Ketamine Insights

Molly Dunn & Lynn Schneider
  • 4.6 (34)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

We demystify mental health and psychedelic medicine. Our episodes give practical insights from experienced patients, helping everyone better understand depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, and psychedelic medicine. From the practical (like a guide to accessing therapeutic ketamine), to the profound (like spiritual awakenings brought on by psychedelics), we share patient-centered knowledge to help people and their families better understand the psychedelic landscape today.Co-hosts Molly Dunn and Lynn Schneider are old friends who usually live on opposite sides of the world. Molly, a disabled writer from Chicago with treatment resistant depression and other chronic illnesses, has been a ketamine patient for several years. Lynn, our resident genius empath, is a longtime friend, relative, and ally of people who struggle with mental health challenges. Together, we fight stigma, go on tangents, and crack each other up.We are not trained mental health experts. We provide context to help you do your own research. Hit us up at ketamineinsights@gmail.com and https://ketamineinsights.com/ and @ketamineinsights on Instagram. ~~If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please get help. In the US, dial 988. You are never all alone.~~Remember to advocate for yourself, and never ration your joy.

  1. 04/28/2025

    Psychedelics for Work, Psychedelics for Healing

    From Ayahuasca retreats for CEOs to ketamine coaches for corporate leaders, we explore the world of corporate psychedelic use.   In this episode, Lynn and Molly explore the differences between using psychedelics to optimize work performance and using them for healing. We share their worries about using psychedelics to reinforce existing capitalist hierarchies. We discuss how the intertwining of professional and spiritual realms can degrade our sense of self worth. Along the way, we question the idea of "taking your whole self to work," and the dangers of outsourcing your personal spiritual and ethical questions to an employer (or to any spiritually immature institution). Lynn shares stories and insights from her visit to the Shipibo people in Peru, where she learned about some traditional uses of Ayahuasca.  If you enjoy Ketamine Insights, please share it with a friend and rate and review it on your favorite podcast platform. That really helps! Support us and join our community at https://www.patreon.com/ketamineinsights or at https://mollydunn.substack.com/ Email us at ketamineinsights@gmail.com (We love to hear from you!) Our Instagram is @ketamineinsights You can also find all of our episodes on YouTube and on our website https://ketamineinsights.com/  In this episode we reference the NPR show It's Been A Minute. The episode is called "Why Tech Bros Worship Psychedelics and Think You Should Too"  If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please get help. In the US, you can dial 988. You are never all alone. 00:00 Introduction to Ketamine Insights 01:29 Exploring Ketamine for Work 02:48 The Blurring of Personal and Professional Realms 05:43 Ayahuasca and Professional Coaching 07:41 The Ethics and Psychedelic Use 10:23 Consequences of Commercialization for Indigenous Communities 15:53 Intentions and Psychedelic Use 25:55 Traditional Uses of Ayahuasca in Peru 35:30 Traditional and Western Healing Traditions 39:31 Work, Spirituality, and Human Worth 44:48 Concluding Thoughts and Credits Until next time, remember to advocate for yourself, and never ration your joy. Support the show

    46 min

  2. 01/06/2025

    We Were Never Able to Find the Right Thing: A Mother's Story

    Molly interviews Adena, the mother of a severely depressed young man. Trigger Warning: Suicide, Severe Depression Depression, like most serious illnesses, is best treated within a community of care including friends, therapists, artists, physicians and loved ones. Together Adena and I discuss what that community of care could look like, and the difficulties she faced finding support for herself and her son Jordan.  Adena emphasizes the importance of habit and routine for depressed young people, as well as finding community and discouraging isolation. She also recommends cultivating things that can bring meaning. Whether it's a class, a job or a pet, this can do a lot to combat hopelessness. I hope this discussion will help to validate the struggles of friends, family members, and especially the caretakers of mentally ill people like me. Take a moment to listen to the music of Adena's son Jordan Brooks. It can be found at jordanbrooksmusic.com, and on all the streaming services. If you enjoy Ketamine Insights, please share it with a friend and rate and review it on your favorite podcast platform. That really helps! Further Reading: Body Dysmorphic Disorder can be found here and here Dialectical Behavior Therapy can be found here and here An article on the costs of Special Education is here Support us and join our community at https://www.patreon.com/ketamineinsights or at https://mollydunn.substack.com/  Email us at ketamineinsights@gmail.com (We love to hear from you!) Our Instagram is @ketamineinsights You can also find all of our episodes on YouTube and on our website https://ketamineinsights.com/  If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please get help. In the US, you can dial 988. You are never all alone. Remember to advocate for yourself, and never ration your joy. Support the show

    46 min

  3. 08/13/2024

    "Like a Revolution in My Entire Psyche": Rob's Path to Mental Health

    Dive into an inspiring conversation with Rob as he describes his transformative experience with ketamine therapy, the cognitive improvements it can offer, and how it restores brain health. We discuss Rob's comprehensive online resource, KetamineTherapyForMentalHealth.com, which provides guidance and support for those seeking ketamine treatment.  This episode is packed with personal anecdotes, expert advice, and practical tips for anyone curious about psychedelic medicine and mental health. If you enjoy Ketamine Insights, please share it with a friend and rate and review it on your favorite podcast platform. That really helps! Support us and join our community at https://www.patreon.com/ketamineinsights or at https://mollydunn.substack.com/  Email us at ketamineinsights@gmail.com (we love to hear from you!) Our Instagram is @ketamineinsights You can also find all of our episodes on YouTube and our website https://ketamineinsights.com/  In this episode we reference: https://ketaminetherapyformentalhealth.com/  If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please get help. In the US, you can dial 988. You are never all alone. Remember to advocate for yourself, and never ration your joy. Support the show

    1h 7m

  4. 08/05/2024

    Disclosure is the Antidote to Shame: Ketamine, Community, and Asking for Help

    Lynn and Molly explore the challenges and importance of asking for help with ketamine treatments. They discuss the role of shame in mental illness, the benefits of community support, and practical steps for seeking assistance. With personal stories and specific tips, this episode sheds light on the emotional and logistical aspects of getting the help we need. Please subscribe, follow, rate, and review us on your preferred podcast platform. Engagement makes the algorithm overlords smile upon Ketamine Insights, which helps us reach more people. Join our community and support our show at patreon.com/ketamineinsights or mollydunn.substack.com Email us at ketamineinsights@gmail.com. We love to hear from you! Our Instagram is @ketamineinsights  Find all our episodes on our YouTube channel! Our website ketamineinsights.com If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please get help. You are never all alone. In the US, you can dial 988. Chapters 00:00 Theme Song and Introduction 01:52 Seeking Community Support to Fund Ketamine Care 04:02 A Cousin's Lasting Impact 05:58 Disclosure as an Antidote to Shame 09:28 Self Reliance as a Trauma Response 10:13 A Community Chips In 13:25 Specific, Amorphous, and Long Term Help 15:21 Ways to Help with Ketamine Care 15:57 Rollerskating in Airports 17:40 The Cost of Ketamine Care in US and Australia 19:50 Sharing What You're Going Through, But Like REALLY 22:39 The Value of a Story 28:40 Setting Expectations When Seeking Support 33:37 We All Know Someone Who Won't Ask for What They Need 35:45 Final Thoughts and Farewell Support the show

    37 min

  5. 07/26/2024

    Finding Ketamine Care: A Guide

    Explore various ways to access ketamine care in the US. Hosted by a long-term ketamine patient, this episode covers the gold standard (talk therapy and ketamine treatment combined in one practice), the services offered by ketamine clinics, and the evolving option of at-home ketamine administration. Learn about the costs, benefits, and potential pitfalls of each approach, and gain valuable insights to help you navigate your mental health journey. For more resources, including a written version of this episode, visit our Patreon and Substack pages. While you're there, take a moment to contribute if you can. ketaminetherapyformentalhealth.com is a wonderful resource for patients and prospective patients. Articles we mention in this episode https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/20/us/ketamine-telemedicine.html https://psychedelic.support/resources/coming-to-terms-ketamines-addictive-potential Our music is by Solid State Symphony. Email us at ketamineinsights@gmail.com. We love to hear from you! Our Instagram is @ketamineinsights You can also find all of our episodes on YouTube Join our community on Substack or Patreon If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please get help. In the US, you can dial 988. You are never all alone. Support the show

    13 min

  6. 06/18/2024

    MDMA and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Fight for Psychedelic Therapy

    We hear a powerful story about the power of MDMA to help heal PTSD. An FDA advisory committee recently voted against approval of MDMA as a treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), despite extremely promising results from clinical trials. So, in this episode, Molly speaks with Cristina Pearse, founder and CEO of the Protea Foundation, who received MDMA treatment as part of the recent trials. Cristina describes the impact of her childhood trauma as a powerful tsunami. With the help of MDMA-assisted therapy, she says, it became just a puddle at her feet.  Together, we discuss the potential of this medicine, the FDA study design, the recent vote, and the role of advocacy in securing access to this life saving medicine. If you enjoy Ketamine Insights, please share it with a friend and rate or review it on your favorite podcast platform. Online engagement  (ie. ratings and reviews) helps us reach a larger audience. A New York Times article about the FDA vote on MDMA, which took place on June 4, 2024: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/04/health/fda-mdma-therapy-ptsd.html You can read (MDMA applicant) Lykos' response to the vote here: https://news.lykospbc.com/2024-06-13-Lykos-Therapeutics-Statement-on-FDA-Advisory-Committee-Meeting Support us and join our community at https://www.patreon.com/ketamineinsights or at https://mollydunn.substack.com/  Email us at ketamineinsights@gmail.com (we love to hear from you!) You can also find all of our episodes on YouTube and our website https://ketamineinsights.com/  If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please get help. In the US, you can dial 988. You are never all alone. As always: Remember to advocate for yourself, and never ration your joy. Support the show

    51 min

  7. 06/11/2024

    Listening to Your Body, Your Psyche, and Ketamine: Somatic Experiencing and Internal Family Systems

    Lynn and Molly discuss Somatic Therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS), two therapeutic modalities often used alongside ketamine treatments. Molly shares a story of Somatic Experiencing, describing how different body sensations revealed helpful emotional insights. We discuss the interweaving relationships between trauma, the body, talk therapy, and therapeutic ketamine. The conversation then shifts to Internal Family Systems, exploring how listening to our different internal "parts" can bring healing. We emphasize that, within IFS, every part of you gets a seat at the table, gets to be heard and understood. We discuss the IFS concept of an internal "Self," a permanent and unbreakable internal place of connectedness from which we can facilitate our own healing. Throughout, we highlight how ketamine can work alongside these modalities. Lorna Skuraton, LMT is the brilliant massage therapist, holder of space, and healer that Molly mentions at the top of the episode. If you're in Chicago, check out her company Venous Return for wonderful massages and powerful Somatic Experiencing sessions. If you enjoy Ketamine Insights, please share it with a friend and rate and review it on your favorite podcast platform. Online engagement  (ie. ratings and reviews) helps us reach a larger audience. Support us and join our community at https://www.patreon.com/ketamineinsights or at https://mollydunn.substack.com/ Email us at ketamineinsights@gmail.com (we love to hear from you!) You can also find all of our episodes on YouTube and our website https://ketamineinsights.com/  If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please get help. In the US, you can dial 988. You are never all alone. Remember to advocate for yourself and never ration your joy Support the show

    48 min

  8. 05/31/2024

    Psychedelic Medicine & Childbirth: A Midwife Shares Wisdom on Patient Centered Care

    Host Molly welcomes midwife and activist Betsy Merbitz to discuss the importance of patient-centered care in childbirth and in psychedelic therapies. Our conversation delves into the distinctions between holistic and medical models, focusing on the role of the individual as the primary healer. Betsy describes her work as a Certified Professional Midwife, the importance of holding space, and the historical context of the medicalization of birth. We explore the role of profit-seeking in the creation of our current healthcare systems while bemoaning the lack of accountability built into those systems.  We note that both psychedelics and childbirth have long histories of traditional and community-based care providers, and we discuss the dangers of excluding them in favor of for-profit models. The episode concludes with insights on how to center patient voices in the emerging field of psychedelic medicine, drawing parallels to the birth community. In this episode we reference Dr. Neel Shah. Here are two articles about his work. These articles unfortunately do not use gender inclusive language. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/hospital-management-practices-cesareans/ https://www.consumerreports.org/c-section/biggest-c-section-risk-may-be-your-hospital  We also reference Ayize Jama-Everett, one of the creators of the documentary A Table of Our Own.  The interview I reference is from an episode of the Psychedelics Today podcast, which can be found here. If you enjoy Ketamine Insights, please share it with a friend and rate and review it on your favorite podcast platform. Online engagement (such as ratings and reviews) helps us reach a larger audience. Support us and join our community at https://www.patreon.com/ketamineinsights or at https://mollydunn.substack.com/  Email us at ketamineinsights@gmail.com (we love to hear from you!) You can also find all of our episodes on YouTube and our website ketamineinsights.com    If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please get help. In the US, you can dial 988. You are never all alone. Support the show

    1h 2m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

We demystify mental health and psychedelic medicine. Our episodes give practical insights from experienced patients, helping everyone better understand depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, and psychedelic medicine. From the practical (like a guide to accessing therapeutic ketamine), to the profound (like spiritual awakenings brought on by psychedelics), we share patient-centered knowledge to help people and their families better understand the psychedelic landscape today.Co-hosts Molly Dunn and Lynn Schneider are old friends who usually live on opposite sides of the world. Molly, a disabled writer from Chicago with treatment resistant depression and other chronic illnesses, has been a ketamine patient for several years. Lynn, our resident genius empath, is a longtime friend, relative, and ally of people who struggle with mental health challenges. Together, we fight stigma, go on tangents, and crack each other up.We are not trained mental health experts. We provide context to help you do your own research. Hit us up at ketamineinsights@gmail.com and https://ketamineinsights.com/ and @ketamineinsights on Instagram. ~~If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please get help. In the US, dial 988. You are never all alone.~~Remember to advocate for yourself, and never ration your joy.

Information

  • Creator
    Molly Dunn & Lynn Schneider
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Ketamine Insights
  • Show Website
    Ketamine Insights