The Trip Report

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves..Today, we're speaking with Reed Finlay, a visionary designer and the founder of Set and Setting Design, a company dedicated to creating transformative spaces for healing and human connection.Reed's journey began in traditional architecture, where he spent over 25 years designing everything from high-end homes to sustainable, off-grid buildings. But his career took a radical turn after a life-changing plant medicine experience that revealed the profound impact of the environment on human consciousness.Since then, Reed has focused on designing spaces specifically intended to support healing, growth, and transformation. From psychedelic ceremony rooms to retreat centers and even the Temple at Burning Man, Reed's work transcends conventional architecture by weaving together elements of nature, mysticism, and human psychology.In this conversation, we discuss:* The power of set and setting in shaping psychedelic experiences* How sacred space design can deepen emotional healing* His transformative experience that inspired his career shift* The role of architecture in the emerging field of psychedelic therapy* How principles from Donald Winnicott's "holding environment" influence his designs* The intersection of spirituality, community, and space in modern culture* And much more.And now, I bring you my conversation with Reed Finlay.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney* Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves.Today, we're speaking with Josh White, the founder and executive director of Fireside Project, an innovative nonprofit that offers psychedelic coaching and real-time peer support for people navigating psychedelic experiences.After a career as a lawyer representing the city and county of San Francisco, he shifted his focus to the mental health space and ultimately combined his two passions—psychedelics and crisis support—into Fireside Project.Fireside Project is best known for its free, confidential psychedelic support line, offering assistance to people during and after their experiences. Since launching in 2021, the hotline has facilitated over 30,000 conversations, helping individuals process everything from mystical awakenings to difficult trips. Now, Josh and his team are expanding their work through Fireside Certified Psychedelic Coaching, a service designed to provide long-term, nonclinical support to those integrating profound psychedelic insights into their daily lives.In this conversation, we discuss:* The origins of Fireside Project and its mission* How the support line works and the types of calls they receive* The launch of Fireside's coaching program and the growing need for structured psychedelic guidance* The difference between harm reduction and transformational support* How psychedelic support fits into the future of mental health care* And much more.And now, I bring you my conversation with Josh White.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney* Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves.Today, we're speaking with Tom Morgan, a writer, thinker, and founder of Leading Edge, a community dedicated to exploring human transformation and the evolution of intelligence.Tom's journey began on the trading floors of Wall Street, where he built a successful career in finance before experiencing a profound and disorienting shift in consciousness—a spontaneous spiritual awakening that forced him to reconsider everything he knew about reality, mental health, and human intelligence.His work synthesizes ideas from complexity theory, depth psychology, neuroscience, and spiritual traditions to explore how individuals and society at large can transition toward what he calls attractor intelligence—a hidden force guiding us toward wholeness and complexity.In this conversation, we discuss:* The role of spontaneous spiritual experiences in modern life* The overlap between mental illness and spiritual crisis* The risks of meditation, psychedelics, and other psychotechnologies* His experience with the "Dark Night of the Soul" and how he emerged stronger* The founding of Leading Edge and its mission to support high-agency individuals in personal transformation* How the left and right hemispheres of the brain influence culture, capitalism, and our understanding of intelligence* And much more.And now, I bring you my conversation with Tom Morgan.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney* Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves.Today, I am speaking with Gabe Charalambides, a former aerospace engineer turned mental health and psychedelic entrepreneur.Gabe is the founder of Odyssey, a pioneering organization offering psilocybin-assisted retreats and private sessions under Oregon's psilocybin legalization framework.Gabe's journey began in the world of aerospace engineering, where he spent years designing cutting-edge technology. However, his personal experiences with meditation, Buddhism, and psychedelics opened a new path—one focused on exploring the human mind and fostering healing through intentional psychedelic experiences.With Odyssey, Gabe has created a platform that combines deep respect for tradition with an evidence-based, accessible approach to psilocybin therapy.In this conversation, we discuss:* Gabe's evolution from aerospace engineer to mental health entrepreneur* The founding story and ethos behind Odyssey* Insights into running psilocybin-assisted retreats in Oregon under its novel legislative framework* The interplay between psychedelics, meditation, and neuroplasticity* The unique challenges and opportunities in tailoring retreats for specific needs, from bereavement to leadership development* And much more.And now, I bring you my conversation with Gabe Charalambides.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney* Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves.Today, I am speaking with Hailey Gilmore, the former Medical Science Liason at MAPS PBC, Lykos Therapeutics, and founder of Luminous Research ConsultingHailey joined MAPS in 2020, where she spearheaded their investigator-initiated trials (IIT) program, overseeing how MDMA-assisted therapy could address diverse clinical indications. Her role involved navigating complex regulatory landscapes, establishing protocols, and engaging with researchers worldwide.Today, as the founder of Luminous Research she leverages her expertise to guide organizations in bringing psychedelics and other innovative therapies to market.Hailey is a public health scientist with a master's degree in epidemiology and biostatistics from UC Berkeley. She has spent over 15 years in clinical trial management, initially in the HIV prevention field, where she contributed to groundbreaking studies such as the efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV transmission.This conversation is a masterclass in understanding psychedelic therapy development's nuanced challenges and opportunities.Here's what we cover:* The Landscape of Psychedelic Therapy: Hailey breaks down the logistical hurdles of bringing MDMA-assisted therapy to market, from FDA approvals to state-by-state legislative processes and the complex interplay of insurance, healthcare institutions, and drug rescheduling.* Insights from HIV Research: Drawing parallels with PrEP's rollout, Hailey provides a framework for how psychedelics might navigate similar adoption barriers, including clinician training, insurance buy-in, and the balancing act between small, agile clinics and large academic centers.* The Role of Smaller Clinics vs. Academic Institutions: She reflects on how smaller clinics might be better positioned to implement MDMA-assisted therapy quickly, given their flexibility, while larger institutions struggle to turn their metaphorical cruise ships.* Systemic Challenges in the Psychedelic Field: From the intricacies of DEA licensing to the limitations of current research funding, Hailey outlines the systemic barriers that continue to slow progress in this field.* Optimism Amid Complexity: Despite the delays in MDMA-assisted therapy's approval, Hailey believes that public-private partnerships and innovative trial designs could unlock new opportunities for psychedelic research and implementation.Finally, we explore the potential impact of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s potential appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Trump administration. Could this mark a turning point for federal policy on psychedelics? Hailey weighs the possibilities and shares her vision for how public health could guide this evolving conversation.And now, I bring you my conversation with Hailey Gilmore.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney* Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves.Today, we are speaking with Dr. James Cooke, neuroscientist, philosopher, and author of the recently released book, Dawn of Mind: How Matter Became Conscious and Alive.This groundbreaking work offers a bold new perspective on the nature of consciousness, bridging the gap between science and spirituality, and challenging conventional paradigms about mind, matter, and the fabric of experience itself.In Dawn of Mind, James explores the "hard problem" of consciousness through the lens of his Living Mirror Theory, which proposes that consciousness arises as a relational process intrinsic to all living systems.The book deftly synthesizes insights from neuroscience, philosophy, and contemplative traditions to offer a compelling framework for understanding subjective experience, suffering, and the relief of suffering. It also challenges readers to reconsider the boundaries between self and world and between the physical and experiential realms.Our conversation today is a tour through:* The Living Mirror Theory and its implications for understanding consciousness as a fundamental aspect of life.* The journey behind Dawn of Mind, including how James' spontaneous mystical experience at age 13 catalyzed his lifelong inquiry into the nature of reality.* How somatic practices align with his theory and provide a direct pathway to healing and insight.* The synthesis of modern neuroscience and ancient contemplative traditions, creating a holistic view of the mind and its place in the universe.* And much more.And now, I bring you my conversation with James Cooke.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney* Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Before we dive in, please fill out the below brief reader survey—it takes 60 seconds—to help us better understand what you like and would like to see more of from The Trip Report in 2025!Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves.Today, I am speaking with Dillan DiNardo, CEO of Mindstate Design Labs, an innovative drug development company taking a unique approach to developing next-generation psychedelic medicines.Mindstate's approach builds on the legacy of Sasha and Ann Shulgin, the pioneering chemists often referred to as the godparents of psychedelics. The company's scientific foundation comes from Dr. Tom Ray, a polymath scientist and friend and collaborator of the Shulgins.What makes Mindstate's approach unique is its systematic analysis of both pharmacological and phenomenological data—studying not just how drugs interact with receptors in the brain, but also the subjective experiences they produce. This builds on decades of carefully documented experiences from psychonauts around the world.The company is developing what they call a "primer-probe" approach, using carefully selected combinations of compounds to achieve specific experiential effects. Their lead candidate, Moxie (MSD-1), recently received FDA clearance to begin human trials.Dillan comes to this work with a background in biotech venture capital, bringing a pragmatic approach to drug development while embracing the complexity and potential of psychedelic medicines.In this conversation, we discuss:* The origin story of Mindstate and their novel approach to drug development* How they analyze and quantify subjective psychedelic experiences* Their "primer-probe" methodology using drug combinations* The concept of "psychedelic tofu" - compounds that can amplify or modify other psychedelic effects* Their vision for precision-designed altered states of consciousness* The regulatory pathway for combination psychedelic medicines* The broader implications of their research for understanding consciousnessAnd now, I bring you my conversation with Dillan DiNardo.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney* Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome to another Special Dispatch from The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves. Today, I am speaking with Matt Zorn, a litigator and partner at Yetter Coleman. With a practice spanning antitrust, competition, IP, and a deep focus on controlled substances and drug regulation, Matt brings a unique perspective to the shifting landscape of drug policy and health agency reform.What makes this discussion especially relevant today is the backdrop of the recent political realignment in the U.S., with RFK Jr.'s role within a Trump administration and the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative looming over the political landscape.As a result, we find ourselves at a unique inflection point to reassess drug policy and, perhaps, a pivotal moment of mental health, psychedelics, and regulatory processes.Matt's insights don't shy away from the complex history and challenges facing the psychedelic movement and broader healthcare reform. He argues that the FDA's structure itself may not be fit for purpose in modern mental health treatment.In our conversation, we explore:* The origins and inefficiencies of current drug regulation processes.* Why the Controlled Substances Act and FDA efficacy requirements may hinder real-world applications.* How reforming clinical trial processes or even fundamentally changing statutory requirements could reshape the space.* Concrete ideas for reforming the system, including lessons drawn from MDMA's recent regulatory struggles.* How drug development pathways intertwine with controlled substances law, patent incentives, and the broader economic landscape of pharmaceuticals.Without further ado, I bring you my conversation with Matt Zorn.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome to a Special Dispatch of The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves. Today, I'm joined by Nick Gillespie, Editor-at-Large of Reason magazine, to discuss the results of the US election and specifically what it might mean for psychedelic policy, research, and drug development.  As a veteran observer of the intersection between politics, regulation, and civil liberties, Nick offers a unique lens through which to examine the evolving dynamics of psychedelics, the regulatory state, and how the incoming Trump administration might approach the matter.Our conversation focuses on the curious coalition between former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President-Elect Donald Trump, who has said he will let Kennedy “go wild on health” through a yet-to-be-announced position in his administration. This partnership raises critical questions about the potential for sweeping changes to policy in the United States—particularly as it relates to psychedelics, alternative therapies, and broader health reforms.We explore the paradoxical nature of this political moment, in which historical stigmas are shifting, and new coalitions are forming. With drug policy historically defined by prohibition, could we now be on the verge of a psychedelic renaissance fueled by executive power and bipartisan pragmatism? We unpack the complexities of de-scheduling psychedelics, the implications of potential federal support for therapeutic use, and how the cultural, medical, and regulatory terrain could evolve.In typical fashion, Nick brings clarity and insight to a conversation that touches on the FDA's recent rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy, the mixed outcomes of state-level psychedelic ballot initiatives, and the broader cultural shifts that frame America's approach to mental health, addiction, and drug legalization.This is a moment where history, politics, and the psychedelic renaissance converge—an era brimming with opportunity and risk, with the potential for substantive change at hand.Without further ado, I bring you my conversation with Nick Gillespie.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Happy Halloween!

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves.Today's conversation is with Shamil Chandaria, and as I alluded to in last week's newsletter introducing computational neuroscience—it is the longest and most technical conversation we've had to date.I have wanted to speak with Shamil since I watched his lecture at Oxford titled The Bayesian Brain and Meditation.Shamil is a former advisor to Google DeepMind, co-foudner and research fellow at Imperial College London Centre for Psychedelic Research and Oxford University's Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, and a co-author with Robin Carhart-Harris and the Imperial team of the influential 2023 paper titled Canalization and Plasticity in Psychopathology, Importantly for this conversation, Shamil is also a longtime meditation practitioner, and his current work is dedicated to exploring contemplative practices, spiritual awakening, and psychedelics through the lens of computational neuroscience. At the heart of the conversation is the Free Energy Principle, a relatively new concept in cognitive neuroscience that conceives of the brain as a prediction machine constantly updating its internal models to minimize prediction errors. This framework along with the Bayesian Brain Hypothesis show how the brain optimally processes sensory data through inference, which has profound implications for how we perceive and experience the world.We discuss:* The brain as a prediction machine* The convergence of ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience.* Defining human flourishing beyond the absence of suffering to include meaning, love, joy, connection, and psychological resilience.* The role of body sensations, emotions, and somatic practices in psychotherapy and how they tie into the brain's predictive coding mechanisms.* Spiritual awakening, liberation and human flourishing through a neurocomputational lens* The potential for integrating free energy principle-based models into the field of psychiatry, improving therapeutic approaches and mental health care.* And much moreMy takeaway from this conversation is that we are, in fact, in the midst of a paradigm shift—one that bridges the fields of meditation, psychology, psychedelics, phenomenology, psychiatry, and even artificial intelligence. This new understanding, grounded in the free energy principle, offers a unified theory that links ancient wisdom with modern neuroscience, reshaping how we think about consciousness, well-being, and what it means to be sentient.And now, I bring you my conversation with Shamil Chandaria.I want to highlight our friends at the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation (TBD), who have just announced their latest Request for Proposals for scientific studies of the Perception Box.Tiny Blue Dot Foundation strives to help people understand that they live in their own unique Perception Box whose walls can be expanded to minimize suffering, increase acceptance of self and others, and view trauma and other challenges as opportunities for growth.TBD has allocated $9,000,000 to fund up to 10 rigorous research projects related to The Science of the Perception Box. TBD ran similar RFPs over the last two years and funded a total of 23 projects thus far. Information about these projects can be found here and here.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Over the past year, we've spoken with researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and practitioners who are pioneering new paths in the world of psychedelics and mental health. After over thirty episodes of The Trip Report Podcast, I figured it was time to give a peek behind the scenes of Beckley Waves and our work to support the developing field.To that end, today, I am speaking with Rock Feilding-Mellen, a co-founder and partner at Beckley Waves.In this episode, we'll pull back the curtain on our ongoing projects, the ups and downs of building in a young and misunderstood industry, and the vision that drives our work to create meaningful change in this emerging field.In this conversation, we discuss:* Amanda Feilding and her pioneering work to support psychedelic science and drug policy reform through the Beckley Foundation* The origin story of Beckley Waves and its mission to develop a new paradigm of care delivery in the field of psychedelics.* Rock's personal journey with psychedelic-assisted therapy and how it shaped his vision for integrating these practices into mainstream healthcare.* The crucial role of supportive care in psychedelic therapy, emphasizing the importance of preparation, integration, and ongoing support.* The Beckley Waves family of companies including Beckley Retreats, Beckley Academy, and the recent acquisition of Nue Life.* The challenges and opportunities of building care delivery infrastructure for a future that includes psychedelics as a key tool for healing and thriving.And now, I bring you my conversation with Rock Feilding-Mellen.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, I am speaking with Dr. Rachelle Sampson and Dr. Bennet Zelner, the primary investigators of The Connected Leadership Study.Rachelle and Bennet are both faculty at the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and share a deep interest in how psychedelics might catalyze systems change in leadership and business organizations.Rachelle's career began as a corporate attorney, but she soon pivoted and earned her PhD in business economics, focusing on environmental sustainability and corporate strategy. Bennett, on the other hand, began his career studying traditional economics, but his work felt increasingly disconnected from real-world applications. In psychedelic circles, Bennett is known for the Pollination Approach— a model for delivering psychedelic-assisted mental healthcare that draws inspiration from ecological principles.Together, Rachelle and Bennett are exploring how psychedelics can impact leadership decisions and foster deeper alignment with more sustainable and regenerative business practices.In this conversation that took place in July, we discuss:* How psychedelics sparked both Rachelle and Bennett's interest in systems change.* The challenges and potential of integrating psychedelics into leadership development.* Their ongoing research in the Connected Leadership Study, examining how psychedelics influence decision-making, creativity, and leadership.* Insights from their pilot cohort of leaders who participated in a psilocybin retreat.* And much more.And now, I bring you my conversation with Rachelle Sampson and Bennett Zelner.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today's conversation is a unique one as I am speaking with Rebecca Kronman, a licensed therapist and the founder of Plant Parenthood, a digital community exploring the intersection of psychedelics and family life.Rebecca and Plant Parenthood have been at the forefront of conversations about plant medicines and psychedelics in a family context—something that might seem controversial at first glance. However, the work is rooted in providing a safe, non-stigmatized space for parents to explore these topics as they look for alternative solutions to complex family dynamics, mental health struggles, and personal healing.During our conversation, we explore:* The rise of psychedelics in parenting, including how Rebecca has seen these tools impact family systems.* The potential therapeutic use of psychedelics with children, and how this reflects global cultural practices.* The importance of set and setting, especially for adolescents, and how Rebecca's work is helping to build education and support systems for families engaging with these substances.If you're a parent or simply curious about how psychedelics are reshaping conversations about family, mental health, and community, this episode is for you.And now, here's my conversation with Rebecca Kronman.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Last week on the podcast, I spoke with Dr. Carlene MacMillan, psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer of Osmind, about the FDA's rejection of MDMA Assisted Therapy. That conversation focused on some of the problems with the application, including potentially missing data, inaccurate or unreported adverse events, and the general uncertainty that both the Advisory Committee and FDA itself had with the work Lykos submitted.Today's conversation addresses the matter from another perspective, namely the inadequacy of the current regulatory regime for evaluating treatments that challenge the current epistemological paradigm and come from “outsider” organizations.To make sense of this, I asked Nick Gillespie, Editor at Large of Reason Magazine, to come on the podcast to discuss the matter. To say that Nick is critical of the FDA would be an understatement.His position is that the latent mission of the FDA and other regulatory agencies is to maintain the existing power structures and commercial interests of the organizations they regulate rather than to protect public health, ensure public trust, or facilitate the availability of new treatments.His views challenge mainstream narratives of both the right and the left, which makes him the perfect guest as we delve into the complexities of drug regulation, the FDA's role in approving psychedelic therapies, and the broader implications for personal autonomy in today's world.In this episode, we explore:* The challenges of navigating the FDA's regulatory process for novel therapies like MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.* The increasingly confusing political and ideological landscape * Outdated and ossified regulatory institutions* The prospect of individual states taking over regulatory responsibilities from the federal government* The cultural and political dynamics that shape public opinion on psychedelics and other controlled substances.* The evolving landscape of personal freedom in the context of healthcare and drug use.* And much more.And now, I bring you my conversation with Nick Gillespie.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome to a special episode of The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, we're dissecting the FDA's rejection of Lykos Therapeutics MDMA Assisted Therapy with Dr. Carlene MacMillan MD, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at Osmind.In her role at Osmind, Dr. MacMillan has the unique experience of helping practices across the country adopt new treatment modalities like Ketamine, Spravato, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. And through her work with professional societies like the American Psychiatric Association and the Clinical TMS Society, she has been involved in developing policies, treatment codes, and access to new interventional psychiatric treatments. This background and experience made her a great person to speak with about the FDA decision, the most pivotal development this nascent field has seen.In this special dispatch, we dive deep into the potential rationale and aftermath of the FDA's decision, as well as the implications for the future of psychedelic therapies, research, and commercialization. In this conversation, we discuss:* The allegations of research misconduct* The difficulty the FDA and Advisory Committee had with the therapeutic component of the trial* The complexities of psychiatric trial designs and the importance of reliable data.* The role of real-world evidence and post-marketing data in evaluating new treatments.* The challenges of integrating new therapies into mainstream healthcare.* The future of psychiatric treatments, including neuromodulation and other emerging therapies.* And much more.And now, I bring you my conversation with Dr. Carlene MacMillan.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Today, we are speaking with Dr. Selma Holden, MD, a physician-therapist and director of the Riverbird Clinic, an innovative group psychotherapy and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy practice in Portland, Maine.Before starting Riverbird, Dr. Holden practiced family medicine in rural Maine and received research training through the Integrative Medicine Research Fellowship at Harvard Medical School.In this episode, we dive into the pivotal moment approaching for psychedelics: the FDA's decision on MDMA-assisted therapy expected this week.I wanted to bring Dr. Holden on because she has been trained in the MDMA Assisted Therapy protocol that Lykos submitted to the FDA for review and has been involved in psychedelic therapy and research for a long time.Dr. Holden provides invaluable insights into the intricacies of clinical trials, the challenges faced, and the potential impact of the FDA's decision on the future of psychedelic therapy.In this conversation, we discuss:* Dr. Holden's early experiences with psychedelics and their influence on her career* Her innovative approaches to integrating psychedelics into family medicine* The development and challenges of clinical trials for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy* The anticipation and implications of the upcoming FDA decision on MDMA-assisted therapy* The development of the Riverbird Clinic and its unique group therapy models* The challenges and opportunities in the evolving field of psychedelic-assisted therapyListen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, we are speaking with East Forest, the renowned musician, producer, and ceremony guide, who is best known for his songs and soundtracks specifically created for psychedelic journeys.He recently completed a feature narrative documentary called Music for Mushrooms, which aims to inspire people to do inner work and highlight its importance in their lives.His journey into the intersection of music and psychedelics began over 15 years ago. His work started with small, private mushroom ceremonies and has since evolved into more significant public events and retreats.His music is known for its ability to guide listeners through their own inner journeys, creating a safe and inspiring space for exploration and healing.In this episode, we discuss:* The making of his documentary Music for Mushrooms and its intention to inspire inner work.* The film's narrative backbone follows his efforts to expand his work into different modalities and bring it to a broader audience.* The importance of inner work and how his music supports and encourages this process.* His insights on the often underappreciated role of music in the psychedelic experience, both historically and in contemporary scientific research.* The current landscape of the psychedelic movement and its intersection with mainstream culture, legislation, and clinical practice.East Forest shares insights from his personal journey and professional experiences, offering valuable perspectives on the intersection of music, psychedelics, and inner work.And now, I bring you my conversation with East Forest.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, I am speaking with Joanna Kempner, PhD, a medical sociologist with deep expertise in the healthcare system's approach—and shortcomings—to treating chronic illness. Joanna is well known for her research on the social dynamics of medicine and has written extensively on the topic of migraines and chronic pain.She also just published a fantastic book, Psychedelic Outlaws - The Movement Revolutionizing Modern Medicine, which tells the story of Clusterbusters, a patient support group of people suffering from cluster headaches, one of the most punishing and debilitating neurological disorders there is.Clusterbusters pioneered the use of low-dose psychedelics as an effective treatment for  Cluster Headache.Psychedelic Outlaws chronicles the group's fight for access to lifesaving medication and their innovative approach to real-world research.Joanna shares her journey into the field of medical sociology, inspired by her personal experiences and observations of gaps in the healthcare system. She discusses the challenges faced by patients with chronic illnesses, particularly those with chronic pain, and how these individuals often become experts in understanding what medicine doesn't know.In this episode, we discuss:* Joanna's background and her journey into medical sociology* The challenges faced by patients with chronic pain and the concept of "ignorance" in medicine* The story of Clusterbusters and their discovery of psychedelics as a treatment for cluster headaches* The political and scientific hurdles in studying and legitimizing treatments for chronic pain* The potential of psychedelics to push the boundaries of biomedical research and pain management* And much more.And now, I bring you my conversation with Joanna Kempner.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, in honor of PTSD Awareness Month, we are speaking with filmmaker Brandon Kapelow, the writer and director of the short film titled An Act of Service which was published under the New York Times Op-Docs banner in the Spring of 2024.This powerful documentary explores the journey of a fire captain from Idaho as he navigates life with PTSD and treatment through ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.I reached out to Brandon because I was taken by the film's beauty and impact.In a field where hyperbole reigns, An Act of Service conveys the challenge of mental illness and the potential of recovery in a soft-spoken but powerful way.Brandon's dedication to mental health advocacy is deeply personal. His path began with the loss of his father to suicide when he was just 12 years old. This set him on a course of mental health advocacy and, eventually, filmmaking. His work has appeared in prominent outlets such as Time Magazine where he highlighted the issue of suicide in the Western United States.In this conversation, we discuss:* The inspiration and development of Brandon's film An Act of Service* The unique mental health challenges faced by first responders and the role of psychedelic therapy in their healing* The intricacies of capturing real-life therapy on film while maintaining the integrity and privacy of the therapeutic process* The broader implications of psychedelic therapy for mental health, especially in conservative and rural areas* Brandon's personal journey with ketamine therapy and how it has informed his work and advocacyBrandon's film not only sheds light on the transformative potential of psychedelic therapy but also provides a sober, nuanced portrayal of its impact on real lives. His thoughtful approach to storytelling offers a hopeful and optimistic view of the future of mental health treatment.And now, I bring you my conversation with Brandon Kapelow.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture StudioToday, we have the honor of speaking with distinguished neuroscientist and researcher of consciousness, Christof Koch, Ph.D.Christof is the Chief Scientist of the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and Chief Scientist and President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. He has been a prominent figure in the study of consciousness for over 40 years. His work includes collaborations with Nobel laureate Francis Crick and pioneering research in understanding the neural correlates of consciousness.Christof recently published a memoir of sorts titled Then I am Myself the World, where he discusses his profound experiences with psychedelics, including a near-death experience induced by 5-MeO-DMT. These experiences have significantly influenced his perspective on consciousness and the nature of reality.In our conversation, we explore:* Christof's journey from a devout Catholic upbringing to becoming a leading neuroscientist in the study of consciousness* His transformative experiences with psychedelics* The implications of these experiences on his understanding of consciousness and reality* The research and initiatives of the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation* The role of psychedelics, breathwork, and other techniques in expanding our perception and understanding of consciousness* The importance of integrating compassion, curiosity, and mindfulness in both personal and professional contextsChristof's insights offer a unique blend of scientific rigor and personal exploration, providing a fascinating perspective on the intersection of neuroscience and psychedelics.And now, I bring you my conversation with Christof Koch.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, I am speaking with Manesh Girn, Ph.D, a prominent researcher and science communicator in the field of psychedelics and neuroscience. Manesh is a postdoctoral researcher at UCSF in Robin Carhart-Harris's lab. His fascinating background bridges psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience.Manesh's journey into the world of psychedelics began in his late teens through an interest in meditation and spirituality. A profound experience with psilocybin during his undergraduate years ignited his passion for exploring the therapeutic and cognitive potentials of psychedelics. His work has taken him from the University of British Columbia to McGill University, where he completed his PhD focusing on the default mode network and its role in human cognition and behavior.In this conversation, we discuss:* Manesh's introduction to psychedelics and how his early experiences shaped his academic and research career.* The intersection of meditation, psychedelics, and the default mode network* His extensive research on the default mode network and how psychedelics affect it.* The concept of neurophenomenology and its significance in linking subjective experiences with brain dynamics.* The ambitious projects at UCSF, including the most comprehensive psychedelic brain imaging study to date.* His involvement in a large-scale international psychedelic brain imaging data-sharing consortium.* The future of psychedelics in enhancing human potential and creativity, particularly through the work of the Center for MINDS.Manesh is passionate about leveraging psychedelics to help people not just recover from mental health issues but also to thrive and reach their fullest potential.And now, I bring you my conversation with Manesh Girn.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, I am speaking with Dennis Walker, AKA the Mycopreneur.I don't know about you, but I am always flummoxed by the seriousness of the discourse among stakeholders in the ‘psychedelic renaissance.'My guess is that this earnestness is the result of a few things:* a reverence and respect for the medicine* an attempt to extend objective scientific rigor to human communication and * the don't-rock-the-boat-formality of the biopharmaceutical industry to avoid regulator scrutiny.But whatever it is that has led to such formality we can be grateful that The Cosmic Joke will reliably appear on the timeline, thanks to Dennis.I imagine that many Trip Report subscribers are familiar with Dennis as the Court Jester of Psychedelics through his satirical video shorts and articles with titles like “Netflix Announces America's Next Top Shaman” and “Drake Enters MDMA-Assisted Therapy after Kendrick Traumatizes Him”.But in addition to lighthearted satire, Dennis and Mycopreneur are also focused on mushroom entrepreneurship beyond psychedelics in areas like myco-materials, mycoremediation, mycofiltration, and mycelium-based food products.It turns out that mushrooms have many, many potential and emerging uses in the modern economy.In this conversation, Dennis and I discuss:* The Origin and Evolution of Mycopreneur* The potential impact of Mushroom-based-technology* The importance of community in the mycological industry* The redefinition of the 'legacy market' versus the 'black market' for psychedelics* The gap between the demand for and the legal supply of legal psychedelic experiences * And much moreAnd now, I bring you my conversation with Dennis Walker.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Bruce Damer, a distinguished astrobiologist from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He is also the Director and Chief Scientist at the BIOTA Institute and the co-founder and president of the Center for MINDS, which stands for the Multidisciplinary Investigation Into Novel Discoveries & Solutions.Bruce is most well known for the Hot Spring Hypothesis for an Origin of Life. This groundbreaking theory challenges the conventional belief that life on Earth began in the oceans, suggesting instead that it emerged from hot springs. Important for our conversation today and for the work that the Center for MINDS is initiating, the hot spring hypothesis came to Bruce during an Ayahuasca ceremony.The Center for MINDS is a non-profit organization co-founded by Bruce and colleagues to investigate the potential of psychedelics and mindfulness practices to catalyze states of creativity for innovative problem-solving in science, engineering, leadership, design, and other fields. MINDS is sponsoring the research and development of new protocols, facilitating public discourse, and supporting community education, with the goal of finding solutions to some of humanity's greatest challenges.This project is inspired by research that was abruptly halted in the 1960s—which was studying the use of mescaline for promoting technical breakthroughs—along with Bruce's own experience with the hot spring hypothesis.In this conversation, we discuss:* Bruce's introduction to psilocybin from none other than Terrence Mckenna;* How his Ayahuasca and breath work experiences revealed to him the biochemistry of the origin of life;* The Center for MINDS origin story;* The practice of set, setting, and set up—where set up is the crucial ingredient for creative breakthrough;* The research programs and community building he is spearheading with the Center for MINDS; * Endotripping: a term Bruce coined to describe the exploration of the mind without drugs; * And much more.And now, I bring you my conversation with Bruce Damer.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, I am speaking with Dr. Pedro Texeira, Ph.D a scientist studying health behavior change and health psychology at the University of Lisbon and founder of the psychedelic educational non-profit Safe Journey.About 18 months ago, I came across a paper authored by Pedro, Robin Carhart-Harris, and others titled Psychedelics and Health Behaviour Change about the potential role of psychedelics in promoting lifestyle changes that are conducive to overall health, and I knew that this would be an increasingly relevant area of research and practice.Part of my intrigue with psychedelics as therapeutic tools is the wide array of conditions and issues for which they may be helpful.At a time when the dominant prescriptive mode in healthcare is “a different pill for every ill,” it is intriguing to see an emerging treatment that has been used for centuries and for which people have organically found helpful for many different conditions from PTSD, to Depression, to Cluster Headaches.Furthermore, the idea that society's most pressing healthcare challenges—chronic diseases—are downstream of environment and lifestyle is an inconvenient truth. The reality is that we can't ignore the impact of nutrition, exercise, sleep, our social environment, and other non-medical lifestyle factors that can be difficult to change.So, can psychedelic-based approaches help people make positive changes? Develop greater agency? Feel less compulsion?These are the questions that Pedro and his team are researching.In this conversation, we discuss:* Pedro's research in nutritional science and health activity* The rise of environmental and lifestyle-based chronic diseases* The early years of the field of behavioral psychology* Self Determination Theory and the relationship between one's perceived competence and motivation for change* The underlying psychological mechanisms of action in self-perception and health behavior change* The potential power of combining established behavioral interventions with psychedelics* What we can learn about behavior change following psychedelic experiences in naturalistic settings* And the importance of psychedelic public education And now I bring you my conversation with Dr. Pedro Teixeira.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.This week, I am speaking with Dr. Jackie von Salm, Ph.D., co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Psilera, a biotech company pioneering early-stage psychedelic-inspired drug discovery and development for neurological conditions.If you've ever been curious about the intricate and fascinating world of drug discovery, this conversation is a must-listen.Jackie walks me through the entire process, from scaffolds to IND submission and all the steps in between.Along the way, we discuss her background in natural product chemistry, the role of secondary metabolites, and a unique property of adaptive physiology whereby some types of stress actually strengthen organisms.We discuss the origin story of Psilera and the inspiration from 2 Bromo-LSD, a non-hallucinogenic compound that has been successfully used by people suffering from cluster headaches, among other neurological conditions.We discuss the increasing role of AI and computation in the drug discovery process but also the ‘chemical intuition' that one develops after years of practicing chemistry. We dive into the emerging field of neuropsychiatric biomarkers, a toolset that has eluded researchers, clinicians, and patients in this particular field, and how EEG and other brain imaging technologies may be the answer.We discuss the perception of psychedelic drug development in the eyes of the pharma world and much more.And now, I bring you my conversation with Dr. Jackie von Salm.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, I'm speaking with Shirelle Noble, Deb Gardner, and Danielle Herrera, LMFT from Beckley Academy. They recently published A Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Learning Framework.This is a research initiative that aims to foster a unified and comprehensive educational paradigm for psychedelic practitioners across the field.With the advent of psychedelic-assisted therapy in regulated, unregulated, and legal grey areas, more and more therapists are seeking out training to learn how to administer this novel modality. In response, there is a growing market of educational providers that are vying for their business.However, there are no agreed-upon standards for training, certification, and licensing.As a result, the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy is at a pivotal juncture. Its potential to revolutionize mental health treatment is immense, yet the absence of agreed-upon training standards and certifications for practitioners remains a critical gap.Beckley Academy co-founding team members Deborah Gardner and Shirelle Noble recognized the opportunity to analyze existing publications and create a unified learning framework – a first step in the direction of such standards.The conversation I am about to share with you highlights the framework's pivotal role in addressing the current gaps within the field and the necessity for a standardized set of learning objectives. This open-sourced Learning Framework is a foundational step towards establishing a coherent and comprehensive educational standard for Psychedelic Assisted Therapy and advocating for a multifaceted and experiential learning approach that includes somatic and relational practices.And now, I bring you my conversation with Shirelle Noble, Deb Gardner, and Danielle Herrera from Beckley Academy.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, I am speaking with Rick Doblin, founder and President of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).December of last year was a milestone for Doblin and MAPS, as the organization submitted a New Drug Application for MDMA Assisted Therapy to the United States Food and Drug Administration.Then, in the first week of January, the MAPS Public Benefit Corp announced its rebranding to Lykos Therapeutics and a $100 million Series A financing.Needless to say, it has been a pivotal period in the organization's history and a watershed moment for the revival of psychedelic medicine, science, and policy.In February, the FDA accepted the application and granted a priority review, putting the decision timeline at August of this year.That's just around the corner.And so much is still up in the air—of course the big question—will the FDA grant approval? But also so many granular details that will have significant downstream effects on the commercial rollout, access, and cost.* What language will be on the drug label? * What will the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy entail? * How will patients be able to access the drug? * What will the FDA say about the role of therapy?Among others.So, I wanted to sit down with Rick to talk about it and get his perspective on the organization's evolution, the path ahead, and, most importantly, the many uncertainties that hang in the balance.In this conversation, we discuss:* The importance of therapy in conjunction with MDMA (and his loathing of the acronym MDMA-AT)* The many regulatory and bureaucratic details that go into the FDA's decision and subsequent commercial rollout, including:* Drug labeling* Therapist credentialing * Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies* The negotiations he's led with the FDA over the last 20 years* Lykos' goal of getting MDMA-Assisted Therapy FDA approved and MAPS' goal of getting MDMA federally legalized* The role of therapist's first-hand experience with MDMA and the regulatory battle of ensuring legal access to this group* His future humanitarian and scientific plansAnd much more.And now I bring you my conversation with Rick Doblin.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, I am speaking with Marcus Capone, co-founder of Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), a non-profit that seeks to create access to psychedelic medicine for veterans of the Armed Forces. He is also co-founder and CEO of Tara Mind, a public benefit corporation that is making psychedelic medicine a widely available employee benefit.Whenever you hear about federal programs, senate bills, or congressional initiatives for psychedelics, two things usually stand out: first, they are often bipartisan efforts—a rarity in the current political environment—and second, they seek to fund research or access for veterans.In my experience, the Veterans-as-champions-of-psychedelic-medicine narrative catches a lot of people by surprise when they first hear about it, but quickly connect the dots as they recollect the staggering numbers of veteran suicides that periodically make the news.As Marcus and I discuss, having veterans as proponents of Psychedelic Medicine is one of the biggest levers changing the public perception of these compounds. Unfortunately, access through the Veterans Health Administration is not possible due to their illegal status, and so many vets seeking treatment have to leave the country they fought for to access the medicine that they need.This is where VETS and other veteran-focused non-profits come in.In this conversation, Marcus and I discuss:* His military career and the difficulty of his post-deployment return to civilian life* The origin story of Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions * The persistent stigma of psychedelics in the military community* The power of Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT* The challenge of Non-profit work* Tara Mind and the future of integrating Psychedelics into healthcareAnd now, I bring you my conversation with Marcus Capone.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.This week, I am speaking with Greg Kubin, co-host of the Business Trip Podcast and co-founder and partner at PsyMed Ventures, a fund investing in frontier mental health technologies and treatments.Greg and I chat pretty regularly, sometimes weekly, about the state of play in psychedelics, neurotech, investing, consciousness, and a rapidly changing world.As an early-stage investor in frontier mental health and wellness technologies, Greg has a unique lens into what future approaches and landscapes might look like.A recent focus in my writing has been the ‘emergent paradigms' afoot that are nearing—or achieved—tipping points in their acceptance and application; in this conversation, Greg and I discuss a handful of these topics, including:* The Gut-Brain-Axis and the innovations afoot in diagnostics and precision pre & probiotics* Metabolic Health, its impact on mental health, and tools like the ketogenic diet* Neurotechnology and Brain-Computer Interface for diagnostics and therapeuticsWe also discuss:* The origin story of PsyMed Ventures and the Business Trip Podcast* The pharmaceutical industrial complex* The relationship between academic research and commercialization and the archetype of the “Entrepreneurial Scientist.”As well as many colorful tangents, digressions, and detours.And now, I bring you my conversation with Greg Kubin.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, I am speaking with Brandon Deroche, founder of the PORTAL—the Partnership of Responsible Trippers Advocating Legalization. PORTAL is a project from Propeller, the social impact and advocacy organization Brandon started more than 15 years ago to drive awareness and action for social movements. I was intrigued when I first learned about Propeller–and their methodology for advocacy and advancing causes.Propeller collaborates with big-name artists and musicians to leverage their platforms to raise awareness and inspire action.With PORTAL, Brandon and his team are taking this approach to advancing the psychedelic cause.I wanted to speak with Brandon because I love a good acronym, and PORTAL may be the best I've ever heard—and because I wanted to learn more about how social movements form and grow.In this episode, we discuss:* Brandon's experience working with some of the biggest celebrities in the world, like Justin Bieber, Lizzo, and Brian Cranston* His experience working with the spiritual teacher Ram Dass* The cultural adoption and destigmatization of psychedelics through artists with massive audiences—like Dua Lipa, Post Malone, and Zach Bryan* Leveraging these voices for psychedelic education, harm reduction, and best practices* The eventual political polarization of social movements* And much moreAnd now, I bring you my conversation with Brand Deroche.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, I am speaking with Ken Jordan, co-founder and Editorial Director of Lucid News, an AP-style journalistic platform covering all aspects of the psychedelic field.Ken is a longtime journalist, writer, and media entrepreneur. In 2007, Ken co-founded The Evolver and Reality Sandwich, digital media platforms dedicated to the emerging consciousness movement. And in 2020, he and his co-founder, journalist Ann Harrison, founded Lucid News to cover the psychedelics field.My goal for this conversation is to get a snapshot of the moment, as difficult as that may be, with the help of someone who has been in the weeds as much as I have for the last four years.Like other guests on The Trip Report, Ken and I regularly connect to swap ideas, share insights, and discuss the evolution of the psychedelic movement. A theme of this conversation is the growing pains the field is undergoing, the challenges of macroeconomic headwinds, and the relatively slow progress of policy reform and clinical trials compared to the amount of hype and optimism of 18-24 months ago.In this conversation, we talk about:* The early days of the psychedelic “sector” * Ken's perspective as a longtime media entrepreneur with an interest and focus on psychedelics and consciousness * The major inflection point that was the MAPS Psychedelic Science 2023 conference, an overwhelming convergence of the many factions and siloed psychedelic communities  * “The wild idea,” as Ken says, “that the money right now is in a really active gray market. That's making chocolates you can buy in every cannabis bodega in New York.”* Ken's optimism about the authorities' loosening of concern about psychedelics* The lack of organized opposition against decriminalization and legalization efforts* The key differences between the psychedelic renaissance of the 1960s and todayAnd now, without further ado, I bring you my conversation with Ken Jordan.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, we're speaking with John MacLean, AKA The Juan MacLean, an electronic music artist, DJ, and co-founder and co-owner of Cardea—a psychedelic medicine space that facilitates experiences in New York City and Jamaica.I wanted to speak with John because he has a unique lens into the emerging psychedelic world given his role as a DJ and psychedelic facilitator in a wide variety of settings. He has also had one of the most fascinating careers of anyone I have ever met.What started as a fascination with music and psychedelic states as a teenager has led to a career combining the two for more than three decades.As a Brooklyn-based DJ and producer, John has been a mainstay in the NYC music scene for decades while also touring at legendary international venues across Europe, Asia, and North America. Since the release of his first records on his DFA record label in 2002, he has built a reputation for eclectic, genre-bending sets that have earned him residencies at iconic clubs around the world.He has been a practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga and Zen and trained as an Ayahuasquero in the Shipibo tradition. He credits the 12-step program with saving his life and ayahuasca with renewing it.In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss:* How the changing cultural landscape allows John to feel comfortable talking publicly about the psychedelic side of his work;* A period of his life in which he experienced intense depression and occasionally contemplated suicide;* His hope that his first ayahuasca experience would relieve his symptoms, only to be hurled onto a spiritual path, having had his worldview and belief structure completely recast;* His training in the Shipibo tradition;* The authenticity, legitimacy, and originality of traditional lineage-based knowledge in a rapidly changing world; * And much, much more.And now I bring you my conversation with John Maclean.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, we're joined by Dr. Gita Vaid, an NYU-trained psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and founder of The Center for Natural Intelligence in New York City.Dr. Vaid has been working with the likes of Richard Schwartz, Phillip Wolfson, and Deepak Chopra over the last several years to train healthcare providers on psychedelic-assisted therapies and to develop novel psychotherapeutic protocols.Dr. Vaid's Innovation Project at the Center for Natural Intelligence is a think tank and incubator that aims to develop novel Psychotherapy modalities suited for working with psychedelics and altered states. One such approach she is developing with Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, the canonical book that really kickstarted the movement for trauma-informed, somatically based approaches that are gaining traction in the treatment of trauma and other mental health conditions.This conversation came at the perfect time, as my work at The Trip Report and Beckley Waves is focused on the development of suitable and tailored “wrap-around” support for psychedelic-assisted therapies.As psychedelic-assisted healing continues to gain traction across the culture and as we inch closer to FDA-approved psychedelic substances, the need for innovative, effective, and tailored approaches to support and therapy is a top priority for the field, and Gita's work is a great example of innovation in this area.In this episode, we discuss* Freud's interest in non-ordinary states of consciousness* The similarities and differences between hypnosis and psychedelic experiences* The importance of the body and feelings in the body for emotional regulation* The therapeutic utility of ego dissolution* And, of course, what the future of psychotherapy looks likeI hope you enjoy it, and without further ado, I bring you my conversation with Gita Vaid.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, we're speaking with Matt Zorn.Matt is a partner at the law firm Yetter Coleman. His law practice is uniquely focused on regulatory law, and importantly for this conversation, he has been working on several psychedelic-related cases.I should warn you we get into the weeds straight out of the gates on this one as I ask Matt about his experience deposing the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)—and what that actually means.This is probably the most technical conversation we've had on the podcast, and so you'll hear me ask Matt to clarify or explain things several times.I would ask listeners to keep in mind while listening to this that the matter of illegality of psychedelics and the punishment mandated by the law was not established through science, public health, or respect for individual liberties– but rather, this state of affairs was established to consolidate political power.The Controlled Substances Act, established in 1970—more than 50 years ago—created the DEA and established formidable barriers to revising the government's position on psychedelics and other scheduled substances.Matt, along with a handful of other attorneys working in the field, are holding the DEA's feet to the flame, so to speak, and forcing the agency to clarify its position on several fronts and through this process—and this is my personal opinion— exposing that the emperor, in fact, is wearing no clothes.We discuss one specific area in which Matt and his colleagues are pushing the DEA for clarity; this is a trial AIMS vs the DEA where defendants are seeking clarity on the matter of whether psilocybin is eligible for terminally ill patients through The Right to Try Act.We also dive into:* Cannabis rescheduling* The Freedom of Information Act* How the FDA came to be the other federal agency involved in the drug classification schema and the concept of “Medically Accepted Use”* The legal concept of the Chevron Deference and* The differences between state-level legalization and decriminalization And, without further ado, I bring you my conversation with Matt Zorn.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, The Trip Report is speaking with Hadas Alterman, and let me warn you, you are in for a doozy.Hadas is the Director of Communications and Policy at the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association (APPA), and in this conversation, we leave no stone unturned.We discuss APPA, the organization, the mission, and the specific work they're doing to support psychedelic therapists, guides, and facilitators.But we also dive into the concept of power and influence and how these forces are shaping the emerging psychedelic ecosystem.We get into the weeds on the most important legal and policy topics in the psychedelic space right now, like the influence of Big Pharma on the DEA and how that is affecting the field now and could in the future.We talk about “The Establishment” and the institutions that have outsized influence on the path of the psychedelic emergence, including the FDA's meddling with the practice of medicine, most famously during COVID and now with public comments on the use of off-label ketamine.We also discuss:* Bridging the wisdom of the underground and traditional lineages with the modern medical system;* The process of bringing together stakeholders from different parts of the psychedelic ecosystem for constructive dialogue and consensus-building;* The varieties of psychedelic access routes and the tradeoffs inherent in them; and* The current geopolitical situation unfolding in the Middle East.And now, without further ado, I bring you my conversation with Hadas Alterman.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a psychedelic venture studio.Today, we are speaking with Yuriy Blokhin, founder and CEO of Homecoming, an all-in-one platform for transformational coaches, therapists, healers, and their clients.Yuriy is another entrepreneur in the psychedelic space that I occasionally have long and meandering conversations with about the developing field, where it is headed, and what he is seeing and learning firsthand.These are always insightful and enjoyable conversations, and so we decided to do a podcast.The idea for Homecoming was born out of the need to support people before and after psychedelic ceremonies that catalyzed profound and transformative changes but were potentially short-lived if not suitably prepared for and integrated.In the early days, Yuriy volunteered with Heroic Hearts, a non-profit that supports military veterans seeking psychedelic therapies for PTSD, and he came to recognize that the results were significantly more profound when paired with pre- and post-experience coaching—but facilitating this level of connection, especially when people return to their homes in different parts of the world, was a technological challenge.With the rise in psychedelic retreats, clinics, and all-around general hype and enthusiasm over the last few years, the opportunity to build such a product became a reality.We touch on his early hypothesis that Homecoming would be the technological infrastructure layer for psychedelic clinics and retreats, only to find that the real customer base was the broad category of practitioners that he calls “transformative and integrative providers.” This includes coaches, therapists, and integration specialists, but also somatic therapists, functional medicine providers, bodyworkers, and a whole network of alternative therapy providers that are increasingly using psychedelics, breathwork, and other transformative modalities in their practices and have been underserved by technology providers to date.Beckley Waves, with its focus on the operational and infrastructure layer of the psychedelic ecosystem, jumped at the opportunity to invest in Homecoming's seed round back in 2021. In this episode, we discuss:* The variety of structured approaches to psychedelic experiences;* Epistemic and ontological shock in the healing process;* The uses and limitations of the scientific method;* The origin story of Homecoming;* Early-stage entrepreneurship and the balance between conviction and radical open-mindedness; and* Co-creating technology with your early customers.And without further ado, I bring you my conversation with Yuriy Blokhin.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a psychedelic venture studio.Today, we are speaking with Oshan Jarow.Oshan is a writer, podcaster, and a fellow at Vox Media's Future Perfect, a division focused on covering the crucially important issues that are often under-reported.In this role, Oshan writes about the intersection of economics and the contemplative sciences–this includes things like psychedelics, meditation, and as we get into some depth, the emerging science of the mind. I've been following Oshan's work for a few years, but a recent essay in Vox titled “The psychedelic renaissance is at risk of missing the bigger picture” prompted me to invite him on The Trip Report Podcast.At the time of its publication, I noted that it is one of the best summaries of the dynamics at play in the psychedelic space that I have ever seen.But it is Oshan's essay, titled “A General Theory of Spirituality” that got me excited to speak with him. As we discuss, there is a bit of a scientific revolution afoot at the intersection of modern neuroscience and the spiritual and contemplative traditions of the past.This is the first in what I believe will be a series of episodes with writers, scientists, and meditators that will explore this rich field at the intersection of spiritual insight, psychedelic states and the emerging model of the brain and mind: the predictive processing framework.Also, in this episode, we discuss:* The connection between a society's economic incentives and the effect on individuals' subjective experience and well-being;* The potential of psychedelics for spiritual practice and the betterment of the well;* The concept of entropy and functional integration of neural pathways and the effect of psychedelics on these parameters; and* The free energy principle, predictive processing, and a General Theory of Spirituality.And without further ado, I bring you my conversation with Oshan Jarow.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.Today, we're speaking with Jonathan Sabbagh, founder of Journey Clinical, a digital health tech company pioneering a collaborative care model for psychedelic-assisted therapy.Journey Clinical was founded in 2021 with the mission of creating a decentralized clinic model that would enable licensed therapists to incorporate ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) into their practice.Jonathan and his co-founder (and wife) Miriam Barthes interviewed 600 therapists before starting Journey Clinical to understand their biggest pain points and challenges.When it came to KAT, a promising treatment for several mental health conditions, the overwhelming response from the therapists they interviewed was that it's difficult to find medical professionals with whom they can collaborate on care. After all, therapists do not prescribe medications, and most physicians do not do therapy.Thus, connecting therapists with partner prescribers was the core need, and with this insight, the Journey Clinical model was born.As many who are well-steeped in the psychedelic field are aware, KAT is a promising modality for stubborn mental health conditions, especially when paired with psychotherapeutic support. However, the majority of ketamine usage for mental health is as a standalone treatment at specialized clinics. What is missing from this brick-and-mortar care delivery environment is supportive wrap-around care.And in my opinion, this is the promise of technology-enabled support for psychedelic therapies.I have been a fan of the Journey Clinical model since I first met Jonathan and Miriam back in 2021. From the outset, it was clear they had a unique insight and mission.In this episode, we discuss:* Leaving a career in finance to study clinical psychology;* The role of psychotherapy in supporting transformational perspectives;* The importance of therapeutic alliance;* The origin story of Journey Clinical and the pivot from a service provider to a health tech company; and* The Ryan Haight Act Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008.I should also note that Beckley Waves is an investor in Journey Clinical.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTubeTheme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast!Today, I am speaking with Dr. Jeeshan Chowdhury, M.D., Ph.D., founder & CEO of Journey Colab, a psychedelic startup developing a synthetic form of mescaline and an innovative care model for addiction treatment. I met up with Jeeshan at the recent MAPS Psychedelic Science conference in Denver for a conversation about the emerging field, his company, and how he sees the future unfolding.Journey Colab is taking a contrarian approach to the psychedelic drug development process. While many companies are seeking to engineer shorter trips or non-hallucinogenic compounds, Journey Colab is developing a synthetic form of mescaline, one of the longer-acting psychedelic compounds with trips lasting 12-14 hours. While the common approach is to identify how to limit or reduce the amount of psychotherapy or psychological support to increase efficiencies, Journey Colab is working with rehab centers to incorporate psychological and community support. And like my conversations with Talia Eisenberg and Manish Agrawal, a central theme is the infrastructure for psychedelic care delivery.On the one hand, they are taking mescaline through the standard drug approval process; on the other, they have formed a unique partnership with All Points North, a treatment and rehab center in Colorado.The Journey Colab–All Points North Center of Excellence will conduct research on the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies for alcohol use disorder in a community healthcare setting.As we discuss, this contrarian approach has had its fair share of challenges. However, Journey Colab has the unique distinction of having Sam Altman, the former president of Y Combinator and CEO of Open AI, as an early-stage investor and advisor.In this conversation, we discuss:* How Sam Altman told Jeeshan that he should start a psychedelic company back in 2018;* What happens when we take very powerful psychoactive compounds and apply traditional capitalist structures;* The challenge of delivering psychedelic care safely, effectively and at scale; and* The stigma of using medication in alcohol rehabilitation.And now, I bring you my conversation with Jeeshan Chowdhury.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast! Today, we are talking with Dr. Rick Barnett.Rick is the founder of the Center for Addiction Recognition, Treatment, Education, and Recovery in Stowe, Vermont, and the Co-Founder of the Psychedelic Society of Vermont.He is also a clinical psychologist and licensed alcohol and drug counselor with a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology.This combination of training, clinical practice, and education made for a really interesting discussion of the emerging use of psychedelics in therapy and drug and alcohol recovery.There is a massive difference between the emerging “psychedelic industry”— clinical trials, drug development, policy reform efforts, and legal retreats—and the reality of the situation outside of these contexts.This dichotomy is one of the most fascinating features of this whole domain. While we wait for the Overton Window to shift—for FDA approval, for VA buy-in, for lawmakers and regulators to get comfortable—the use of psychedelics in unregulated, personal, grey and illegal settings is skyrocketing.This is where the psychedelic industry differs from so many other industries or technologies: there is a major distinction between the so-called “above ground” business and investment landscape, which is dominated by commercial drug development and services designed to fit into the modern healthcare system, and the so-called “underground,” a decentralized, unregulated, bottom-up psychedelic market.The need is for education, support, and community to midwife the mainstreaming of psychedelics, not suppression.In this conversation, we discuss:* The connective tissue of the psychedelic ecosystem.* The integration of psychedelic, ecstatic, and expressive approaches to clinical practice in Western healthcare systems;* Dr. Barnett's experience responding to the cultural interest in psychedelics as a clinical psychologist;* The importance of community among healthcare professionals to increase education and best practices; andIn Greek mythology, the God Hermes is said to have possessed the ability to move freely between different realms—he could travel between the mortal world, the divine realm of Olympus, and the Underworld. This capacity made him unique in Greek Mythology. As a trained psychologist, educator, and community organizer, Dr. Barnett is like a modern-day Hermes—interfacing with the clinical and research worlds as well as the local and digital peer-to-peer community networks of the psychedelic-curious.And now, I bring you my conversation with Dr. Rick Barnett.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Today I am speaking with Talia Eisenberg.Talia is the co-founder of Beond Ibogaine, an addiction and chemical dependence treatment center in Cancún, Mexico.I wanted to speak with Talia because the Beond model – a modern, medical-grade center – seems to me like the closest approximation to what the psychedelic medicine practice of the future will look like.Ibogaine has developed a reputation as one of the most effective psychedelic substances for the treatment of opioid dependencies, including painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl. Recently, the state of Kentucky's Opioid Commission announced that it would be evaluating a $42 million grant to study ibogaine for the treatment of opioid addiction and withdrawal.However, by all accounts, the ibogaine experience is no walk in the park. A longer treatment duration and heightened risks compared to other psychedelics makes ibogaine unique among this class of substances.To me, ibogaine best captures the duality of an incredibly promising new treatment model for one of society's most pressing problems coupled with the need for caution, screening, preparation, and safety monitoring due to the associated risks.Talia brings a unique perspective to the discussion of this opportunity and its challenges, as she credits ibogaine with saving her own life and now operates one of the leading ibogaine treatment centers.Talia received an undergrad degree from New School in New York City and earned an MBA from Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco. She is a serial entrepreneur, a mother, a wife, and in long-term recovery.In this episode, we discuss:* The history and impact of the opioid epidemic;* Talia's personal story of addiction, treatment, and renewal;* The traditional rehab industry; and* The importance of short and long-term integration with ibogaine.As you'll hear, I am not too familiar with ibogaine. I have never tried it and, since it has a smaller research footprint than psilocybin, MDMA and other compounds, I haven't spent as much time learning about it. Thankfully, Talia was the perfect person to speak with to bring me up to speed. Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Today I am speaking with Josh Hardman.Josh is the founder and Editor of Psychedelic Alpha, the preeminent business and policy data resource for the psychedelic industry.I first met Josh in 2020 when this whole domain of psychedelic business and investment was really taking off. Those were strange times—this was the peak of covid lockdowns, the lead up to the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. You might call it a pivotal mental state for society.All the while, we were seeing a massive influx of capital into dozens of psychedelic startups—many of which no longer exist—several of the most prestigious universities were announcing psychedelic research programs, and many local and state policy reform efforts were launched.All throughout, Josh and his team at Psychedelic Alpha were busy building publicly available databases, including company profiles and drug development, policy, and patent trackers to help make sense of this craziness.Fast forward to 2023, Josh and I sat down in Denver during the Psychedelic Science 2023 conference for a conversation about the field, where it's been, and where it's heading.In this conversation, Josh and I discuss:* His background and the Psychedelic Alpha origin story;* His initial shock at seeing psychedelics on the commercialization pathway;* The “Wild West” of the 2020 psychedelic business environment;* The challenges to payor reimbursement for psychedelics;* The FDA approval process; and* The shifting Overton window.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google, or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Today I am speaking with Dr. Manish Agrawal.Manish is the founder and CEO of Sunstone Therapies and co-director of clinical research at Aquilino Cancer Center in Rockville, Maryland.Manish studied engineering at Auburn University and graduated from the University of Alabama School of Medicine. He did his medical residency at Georgetown University, where he also earned a master's in Philosophy. After Georgetown, he did a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health.He then went on to a more than 20-year career as an oncologist.In 2017, Manish met Roland Griffiths from Johns Hopkins University, and his interest in psychedelic research was piqued, which led to the founding of Sunstone Therapies. Sunstone serves as an independent research site that carries out clinical trials for psychedelic drug developers like MAPS, Usona, and Compass Pathways, as well as their own investigator-initiated trials. They also train therapists. In this episode, we discuss:* Manish's career as an oncologist and researcher;* His time at the National Institutes of Health (NIH);* The role his philosophy training has played in his life as a physician;* The origin story of Sunstone Therapies;* The similarities between delivering cancer treatment and the delivering psychedelic medicine; and * Preparing for FDA approval.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google, or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Today I am speaking with Dr. Amy Kruse.She is a neuroscientist, General Partner, and Chief Investment Officer at Satori Neuro, a venture capital fund focused on mental health, neurotechnology, and human flourishing.Amy earned a Bachelor of Science in Cell and Structural Biology and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She went on to serve as a program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where she oversaw the agency's first performance-oriented neuroscience programs and orchestrated scientific breakthroughs in augmented cognition, accelerated learning, optimized imagery analysis, team neurodynamics, and neuromodulation.After DARPA, she served as the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Cubic Global Defense and Chief Scientific Officer of Optios.Prior to joining Satori Neuro, Dr. Kruse was a General Partner at Prime Movers Lab, where she led the fund's life sciences investments in human augmentation and longevity.In this episode, we talk about:* The neuroscience of learning;* How to improve human performance and mastery;* The connection between meditation and psychedelic research; and* The varieties of neurotechnology.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google, or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com

Introducing The Trip Report podcast by Beckley Waves, hosted by creator and author Zach Haigney. Beckley Waves, a venture studio spearheaded by psychedelic science and policy pioneer Amanda Feilding, seeks to build and support the infrastructure necessary for safe, legal and accessible psychedelic experiences. Expanding on our popular newsletter, the podcast is our latest endeavor to create a well-informed psychedelic ecosystem.Our world is changing at an unprecedented pace across science, politics, the economy, technology, and culture. A major part of this change is the reintegration of psychedelics into scientific research and, consequently, mainstream culture. After decades of stigmatization, these powerful compounds are now recognized for their immense therapeutic potential, addressing some of our toughest mental health challenges like depression, PTSD, and addiction. But it's not just about healing; psychedelics are being increasingly used for spiritual practices, personal evolution, and exploration of the mind and non-ordinary states of consciousness.However, as psychedelics gain popularity, we face a unique set of challenges. How do we navigate the diverse viewpoints, applications, environments, and motivations surrounding these mind-altering substances that have, until recently, been illegal? This question forms the basis of our podcast's mission: to explore the complex, exciting, and rapidly evolving world of psychedelic business, policy reform, cultural adoption, and scientific research.The Trip Report podcast aims to be a hub for diverse voices from across the psychedelic spectrum – the builders, therapists, psychonauts, scientists, clinicians, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, investors, regulators, and even the detractors and skeptics. We're not just talking; we're connecting – individuals with ideas, people with each other, and listeners with the broader developments of this new paradigm.Together, let's dive deep into the evolving psychedelic landscape, scrutinizing its intriguing dynamics, complexities, challenges, and opportunities, in an attempt to understand this unprecedented shift in human consciousness and society. We hope you'll join us on this journey.Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google, or Apple.Credits:* Hosted by Zach Haigney * Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari* Find us at thetripreport.com* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube* Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetripreport.com