Psychedelics Today

Psychedelics Today
  • 4.6 (534)
  • LIFE SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Psychedelics Today

Psychedelics Today is the planetary leader in psychedelic education, media, and advocacy. Covering up-to-the-minute developments and diving deep into crucial topics bridging the scientific, academic, philosophical, societal, and cultural, Psychedelics Today is leading the discussion in this rapidly evolving ecosystem.

  1. PT575 – The Mystical Roots of Psychedelics: Exploring Dreams and the Liminal State, with Shauheen Etminan, Ph.D.

    19 HR. AGO

    PT575 – The Mystical Roots of Psychedelics: Exploring Dreams and the Liminal State, with Shauheen Etminan, Ph.D.

    In this episode, Joe interviews Shauheen Etminan, Ph.D.: co-founder of VCENNA, a drug discovery and development company, and Magi Ancestral Supplements, which sells nootropics inspired by ancient Eastern traditions. He discusses his journey into the world of plant extraction, how he first discovered compounds like Haoma and Harmaline, and why he decided to bring Iranian tradition to the psychedelic renaissance. He explores the similarities between psychedelics and experiences found in mystical traditions, and how that historical context can inform modern psychedelic practice. He sees this exemplified most with dream recollection, attending to the emotions found within dreams, and the concept of wakeful dreaming, where one can access unconscious insights consciously, through the liminal (or hypnagogic) state between dreaming and wakefulness.  He discusses: Zoroastrianism and how the teachings of Zarathustra on understanding morality have inspired hi Syrian Rue in Iranian culture, and how it compares to the Banisteriopsis Caapi vine: Is it actually stronger than ayahuasca Henry Corbin’s practice of embodied imagination and Jung’s concept of active imaginatio Other less-discussed compounds he’s interested in, like Ephedra and Saffron and more! For links, head to the show notes page.

    1h 4m
  2. PT574 – Transpersonal Connections, The Body's Memory, and the Collaborative Nature of Consciousness, with Paul Grof

    3 DAYS AGO

    PT574 – Transpersonal Connections, The Body's Memory, and the Collaborative Nature of Consciousness, with Paul Grof

    In this episode, Joe interviews Paul Grof: research psychiatrist, clinician, author, brother of Stanislav, professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and director of the Ottawa Mood Disorders Center. He talks about his extensive career in psychiatry, and how trying to understand the cause of mood disorders led him to focusing on the very nature of consciousness. He believes that consciousness is a collaborative creation between the brain, body, and external fields, and that the key to connecting with the mechanistic side of academia is through talking about the unexplainable – near death experiences, pre-cognition, remote viewing – and of course, them having positive non-ordinary experiences through psychedelics or other means. He talks about how much we’re connected, how much our bodies remember, and how much society could change for the better if enough people experience the transpersonal. He also discusses: His thoughts on legal frameworks, education, integration, and whether or not psychedelics will get stuck in psychiatry The importance of new study designs in research, as double blinding doesn’t make sense for psychedelics Concerns over spiritual emergence and emergencies: How much is the responsibility of the therapist or facilitator? The global rise in depression and addiction, especially in the younger generation, and the need for techniques for people to help themselves The work he’s doing with remote healing circles, using strong intention, positive emotions, and visualized healing and more! For links, head to the show notes page.

    1h 25m
  3. PT573 – The War on Drugs: The DEA’s Attempt to Schedule DOI & DOC and the Fight for Sensible Policy, with Kat Murti

    DEC 13

    PT573 – The War on Drugs: The DEA’s Attempt to Schedule DOI & DOC and the Fight for Sensible Policy, with Kat Murti

    In this episode, Joe interviews Kat Murti: executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), the largest nationwide network of students fighting to replace the War on Drugs with policies rooted in evidence, compassion, and human rights. She talks about how she became interested in drug policy, which not surprisingly aligns with the many problems of The War on Drugs: how it’s a war on people, personal liberty, and our communities; how laws are not effective in enforcing morality; and how getting in trouble with the law often incentivizes more illegal activity. We all know that our current system doesn’t work and that the drug war no longer appeals to most reasonable people, but how can we move towards sensible policy? She discusses previous successes (both at SSDP and before), and some of their current projects, from the work they’re doing with fentanyl strip training and distribution, to education work at festivals and their program, “Just Say Know.” She talks about: How drug policy isn’t going to look the same everywhere and shouldn’t: How do we effectively use different models in different places together for the benefit of everyone? The dangers of forcing drug users through drug courts and treatment centers The repealing of Oregon’s Measure 110 and how it’s unfair to blame its failure on problems that already existed in the state Their new focus on how the War on Drugs specifically affects women and reproductive rights, inspired by Louisiana recently scheduling Mifepristone and Misoprostol and much more. The SSDP’s biggest battle now is fighting the DEA’s attempted scheduling of DOI and DOC, two compounds that have been used in research for decades and pose no real threat to safety – which would drastically derail a ton of research. They just completed a 10-day hearing with the DEA. Watch Joe and Hamilton Morris’ breakdown here, and stay tuned to SSDP and PT for updates.  For links, head to the show notes page.

    1h 9m
  4. PT572 – The Potential of Buprenorphine, the Risks of Ketamine, and How Psychedelics Could Prevent Nuclear War, with Howard Kornfeld, MD

    DEC 10

    PT572 – The Potential of Buprenorphine, the Risks of Ketamine, and How Psychedelics Could Prevent Nuclear War, with Howard Kornfeld, MD

    In this episode, Joe interviews Howard Kornfeld, MD: renowned pain medicine expert, addiction specialist, early pioneer in psychedelic medicine, and currently the director of recovery medicine at Recovery Without Walls. As a leader in the utilization of buprenorphine, he talks about how it came about as a treatment for addiction and chronic pain, its similarities to MDMA, and how its fast-tracked FDA approval could give us clues on how to get MDMA approved. He also dives into the history of ketamine, its unique effects compared to other substances, its potential for abuse, and what can happen with overuse. And he talks a lot about the connection he sees between psychedelics and the prevention of nuclear war, inspired by Sasha Shulgin’s opinion that nothing changes minds faster than psychedelics. He points out that when there is darkness, there is light: Albert Hofmann’s famed bicycle trip on acid happened 3 months after the nuclear chain reaction was invented. Can the growing use of psychedelics inspire the kind of change we need to save the world? He also discusses: The need for new study designs as we come to terms with the fact that double-blind studies don’t really work with psychedelics Criticisms of the FDA’s denial of MDMA: Was the process unfair? His predictions that advocates will begin pushing to decriminalize MDMA at the state level The books, Tripping on Utopia and Drugged How he played a part in prisons ending the practice of killing prisoners with cyanide gas and more!  For links, head to the show notes page.

    1h 18m
  5. PT571 – Regulation, Decriminalization, and Religious Freedom: Prop 122’s Challenges and Opportunities, with Veronica Lightning Horse Perez & Sean McAllister

    DEC 6

    PT571 – Regulation, Decriminalization, and Religious Freedom: Prop 122’s Challenges and Opportunities, with Veronica Lightning Horse Perez & Sean McAllister

    In this episode, Joe interviews Veronica Lightning Horse Perez: therapist, speaker, author, activist, and co-chief proponent for the Natural Medicine Health Act of 2022 (Prop 122); and Sean McAllister: attorney specializing in the regulatory, health care, business, and religious freedom aspects of psychedelic medicines, and one of the drafters of Prop 122. This episode was recorded live at the Plant Medicine Cafe in Denver, CO – which served as an unofficial Prop 122 headquarters – and cohosted by Meaghan Len, co-founder of the U.S.’ first ayahuasca church, Sanctuary of the Sovereign Heart. They dive into the details of Prop 122 and discuss why it’s the most freeing legislation we’ve seen, but also very complicated in the clash between an expensive regulated side and a risky and ambiguous decrim side. While the implementation process continues, they’ve learned that there is still a huge need for public education, and that one of the most important tasks now is to be hyper aware of how legislators will try to change what people already agreed on. They discuss: The Federal vs. state legality issues we still see even after such sweeping legislation The huge gap in understanding why Indigenous communities are upset and why they need to be included in all discussions The Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the complications of religion when many of us simply feel spiritual The natural vs. synthetic fallacy and the future of churches offering a synthetic sacrament The ontological shock many have after a big experience and why churches and community are needed to help guide people and more!  For links, head to the show notes page.

    1h 9m
  6. PT570 – How Family Healing Shapes Veteran Recovery, with Jesse Gould & Allison Wilson

    DEC 3

    PT570 – How Family Healing Shapes Veteran Recovery, with Jesse Gould & Allison Wilson

    In this episode, Joe interviews two members of the Heroic Hearts Project: Founder and President, Jesse Gould; and Director of Development and Head of Family Relations, Allison Wilson. Gould gives a background of Heroic Hearts Project and discusses their current projects and future goals, and Wilson talks about her nonprofit, The Hope Project, and its recent merger with HHP to bring more of a focus to the other side of veteran healing: the families of veterans. While Heroic Hearts and other veteran-aligned organizations have been an answer to many vets unable to find help otherwise (and frustrated with the inconsistencies of the VA), they talk a lot about that missing piece – how crucial it is to have family involved in a veteran’s reintegration, and how that healing can impact future generations. "The Veteran’s Guide to Psychedelics: A Preparation and Integration Workbook" was recently released, with all proceeds going to HHP, and they are hosting their first Gala event, "Operation: Freedom To Heal," this week, December 5, in Los Angeles. The goal of the event is to fundraise, gather community, and recognize the supporters who have gotten Heroic Hearts to where it is today, and will feature live and silent auctions and a performance by Melissa Etheridge. Email Allison@heroicheartsproject.org if you’d like to attend. For links, head to the show notes page.

    46 min
  7. PT569 – Is Cannabis a Psychedelic? Exploring the Science of Indoles, Interprening, and Intention, with Max Montrose

    NOV 29

    PT569 – Is Cannabis a Psychedelic? Exploring the Science of Indoles, Interprening, and Intention, with Max Montrose

    In this episode, Victoria interviews Max Montrose: Founder of the Trichome Institute, a company offering online courses and certifications on cannabis. Montrose explores the scientific and sensory aspects of cannabis, diving into the role of the aromatic compound, indole, and how the fresher and more aromatic (usually pungent) the flower is, the higher chance for having a more psychedelic experience. He dives into ways to maximize the psychedelic nature of cannabis, largely through “interprening,” which is his method for learning about a plant’s effects from smelling buds, measuring your sense of sensation and where you feel the smell is hitting you. And he talks a lot about intention and how the power of a cannabis experience can be determined by the reverence you have for the plant and the intention you put behind each inhale: It is a “total reflection of how much you care.” He also discusses: The range of cannabis effects: how it can be just weed – something mindlessly smoked all day with a slight numbing effect – or an incredibly powerful, life-changing experience The importance of skillset being added to the concept of set and setting: the skills you have (and can practice) for helping you create your own setting to get through a tough time Issues with the legal cannabis industry about accuracy of strains, shelf life, and the ability to smell the product The lack of money in cannabis research: Why is no one funding research into indole chemistry? Why indica and sativa are not accurate terms, and how aroma is more of a factor than we realize and more!  For links, head to the show notes page.

    1h 30m
  8. PT568 – The 3-Axis Framework: A New Model for Psychedelic Work, with Pierre Bouchard, LPC, LM

    NOV 26

    PT568 – The 3-Axis Framework: A New Model for Psychedelic Work, with Pierre Bouchard, LPC, LM

    In this episode, Kyle interviews Pierre Bouchard, LPC, LM: therapist, minister, and former professional vinyl DJ specializing in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and ministry.  Bouchard introduces his 3-axis framework for psychedelic integration, which looks at the personal, the transpersonal, and, with time, seeing how the lessons learned from non-ordinary experiences and personal work are expressing to the world: How can we use what we've learned to show up better? How can we use our gifts to be of service to others? What is stopping us? He also talks about the importance of building a foundation for holding the experience of a psychedelic journey - that you have to first build an ego to later dissolve it - but recognizes the tricky balance of not strengthening an ego so much that it gets in the way.  He discusses: The broad scope of what someone can mean when they say "psychedelic healing" The importance of keeping the 3 axes in harmony - that you should always be attending to each Why someone beginning a healing journey needs to be smart, curious, and desperate The challenge of discerning between an entity or a projection: How do we know what to take from that experience? Why practitioners and therapists need to find a balance between being confident and humble and more! For links, head to the show notes page.

    1h 10m
See All (691)

4.6
out of 5
534 Ratings

About

Psychedelics Today is the planetary leader in psychedelic education, media, and advocacy. Covering up-to-the-minute developments and diving deep into crucial topics bridging the scientific, academic, philosophical, societal, and cultural, Psychedelics Today is leading the discussion in this rapidly evolving ecosystem.

Information

  • Creator
    Psychedelics Today
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2024
  • Episodes
    691
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Psychedelics Today

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada