Adventures Through The Mind

James W. Jesso
Adventures Through The Mind

Adventures Through The Mind is an interview-based podcast hosted by Canadian author and public educator, James W. Jesso. Although the show topics range---from spirituality, mental health, and emotional maturity; to love, relationships and sexuality; to history, philosophy, and neuroscience---there are two underlying themes that intersect them all: psychedelics & the mind. James W. Jesso is the author of Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom and The True Light Of Darkness, both about his experiences exploring the potentials of psychedelics.

  1. Tripping into Post-Scarcity: AI, Psychedelics, and the Future of Filmmaking | Jeffery Lando

    OCT 18

    Tripping into Post-Scarcity: AI, Psychedelics, and the Future of Filmmaking | Jeffery Lando

    Full Show Notes And A Video Version Of This Episode Can Be Found At Jameswjesso.com Become a Patreon to Receive Exclusive Content Stay In Contact Through Signing Up For James' Newsletter This episode features an interview with Jeffery Lando, an experienced filmmaker who recently directed the psychedelic-themed movie "Lissa's Trip". Our discussion explores the intersection of psychedelics, artificial intelligence, and filmmaking. We discuss into how Lando used AI and other emerging technologies to create the visual effects for his film, producing some of the best LSD-like psychedelic visuals and audio that I have personally seen in a movie. We also discuss the potential impacts of AI on the film industry and creative processes more broadly. We explore ideas around personal growth, societal change, and envisioning post-scarcity futures as Lando shares his perspectives on the transformative potential of psychedelics, drawing from his own experiences and how they influenced the themes in his movie. Additionally, the conversation touches on some, let’s say, provocative topics related to economics, labour, and visions for reorganizing society. And, although I can't endorse any particular views, I believe you'll find it to be a thought-provoking dialogue about technology, consciousness, and human potential. Enjoy! FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW ... SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso ▷ Sponsor: HARMONIC ARTS PLANT MEDICINE Use the promo code JESSO for 15% off your First order *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A Another special thanks to Shamir for their generous one-time donation. ... Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening (02:40) Interview begins (04:03) Lissa’s Trip as an experiment of post-singularity/non-hierarchical film making (11:54) Producing psychedelic visuals by getting AI to hallucinate on an image (19:03) The difference between Google’s old Deep Dream and modern Ai art generation (25:57) A diverse ecosystem of AI models, will be our saving grace. (39:25) Debating the reality of money and its ties to the value of goods and labour (50:47) The difference between “art” and “content” is how it moves the person witnessing it, produced through AI or not. (59:36) Unrestrained info access vs. regulated content: freedom or control? (1:07:59) Patreon Thanks (1:09:45) Adding new tech on top of old systems rather than integrating new technology to creates better systems; mirrors the psychedelic mainstreaming (1:18:09) Facing the shadow is key; we need “poor people” to force us back to the factory. (1:21:01) Psychedelic disrupt our established models of reality, allowing us to face our shadow and create better models for realty (1:28:45) Lissa’s Trip was meant to disrupt filmmaking culture; AI’s only threat is to the status quo (1:34:16) AI’s only threat is to the status quo (1:35:25) What it means to live in a post-singularity world (more like burning man than the factory floor) (1:37:17) Lissa’s Trip is meant to take people on a trip; and a love letter to LSD (1:43:17) Watch Lissa’s Trip for free now, plus follow-up social links for Jeffry Lando (1:45:14) Outro

    1h 47m
  2. Empowering Our Joy For Life Through Honoring Our Pain for the World | John Seed

    SEP 6

    Empowering Our Joy For Life Through Honoring Our Pain for the World | John Seed

    In this episode of the podcast, we interview deep ecology teacher and rainforest activist John Seed. Together, we discuss the importance of altering our sense of self such that it includes the natural world, the role psychedelics can play in that process, and how, even if the world as we know it burns and collapses, life itself will thrive through it all as it always has. We also talk about the philosophy of deep ecology and healing ourselves from the illusion of anthropocentrism; falling into the apathy of the modern world; “honouring our pain for the world” and how, when expressed, despair becomes empowerment. As well as the dance between present ecological crisis and the thriving of life for billions of years; the Disney-fication of nature vs the brutality of life being itself; and where psychedelics fit into deep ecology and environmental activism. Far from being a downer episode, as one might expect with topics such as these, I found my conversation with John refreshing, empowering, and genuinely inspiring. To me, this is one of the small handful of interviews I have done that impacted me in a significantly positive way. I hope you experience something similar. Enjoy. ... For links to Seed's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind191 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A;   Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening and Guest Bio (04:47) Interview Begins (06:20) The value and importance of activism; turning citizens into consumers (09:23) The dance between present crisis and the thriving of life for billions of years (14:25) Deep ecology and healing the illusion of anthropocentrism (27:13) Patreon Thanks (29:05) Grief and “honouring our pain for the world”; when expressed, despair becomes empowerment (36:08) Seeing the world with new eyes (39:38) Falling into the apathy of the modern world (44:56) The importance of community in facing our grief (47:43) A story of psychedelic cannabis and being healed by the forest (52:42) The Disney-fication of nature vs the brutality of life being itself (57:27) Exchanging stories of meaningful psychedelic visions (01:05:09) How psychedelics put John on his journey into environmentalism (01:08:27) Where psychedelics fit into deep ecology and environmental activism (01:11:31) What looks like chaos and destruction might be a greater intelligence at work (01:19:16) If we can cause less death and destruction, we should try (01:22:17) The drinking of psychedelic acacias in Australia; how acacia courtii saved John’s life (01:29:22) The challenge of facing one’s aging as one’s desire to give more to the world grows (01:33:23) Follow-up links and contact information (01:34:24) Outro

    1h 36m
  3. Laughing Through the Chaos: Psychedelics, Comedy and Society's Growing Pains | Nick Sun ~ ATTMind 190

    AUG 2

    Laughing Through the Chaos: Psychedelics, Comedy and Society's Growing Pains | Nick Sun ~ ATTMind 190

    In this episode of Adventures Through the Mind, we interview Nick Sun, stand up comedian, former psychedelic facilitator, and now the author of "No Mo Trippin". We discuss Nick's personal experiences with psychedelics, including his high usage and how it led him to both become a facilitator and to stop facilitating; his criticisms of Western psychedelic culture; the concept of spiritual bypassing; and the challenges of integrating psychedelic experiences. We also touch on the potential of psychedelics for cultural change, the importance of responsible use and integration, and where comedy and humour fit into our navigation of the modern world and its many crises. Enjoy. ... For links to Nick Sun's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind190 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, & Joe A   Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening (01:07) Guest bio and introduction (04:20) Interview begins; a book of initiations (10:28) Self-critiquing our self-obsession and saviour complex in the West world (15:34) Neoteny, “adult” as a verb, and the Hero’s journey as an initiation for children (21:10) Self-initiation through psychedelic excess, the potential harms and opportunities (28:11) Spiritual bypassing through high dose psychedelic experiences (30:37) Are we disrespecting the plants when we take too much, too often? (33:00) Clarifying the harms of such an excessive use of psychedelics (36:42) The value of undergoing a rite of passage and getting a teacher before we begin our psychedelic explorations (42:18) Patreon Thanks (44:12) The risks of becoming a facilitator inspired by psychedelics plants alone (52:30) Differentiating between messages from the plant and psychedelically-inflated egoic projections (55:53) “Tread carefully, my friend”; advice to new psychedelic facilitators (01:00:31) The risks of becoming a facilitator with a degree but no psychedelic experience (01:04:12) Can we use psychedelic to heal culture, or will psychedelics be used as bandaide for a failed system? (01:14:47) Comedy for personal and social healing; comedy for dissociation and bypassing (01:21:58) The role of comedy to help us stay in our heart while commentating on society (01:28:57) The role of humour to help us stay in our heart and not fall into pessimism (01:31:52) Follow-up links (01:33:40) Outro

    1h 37m
  4. cPTSD, The Climate Crisis, and Healing Trauma with Coral Reefs and Ayahuasca | Greg Wrenn (189)

    JUN 27

    cPTSD, The Climate Crisis, and Healing Trauma with Coral Reefs and Ayahuasca | Greg Wrenn (189)

    We welcome Greg Wrenn to the show to share his experience of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) and how it was that his explorations of coral reefs and journeys with Ayahuasca turned the tide on his lifelong struggle with the condition. Additionally, as both his experience of and healing from cPTSD is intertwined with his journalism on climate science, we also explore how the ecological and psychological effects of the climate crisis weave into our personal and collective experiences and expressions of trauma. Enjoy ... For links to Wrenn's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind189 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A;   Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening; Guest Bio (3:28) Our favourite Star Trek TNG characters and why (8:05) An explanation of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) (16:01) How cPTSD manifested in Greg’s life (22:43) The struggles faced when trying to heal cPTSD (30:02) The intersection of personal trauma and the climate crisis (43:19) Patreon Thanks (44:45) The damage and healing in our relationship with Nature (51:33) Neoliberalism and the fallacy of “self-care” in the context of the climate crisis (55:13) Being tricked to feel personally guilty for the climate crisis (1:00:45) How to find our personal way to do deeply meaningful good (1:05:47) The role of being in the living world in our wellbeing and sense of purpose (1:11:32) Where grief fits into navigating trauma and the climate crisis (1:19:19) Healing cPTSD with ayahuasca through healing our attachment wounds (1:27:27) Healing with ayahuasca requires an opportunity to apply your healing after the ceremony (1:30:05) The role psychedelics are playing in supporting our collective response to the climate crisis (1:37:23) Why it is important to ask ourselves: “What is it like to appreciate an ecosystem that will collapse in our lifetimes? To be moved by beauty that we’re pushing toward extinction?” (1:42:32) Follow-up links and contact details

    1h 45m
  5. Treating Traumatic Brain Injury with Ibogaine | Dr. Nolan Williams ~ ATTMind 188

    JUN 1

    Treating Traumatic Brain Injury with Ibogaine | Dr. Nolan Williams ~ ATTMind 188

    Nolan Williams, MD joins to talk about brain injury, ibogaine, and the incredible results of his study (conducted at Ambio Life Sciences Center) on ibogaine for treatment of traumatic brain injury, "concussions" in particular. We also talk about ibogaine as an oneirogen; the cardiac risks of ibogaine; how ibogaine compares to other treatments methods for brain injury, including other psychedelics; microdosing ibogaine for traumatic brain injury; and that ibogaine can seemingly “de-age” the brain. Additionally, we talk about context vs pharmacology in the healing benefits of psychedelics; separating high-technology from time; and how and why using the vehicle of capitalism to fund psychedelic research may be a good thing. Enjoy ... For links to Dr. Williams' work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind188 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A;   Episode Breakdown (00:00:00) Opening (00:01:04) Dr. Williams' Bio (00:04:15) Patreon Thanks (00:05:51) Interview begins (00:07:56) An explanation of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their different severity—mild, moderate, severe (00:13:49) The impact of TBI on the person and society (00:16:33) Restoring brain function through psychedelics (00:20:03) TBI is an “invisible injury” that can express a huge range of symptoms (00:23:30) The substantial (but presently unknown) prevalence of TBI in society (00:28:05) The Western history of medical ibogaine (00:30:11) The pharmacological and psychological effects of ibogaine (00:31:50) Is ibogaine an oneirogen? (splitters vs lumpers) (00:34:10) Reducing stigma against Ibogaine by avoiding the term “psychedelic” (00:37:32) It’s difficult to get approval for ibogaine research due to mortality risks (00:39:03) The cardiac risks of ibogaine; how and why ibogaine can stop your heart—Torsades (00:43:13) What inspired Dr. Williams to investigate ibogaine (00:46:11) The details of the treating traumatic brain injury with ibogaine study (00:50:55) The details of the treating traumatic brain injury with ibogaine study (00:52:54) Why their study focused on Veterans (00:56:50) Concussions are “mild TBI”; ibogaine treatment study was with people who had mTBI (01:00:13) The incredible results of this study: a significant reversal of their disability status (01:03:27) Context vs pharmacology in the healing benefits of psychedelics (01:14:19) The ibogaine life review seems to happened regardless of context (01:17:26) How ibogaine compares to other TBI treatments methods (01:20:34) Ibogaine vs other psychedelics in the treatment of traumatic brain injury (01:22:11) Are ibogaine’s effects a “random” result of evolution? (01:24:57) What it is about ibogaine pharmacologically that makes it so effective for brain injury (01:26:11) The key metaphor of ibogaine (01:27:48) Ibogaine can “de-age” the brain (01:32:51) Separating high-technology from time (01:33:53) Using the vehicle of capitalism to fund psychedelic research is a good thing (?) (01:38:19) Mircodosing ibogaine for traumatic brain injury (01:43:01) What’s Next for Dr. Williams (01:44:16) Follow-up links and Socials for Dr. Williams

    1h 47m
  6. The Legal and Cultural Landscape of Psilocybin Mushrooms in Mexico | Mijal Schmidt

    MAY 3

    The Legal and Cultural Landscape of Psilocybin Mushrooms in Mexico | Mijal Schmidt

    In this episode of the podcast, we explore the present day legal and political conundrum psilocybin mushrooms are facing as they sit on the verge of a significant change in their criminal status; the historical impact of mushroom tourism on the indigenous cultures that work with psilocybin; how that history is impacting those cultures today; and how all of this is influencing the complex political situation mushrooms now sit in the middle of. Our guest is Mijal Schmidt. ... For links to Mijal's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind187 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A;   Episode Sponsor: MagicBag.Co MagicBag.co offers ready to inoculate bags for growing your favourite dung-loving mushrooms, helping to simplify the mushroom growing process. More Details at https://magicbag.co | Use code JESSO for 10% off your order!   Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening (1:44) Episode Sponsor: Magicbag.co (2:50) Patron Thanks (3:35) Guest Bio (4:44) Interview Begins (6:40) The present legal/political landscape of psilocybin mushrooms in Mexico (15:44) The involvement of indigenous peoples in the changing laws around mushrooms (24:39) The conflicts that mushroom tourism has created between indigenous people and its impact on changing legislation (37:39) What does it mean to be “poor” in a context of cultural richness (43:51) The Mushroom Velada (indigenous mushroom ceremony) (48:03) How the cultural context of mushroom use impacts what is offers the person taking them (51:44) The modern “shamanic” traditions using psilocybin mushrooms in Mexico and the impact of mushroom tourism on those traditions (58:53) The problems created by mushroom tourism in San Jose del Pacifico (1:04:32) The potential spiritual extractivism of psychedelic tourism (1:12:03) Doesn’t tourism—psychedelic and otherwise—offer economic benefits? (1:19:30) The hope and the fear of what will come of the psychedelic renaissance (1:30:28) The possibility of not knowing | asking ourselves what our healing is taking from others (1:33:41) The limitations of me-focused psychedelic healing learning to think relationally (1:37:47) Bringing play and joy back into life (and the conversation) (1:40:50) Learning to think relationally (1:43:55) What Mijal would like to see for the future of Psilocybin Mushrooms in Mexico (1:53:10) Outro

    1h 56m
4.8
out of 5
192 Ratings

About

Adventures Through The Mind is an interview-based podcast hosted by Canadian author and public educator, James W. Jesso. Although the show topics range---from spirituality, mental health, and emotional maturity; to love, relationships and sexuality; to history, philosophy, and neuroscience---there are two underlying themes that intersect them all: psychedelics & the mind. James W. Jesso is the author of Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom and The True Light Of Darkness, both about his experiences exploring the potentials of psychedelics.

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