The Psychedelic Therapy Podcast

Can we practice the art of surrender before the first dose?Today on the show Robin Arnott and Dr. Sandeep Prakash explain how SoundSelf evolved from a VR curiosity into a clinically oriented tool that uses sound and light feedback to induce the unitary states therapists aim for in medicine sessions. We unpack the science of voice-activated biofeedback, ways to weave SoundSelf into preparation and integration protocols, and the larger promise of digital therapeutics for scalable, whole-person care.SoundSelf is a voice-guided, audio-visual platform that primes the nervous system for psychedelic-level surrender and supports post-session integration. Robin Arnott is the former CEO of Andromeda Entertainment, and author of The Technodelic Manifesto. Dr. Sandeep Prakash is a leading Psychedelic Researcher trained at California Institute of Integral Studies. Together they aim to set a new gold standard for tech-enabled mental health.Soundself is launching a new expansion: a tablet pre-configured with SoundSelf. Psychedelic Therapy Podcast listeners who order before May 9 2025 get this $600 upgrade free, plus a two-month evaluation window. Explore it for yourself at: www.soundself.com/ptpTimestamps:(03:46) The Origin and Evolution of SoundSelf(08:15) Exploring the Science and Application of SoundSelf(21:42) Voice Activated Biofeedback and Its Impact(30:47) The Role of SoundSelf in Psychedelic Therapy(35:43) Combining SoundSelf with Psychedelics(38:47) Future of Digital Therapeutics 

Imagine you're in the middle of a psychedelic journey—things are getting intense, and you just need someone to talk to. That's whereFireside Project comes in. As the world's first psychedelic peer support line, Fireside is redefining how we care for each other in altered states, offering a space where anyone can find guidance, validation, and a steady voice in uncertain moments. But beyond the helpline, Fireside is also an incredible entry point for those looking to work in the field of psychedelic support. If you're a practitioner, facilitator, or simply curious about holding space for others, this conversation is for you.In this episode, Fireside Executive Director Joshua White breaks down the essential skills for psychedelic peer support, from understanding the differences between coaching, therapy, and crisis intervention to mastering theart of presence. We explore whyvalidation is often more powerful than de-escalation, the growing importance ofintegration coaching, and the pitfalls ofself-abandonment in the psychedelic industry. Plus, we dig into what it really means toheal the wounded healer—the emotional labor of this work and how to care for yourself while caring for others.Joshua White is the Founder and Executive Director of Fireside Project, a nonprofit dedicated to making psychedelic support accessible and culturally attuned at scale. Through itsPsychedelic Support Line, Fireside provides real-time help for those navigating challenging experiences, while itsFireside-Certified Psychedelic Coaching Program offers deeper, long-term integration support. Before founding Fireside, Joshua was a Deputy City Attorney for San Francisco, where he fought against businesses exploiting vulnerable communities and co-taught a nationally recognized Yale Law School clinic. Now, he's bringing his passion for advocacy, harm reduction, and healing to the psychedelic space—reshaping how we support one another on these journeys.Timetamps(04:38) Joshua White's Personal Journey(09:00) The Art of Presence(11:48) Distinguishing Peer Support, Coaching, and Psychotherapy(21:07) Fireside Project's Approach to Support(35:46) The Future of Psychedelic Support and AI(41:41) The Need for Long-Term Support in Psychedelic Therapy(47:07) Challenges in the Psychedelic  Industry(52:37) Balancing Personal Well-being and Professional Commitment(59:12) The Importance of Peer Support(01:08:16) Joshua White's Transition AnnouncementLinksFireside Project: Psychedelic Coaching & Peer Support LineFireside Project (@firesideproject)Curious about becoming Fireside's new ED?

A month ago, I had the privilege of visiting Beond in Cancun, Mexico to experience an ibogaine treatment for cognitive enhancement. Today, I'm joined by Beond CEO Tom Feegel to discuss how this remarkable medicine can support a better brain. In this episode, we explore Tom's personal journey with Ibogaine, its potential to revolutionize addiction treatment, and how it supports cognitive enhancement. We discuss key safety concerns, the importance of integrity in healing, and Tom's reflections on this transformative medicine. Finally, we look ahead to the future of psychedelic access and its impact on mental health worldwide. Tom Feegel is co-founder of Beond Ibogaine, an ibogaine-assisted treatment and research center in Mexico for trauma, PTSD, addiction, and health optimization. He was previously CEO of EO Products, and a founding executive at Brandless. A father of five, Tom lives in Mexico and continues to push boundaries in mental health and addiction recovery. Timestamps 06:25 Tom's Personal Journey with Ibogaine 10:25 Ibogaine's Impact on Cognitive Enhancement 17:42 Safety Concerns and Proper Use of Ibogaine 27:53 Clinical Environment vs. Shamanic Experience 36:20 Cognitive Enhancement with Ibogaine: Latest Research 40:38 Who Should Consider Ibogaine Therapy? 50:25 The Importance of Integrated Healing 56:41 Access and Inequality in Psychedelic Therapy Links

Today, I'm joined by Juan Pablo Capello, co-founder and former CEO of New Life Health, a telehealth ketamine therapy service launched in 2021. Juan Pablo has raised concerns about low standards of care in telehealth ketamine, making this a timely conversation about the opportunities and challenges in this growing industry. In our discussion, Juan Pablo shares how his early experiences with Wachuma inspired his interest in psychedelics for mental health. We address key topics, including the potential for ketamine addiction, the impact of Matthew Perry's death on the psychedelic community, and the surprising role of insurance companies in shaping telehealth standards. We also explore the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Juan Pablo's work with the Eagle Condor Church, and how integration is best approached as a community effort. Juan Pablo is a seasoned entrepreneur who co-founded a leading Latin American crowdfunding platform and a creative campus in Miami's Wynwood Arts District. As the former CEO of New Life Health, now part of Beckley Waves, he continues to engage in work that bridges innovation, care, and community in the psychedelic space. Timestamps (06:00) Juan Pablo's background in Chile and his experience with Wachuma (11:30) Why ketamine is used in mental health treatment (21:00) Is ketamine addictive? (25:00) Matthew Perry's death as a wake-up call for the ketamine community (36:00) The surprising regulatory influence of insurance companies (41:00) The Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Eagle Condor Church (53:00) The lack of integration in traditional psychedelic therapy contexts (57:00) Integration as a community-driven process Links Juan Pablo Cappello - PAG Law PLLC Matthew Perry's Death Shows Ketamine Industry Needs a Wakeup Call Nue Life | At Home Ketamine Therapy

Today, we're exploring a critical issue facing the field of psychedelic medicine: the recent FDA rejection of MAPS' clinical trials to reschedule MDMA for therapeutic use. This setback affects many of us committed to healing and transforming society through psychedelics.  To help us understand the impact and the path forward, I'm joined by Natalie Lila Ginsberg, a leading voice in the psychedelic field and MAPS' Global Impact Officer. In this episode, Natalie and I discuss the importance of psychedelic therapy and her personal passion for this work. We cover the history of MDMA's criminalization, the complexities of the FDA's decision, and the split between MAPS and its public benefit corporation, Lycos. Natalie sheds light on why the FDA remains cautious and how psychedelic therapy may or may not fit into the Western medical model. Finally, she offers guidance for aspiring psychedelic therapists on the most valuable trainings and credentials to pursue. Natalie has led MAPS' Policy and Advocacy Department, co-developed their Health Equity Program, and now champions the ethical integration of psychedelics into mainstream culture. Before MAPS, she was instrumental in legalizing medical cannabis in New York, and she co-founded the Jewish Psychedelic Summit. TIMESTAMPS (10:20) — What is psychedelic therapy and why is it important (17:00) — Natalie's WHY (24:00) — Why MDMA is illegal (31:30) — Why the advisory board recommended the FDA not to deschedule  (34:00) — Why there was a split between the nonprofit MAPS and public benefit corp Lycos (41:45) — Why is the FDA so cautious (48:00) — Can psychedelic therapy ever truly fit into the Western medical model? (56:00) — Natalie's recommendations for trainings and credentials that are worth investing in for psychedelic therapists LINKS Debunking FDA Advisory Meeting with Lauren Taus Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies – MAPS Natalie Lyla Ginsberg, M.S.W. Global Impact Officer Natalie Lyla Ginsberg (@natalielyla)

Today we're doing something a little different. I'm re-releasing an episode from my personal podcast, Life is a Festival, because it remains one of my favorite interviews ever. This conversation, originally recorded a few years ago, is with Tricia Eastman and Joseph Barsuglia, two pioneers in the world of psychedelic medicine. We dive deep into Iboga, the Bwiti people of Gabon, and the powerful pharmacology of this unique plant medicine. I wanted to share it with you as it remains highly relevant and educational. In this episode, we explore Iboga and its cultural and spiritual significance. We discuss the Bwiti people, their rituals and music, and how these elements interweave with Iboga's healing properties. Tricia and Joseph share their journeys as healers, their work with Iboga, and its connection to other psychedelics like 5-MeO-DMT. We also touch on the subject of microdosing Iboga and its suitability for this practice. Joseph and Tricia both worked at Crossroads ibogaine treatment center in Mexico. Joseph has co-led psychedelic retreats around the world since 2015 and serves as an advisor to numerous psychedelic medicine companies. Tricia Eastman is a renowned speaker and healer, with her book Seeding Consciousness: Plant Medicine, Ancestral Wisdom, and Psychedelic Initiation launching November 12, 2024. Together, they bring a wealth of wisdom to today's discussion. Timestamps: (08:00) - Who are the Bwiti (17:00) - The Pharmacology of Iboga (29:00) - The meaning of Bwiti music and rituals (38:30) - Tricia and Joseph's journeys to iboga  (46:30) - 5MeoDmt  (52:00) - Overcoming spiritual ego and supporting conservation (1:04:30) - Microdosing iboga  Links: Seeding Consciousness - Simon & Schuster Dr. Joseph Peter Barsuglia psychedelicjourneys - Tricia Eastman

After the shocking decision of an advisory committee recommendation that the FDA reject MDMA as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, I wanted to speak to someone who understands the difference between clinical trials and private practice. Dr. Jennifer Tippett is a licensed clinical psychologist and Director of Psychotherapeutic Development at atai Life Sciences, where she creates therapeutic protocols and provides facilitator training for psychedelic clinical trials. On the show, we start with Jennifer's experience in forensic psychology. Then we discuss the difference between industry trials, academic trials, and private practice. We talk about making novel psychedelics, and if it is possible, or desired, to make a psychedelic that doesn't have the trip. We also discussed equity and access, including both cultural and financial barriers to psychedelic healing. Jennifer has spent a lot of time considering how one might create a sustainable business model for psychedelic therapy, especially looking at what has been going on in Oregon. As an employee of atai Life Sciences, which is a publicly traded company, Jennifer responds to some criticisms of for-profit psychedelic companies. And finally, we end with her response to the recent FDA advisory finding against using MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder. Jennifer previously directed the Substance Use Disorder Specialty Program at the University of Denver, focusing on addiction and the neurobiology of trauma. Her early career involved working with incarcerated individuals and those with severe mental illness, inspiring her to explore innovative mental health care, including psychedelic medicine. Dr. Tippett studied psychedelics through shamanistic traditions and obtained certifications from Fluence, Polaris, MAPS, and the Integrated Psychiatry Institute. She is also a Level 1 Internal Family Systems provider, dedicated to integrating psychedelics with evidence-based therapies. In her private practice she supports clients with psychedelic integration.  The views and opinions expressed by Jennifer in this episode are her own and do not necessarily represent those of atai Life Sciences.  Links Integration | Jennifer Tippett psychologist Jennifer Tippett, Ph.D. atai Life Sciences Timestamps (07:00) - Could psychedelic therapy help treat psychopathy?  (15:30) - The difference between industry trials, academic trials, and private practice (20:30) - Should we make new psychedelics? (25:00) - Equity and access, culturally and financially (30:30) - Creating sustainable business models for psychedelics therapists (35:30) - Could we have healing without the trip? (39:30) - Responding to criticism of for profit psychedelic companies (42:30) - Responding to FDA advisory board's decision on MDMA

A year and a half ago, I went on an antidepressant medication, Wellbutrin, which is a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. After 20 years of plant medicine, meditation, therapy, and other healing modalities, which I still use, I was still experiencing persistent challenges. With the support of my advisors and my doctor, I decided to an antidepressant while maintaining my alternative healing practices. Today on the show I discuss the intersection of psychopharmacology and psychedelics with a psychiatric pharmacist, Ben Malcom. On the show, we talk about how Ben became a psychedelic pharmacist and how he created his website, Spirit Pharmacist. We discuss the origins of mental health treatment, the use of psychedelics and psychotropics together, and important contraindications for LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, and ayahuasca. We cover the process of tapering off antidepressants, the reasons behind it, how it works, and the period needed for tapering. Ben also speaks directly to psychedelic practitioners. This is offered for informational purposes only, and I would direct you to Ben Malcolm's website for more specific answers. Ben Malcolm is a psychopharmacologist and professor of pharmacy with experience in plant medicine and psychedelics. He helps people get off psychiatric meds for journeys and is available to help you or your clients if you are in the healing arts. Ben Malcolm is a board-certified psychiatric pharmacist with a passion for psychedelic drugs, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and alternative medicines. He offers psychopharmacology consulting, educational courses, and a membership program at his website Spirit Pharmacist. Links Psychedelic Psychopharmacology Consulting and Education Spirit Pharmacist (@spiritpharmacist) Timestamps (09:30) - How Ben became a psychedelic pharmacist (14:30) - The origins of mental health treatment (21:30) - Using psychedelics with psychotropics (29:00) - Contraindications for LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, and ayahuasca (45:00) - Tapering off antidepressants (59:00) - Ben speaks to psychedelic practitioners

Welcome back to the Psychedelic Therapy Podcast. I'm your host, Eamon Armstrong. Today on the show, we're welcoming back Tony Moss. Tony is an artist, producer, and member of the Bird Tribe Music Collective. He is also an ayahuasca facilitator with 30 years of experience and has just released a new album, Joy. In today's conversation, we discuss the magic and science of medicine music. We talk about the state of medicine work in 2024, why psychedelics change the way we hear music, and the difference between an Icaro, a medicine song, and other genres. We also explore the hymns of Santa Daime, Tony's gospel-inspired music, and his new album, Joy, which turns unexpected genres into medicine music. Tony is a recording artist, producer, and creative director. Born into a musical family of R&B gospel singers, he was raised in California's psychedelic and spiritual cultures. Inspired by over 25 years of working with plant medicines, Tony combines science, shamanism, and multiple music genres to create music dubbed "Soulful Ceremonial." Timestamps (05:00) - The state of medicine work in 2024 (10:30) - Why do psychedelics change how we hear music (18:30) - The difference between an icaro and a medicine song (29:00) - Some songs are medicine but not medicine music (35:00) - The Hymns of Santo Daime and Tony's own Gospel inspired song Grateful   (42:30) - Does speaking without song work? (50:00) - Tony's album Joy and making medicine music out of unexpected genres Links Tony Moss: Medicine Music Tony Moss (@mosstony) JOY | Tony Moss, Bird Tribe Previous Podcasts Tony Moss (I.AM.LIFE): So You Want to Be a Shaman? From Activist to Ayahuasca Advocate | Tony Moss (Bird Tribe) Ayahuasca for Healing Ancestral Racial Trauma | Tony Moss

Welcome back to the Psychedelic Therapy Podcast. After a hiatus of a year and a half, we're excited to announce our return, thanks to our new sponsors, Hurricane Lotus (formerly Maya, the original sponsor of this show) and Holos Global, we are now back and releasing regular episodes. On today's show, I'm speaking with Alexander Beiner, author of "The Bigger Picture: How Psychedelics Can Help Us Make Sense of the World." We discuss the roots of the mental health crisis, the role of psychedelics in healing, and what healing actually means according to Beiner. We also explore understanding existential risks and how this relates to psychedelic healing, as well as the ethical dilemmas in psychedelic healing. We conclude our conversation with Alexander's account of his extended state DMT experience at Imperial College London and his belief in the power of the teaching presence. Alexander Beiner is a writer, cultural commentator, and podcaster. He's one of the founders of Rebel Wisdom, a media and events organization with a quarter of a million subscribers and a focus on making sense of culture and complexity. He's also an executive director of Breaking Convention, Europe's longest-running conference on psychedelic science and culture. He is a leading critical and countercultural voice in the "psychedelic renaissance" and has produced a number of films, articles, and events at the leading edge of the conversation about the potential of psychedelics. Timestamps: (07:00) - The Roots of the Mental Health Crisis (13:00) - The Role of Psychedelics in Healing (23:00) - Understanding Existential Risks and Psychedelic Healing (33:30) - Ethical Dilemmas in Psychedelic Healing (42:30) - Alexander's Extended State DMT Experience and the Teaching Presence Links: Alexander Beiner: Sensemaking The Bigger Picture The Bigger Picture | Alexander Beiner | Substack Alexander Beiner (@alexander_beiner) Breaking Convention

Today on the show we are discussing the state of psychedelic legislation in the wake of Colorado's Proposition 22 passing in November. Sharing the most relevant implications for psychedelic therapists and healers we have the best person for the job, MAPS Director of Policy and Advocacy Ismail Lourido Ali. On the show we discuss legalization vs decriminalization. We look at the different tracks for psychedelic legalization from medicalization to religious exception to regulated adult use. We discuss Oregon's Bills 109 and 110 exploring “scope of practice,” residency laws, and training reciprocity. We look at Colorado's Proposition 22 and the two big differences between that and what was passed in Oregon two years ago. We discuss equity initiatives. Ismail shares what legalization efforts look like on the federal level and to close our conversation, he speaks directly to psychedelic healers. As MAPS' Director of Policy and Advocacy, Ismail advocates to eliminate barriers to psychedelic therapy and research, develops and implements legal and policy strategy, and supports MAPS' governance, non-profit, and ethics work. Ismail earned his J.D. at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2016, after receiving his bachelor's in philosophy from California State University, Fresno. Ismail has previously worked for the ACLU of Northern California's Criminal Justice & Drug Policy Project, and Berkeley Law's International Human Rights Law Clinic. Ismail is licensed to practice law in the state of California, and is a founding board member of the Psychedelic Bar Association. Ismail is passionate about setting sustainable groundwork for a just, equitable, and generative post-prohibition world. Timestamps :06 - Izzy's role as Director of Policy and Advocacy for MAPS :10 - Legalization vs decriminalization :16 - Religious exception vs medicalization :22 - Oregon' regulated adult use system (Bill 109) :28 “Scope of practice” and psilocybin facilitation licenses in Oregon. :34 - Information for practitioners hoping to offer services in Oregon or Colorado including residency laws and training reciprocity :40 - Two big differences in the recently passed Colorado's Prop 22 :47 - Equity initiatives in Oregon and Colorado :54 - What can we anticipate around federal legislation in psychedelics Links Izzy's Instagram Izzy Twitter Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies - MAPS MAPS Twitter MAPS Instagram Psychedelic Bar Association Guide to RFRA and Best Practices for Psychedelic Plant Medicine Churches Oregon Health Authority MAPS analysis regarding Oregon's Measures 109 and 110 passed in Nov 2020 MAPS analysis regarding Colorado Proposition 122 MAPS analysis regarding our work on SB519 in CA to decriminalize the personal use of all psychedelics

Could enhancing creativity be the key to healing mental illness? Laura Dawn of Grow Medicine, makes a compelling case for the value of psychedelics for enhancing flow. Our conversation begins with an exploration of eldership and indigenous concepts of reciprocity based on Laura Dawn's recent trip to Columbia. Laura Dawn gives us practical tools for enhancing creativity and makes the case for psychedelic healing through optimizing flow states. We conclude with how to prevent burnout amongst healers, facilitators, and other leaders in the psychedelic space. Laura Dawn hosts The Psychedelic Leadership Podcast and is the founder & director of Grow Medicine. She has a Masters in Science specializing in Creativity Studies & Change Leadership and is at the forefront of exploring the intersection between psychedelics and creative cognition for leadership development. Timestamps :05 - Laura's trip to Colombia to learn from the Kogi and Mamos indigenous elders :19 - How to best innervate psychedelics into the mainstream :24 - Focusing on the intersection between psychedelics and creative cognition :34 - Healing mental illness through creativity tools for accessing creative cognition :49 - How to prevent burnout amongst healers, facilitators, and people in the psychedelic space Links Grow Medicine Website Laura Dawn Website Instagram

Can sound help us disconnect from unhealthy habitual patterns? Today's guest Alexandre Tannous, creator of the Sound Meditation protocol, shows how we can use harmonic frequencies to release trauma, enhance self-awareness and live happier, healthier lives. Our conversation begins with Alexandre's explanation of harmonic frequencies and the problem with the quantization of the 12-tone scale. We discuss the value of sound in the context of psychedelic experiences, as well as sound meditation protocols (set and setting). We conclude with issues that need to be addressed when working with these powerful tools. Alexandre Tannous is an ethnomusicologist, sound therapist, and sound researcher. He is also the Principal Founder of ResonantMind Collective. For the past 22 years Alexandre has been researching the therapeutic and esoteric properties of sound from three different perspectives – Western scientific, Eastern philosophical, and shamanic societal beliefs – to gain a deeper understanding of how sound has been used to affect human consciousness. This search has led him to where art, science, philosophy, and spirituality intersect. He continues to do research on sound, currently works as a sound therapist, teaches the method he has created, and lectures about sound throughout the world. Timestamps :08 - An overview of sound and the 12 tone scale :20 - The problem with calling supplements “plant medicine” Ability to experience the transformational quality of sound in the context of a psychedelic experience :28 - Default mode network :37 - Alexandre's specific protocol for Sound Meditation :44 - The impact of the Sound Meditation Protocol :54 - The pitfalls of powerful tools and the parasitic force Links Alexandre Tannous Website Resonant Mind Collective

The West African psychedelic iboga (and its extraction ibogaine) continues to show an impressive ability to heal addiction and trauma and when done in a safe and ethical manner there is very little risk of harm. Today we are joined by Talia Eisenberg, of Beōnd, a Mexico-based ibogaine treatment center. Our conversation begins with Talia's personal history and how addiction relates to trauma. We discuss ibogaine integration to prevent relapse, and how Beōnd is designed to be a full-service wellness center for those healing from addiction and trauma. We conclude with ibogaine's effectiveness in treating eating disorders and behavioral addictions, and Beond's plan for rolling out future clinics. Talia Eisenberg is a serial entrepreneur focused on developing industry-leading consumer-facing products & services in the wellness and psychedelics industry. She is the founder of Beōnd and also the Ibogaine Research Institute, a San Francisco-based nonprofit with the mission to raise funds and awareness required to provide people addicted to opiates the right to choice by legitimizing ibogaine as the most promising solution for opioid addiction interruption. Links: Beōnd.us Blessings of the Forest Beōnd Insights Timestamps :05 - Talia's personal experience with addiction, seeking help, and introduction to ibogaine :20 - Physiological response to ibogaine and addiction in relation to trauma :26 - Ibogaine integration to prevent a relapse in the addiction :30 - What makes Beōnd different as a destination for Iboga and how does the clinical approach differ from the indigenous shamanic approach? :36 - Ibogaine treatment and eating disorders and behavioral addictions :46 Plan for rolling out clinics and locations, Beōnd ibogaine insight discussion series

In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life. And as psychedelics are becoming more mainstream, there is an increased interest in using new tools to overcome these disorders. Today, with guest Adele Lafrance, we discuss the promising impact that ayahuasca, MDMA, ketamine, and psilocybin can have on a person who is struggling to heal from disordered eating. We begin our conversation by discussing the challenges of healing eating disorders and how psychedelics can help. Adele then shares her work with Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), and resources that are specific to clinicians. She speaks on ayahuasca as a healing modality with the unique concerns of ayahuasca preparation diets and the importance of integration. We close with discussing MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine as treatment options, and the importance of love in healthcare. Dr. Adele Lafrance is a clinical psychologist, research scientist, author, and developer of Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). She is a leader in the research and practice of psychedelic medicine, with a focus on ayahuasca, MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine. Currently, Adele is the clinical investigator and strategy lead for a MAPS-sponsored study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Links: Adele Lafrance Adele's Twitter Dr. Rachel Yehuda Gabor Mate The Jungle Prescription Emotion-Focused Family Therapy Book Emotion-Focused Therapy Website EFFT Institute Timestamps :05 - Challenges of healing from an eating disorder and ayahuasca for treatment :15 - Adele's introduction to working with eating disorders and Emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT) :21 Resources for EFFT and specific techniques for clinicians :31 - Findings with ayahuasca as a healing modality for eating disorders, and psychedelic integration :36 - Training to bring practitioners up to speed on eating disorders :43 - MDMA and its treatment with PTSD :48 - Ketamine and eating disorders :50 - The importance of talking about love in psychedelic research

We live in a global epidemic of sexual violence and spaces for psychedelic healing are not only not exempt, but there are also factors which make sexual violence more likely in these spaces. Join us for the second half of our two-part series with author and psychotherapist, Laura Northrup, as we understand why violations occur in spaces of healing and what we can do about it. We open by discussing the spectrum of ethical violations in mental healthcare generally and psychedelic spaces specifically. We go over the conditions, both psychological and cultural, that contribute to harm. We discuss accountability both of individuals involved and the community generally which brings us into a conversation bystandership about deplatforming. We end our conversation with a review of Laura's new book Radical Healership and how to build a values-driven practice. Laura is an author, educator, somatic psychotherapist, and podcaster. She is the host and creator of the podcast Inside Eyes, an audio series about people using entheogens & psychedelics to heal from sexual trauma. Her work focuses on defining sexual violence through a spiritual and politicized lens, mentoring healing practitioners in creating a meaningful path, and supporting the spiritual integrity of our collective humanity. Her new book, Radical Healership helps practitioners build a values-driven practice in a profit-driven world. Disclaimer: This show discusses sexual violence so please go slow and take care of yourself. Links Laura Northrup's Radical Healership Inside Eyes Podcast Psychedelic Survivors Support Group Horizons Conference Timestamps :10 – The spectrum of ethical violation :19 – What is occurring in the psyche to cause healers to violate someone? :25 - What does full accountability look like when it comes down to sexual harm within a healing relationship? :28 - Dangerous personality types and people :34 - Does the psychedelic community have a unique situation in terms of sexual abuse? :39 - The challenging question of deplatforming :49 - Do governing bodies help prevent assault :53 - Laura's new book for practitioners, “Radical Healership”

Psychedelic medicine is a powerful tool that can support the healing of survivors of sexual violence, however, the conditions of psychedelic therapy both above and below ground can also create trauma for those looking to heal. Laura Northrup, a somatic psychotherapist, author, and podcaster is our guest for a two-part series on healing sexual violence with psychedelics and how to protect those seeking healing. In Part 1, our conversation begins with addressing the issue of sexual violence in the psychedelic community. Laura shares resources on becoming truly trauma-informed and how practitioners can create a safe space during a psychedelic experience, including creating appropriate boundaries. We go over how to support someone if you are not professionally trauma-informed, and how to find a practitioner who is. We end with a discussion about supporting bystanders of sexual violence. Laura is an author, educator, somatic psychotherapist, and podcaster. She is the host and creator of the podcast Inside Eyes, an audio series about people using entheogens & psychedelics to heal from sexual trauma. Her work focuses on defining sexual violence through a spiritual and politicized lens, mentoring healing practitioners in creating a meaningful path, and supporting the spiritual integrity of our collective humanity. Disclaimer: This show discusses sexual violence so please go slow and take care of yourself. Links Inside Eyes Podcast Laura Northrup's Radical Healership Janina Fisher's Trauma Trauma Treatment Telehealth Certification Course Donald Kalsched's Trauma Training Events Timestamps :10 - Addressing the issue of sexual violence in the psychedelic community :16 - How to become truly trauma-informed. :30 - How a practitioner can create a safe container during a psychedelic experience :38 - How to support someone if you are not professionally trauma-informed? :41 - Finding other practitioners and trainings :48 - Working with bystanders of sexual violence

Psilocybin is quickly becoming recognized as an effective modality for treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Yet, the road to decriminalization and legalization of the medicine in the US and on a global scale is still slow going. Join us today with Chris Koddermann of the International Therapeutic Psilocybin Initiative, or ITPRI, to discuss his push for the ​​UN to reclassifies psilocybin as a less dangerous drug. We begin with Chris's introduction to psychedelics. He shares his motivation to work pro bono to get psilocybin rescheduling passed. We discuss the Convention of Psychotropic Substances of 1971 and what decriminalization actually means. We close with a deep dive on this current psilocybin initiative, what it means to regulate psilocybin, psilocybin availability, and how you can get involved in moving change forward. Chris Koddermann is the co-founder and chair of the Board of Directors for the International Therapeutic Psilocybin Initiative (ITPRI). ITPRI brings together an international coalition of leading psychedelic therapy advocacy and research organizations to promote and secure a rescheduling of psilocybin under the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Links International Therapeutic Psilocybin Rescheduling Initiative (ITPRI) Twitter LinkedIn WHO Expert Committee On Drug Dependence Commission on Narcotic Drugs Beckley Psytech Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Mind Medicine Australia Osmond Foundation The Open Foundation David Nutt's Drug Science Contact info@reschedulepsilocybin.org Timestamps :05 - Being ‘out' in the psychedelic space while working in legislation :09 - Why do unpaid work to get psilocybin legislation passed? :13 - The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) & The Convention of Psychotropic Substances (1971) :17 - Current restrictions on psilocybin research :19 - Decriminalization explained :22 - Rescheduling psychedelics :31 – Psilocybin Coalition and ITPRI :34 - Lessons learned from the rescheduling of cannabis and next steps in psilocybin legalization :38 - How to regulate the productions of psilocybin

Where do you get your psychedelic news? DoubleBlind is a leading media company and magazine that has teamed up with experts in the field to provide informative and educational news, courses, and webinars in the psychedelic space. Today on the show we are speaking with DoubleBlind Co-Founder and CEO Shelby Hartman. We begin our conversation with the inception of the magazine, the meaning behind the name and DoubleBlind's most popular articles. Shelby shares how DoubleBlind runs as a business, through its courses, memberships, and webinars, as well as the ongoing challenges faced by psychedelic businesses on social media platforms. We close with the future of DoubleBlind magazine and the psychedelic community at large. Shelby Hartman is the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of DoubleBlind Magazine. Her work has appeared in VICE, Quartz, the Huffington Post, and Rolling Stone, among others. After working in broadcast news production for CBS News, Shelby transitioned to magazine writing, working as an editor at Pasadena Magazine. She later worked as a columnist at LA Weekly and an editor at the cannabis media company, Herb. Links DoubleBlind Magazine Instagram YouTube The Ancestor Project Lucid News ICEERS Ayahuasca Defense Fund North Star Ethics Pledge Psychedelic Support Timestamps :01 The idea behind DoubleBlind Magazine :09 Shelby's intro to psychedelics and philosophies :20 DoubleBlind's audience, the reason behind the name, and top articles :32 DoubleBlind Magazine as a business and challenges faced across digital platforms :43 DoubleBlind's membership, the future of the magazine, and the psychedelic community at large

As psychedelics become increasingly popular in the US and beyond, it's imperative that new businesses honor, protect, and profit-share with the indigenous communities who are stewards of these medicines. Today on the show, Jesse Hudson, Chief Legal Officer at Woven Science explains the recent policy paper from Woven's nonprofit El Puente which focuses on reparations, education, preservation, and inclusion for indigenous wisdom keepers. We begin with Jesse's early work with ICEERS' Ayahuasca Defense Fund (ADF) and the case for religious freedom. We discuss the importance of corporate social responsibility in psychedelic medicine and some examples of organizations which are doing it well. Jesse shares El Puente's recent policy paper including the four pillars of biocultural conservation, appellations of origin, regulatory sandboxes, and financial sharing. We conclude our conversation with the value for psychedelic businesses of preserving, protecting, and giving voice to indigenous communities. Jesse Hudson has worked in the psychedelic space for 15 years as a lawyer, consultant, and advisor for organizations including ICEERS' Ayahuasca Defense Fund, Chacruna Institute, Enthea Health, Sage Institute, Journey Colab, and Vine Ventures. He is Chief Legal Officer at Woven Science, where he leads the non-profit El Puente, which promotes access and benefit-sharing with indigenous peoples and holds 10% of Woven's equity. Links Woven Science El Puente El Puente Policy Paper (English) El Puente Discord Channel "El Puente: an impact DAO" on Medium Woven Science Twitter Ayahuasca Defense Fund (ADF) Contact jessie@woven.science Timestamps :17 - ICEERS and ayahuasca defense fund (ADF) :21 - Woven Science and ecosystem approach :26 - Ethics in psychedelic business :43 - El Puente's Four Pillars: Biocultural conservation, appellations of origin, regulatory sandboxes, and financial sharing. :56 - Taxation and regulation exemptions for indigenous communities 1:03 - Financial benefits sharing, mandates, and ethics

Iboga (or its extraction ibogaine) is one of the most powerful psychedelic plants. Today we are joined by Jonathan Dickinson, of Ceiba Recovery, an integration coach and consultant for iboga and ibogaine healing. Our conversation begins with an overview of iboga and its unique value in treating addiction. We discuss Bwiti tradition in Gabon and Central Africa, where iboga is used as an initiatory sacrament. Jonathan shares his work with Ceiba Recovery, which includes online ibogaine aftercare. We conclude with the pros and cons of a clinical ibogaine setting vs the traditional iboga initiation, as well as general advice on integrating this powerful medicine. Jonathan is a recovery coach and consultant and has been working with iboga and ibogaine in both clinical and ceremonial contexts in Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica since 2009. He has been part of hundreds of detox treatments and has also coached people through long-term micro-dosing protocols for everything from depression and anxiety to neurodegenerative disorders. He previously served as the Director of the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance (GITA), during which time he led the development of the Clinical Guidelines for Ibogaine-Assisted Detoxification, a risk management guide that remains a standard in the field. Links Ceiba Recovery Clinical Guidelines for Ibogaine-Assisted Detoxification The Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance (GITA) Blessings of the Forest Timestamps :07 - What is iboga and what does the experience feel like? :16 - Iboga as a sacrament for initiation :27 - Jonathan's process from initial interest to aftercare coaching and support of iboga :32 - Protecting the local community and sustainable farming in Gabon :34 - Ceiba, addiction, and the stages of change model :44 - Iboga in a clinical setting vs traditional initiation :50 - Dealing with Iboga's long integration

Today we are joined by Saj Razvi an expert on psychedelics and the somatic approach to healing single-event, complex, and dissociative trauma. We open with an understanding of how trauma is stored in the body, and why it can be so hard to overcome with traditional therapy. We then discuss the difference between primary and secondary consciousness, and how psychedelics play a role in disrupting the default mode network to heal trauma. Finally, we talk about the Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP) model that Saj and his team are successfully utilizing at the Psychedelic Somatic Institute. Saj Razvi is the Director of Education at the Psychedelic Somatic Institute (PSI). He is a psychotherapist and former clinical researcher in the MAPS Phase 2 trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, and one of the primary developers of the Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP) modality which is a conscious oriented psychotherapy. Saj's primary focus is to train clinicians to provide legal, effective psychedelic treatment in their private practice settings utilizing readily accessible medicines such as cannabis and ketamine. Links Saj's Email Psychedelic Somatic Institute Training video excerpt Timestamps: :04 - Saj's involvement in therapy, healing, and mental health in general :08 - What is somatic healing? :11 - Somatic therapy and trauma :19 - Healing trauma using the gazelle/lion analogy - traditional psychotherapy and managing symptoms rather than healing them :25 - Why don't complex childhood traumas resolve themselves? :30 - How are psychedelics used to access disassociated trauma? :34 - Is trauma stored physically in the nervous system? :37 - What is the Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy Model (PSIP)? :41 - How do you guide a client in the PSIP model? :45 - Is there a risk of re-traumatization with this therapy? :51 - How to track a client's healing? How many psychedelic sessions are necessary to heal a trauma? :58 - How are these different psychedelic medicines helpful for PSIP therapy? 1:06 - Advice for aspiring therapists

On today's episode we delve into the promising future of Dr. Dan Engle's new wellness institute, Kuya, located in Austin, Texas. The center focuses on whole human care, hoping to eliminate anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues. On the show, Dr. Dan Engle explains his history with psychedelics and the path that led him to open the center. He also speaks on his new book, A Dose of Hope, which follows the treatment of PTSD with MDMA-assisted therapy, recounted through the eyes of a fictional patient. We then finish up with the future of psychedelics, the need to train 100,000 new therapists, and advice to those looking to get involved. Dr. Dan Engle is an American psychiatrist with a background in integrative psychiatry, neurocognitive restoration, peak performance medicine, and psychedelic research. His trans-disciplinary approach focuses on healing all aspects of the mind, body, and spirit to help individuals achieve optimum health, wellbeing, and sustained fulfillment. Dr. Engle is the Founder and Medical Director of Kuya Institute of Transformational Medicine in Austin, Texas; Full Spectrum Medicine a psychedelic integration and educational platform; and Thank You Life, a non-profit funding stream supporting access to psychedelic therapies. Links Dr. Dan Engle A Dose of Hope Kuya Institute of Transformational Medicine Thank You Life Full Spectrum Medicine Man Searches For Meaning It Didn't Start With You Timestamps :06 - History of Engle's involvement in psychedelics and ayahuasca apprenticeship :13 - On the book “A Dose of Hope” :15 - Advice to give to practitioners for better understanding/empathizing with and supporting people who are completely foreign to this world :21 - The challenges faced with helping patients and clients through the psychedelic re-sensitization process :32 - What is Kuya? What does it offer? :49 - How will Kuya be made accessible to promote equality and inclusivity? 1:00 - How do we train 100,000 psychedelic therapists in our limited timeframe? 1:08 - Closing thoughts and advice to healers, therapists, and those aspiring to get into the field

The Psychedelic Renaissance is well underway, but thirty years ago there was another revolution in psychiatry, the introduction of prozac, the first SSRI. Today's guest Dr Priya Parmar started her residency at that time but today she is ending her relationship with traditional psychiatry. Since 2017 she has been using ketamine in her practice which she feels is a potent frontline treatment for mental health disorders… with the caveat of the importance of integration. On the show Priya and I share a long preamble about the state of the American healthcare system and we talk about the crisis in confidence in Western medical authority. Priya explains why she started using ketamine and her particular protocol with the medicine. We discuss set and setting, group vs individual sessions, recreational use of ketamine, as well as tolerance and dependency. Finally Priya shares her passion for supporting patients in getting off of the antidepressants that were once heralded as a miraculous cure. Priya is a board certified psychiatrist in Los Angeles, California. After almost twenty years in a solo practice in San Francisco, she is now the CEO of State of Mind Wellness Center where she offers ketamine-assisted therapy based on the social theory of primates. Links: State of Mind Wellness Center Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions Timestamps :07 - Preamble about issues with the healthcare system :15 - Why Priya went into psychiatry and what has changed :22 - The crisis of confidence in Western medical authority :29 - Why Priya uses ketamine and her protocol :35 - How recreational use of ketamine influences her practice :48 - Supporting patients in going off antidepressants :56 - Concerns about psychedelic medicine

What if a simple test could reveal the speed of your psychedelic metabolism or your propensity for psychedelic-triggered mental health issues? Providing information on 5 key genetic variants, HaluGen Life Sciences is a direct to consumer test and an educational tool to help us all understand the various factors that impact the psychedelic experience. On today's show I speak with Tim Ko and John Lem from Entheon, the company behind HaluGen. On the show, we review each of the biomarkers they test for including three biomarkers for general mental health risks, a variant that causes slower Ketamine metabolization, and a variant that increases the density of serotonin 2A receptors. We discuss the potential actionability of this data and how Entheon sees the tool developing over time. Timothy Ko has a broad background of leading private ventures in the Service Sector, Investor Relations, Retail and Technology. Timothy's passion for the psychedelic space is shaped by firsthand knowledge of the shortcomings of the current mental health system, and through his exposure to psychedelics which he credits with saving his life. John Lem is the co-founder of Spartan Bioscience and Lobo Genetics with 15 years experience in life sciences, medical devices and capital markets. Links Entheon HaluGen Test Kit Entheon Twitter Timestamps :04 - Tim Ko's personal history and passion for psychedelic healing :15 - What is Entheon :21 - Population breakdowns for genetic mutations :26 - Three biomarkers for general mental health risks :41 - A genetic variant which causes people to metabolize ketamine more slowly :45 - A variant that increases the density and serotonin 2A receptors :54 - Future biomarkers to study :59 - What will Halugen 2.0 look like

What if a therapist could peer inside the black box of a patient's psychedelic experience? Adam Gazzaley and his Neuroscape team at UCSF are using multimodal biosensing research to make that dream a reality. On the show, Adam explains the concept of experiential medicine and how the brain modifies itself in response to different experiences. He shares his previous work creating a video game that is also a class two medical device for ADHD. He relates his long inquiry with shamans and therapists to understand how to design set and setting research studies. We explore the future of psychedelic therapy with a data-rich AI assistant and the potential concerns therapists might have about being replaced by innovative technology. Finally, Adam shares a powerful message to psychedelic healers and those who aspire to be. Adam Gazzaley is an American neuroscientist, author, photographer, entrepreneur and inventor. He is the founder and executive director of Neuroscape and the David Dolby Distinguished Professor of Neurology, Physiology, and Psychiatry at University of California, San Francisco. The new Neuroscape Psychedelics Division will be lead by Robin Carhart-Harris is dedicated to advancing the field of psychedelic science and medicine through multi-level research covering basic to translational to clinical science. Links Adam Gazzaley Neuroscape at UCSF Neuroracer in Nature “The Cognition Crisis” Timestamps :06 - How the brain modifies itself in response to experience :12 - How Adam got a video game approved as a class two medical device by the FDA :21 - Why Adam is studying the context (set and setting) of psychedelics :29 - Lessons from therapists and shamans that inform Adam's research :36 - Studying the impact of community, nature, and an ongoing healing journey. :47 - The future experience of a therapist using multimodal biosensing tools :53 - Could an AI associate displace the need for a therapist? 1:00 - Adam speaks to psychedelic therapists

As the Psychedelic Renaissance blossoms, many healers and business leaders are rightly looking at environmental conservation and reciprocity with Indigenous wisdom keepers. Joseph Mays is Program Director for the Chacruna's new Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative (IRI). On the podcast, he shares some powerful ways for the psychedelic community to cultivate a healthy relationship with Indigenous people in the Americas. On the show, we discuss the Indigenous worldview as it pertains to psychedelic healing. We learn about Chacruna's Ayahuasca Community Committee on which Joe sits and consider what well-meaning people might get wrong about reciprocity. Joseph explains the details of the Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative and its successes so far. Finally we discuss what it means to use interest in psychedelics to raise funds for effective altruism. Joseph Mays is an Ethnobotanist, a researcher and a writer. He is the program director of Chacruna's Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative where he conducts research and builds connections with small Indigenous communities throughout the Americas to support Chacruna's mission of increasing cultural reciprocity in the psychedelic space. If you'd like to go deeper on this subject, join us for Maya's first collaborative event to raise awareness and funding for IRI on Wednesday, September 22. Donate by registering for the event. Links Chacruna's Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative "Supporting Indigenous Autonomy Means Participating in a Story of Relationship” by Joseph Mays Indigenous Reciprocity in the Psychedelic Community Talk Joseph on Instagram Joseph's Website Timestamps :09 - Indigenous understanding invites you to step into a relationship :14 - Chacruna and the Ayahuasca Community Committee :17 - IRI, the Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative :23 - What well-meaning people get wrong about indigenous reciprocity :32 - Successes of the fund after its first quarter :44 - Using interest in psychedelics to raise funds :51 - Joseph speaks to psychedelic practitioners

Today's episode is a repost from my personal podcast, Life is a Festival, where I interview cultural pioneers about living a more openhearted life. Today's guest, Sutton King, lives a life full of joy and service and she is also the Head of Impact at Journey Colab a major psychedelic drug development company. Journey Colab just raised 12 million and Sutton's important work in reciprocity is a major part of the company's appeal to value-aligned investors. In fact, she has a lot to teach all of us about the lessons of reciprocity from her people, which is why I chose to share this podcast with you today. On the show, we explore Sutton's commitment to healing and service from her early days dancing jingle dress, to her work with the Urban Indigenous Collective in New York. Sutton explains her perspective on kinship and the Seven Generations Principle. We discuss Journey Colab, the psychedelic startup that is developing mescaline for treating alcoholism. Finally, we review the responsibilities of psychedelic entrepreneurs as well as individual psychonauts to be in right relation with the honorable harvest. A descendant of the Menominee and Oneida Nations of Wisconsin, Sutton King is a nationally recognized indigenous heath advocate, researcher, and social entrepreneur. She is the co-founder and President of Urban Indigenous Collective, a nonprofit advocating on the behalf of Urban Natives in the tri-state area, she is Head of Impact at Journey Colab, a start-up led by Sam Altman and Jeeshan Chowdhury developing psychedelic treatments for mental health, and she is the Co-Founder of ShockTalk, a culturally tailored telemental health platform that facilitates culturally appropriate patient-provider relationships. Links Sutton King on Instagram Sutton King on Twitter Journey Colab Urban Indigenous Collective ShockTalk Decolonizing Wealth Braiding Sweetgrass Timestamps :06 - Sutton honors her ancestors :09 - A day in the life of a psychedelic impact advocate :14 - Sutton's early life and indigenous cultural traditions :23 - Kinship and Seven Generations as a way of understanding indigenous reciprocity :33 - Mescaline, Peyote, and Journey Colab Reciprocity Trust :43 - The Nagoya Protocol, Free and Prior and Informed Consent and the responsibility of psychedelic business :58 - The responsibility of individual psychonauts for Indigenous reciprocity

Named one of Time Magazine's most influential people of 2021, Robin Carhart-Harris conducts some of the most impactful psychedelic research in the world. On the podcast, we review Robin's early research with MDMA and his involvement with the first fMRI and MEG studies of LSD. We talk about his 2016 study of psilocybin's efficacy with treatment-resistant depression and his most recent head-to-head comparison of the psychedelic with the SSRI Escitalopram (Lexapro). The outcome of that study calling into question a generation of psychiatric scales. As the former Head of the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris is now moving to the Neuroscape Psychedelic Division at UCSF. For 15 years, his research has focused on how drugs such as LSD, psilocybin, DMT and MDMA work in the brain, and how they may be useful in treating disorders such as depression.‍ Robin is also an advisor to Maya, the measurement-based care platform that makes this show possible. Links Robin Carhart-Harris Time Magazine Adam Gazzaley Neuroscape at UCSF Timestamps :06 - Robin's early career from a masters in psychoanalysis to early experiments with MDMA :12 - fMRI and MEG studies of psychedelics :16 - Robin's first study of treatment-resistant depression in 2016 :30 - The first ever study of psychedelics head to head with an antidepressant :40 - Robin's future research :45 - Robin speaks to psychedelic therapists

Whether psychedelic therapists should have their own experiences with these compounds as part of their training is a passionately debated subject. Dr. Elizabeth Nielson, cofounder of Fluence, one of the foremost organizations training psychedelic therapists, has been pondering this for sometime, including how we ask the question itself. Her recent paper in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology explores the ethical considerations in offering and providing such experiences and is the subject of today's podcast. Our conversation begins with the ethics of discussing personal psychedelic experiences. We talk about the work of Fluence from harm reduction to integration coaching. We discuss Dr. Nielson's article “Psychedelics as a Training Experience for Psychedelic Therapists: Drawing on History to Inform Current Practice.” We explore the paradigms of the shamanic and Western worldview. Finally, we review other kinds of altered states of consciousness that psychedelic therapists can explore, in a. Dr. Elizabeth Nielson is a co-founder of Fluence and a psychologist with a focus on developing psychedelic medicines as empirically supported treatments for PTSD, substance use problems, and mood disorders. Dr. Nielson is a Site Co-Principal Investigator and therapist for an FDA approved Phase 3 clinical trial of MDMA-assisted Psychotherapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and has served as a therapist on FDA approved clinical trials of psilocybin-assisted treatment of alcohol use disorder, psilocybin-assisted treatment of treatment resistant depression, and earlier phase 2 and 3 trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Through Fluence, she provides continuing education and training programs for therapists who wish to engage in integration of psychedelic experiences in clinical settings. Links Fluence Dr. Elizabeth Neilson on Twitter “Psychedelics as a Training Experience for Psychedelic Therapists: Drawing on History to Inform Current Practice” (Journal of Humanistic Psychology) Timestamps :08 - The ethics of sharing a personal psychedelic experience :12 - The work of Fluence from harm reduction to integration coaching :26 - The value of psychedelic experiences for psychedelic-assisted therapist :29 - The paradigms of shamanic vs Western medical :35 - Iatrogenic addiction and need for caution and research :44 - How Fluence offers experiential training in lieu of offering psychedelics :42 - The value of a therapist's pervious psychedelic experiences 1:00 - Advice to therapists

The world of digital therapeutics is booming just as fast as psychedelic therapy. Today's guest, Lyle Maxson, is resolutely optimistic about the positive synthesis of the two. On the show, we discuss the science of Lyle's software SoundSelf, which uses voice to generate a hypnotic world of light, color, and sound. We review his business partner Robin Arnott's Technodelic Manifesto and ask the important question: Will technology replace therapists? We also cover data sovereignty, metric tracking, and finally the future of psychedelic medicine and digital therapeutics. With a start in immersive environments at festivals, Lyle Maxson is a pioneer of Transformative Entertainment. He is Chief Strategy Officer of Entheo Digital - a digital therapeutics company pursuing FDA clearance and the creation of a wellness technology marketplace at the intersection of psychedelic therapy and experiential medicine. He is also the co-founder of Andromeda Entertainment, a VR publisher bringing to market “Games for Good,” and GeniusX, a VR education platform. Links Lyle Maxson SoundSelf The Technodelic Manifesto By Robin Arnott Luminous Lyle on Instagram Entheo Digital Genius X Andromeda Entertainment Lyle on Linkedin Timestamps :09 - Lyle's background in lucid dreaming, festival production and biohacking :18 - The Technodelic Manifesto By Robin Arnott :23 - The Science of SoundSelf :28 - Will technology replace therapists? :33 - Metric tracking and data sovereignty :38 - The future of psychedelic medicine and unforeseen consequences of digital therapeutics :46 - Educating psychedelic therapists in VR

Lisa Dannen, our colleague at Maya, recently experienced her first Ayahuasca retreat in Peru. Today on the show, she shares all the preparation and integration that went into her experience. On the podcast, we discuss about Lisa's work with Maya, and why she wanted to experience Ayahuasca for healing and personal growth. We discuss her 10 day experience in the Sacred Valley of Peru as well as her subsequent integration. Finally Lisa gives her advice to others planning a similar experience. Lisa has over ten years of experience changing what people know, think, and do about controversial social issues, Lisa began her career at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, advocating for the housing rights of low-income individuals. In 2015, Lisa transitioned into the cannabis industry to help to reform discriminatory federal and state drug policies as the Marketing Director at the National Cannabis Industry Association in Denver. She currently serves as Maya's Director of Marketing & Communications and as a passionate proponent for psychedelic healing. Links Maya Chaka-Runa Retreat Center Don Gino Chaka-Runa Music Timestamps :07 - Why Lisa decided to work at a psychedelic medicine company :13 - Why Lisa wanted to drink Ayahuasca and how she prepared :25 - The experience of five ayahuasca ceremonies in ten days :36 - Lisa's experience with psychedelic integration :42 - How her ayahuasca ceremony has changed Lisa's professional life :50 - Advice to others planning to go on an ayahuasca experience

Building a psychedelic company is a lot like creating a healing container. It starts with really understand your own role as Martijn Schirp, founder of Synthesis — a psilocybin retreat center and institute in the Netherlands — discovered. On the show we discuss Martijn's initial roles as facilitator and then CEO of Synthesis and the value of having a comprehensive team. We compare ketamine and psilocybin and the efficacy of a communal setting for healing. We explore creating a safe healing container from medical screening all the way to evidence-based integration. Finally we discuss the stewardship model as the future of psychedelic business. Synthesis is a legal, professionally guided truffle retreat center for professionals to experience personal growth, emotional breakthroughs, and spiritual development. Their expert team of facilitators and meditation and breathwork instructors, create an experience that blends the best of ancient wisdom, with cutting edge science. First as CEO and now as Chief Visionary Officer Martijn has driven the vision of Synthesis Institute since he co-founded the company in 2018. He previously co-founded HighExistence and Apotheosis. His work and identity as an entrepreneur is strongly influenced by eco-phenomenological thought, and by his decade-long personal practice with Buddhism and Shamanism. He is currently focused on scaling opportunities for flourishing, well-being, and transformation through the synthesis of contemplative practices, immersive technology, and psychedelics. Links: Synthesis: https://www.synthesisretreat.com/ Martijn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martijnschirp Synthesis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synthesisinstitute Timestamps: :05 - Martijn's style of leadership :14 - The value of having a comprehensive, integrated team at Synthesis :19 - Ketamine vs psilocybin and the value of a communal setting for healing :23 - How Synthesis creates a healing “container” :30 - Integration, evidence-based care, and post retreat risks :38 - Comprehensive medical screening protocols :46 - The stewardship model as the future of psychedelic business 1:00 - Advice to psychedelic therapists

A difficult psychedelic experience once meant a hospital visit… or worse. Now, in the spirit of the Zendo Project and other psychedelic peer support organizations, we have a new hotline called the Fireside Project (call or text 62-FIRESIDE) and there's a lot that psychedelic therapists can learn from leaders like Hanifa Nayo Washington and Adam Rubin. On the show, we discuss the influence of ceremonial medicine and legacy psychedelic support organizations in informing Fireside. We talk about the value of community in mental health and how Fireside nurtures their own cohort of volunteers. We review the data from the first 18 days of operation and discuss potential legal issues. Finally as always, Hanifa and Adam share their advice to psychedelic therapists. Fireside Project Co-founder, Adam Rubin is a psychedelic harm reduction activist and crisis counselor. He has worked over 45 events around the world since 2015 with many different organizations including the Zendo Project, White Bird Rock Med, RGX Medical, and Take 3 Presents. He has given trainings to peer support volunteers, local psychedelic communities, and event medical teams. He has also written a series of zines titled “The It's Okay Psychedelic Harm Reduction Series” and distributes them for free. Hanifa Nayo Washington is Fireside Project's Cultivator Of Beloved Community. She is an award-winning cultural producer and the Principal Organizer & Co-Founding Practitioner of One Village Healing, a wellness and resilience initiative. Hanifa has been combining arts, healing, and activism to make the world a better place for 20+ years and in 2017 she released her 3rd album Mantras for the Revolution. In December 2018 Hanifa received a Phenomenal Women Arts Award from the Arts Council of Greater New Haven for her contributions and achievements in the arts. Links Fireside Hotline: 62-FIRESIDE Fireside Project The Stormy Search for the Self Hanifa Nayo Washington Adam Rubin Timestamps :04 - Hanifa's background in ceremonial psychedelic medicine and community building :13 - Adam's experience with Zendo Project and other psychedelic peer support groups :17 - Psychedelic peer support is not shamanism :21 - The value of holding space in community and the challenges with doing that over a phone line. :30 - How Fireside supports their beloved community of volunteers :41 - Skills earned in psychedelic peer support :45 - Data collected by Fireside :50 - The legal status of organizations like Fireside :58 - Advice to psychedelic therapists

There are only a few places in the world which offer legal access to high impact psilocybin retreats. MycoMeditations, stewarded by today's guest Justin Townsend, is leading the way in sustainable, ethical psychedelic healing that takes into account the unique environment and needs of Jamaica and its people. On the show, we discuss Jungian-depth psychology and other therapeutic modalities used at MycoMeditations. We talk about the value of a comprehensive, holistic team of caregivers for cathartic experiences. We review the efficacy of psilocybin as compared to ketamine therapy and ayahuasca ceremonies. Finally, we discuss the landscape of psychedelic healing in Jamaica and the importance of ethical entheogenic businesses. MycoMeditations is a retreat that combines the powerful healing of multiple, high-dose psilocybin experiences, a safe and caring group environment created by a knowledgeable support staff, and serene locations to catalyze life-changing transformations. As a business leader and startup advisor in a range of industries including the health care space, Justin Townsend has also been on a personal quest to explore alternative healing therapies to combat his own anxiety and depression. Over the past 20 years, Justin has delved into both transpersonal and Jungian psychology, explored psychedelic modes of healing and developed meditation and breath work techniques, which he taught in Germany. Justin joined the MycoMeditations team in 2017, becoming partner and CEO in 2019. As a retreat facilitator, Justin draws inspiration from the profound healing he is privileged to witness and believes that psychedelics offer an exciting path forward for mental health. Links MycoMeditations Timestamps :05 - Justin's introduction to psychedelics :10 - Jungian depth psychology and psychedelic healing :16 - Comprehensive support team at MycoMeditations :23 - The efficacy psilocybin vs ketamine or ayahuasca for depression treatment :30 - The most effective psychological modalities when working with psilocybin :38 - The landscape of psychedelics in Jamaica :48 - Advice to therapists wishing to work in the mushroom space.

Today on the Psychedelic Therapy Podcast, for the first time, we are discussing a firsthand account of a patient's experience of psychedelic therapy. Sydney Bergen received six ketamine infusions administered by Noemi Toth. On the show Sydney and Noemi share their experience working together. The conversation starts with Noemi's work with the Aspen Ketamine Center and Sydney's reasons for pursuing psychedelic therapy. We talk about ketamine's safety as a dissociative anesthetic and the subjective experience of that dissociation. Sydney and Noemi both emphasize the importance of integration therapy after treatment, including in Sydney's case, Internal Family Systems therapy. Finally, we end the show with lessons and suggestions for potential ketamine infusion patients. Sydney is an Emotional Clearing Facilitator, dedicated to her own healing journey and to supporting others by sharing her story. Noemi has been practicing as a Nurse Anesthesiologist since 2010. She has performed hundreds of ketamine infusions over the last four years and helps people overcome depression and anxiety disorders. The Aspen Ketamine Clinic, located in Aspen Colorado, takes a multi-disciplinary approach towards mental health. In addition to resources mentioned on the show, this includes nutritional counseling and bio-identical hormone therapy as options for treatment through their network of specialists. You can learn more at https://www.ketaminevida.com/ LINKS Aspen Ketamine Center: https://www.ketaminevida.com/ TIMESTAMPS :04 - Noemi's experience founding Aspen Ketamine Clinic :12 - Ketamine's safety as an office procedure :22 - The subjective experience of dissociation :29 - Sydney's use of Internal Family Systems therapy particularly for the integration piece. :39 - The post infusion process and integration therapy :49 - Lessons and suggestions for those interested in receiving ketamine assisted therapy

A hot topic in the world of psychedelic medicine is whether ketamine infusion therapy is as effective as ketamine-assisted therapy (also called KAP). Today's guests Dr. Steven Mandel and his son Sam Mandel have administered over 13,000 treatments at their Los Angeles-based clinic and they are passionate about the power of intravenous ketamine treatment. On the show we discuss the efficacy of IV ketamine therapy and how it compares to intramuscular as a route of administration. We talk about Dr. Mandel's specific protocol including the use of a pump instead of a drip bag for administration. We cover the potential health concerns around ketamine and finish as always with advice to psychedelic therapists. Dr. Steven Mandel has more than 40 years of experience utilizing ketamine as a board-certified anesthesiologist and has a master's degree in psychology. He is the co-founder and president of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles, and the co-founder of American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists and Practitioners. Sam Mandel is co-founder and chief operating officer of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles. A mental health advocate and entrepreneur, he oversees all non-clinical functions of the company and has been active in the ketamine infusion therapy community since its formative days. LINKS Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles American Society of Ketamine of Physicians, Psychotherapists & Practitioners TIMESTAMPS :05 - How Dr. Mendel and his son Sam started the Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles :09 - Should psychedelic practitioners receive the treatment themselves? :16 - How ketamine functions in the brain :23 - Is ketamine infusion therapy as effective as psychedelic-assisted talk therapy? :32 - Intervenus vs Intramuscular ketamine :39 - Dr. Mandel's ketamine protocol :46 - How do you assess the effectiveness of ketamine therapy? :54 - Potential issues with ketamine use: addiction, bladder damage, or cognitive impairment. 1:08 - Dr. Steven and Sam Mandel share their advice

From reggae and cannabis to the icaros of an Ayahuasca ceremony, sound has a huge impact on altered states of consciousness, but what's actually going on scientifically and how can we use this to improve the outcomes of psychedelic therapy? Today's guest, Mendel Kaelen founder of Wavepaths, has researched the subject extensively. On the show, we discuss how music and psychedelics reinforce each other exponentially. We talk about the importance of “tone color” and other aspects of structured sound for the experience of healing. Mendel shares about his creation Wavepaths, which he considers more of a musical instrument than software. Finally we explore traditional Ayahuasca icaros, the scared songs of the Amazon. Mendel is the founder and CEO of Wavepaths, a company that is researching the psychotherapeutic potential of music and creating a tool for therapists. Mendel was also a PhD and postdoctoral neuroscientist at Imperial College London, where among other research, he investigated the role of music in psychedelic therapies. Links Wavepaths Wavepaths on Twitter Mendel on Twitter Timestamps :08 - Mendel's first experience with psychedelics and their impact on his life :16 - An empirical foundation for why music and psychedelics together reinforce each other in an exponential way :23 - The impact of “tone color” in the psychedelic experience :32 - Music for psychedelic therapy must be fitting to what an individual has built an identity structure around :39 - Wavepaths is more a musical instrument than a software but it's not about whether or not you “like” the music :50 - Traditional Ayahuasca music “icaros” 1:02 - Mendel speaks to psychedelic therapists

What if you could have a more potent mystical experience than psilocybin in a quarter of the time? 5-MeO-DMT could be the future of psychedelic medicine, but as Dr. Joseph Barsuglia explains, this would require a complete redesign of our current model of care. On the show, we discuss the nature of mystical experiences as well as our current understanding of the science of 5-MeO-DMT. Joseph reveals some of the drug development companies interested in medicalization as well as his concerns about this process. We finish with the environmental considerations for the bufo alvarious toad and lessons this medicine has for the psychedelic movement. Joseph is a PhD neuropsychologist and the former Director of Clinical Assessment and Research at Crossroads Treatment Center which developed a protocol following ibogaine with 5-MeO-DMT. Trained with MAPS and initiated in the Bwiti tradition in Gabon, Joseph advises on psychedelic medicine and alternative healthcare. Links Joseph Barsuglia's Website Psychedelic Journeys Crossroads Treatment Center The Conclave Timestamps :05 - The protocol of ibogaine + 5-MeO-DMT at Crossroads Treatment Center :13 - The nature of mystical experiences :20 - The science of 5-MeO-DMT :24 - Specific drug development companies working with 5-MeO :33 - Concerns about the medicalization of 5-MeO-DMT :38 - The Conclave, a group of anonymous facilitators offer best practices and integration guides for 5-MeO online :46 - Environmental concerns for bufo alvarious :57 - Lessons from 5-MeO-DMT for the psychedelic movement generally

Today's guest is a legend in the field of traumatic stress studies. Dr. Rachel Yehuda has been researching stress and PTSD for 30 years and now with the promising results from MDMA clinical trials trials, she and her team have founded the Mount Sinai Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research. On the show, we discuss the four pillars of Mount Sinai's new center. We go deep into the history of the PTSD diagnosis and the evolving understanding of how trauma works in the brain, including an explanation of epigenetics. We look at how the center will study psychedelic medicine from basic science using stem cells to specific types of therapy, and collaboration with other medical centers. Dr. Yehuda is the Director of the Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research at Mount Sinai, Vice Chair for Veterans Affairs for the Department of Psychiatry, Director of the Traumatic Stress Studies Division, Director of the Yehuda Lab, and a Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine. She is also the Director of Mental Health at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. She has authored more than 450 published papers, chapters, and books in the field of trauma and resilience, focusing on topics such as PTSD prevention and treatment, molecular biomarkers of stress vulnerability and resilience, and intergenerational effects of trauma and PTSD. Links Rachel Yehuda The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research Twitter Rachel Yehuda on Instagram Rachel on Twitter Email Timestamps :05 - Rachel explains the four pillars of the new Mount Sinai Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research :09 - Rachel explains what PTSD is and her experience of the field of trauma studies :21 - How epigenetics, the study of gene expression, holds the key to PTSD :30 - How the Center will study psychedelics :39 - Using stem cells to study the efficacy of different psychedelic molecules :44 - Biomedical approach verses studying the efficacy of particular therapies :52 - The Center's approach to collaboration

When ancestral wisdom is missing from modern psychedelic conversations, the Black-led Sabina Project is there to educate, reduce harm, and facilitate ceremony. On today's episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Podcast, Charlotte James and Undrea Wright invite us to reconnect to Sacred Earth Medicines. We begin the show discussing Kambo, a healing ritual using the poisonous secretions of the giant monkey frog. We talk about why it is so necessary to connect to ancestral wisdom in the modern psychedelic movement through the lens of the project's upcoming series AfroPsychedelia. Charlotte and Dre share how the Sabina Project has shifted to facilitate remote and legal ceremonies with Rapeh (also called hapè), an Amazonian medicinal snuff. Overall, Dre and Charlotte embody the Sabina Project mission of teaching others how to live life in ceremony. Charlotte James and Undrea Wright are cofounders of the Sabina Project, named after María Sabina, a Mazateca curandera. The Sabina Project focuses on providing psychedelic education particular for the BIPOC community, as well as preparation and integration and the facilitation of legal ceremonies. Charlotte has a background in harm reduction, psychedelic exploration, and marketing strategy. Undrea is a Kambo medicine practitioner and cannabis entrepreneur involved in decriminalization efforts. Together they utilize ancient earth medicines and ancestral wisdom to support equitable liberation and spiritual enlightenment. Links: The Sabina Project AfroPsychedelia (February 15th to 19th) March Microdose Masterclass Mutual Ceremony Fund How This Black-Led Psychedelic Collective Is Combining Anti-Racism With ‘Sacred Plant Medicine:' Timestamps: :04 - Charlotte and Undrea's backgrounds and their connection at the People of Color Psychedelics Conference :09 - Dre and Charlotte explain Kambo :16 - The story of Maria Sabina, the namesake of the Sabina Project :21 - Ancestral wisdom, the Bwiti and Sabina's event AfroPsychedelia :27 - Organizations going a good job with equity and access :33 - How the Sabina Project educates by helping people prepare to live their life in ceremony :43 - How the Sabina Project supports remote ceremony :53 - Undrea and Charlotte speak directly to psychedelic practitioners

If there was ever a people who understand the importance of evidence-based healthcare, it's the Germans, and they are starting to get very interested in psychedelic medicine. Today our guest is Dr. Andrea Jungaberle, co-founder of the MIND Foundation, a research center and nonprofit advocacy group for psychedelics in Berlin. On the show we discuss the current landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Germany. Andrea shares about the importance of evidence-based care and the forthcoming 144 person psilocybin study EPIsoDe on which the MIND Foundation is a collaborating partner. She details MINDS' Augmented Psychotherapy Program and Insight Conference. Finally Andrea speaks about her book “Yoga, Tea, and LSD,” and her passion for using psychedelics to work with end-of-life anxiety. Andrea is a co-founder and board member of the MIND Foundation. She also serves as OVID Health Systems' Medical Director and MIND's Director of Collaboration and Media. She is a clinical specialist in anesthesia and emergency medicine and currently training in cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. She is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, has participated in several accredited trainings in psychedelic therapy, and is part of the EPIsoDe study team, preparing to treat patients at Charité hospital in Germany's first modern clinical trial involving psilocybin. Links The MIND Foundation Timestamps :04 - Andrea's journey from inquisitive child to leading a psychedelic foundation :13 - The landscape in Germany for psychedelic-assisted therapy :17 - Evidence-based care and the EPIsoDe teams 144 person psilocybin study :26 - How psychedelic healthcare is beginning to be accepted in mainstream medicine in Germany :32 - The Mind Foundation's Augmented Psychotherapy Program focuses on the science of classic psychedelics, breath work, and ketamine assisted therapy. :38 - The Insight Conference focusing on new ideas in psychedelics that conform to the scientific worldview :42 - Andrea's book “Yoga, Tea, and LSD” and her interest in psychedelics and death

Equal access to psychedelic medicine is a huge issue in this burgeoning field. Today's guest, Genesee Herzberg has prioritized ethics in founding Sage Institute, a sliding scale clinic that offers psychotherapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy and is also supporting the proliferation of ethical clinics through a new consulting group, Forth Road Health. On the show, we discuss how Sage Institute uses the community mental health clinic model to provide greater access to psychedelic-assisted therapy. We talk about Sage's protocols as well as its training and research components. We discuss the efficacy of different molecules for treatment as well as the psycholytic vs psychedelic approach to Ketamine-assisted therapy. Finally we discuss Forth Road, a forthcoming Strategic Consulting Company, that supports academic medical institutions, healthcare systems, independent practitioners and therapy providers exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy. Genesee is an individual, couple and family therapist. She trained in MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD with MAPS and Ketamine-assisted therapy with the KRIYA Institute. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of both Sage Integrative Health, and Sage Institute both located in the California Bay Area. This podcast is brought to you by Maya, a software platform designed to help psychedelic practitioners manage, measure, and illustrate health outcomes We are currently working with Ketamine practitioners, including today's guests Genesee, in the development of the platform through our Council of Guides. If you are interested in being a part of this group, helping to co-create the Maya platform, please visit: bit.ly/mayacouncil Notes Sage Institute Sage Integrative Health Sage Institute Training (applications for Fall 2021 close on February 12th) Forth Road Health Genesse's email: genesee@sageinst.org Maya's Council of Guides Timestamps :04 - Genesee's early interest in psychedelics and her world with CIIS. :13 - The Sage Institute nonprofit business model and efforts to promote accessibility for psychedelic medicine :21 - Sage Institute's training and research components :24 - Ketamine vs MDMA vs psilocybin and psycholytic approach vs the psychedelic approach :31 - The Sage protocol for ketamine-assisted therapy :35 - Forth Road support for folks starting their own independent clinics :48 - Genesee speaks directly to psychedelics practitioners

Can psychedelics be considered a “neurological contact lens” for those on the Autism spectrum? Today's guests Aaron Paul Orsini and Justine Lee are determined to find out and are sharing their findings with the world. On the podcast, we discuss how experimenting with LSD helped Aaron understand and appreciate his Autism as a kind of altered state and led to his book Autism on Acid. We cover seven key takeaways for using psychedelics to work with autistic populations. Justine shares how connectivity works in neurodiverse brains. Finally we talk about the weekly gathering, the Autistic Psychedelic Community, and how psychedelic therapists can get involved. Aaron and Justine are cofounders of the Autistic Psychedelic Community, a peer support group for neurodivergent individuals interested in discussing psychedelics. Aaron is the author of Autism On Acid: How LSD Helped Me Understand, Navigate, Alter & Appreciate My Autistic Perceptions and is currently editing his second book, a neurodiversity-minded anthology of psychedelic essays that is now available for preorder. Justine is a graduate student in pharmacology at University of California, Irvine. She is investigating the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds with respect to autism and other neurological conditions. Links Autistic Psychedelic Community Autism on Acid: How LSD Helped Me Understand, Navigate, Alter & Appreciate My Autistic Perceptions Preorder the book 7 Essential Takeaways for using psychedelics to work with Autistic populations NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity Timestamps :04 - How experimenting with LSD awakened Aaron to interoception and led to him writing the book Autism on Acid :16 - What is Autism and how does that express for Aaron :24 - 7 Essential takeaways for using psychedelics to work with autistic populations :39 - Justine describes the connectivity in neurodiverse brains :46 - Aaron suggests a peer-supported retreat or ceremony model for working with autistic populations with psychedelics :57 - The Autistic Psychedelic Community and how psychedelic practitioners can get involved 1:09 - Aaron and Justine speak directly to psychedelic practitioners

While 2020 has been difficult in so many ways, this year brought psychedelic medicine further ahead by leaps and bounds. At Maya, we were honored to share the wisdom of 25 healers and leaders in the psychedelic world through this podcast. Today we are sharing their advice to practitioners. On the show, our guests offer advice and perspectives to the therapists doing this important work. Their wisdom is at times simple, profound, and even controversial or contradictory. They speak of how to approach clients of specific demographics, how therapists might relate to themselves in this work, and what our collective responsibility is to the psychedelic movement as a whole. Most of all, across the board, our guests have expressed their gratitude. Thank you, thank you, thank you, psychedelic therapists! You can hear more from each of our guests in a full episode at mayahealth.com/podcast. Timestamps :02 - David Rabin :07 - Irina Alexander :09 - Tony Moss :11 - Erica Siegal :13 - Dick Schwartz :14 - Akoni Anthony :18 - Maria Theresa Chavez :20 - Charles Flores :24 - Kevin Franciotti :25 - Bia Labate :29 - Lauren Taus :31 - Bessel van der Kolk :33 - Jesse Gould :34 - Florie St. Aime :37 - Belinda Eriacho :39 - Lynn Marie Morisky :41 - Deanne Adamson :47 - Veronika Gold :49 - Jessica Cadoch :51 - Darragh Stewart :52 - Ronan Levy :53 - Jonathan de Potter :56 - Molly Maloof 1:00 - Jonathan Sabbagh

Jonathan Sabbagh is building a space and solution for independent therapists who want to provide Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) by offering a prescription service, a medically supervised location, and a community. On the show, we talk about Jonathan's startup Journey and the tools he is creating to democratize access for independent psychedelic practitioners. We discuss set and setting and the Journey space. We talk about vetting and training psychedelic therapist and how Journey endeavors can create community. We also go over concerns around the medicalization of psychedelics. Jonathan is the Co-founder and CEO of Journey Clinical Inc and is currently studying to be a psychedelic therapist himself at The New School. After 20 years in finance and entrepreneurship, he is bringing his skills and passion into the psychedelic community with the support of his own deep medicine work. As the adoption of psychedelic therapy grows worldwide, support services for independent practitioners, like Journey, will be invaluable. Links Journey Jonathan Sabbagh Fluence - Psychedelic Training Timestamps :03 - How Jonathan went from working in finance to going to school to become a psychedelic therapist :11 - How Journey is creating the spaces and tools for independent psychedelic therapists to thrive. :18 - The set and setting of the Journey space will be designed as a crystal :23 - Therapist vetting and training :28- Democratizing access for independent practitioners :31 - Concerns about the medicalization of psychedelic medicine :42 - How Journey plans to foster community for psychedelic practitioners

Today on the podcast, I'm speaking to Dr. Molly Maloof, a concierge and lifestyle medicine practitioner who has developed a comprehensive protocol for Ketamine-assisted therapy. On the show, we talk about Molly's professional journey from burning out in residency to concierge medicine to Stanford professor and Ketamine practitioner. We discuss her protocol in detail and why one shouldn't try to treat their own depression with street Ketamine. Finally, Dr. Molly gives her advice to new practitioners especially regarding creating a brand in the psychedelic space. Dr. Molly is a physician, an entrepreneur a medical advisor, a Ketamine practitioner, and a Stanford lecturer. She has advised over 42 companies throughout the world and has lectured extensively. You can catch her with Dr. David Rabin on the Psychedelic News Hour on Fridays on ClubHouse or in the Apple Store as a podcast in January. Healing is holistic, and it seems like Dr. Molly has thought of everything. NOTES Dr Molly's Website Dr Molly on Instagram Dr Molly on Linkedin Dr. Molly on Twitter The Psychedelic News Hour The Ketamine Papers Third Wave Psychedelic Support Website TIMESTAMPS :07 - Dr. Molly's first experience with psychedelics and her professional journey :23 - Incorporating spirituality into a medical practice :30 - Dr. Molly's ketamine protocol :41 - Why shouldn't people use street ketamine to treat their own depression? :48 - Dr Molly's advice to upcoming practitioners :53 - Providing equal access to psychedelic medicine and other issues and opportunities in the Psychedelic Renaissance

Today on the he Psychedelic Therapy Podcast I'm speaking to a man who is changing the narrative around plant medicine in Asia. Jonathan de Potter, founder of Behold Retreats has big visions for the region and it starts with helping business leaders awaken. On the show, we talk about the challenges of addressing mental health issues in Asia. Jonathan shares his perspective of what makes a great psychedelic practitioner from his own experiences. We discuss Behold Retreats and why Jonathan is focusing on healing leaders in the business world. We also review medical screening and onboarding of patients. Finally Jonathan shares his predictions for the future of plant medicine in Asia. Prior to launching Behold Retreats in March, Jonathan directed business strategy for Accenture in Hong Kong. His personal experience with plant medicine radically altered the course of his life, and he spent 5 years working with medicine before launching his retreat company. Behold has held retreats in Mexico, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, and is planning to expand to Peru, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Before we get started, a word from Maya, the platform designed to help psychedelic practitioners track, measure, and illustrate the health outcomes of their work and the organization that makes this podcast possible. Maya is currently working with individual ketamine practitioners in its pilot program called the Council of Guides. If you are interested in being a part of this group, helping to co-create the Maya platform and getting first access, please visit the Council of Guides page on the Maya website at https://www.mayahealth.com/council. LINKS Behold Retreats Behold Retreats on Facebook Behold Retreats on Instagram Jonathan de Potter on Linkedin TIMESTAMPS :06 - How Jonathan is changing the narrative about plant medicine in Asia :13 - How does a westerner bridge the gap around psychedelics and mental health in Asia :21 - What makes a great psychedelic partitioner :25 - The structure of Behold Retreats and why Jonathan focuses on clients from the business world :31 - How Jonathan tracks the impact his retreats are having in the world. :36 - Medical screening and patient onboarding at Behold Retreats :48 - Jonathan's predictions for plant medicine in Asia.

Today I'm interviewing Ronan Levy, co-founder of the psychedelic healthcare company Field Trip. The company includes Field Trip Health Centers for ketamine-assisted therapy, Field Trip Digital (including the apps Trip and Portal), and Field Trip Discovery, which amongst other pursuits is developing the novel psychedelic FT - 104. On the show we talk about Ronan's experiences with psychedelics and meditation and the business of Field Trip in detail. Ronan shares his perspective on the modernization and industrialization of psychedelics and addresses the concerns of the existing psychedelic community on the impact of big business on the community. We also talk about the role of therapists, equal access to medicine, and whether it would be a good thing to get mental health benefits without the trip. As one of a few large organizations hoping to industrialize psychedelic medicine, Field Trip is controversial within the psychedelic community. While Maya Health and I personally don't endorse all aspects of the Field Trip model, Ronan is a thoughtful person and was gracious in inviting a nuanced conversation about these issues. During the interview, we discuss the North Star psychedelic ethics pledge, of which Maya is a signatory, and the cautionary fable We Will Call It Pala about unforeseen consequences in the rush to psychedelic medicalization, which I would recommend reading prior to listening to this conversation. Ronan is the Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Field Trip. He is also a partner at Grassfed Ventures, a cannabis and biotech VC firm, and Chief Strategy Officer for Trait Biosciences. He co-founded Canadian Cannabis Clinics as well as CanvasRx Inc. Originally a lawyer, Ronan holds a Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto. You can hear Ronan on The Field Tripping Podcast, a place for epic personal, spiritual and business journeys on — and in — psychedelics. Links Field Trip Website The Field Tripping Podcast Field Trip Instagram Field Trip Twitter Field Trip Facebook Ronan on Instagram Ronan on Twitter We Will Call It Pala North Star Pledge Timestamps: :05 - Ronan's describes his first experience with psychedelics and his meditation practice :12 - Ronan describes Field Trip Health Centers and Field Trip Digital :19 - Ronan describes Field Trip Discovery, including the development of a novel psychedelic molecule called FT-104 :23 - Ronan shares his perspective on the industrialization and corporatization of psychedelics and Field Trip's place in that process :33 - How Field Trip approaches the therapists who work at their clinic :37 - Field Trip has not signed the North Star psychedelic ethics pledge but they did apply for B-Corp status :44 - I suggest Ronan get input for Field Trip by sitting in a traditional ayahuasca ceremony :51 - Would it be good thing to get mental health benefits without the trip? :58 - The question of equal access to psychedelics 1:08 - Ronan speak to psychedelic therapists

Before today's conversation I didn't know much about Celtic Shamanism. Today's guest, Darragh Stewart is a shining beacon of knowledge and joy. As a PhD in plant molecular biology, he has gone all in on plant medicine to support his psychedelic Irish brothers and everyone else who needs to break through the blockages in their lives. On the show, we talk about how Darragh blends science and spirituality. We get into the origin and structure of Inwardbound Psychedelic Retreats, which take place legally in the Netherlands. We talk about Darragh's passion for men's work including the integration group he co-founded called the "Psychedelic Brothers of Ireland." Finally, we get into Celtic Shamanism and efforts to heal the broken lineage of holistic and ancestral healing in Ireland. One important note: At Inwardbound, all clients go through a strict pre-screening process. In order to attend the retreats, participants cannot have a diagnosed psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar, clinical depression or a personality disorder. Similarly, Inwardbound is not able to accommodate participants dealing with serious addiction, substance abuse issues, or who have a personal or family history of psychosis. If this is the case for you, it is recommended that you apply for a clinical research trial. Links Inwardbound Retreats Darragh Steward on Instagram Email Darragh: Darragh@inwardbound.nl Timestamps :06 - How Darragh came to plant medicine from a scientific background :14 - The origin and structure of Inward Bound retreats :27 - Men's work with the Psychedelic Brothers of Ireland :33 - Typical male wounds that come up in psychedelic healing :41 - Celtic Shamanism and healing broken lineages on the Emerald Isle. :55 - Darragh speaks to psychedelic therapists

Today on the Psychedelic Therapy Podcast, I am interviewing my colleague at Maya, Jessica Cadoch, our Research Manager for Public Health. On the show, we discuss Jessica's master's research in psychedelics and addiction. We talk about the paradigm shift in care she sees between the concept of the "powerless addict" and the idea of the empowered inner healer. We also discuss psychedelic societies, of which Jessica is an Executive Director in Montreal. Finally we touch on psychedelic ethics, a passion Jessica and I share. Jessica is currently completing her master's degree in Medical Anthropology at McGill University. She is the Executive Director of the Montreal Psychedelic Society, and is our Research Manager at Maya. Her master's research explores the implications involved in a shifting paradigm around psychedelic substances, particularly relating to twelve-step-based models of recovery from addiction. LINKS Montreal Psychedelic Society: https://www.montrealpsychedelicsociety.org/ TIMESTAMPS :08 - How did friends' issues with addiction brought Jessica to study psychedelic medicine from the perspective of medical anthropology. :15- Jessica's research around addiction and psychedelics :26 - A paradigm shift in addiction treatment :31 - Psychedelic societies :38 - Considerations for psychedelic ethics :43 - Jessica shares her gratitude with psychedelic healers