My Psychedelic Roots

Amy Bartlett
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My Psychedelic Roots shares stories from people from a broad swath of lived experience to explore their psychedelic beginnings, or roots: what motivated them to start using psychedelics, what those early experiences were like, and how those roots have impacted their understanding of themselves and the world around them. My goal in these conversations is to give voice to the unique, transpersonal and human side of psychedelics and non-ordinary states of consciousness--- allowing guests to talk about their personal stories, not just their professional ones. I hope that listeners of the podcast will have an opportunity to gain insight into the lived reality of psychedelic experiencing (both the shadow and the light), hear about how people found their way into the psychedelic space, and to have an opportunity to get curious about the resonance, contrasts and connections between the podcast guests experience and their own psychedelic roots.

  1. APR 3

    Ep27: Bradford Martins on his feral childhood, and reconnecting with his sense of community and home

    Bradford Martins, MD, PhD is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist based at a psychiatric clinic in New Haven, Connecticut where he supports folks navigating substance use disorders, including through implementing community-based models for the prevention and treatment. Dr. Martins is also an Assistant Professor Adjunct at Yale University conducting research in both the Bassir Nia Lab to study the therapeutic potential of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) for alcohol use disorder, and the ENACT Lab to study the therapeutic effect of psilocybin on OCD, while also working towards greater equity and accessibility in the psychedelic space. We hear about the origins of that community and equity focus in Brad’s psychedelics roots, exploring his experience growing up as a self-proclaimed 'feral child' in the woods of Arkansas, later leading him to his first psychedelic experience where he deeply reconnected to the land he grew up on while in community with friends and fellow ‘Children of the Forest’. Shownotes For anyone in the US looking for SUD or Mental Health treatment: Home - FindTreatment.govA link to the DMT study for alcohol use disorder: Study Details | NCT06070649 | The Potential Therapeutic Effects of Psychedelic, N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), on Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) | ClinicalTrials.govBrad’s favourite quote from ‘Helplessness Blues’ by Fleet Foxes: https://youtu.be/7HHgedNNQco?si=x8SPUWQZBX8Fco90 -- “If I know only one thing, it’s that everything that I see of the world outside is so inconceivable, often I barely can speak”Erowid, a non-profit educational & harm-reduction resource with 60 thousand pages of online information about psychedelics and associated topics: https://www.erowid.org/ Music credit: Music by Mass X Audio from Pixabay #psychedelics #podcast #tripreport

    39 min

  2. MAR 19

    Ep26: John Gilchrist on connection and community in childhood, a complex first experience, and supporting end-of-life advocates

    John Gilchrist is Director of Communications at TheraPsil, a Canadian not-for-profit working for psychedelic access for folks at end of life and other issues about accessibility, regulation and choice in the psychedelic space. In our conversation, we talk about his own personal psychedelic roots: his connection to community, family and lived experience, and a first experience that contained both the light and the shadow of psychedelic trips in a lot of ways. This conversation with John is being published as part of the Podcasthon movement, an annual global initiative that encourages podcasts to dedicate one episode of their show to a charity of their choice, and to release these episodes in a coordinated effort in mid-March to shine a light on some of the good work being done in communities around the world. And so, beyond John's personal psychedelic roots, we also talk a bit about the work of Therapsil, and he shares about some of the end-of-life patients who have been supported by Therapsil, and some of the ways he has been personally touched by his role working there. Shownotes Therapsil’s website: https://therapsil.ca/To donate to their work: https://therapsil.ca/donate/For volunteering inquiries: https://therapsil.ca/volunteer/To sign up to their newsletter: https://therapsil.ca/newsletter/You tube channel, to watch videos John mentioned of Thomas Hartle and Janis Hughes, two patients supported by Therapsil: https://www.youtube.com/@TheraPsil/featuredLearn more about the Podcasthon movement: https://podcasthon.org/ Music credit: Music by Mass X Audio from Pixabay

    41 min

  3. MAR 6

    Ep25: Karen Pascal on experiencing a ‘life quake’, finding relief with ketamine therapy, and rediscovering connection with the natural world

    Trigger Warning: discussions of suicidality Karen Pascal was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, and spent much of her childhood outdoors, birdwatching and camping with her family—feeling playful, carefree, and deeply connected to the natural world. This was an anchoring Karen lost touch with as life unfolded, and as she grew older, she struggled with anxiety and depression. After exploring many different therapeutic approaches without lasting relief, it wasn’t until her marriage unexpectedly ended and she experienced what she calls her “life quake” that psychedelics entered her life and she began ketamine-assisted therapy. We talk about what the clinical experience was like for her, the benefits she received, and how that led her to deepen her work with an experienced facilitator. We also talk about her deep reconnection with nature and how she has worked to resource herself with the community and experiences that have helped to ground in her body and the world around her. A reminder that this episode contains mentions of suicidality. This warning is meant to empower you with the knowledge you need to make healthy decisions about how and if you should consume this podcast content. We invite you to practice self-care and do what feels right for you. And if you need support, please connect with someone who can help: family and friends, professionals, or a crisis line. There are both Canadian and international recommendations in the show notes below. You are not alone-- not in your pain, nor in your healing. Shownotes Karen's email if listeners would like to reach out about her forest walks: GroundedEarthTherapy@gmail.comKaren's birding account on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birds_unshuttered/ Below are some Canadian and international mental health resources to access if you are in distress or need support: Crisis Services Canada: https://988.ca/Befrienders Worldwide (crisis lines serving 32 countries): https://befrienders.org/International Directory of Mental Health Helplines: https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htmThe Fireside Project (US-only psychedelic-specific support): https://firesideproject.org/Psychology Today (to find a therapist in North America): https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists Music credit: Music by Mass X Audio from Pixabay #psychedelics #podcast #tripreport

    35 min

  4. FEB 23

    EP24: Erika Dyck on her grounded childhood, and connecting with the past as a meaningful experience of the present

    Erika Dyck is a professor in the Department of History at the University of Saskatchewan. Her work focuses on 20th century medical history, including the history of psychedelics, psychiatry, eugenics and population control. Erika grew up not far from the Weyburn, Saskatchewan, the birthplace of the word ‘psychedelic’, and where a lot of psychedelic research was happening in Canada in the early days. And yet, Erika’s roots were very much outside of that world. In our conversation, we wend our way through her relatively secular upbringing, her desire to leave rural Saskatchewan and experience the world, and we talk about some of her early exposures that led her to become interested in the field of psychedelic studies. We also dive into one of her more recent and deeply meaningful psychedelic experiences which she had in communion with others and with the natural world-- allowing her to connect not just to the geography but also the history and communities that continue to shape both her research and her own lived experience. Shownotes A link to learn more about Erika's books on the history of psychedelics: https://research-groups.usask.ca/history-medicine//publications.phpOr check out her most recent publication "Psychedelics: A Visual Odyssey": https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547666/psychedelics/ Hear more about Erika's work by watching her TEDx talk "Just Say Know" about psychedelic drug history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc7Blc1w1ho Music credit: Music by Mass X Audio from Pixabay #psychedelics #podcast #tripreport

    52 min

  5. FEB 4

    Ep23: Anthony di Virgilio on fear and bravery, discovering the sacred and honoring wisdom

    Anthony di Virgilio is a father, a registered psychotherapist and a student of sacred plant teachers. He is deeply interested in the connection between mental and emotional health, relational dynamics, and spirituality - and he integrates these perspectives into his therapeutic work, and we hear in our conversation together, he also integrates these into his own work with psychedelic medicines. Anthony also studies vitalist herbalism, Indigenous healing modalities, and principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and is a Fire Keeper and Song Carrier for Anishinaabe Elder Douglas Cardinal, and a humble student of North and South American Indigenous teachings and ceremonies. In our conversation together, Anthony and I talk about the fear, confusion and isolation he experienced as a child— and the bravery he worked to cultivate as he tried to make sense of a world that felt very unsafe in both the physical and spiritual realms. We talk about some of his first experiences with cannabis before eventually making his way towards his first psychedelic experience with ayahuasca 14 years ago--- a foundational relationship that continues to shape his life and practice today. Shownotes Holistic Psychotherapy, Anthony’s therapy practice website with his wife and associates: https://www.holisticpsychotherapy.ca/ Music credit: Music by Mass X Audio from Pixabay #psychedelics #podcast #tripreport

    41 min

  6. JAN 21

    Ep22: Robert Décarie on his gregarious childhood, a dark night of the soul, and explorations with set and setting to find safety and love

    Trigger Warning: discussions of suicidality Robert Décarie is a local certified Holotropic Breathwork facilitator, a former counselor and wildlife management specialist, and a delightful human being. As we explore in our conversation together, after having a gregarious but dissociated childhood in Montreal and experiencing a dark night of the soul in his early twenties, he pivoted to study environmental sciences (M.Sc.) and had a 25-year career in wildlife management. In the mid-2000s, he readjusted the course of his life to deepen its meaning and chose to study to become a counselor, and in 2008, he started practicing Holotropic Breathwork, eventually completing his training to become a certified facilitator which he has been offering to the Ottawa community since 2015. In our conversation together, we walk through several decades of psychedelic roots, from visiting Mexico in the 1970s, to experimenting with ayahuasca in a couple of different settings, to finally experiencing what he considers to be his first true psychedelic experience in a well-supported set and setting that allowed him to connect deeply with himself and to love. It was a pleasure to wend our way through Robert’s psychedelic roots, or what he calls his holotropic life! A reminder that this episode contains mentions of suicidality. This warning is meant to empower you with the knowledge you need to make healthy decisions about how and if you should consume this podcast content. We invite you to practice self-care and do what feels right for you. And if you need support, please connect with someone who can help: family and friends, professionals, or a crisis line. There are both Canadian and international recommendations in the show notes below. You are not alone-- not in your pain, nor in your healing. Shownotes Robert’s holotropic breathwork website: https://ottawaholotropic.ca/en/Favourite song from Sgt. Pepper album: A Day in the Life, but the entire album surging from nowhere, colorful, creative, joyful, and alive.First Carlos Castenada book read: A Separate RealityCurrent precious inner exploring and integration tool, Focusing (Eugene T. Gendlin, 1982, Bantam Books) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtYGnwwGzdA Below are some Canadian and international mental health resources to access if you are in distress or need support: Crisis Services Canada: https://988.ca/Befrienders Worldwide (crisis lines serving 32 countries): https://befrienders.org/International Directory of Mental Health Helplines: https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htmThe Fireside Project (US-only psychedelic-specific support): https://firesideproject.org/Psychology Today (to find a therapist in North America): https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists Music credit: Music by Mass X Audio from Pixabay #psychedelics #podcast #tripreport

    46 min

  7. JAN 1

    Ep21: Paul Grof on experiencing the beginnings of Western psychedelic research, and bridging the material and spiritual

    Trigger Warning: discussions of suicidal thoughts Dr. Paul Grof is a Canadian research psychiatrist and clinician who has been involved in psychedelic and transpersonal work for over six decades. He was a professor at several Canadian and European universities until recently retiring from the University of Toronto in 2022, and served as an Expert at the World Health Organization from 1985 to 2000, where he chaired the Committee on Psychotropic Substances. It was a pleasure to get to sit down with Paul to explore his roots: from growing up in the Czech Republic, to being part of the initial wave of people in Western society experimenting with LSD in research labs. In our conversation together, he takes us back to the 1950s and 60s and generously shares some of his experiences during those early days of Western psychedelic research--- and perhaps most importantly, about how he was so personally and professionally impacted by this unfolding. Shownotes Presentation on Paul's recently published paper "Consciousness: local and non-local" on Youtube: https://youtu.be/NKt36A0bKV8?si=dY8tqcDR2E6QC9gN _______ A reminder that this episode contains mentions of suicidal thoughts. This warning is meant to empower you with the knowledge you need to make healthy decisions about how and if you should consume this podcast content. We invite you to practice self-care and do what feels right for you. And if you need support, please connect with someone who can help: family and friends, professionals, or a crisis line. There are both Canadian and international recommendations in the show notes below. You are not alone-- not in your pain, nor in your healing. Below are some Canadian and international mental health resources to access if you are in distress or need support: Crisis Services Canada: https://988.ca/Befrienders Worldwide (crisis lines serving 32 countries): https://befrienders.org/International Directory of Mental Health Helplines: https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htmThe Fireside Project (US-only psychedelic-specific support): https://firesideproject.org/Psychology Today (to find a therapist in North America): https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists Music credit: Music by Mass X Audio from Pixabay #psychedelics #podcast #tripreport

    52 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    Ep20: Ruth Webster on confusion and isolation in childhood, finding intuition and connection

    Ruth Webster is a retired library scientist, a fellow New Brunswicker, and someone with a lifelong curiosity about connection with self and the world around them. After a complex childhood growing up in the 1950s and 60s and first encountering psychedelics as a teenager and saying ‘no’, her curiosity about psychedelics was not piqued again until 2015 when she started a Holotropic Breathwork training course. Through a number of curious coincidences, she found her way to her first psychedelic experience with Iboga at a retreat centre in Mexico a year later. Ruth shares about her first experience, and how it has shaped her relationship with the substances, and with herself. For the listener, Ruth is someone who also navigates some physical limitations, so please feel welcome to enjoy finding your audio groove as you listen in to our conversation. Shownotes Holotropic Breathwork training Ruth mentioned taking: https://www.holotropic.com/ As well as the Grof Legacy Training: https://grofpsychedelictrainingacademy.ca/breathwork/ Music credit: Music by Mass X Audio from Pixabay #psychedelics #podcast #tripreport

    35 min
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About

My Psychedelic Roots shares stories from people from a broad swath of lived experience to explore their psychedelic beginnings, or roots: what motivated them to start using psychedelics, what those early experiences were like, and how those roots have impacted their understanding of themselves and the world around them. My goal in these conversations is to give voice to the unique, transpersonal and human side of psychedelics and non-ordinary states of consciousness--- allowing guests to talk about their personal stories, not just their professional ones. I hope that listeners of the podcast will have an opportunity to gain insight into the lived reality of psychedelic experiencing (both the shadow and the light), hear about how people found their way into the psychedelic space, and to have an opportunity to get curious about the resonance, contrasts and connections between the podcast guests experience and their own psychedelic roots.

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