Psychedelic Flexibility

Tomek Kwieciński

Expanded states of consciousness - whether arising from psychedelic substances, shamanic practices, or modern therapeutic methods - have been experiencing a renaissance in psychology. In this space, I explore both their unique potential and their risks. Drawing on scientific research, clinical case studies, anthropological perspectives, professional trainings, ceremonial work, and my own experience, I aim to present a balanced and nuanced view of this complex territory. We’re releasing episodes weekly on Tuesdays for the first month, then every two weeks, and eventually once a month.

Episodes

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Does a psychedelic therapist need to have psychedelic experience?

    The age-old debate between theorists and practitioners shows up in the field of altered states of consciousness as well. What kind of specialists should be supporting others during sessions in expanded states - and in the integration that follows? Do they need to have gone through many psychedelic experiences themselves?Do they need in-depth, specialized knowledge about the brain? Or maybe they need both? Buy Me A Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/psychedelicflexibility⁠⁠⁠ Find my book "Follow the Call: Therapeutic Experiences in Expanded States of Consciousness" at our Buy Me A Coffee shop. Check out the HoloMind Institute: ⁠⁠⁠https://holomind.org/en⁠⁠⁠ Holotropic Breathwork®: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.holotropic.com⁠⁠⁠ Holotropic Poland: ⁠⁠⁠https://holotropicpoland.pl⁠⁠⁠ (00:00:00) Do Psychedelic Therapists Need Personal Experience? (00:00:53) Session Facilitator vs. Integration Therapist (00:01:57) The Two Extremes of the Debate (00:03:13) Why the "Cancer Doctor" Analogy Fails (00:04:22) Psychology vs. Medicine: Different Rules (00:06:42) What Shamans & Therapy Schools Require (00:08:17) What Psychedelic Training Programs Demand (00:10:16) Learning From Group Altered State Experiences (00:14:57) Why Validation Is Critical in Psychedelic Therapy (00:18:35) Non-Judgment: The Most Important Therapist Skill (00:21:28) Can You Guide Without Personal Drug Experience? (00:24:54) The Limits of Self-Taught Practice (00:35:04) Embodied Trust: What Theory Can't Teach You (00:41:18) Combining Theory and Practice in Psychedelic Work (00:47:29) Beyond Black & White: A Nuanced Framework

    50 min

  2. 10 FEB

    Why altered states of consciousness can actually help?

    Even skeptical scientists have begun confirming what psychonauts have insisted on for centuries. Altered states of consciousness don’t have to be harmful - they can actually help, even with severe disorders. However, many people still don’t understand the principles by which this would work. Why does it work? What exactly is the active factor in these processes that can lead to real transformation? Buy Me A Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/psychedelicflexibility⁠⁠⁠ Find my book "Follow the Call: Therapeutic Experiences in Expanded States of Consciousness" at our Buy Me A Coffee shop. Check out the HoloMind Institute: ⁠⁠⁠https://holomind.org/en⁠⁠⁠ Holotropic Breathwork®: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.holotropic.com⁠⁠⁠ Holotropic Poland: ⁠⁠⁠https://holotropicpoland.pl⁠⁠⁠ (00:00:00) Why Altered States Actually Help (00:01:49) How Views on Psychedelics Changed (00:03:19) Beyond Brain Chemistry or Sacred Plants (00:06:33) Set, Setting & Psyche Catalysts (00:09:23) Default Mode Network Reset (00:11:05) The Inner Healing Intelligence (00:13:52) Insights, Embodiment & Catharsis (00:23:03) Expression, Catharsis & Body Release (00:35:55) Purging & Physiological Effects (00:42:47) Mysticism, Shamanism & Therapy Elements (00:56:33) Not Magic - Real Mechanisms at Work

    1 hr

  3. 3 FEB

    What’s the difference between therapy and retraumatization?

    While some people dread a bad trip, others believe that the more difficult and uncomfortable the experience, the greater its therapeutic value. Does every unpleasant experience in an altered state of consciousness carry the risk of trauma? Or can all forms of suffering be ultimately healing? What separates harmful torment from genuinely painful, yet therapeutic, processes? Buy Me A Coffee: ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/psychedelicflexibility⁠⁠ Find my book "Follow the Call: Therapeutic Experiences in Expanded States of Consciousness" at our Buy Me A Coffee shop. Check out the HoloMind Institute: ⁠⁠https://holomind.org/en⁠⁠ Holotropic Breathwork®: ⁠⁠https://www.holotropic.com⁠⁠ Holotropic Poland: ⁠⁠https://holotropicpoland.pl⁠⁠ (00:00:00) Therapy vs. Retraumatization Explained(00:01:15) Avoidance vs. Pushing Too Hard(00:01:42) Bad Trips and Emotional Avoidance(00:02:04) Why “The Worse, The Better” Fails(00:03:14) Trauma Repetition Does Not Heal(00:04:24) Why Healing Requires Safety(00:05:43) Car Accidents, Exposure, and Recovery(00:07:49) Stress, Training, and Psychological Limits(00:09:46) Talking About Trauma in Therapy(00:10:37) The Three Stages of Trauma Therapy(00:11:30) Altered States and the Inner Healer(00:12:45) Why Safety Matters in Psychedelic Work(00:17:35) Window of Tolerance and MDMA Therapy(00:20:51) Trusting Inner Wisdom Over Forcing Trauma(00:23:23) Let Healing Unfold Naturally

    36 min

  4. 27 JAN

    How is psychedelic therapy different from ordinary, unproductive drug use?

    Some claim that altered states of consciousness are always harmful, while others believe that simply experiencing them can be healing. However, there is a huge difference between a professional therapeutic session and recreational use at a party. What exactly are the factors that create this difference, and how do specialists work with expanded states of consciousness? According to the principles of harm reduction, how can we approach more professional conditions when experimenting on ourselves? Buy Me A Coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/psychedelicflexibility⁠ Find my book "Follow the Call: Therapeutic Experiences in Expanded States of Consciousness" at our Buy Me A Coffee shop. Check out the HoloMind Institute: ⁠https://holomind.org/en⁠ Holotropic Breathwork®: ⁠https://www.holotropic.com⁠ Holotropic Poland: ⁠https://holotropicpoland.pl⁠ (00:00:00) Introduction - How psychedelic therapy differs from recreational use (00:00:55) Common myths and extreme views about psychedelics (00:01:19) The two extremes: chaotic recreational use vs. structured therapeutic session (00:03:47) Classic example of non-therapeutic/party-style psychedelic experience (00:06:55) Classic example of proper therapeutic psychedelic session (00:10:27) Special case: How setting dramatically changes MDMA experience (00:13:00) Gray areas - When some therapeutic elements are missing (00:17:03) Mixing substances - Alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, MDMA + classic psychedelics (00:20:41) Core difference: Therapy embraces difficult emotions, entertainment avoids them (00:21:55) Integration - The second most important factor after facing difficult material (00:25:37) Afterglow vs. deep therapeutic breakthroughs - What "feeling better" really means (00:29:40) Key protective factors + final thoughts & legal reminder

    31 min

  5. 20 JAN

    Why don't people trust altered states of conciousness?

    In the first episode, we start by exploring why our culture treats altered states with suspicion, or at best as meaningless entertainment. Are there any exceptions? What myths must be dismantled to believe in their healing potential? To kick things off, we’re releasing episodes weekly on Tuesdays for the first month, then every two weeks, and eventually once a month Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/psychedelicflexibility Find my book "Follow the Call: Therapeutic Experiences in Expanded States of Consciousness" at our Buy Me A Coffee shop. Check out the HoloMind Institute: https://holomind.org/en Holotropic Breathwork®: https://www.holotropic.com Holotropic Poland: https://holotropicpoland.pl (00:00:00) Introduction to the podcast - Exploring therapeutic altered states of consciousness (00:01:22) Why people distrust altered states - Overview and extreme views (00:03:00) Systems thinking: Multiple reasons for distrust (00:03:52) Altered states are inherently different and challenge norms (00:06:35) Influence of the Catholic Church and religious skepticism (00:10:05) Associations with alcohol, drugs, and caffeine (00:11:33) Outdated perceptions of drugs as destructive (00:12:39) Emphasis on rationality and the pre/trans fallacy (00:15:23) Mythical thinking among rationalists (00:17:25) Importance of procedures vs. non-procedural experiences (00:20:09) Perceptions of altered states as shortcuts or panaceas (00:22:32) Real pitfalls and dangers of altered states (00:23:46) Historical bad reputation and lack of research (Catch-22) (00:25:03) Countercultural groups and alienation from mainstream (00:26:27) Lack of proper preparation and integration in experiences (00:27:29) Difficulty in articulating profound experiences (00:29:57) Misrepresentation and oversimplification by enthusiasts (00:30:19) Government restrictions and pragmatic concerns (00:32:09) Political and societal challenges from new perspectives (00:33:01) Evolving but lingering skepticism among therapists (00:35:13) Intimidation from methods and illegality of substances (00:37:20) Final thoughts: Distinguishing helpful, entertaining, and harmful states

    39 min

  6. 15 JAN

    Psychedelic Flexibility Podcast

    Expanded states of consciousness - whether arising from psychedelic substances, shamanic practices, or modern therapeutic methods - have been experiencing a renaissance in psychology. In this space, I explore both their unique potential and their risks. Drawing on scientific research, clinical case studies, anthropological perspectives, professional trainings, ceremonial work, and my own experience, I aim to present a balanced and nuanced view of this complex territory. We’re releasing episodes weekly on Thursdays for the first month, then every two weeks, and eventually once a month.

    1 min

Trailer

About

Expanded states of consciousness - whether arising from psychedelic substances, shamanic practices, or modern therapeutic methods - have been experiencing a renaissance in psychology. In this space, I explore both their unique potential and their risks. Drawing on scientific research, clinical case studies, anthropological perspectives, professional trainings, ceremonial work, and my own experience, I aim to present a balanced and nuanced view of this complex territory. We’re releasing episodes weekly on Tuesdays for the first month, then every two weeks, and eventually once a month.

Information

  • Creator
    Tomek Kwieciński
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tomek Kwieciński
  • Show Website
    Psychedelic Flexibility