week or so before cannabis was legalized here in Canada.  I chose to release this episode a few days after to give everyone access to some useful harm reduction tips for recreational cannabis use, as well as how to be more effective with using it for medical purposes.  This episode includes how to avoid any negative effects, information on various strains and terpenes, and how first responders can navigate cannabis as a medicine more effectively!

On this episode, I am joined by Joe Moore to talk about what we can expect with cannabis legalization based on what they have seen in Colorado (since their legalization).  We also address psychedelic harm reduction, and other ideas in the realm of psychedelics and human behavior!  Joe Moore is one of the heads of Psychedelics Today (find their podcast on iTunes as well).  He and Kyle Buller have created the Navigating Psychedelics online course to educate everyone on the responsible and spiritual uses of these substances, recreational VS medicinal use, the history surrounding psychedelics, and ongoing updated research.   Instagram: @jake_flight of thoughts  Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PsychedelicFirstRespondersAndEmergencyWorkers/ This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!  

This episode is an introduction to the Flight of Thoughts podcast. Jake shares some ideas of what to expect with upcoming episodes, elaborates on his experiences with addictions and mental health as a paramedic and harm reductionist, as well as some safety advice for the pending legalization of cannabis in Canada.  Instagram: @jake_flightofthoughts  Facebook page: The Psychedelic Society of First Responders and Emergency Workers This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered “taboo” or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open-dialogue.  Although the ideas are mostly evidence-based and honest, the lines of reality and comedy may be blurred at times...this is your trigger warning!