The Illusion of Consensus Dr. Jay Bhattacharya & Rav Arora

Hi everyone,
We’re excited to release the full audio version of the podcast now - you can listen here or in the Spotify and Apple links available below.
We apologize, there was another production delay as a key member on our team had to leave to his home country to address a personal emergency.
The full, official video premiere will be tomorrow.
For those patiently waiting, we didn’t want to disappoint you so we decided to provide the audio today at the very least.
Take a listen now before the full video experience in high-definition quality with all our new graphics comes out tomorrow.
Spotify link / Apple link
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Hi everyone,
Here’s a sneak peak preview of our conversation with Russell Brand dropping tomorrow!
Members can access this early access clip now and hear one of Russell’s signature soliloquies (does anyone do it better?)!
We hope you enjoy it.
Tune in tomorrow for the podcast premiere!

Consider supporting our work by becoming a paid member (we need your help…

Hi everyone,
I’m happy to bring you the first episode — in a series of conversations — on sleep health with Dr. Nerina Ramlakhan, a physiologist and sleep therapist, about the importance of sleep and how to improve sleep quality. We discuss various topics including the current sleep discourse, the difference between ‘martini sleepers’ and ‘sensitive sleepers,’ the role of inner safety in sleep, and the challenges of sleeping on airplanes. Dr. Ramlakan emphasizes the need for an inside-out approach to sleep, focusing on emotional and mental well-being in addition to external factors like light and exercise. She also highlights the importance of individualized approaches to sleep and the role of somatic work in achieving better sleep.
In this final part of the conversation, Nerina discusses the importance of going to bed earlier before midnight and the impact it has on mental health. She highlights the trend of young people going to the gym at night instead of getting enough sleep and the potential long-term health consequences. She also explains the connection between the circadian rhythm and the rhythms of nature, emphasizing the importance of going to bed as the light levels start to drop.
Housekeeping:
Become a paid member now to receive early access and member-only segments of SEASON 2 of The Illusion of Consensus.
First episode launching May 15th with Russell Brand!
Listen To Sleep Podcast Now:
Apple podcasts / Spotify
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
09:19 The Current Sleep Discourse
14:16 Andrew Huberman and Sleep Protocols
22:37 The Importance of Inner Safety
26:31 Somatic Work for Better Sleep
32:22 Preparing the Nervous System for Better Sleep on an Airplane
47:52 The Importance of Deep Sleep for Growth Hormone and Organ Regeneration
01:06 Going to Bed Earlier Before Midnight
01:13 Practical Tips for Improving Sleep
01:32 Dealing with Waking Up at Night
Takeaways
* Sleep is a complex issue that is influenced by both external factors (such as light and exercise) and internal factors (such as emotional and mental well-being).
* Building inner safety and addressing emotional and mental well-being are crucial for improving sleep quality.
* Somatic work, such as yoga nidra and progressive muscle relaxation, can help individuals get out of their heads and into their bodies, promoting better sleep.
* Napping can be a valuable tool for rest and rejuvenation, especially in situations where it is difficult to get a full night's sleep, such as during travel.
* An individualized approach to sleep is important, as different people have different sleep needs and preferences. Train your nervous system to rest and relax in waking hours to improve sleep on an airplane.
* Power napping can help improve energy levels and overall sleep quality.
* Specific organ systems are replenished during different phases of deep sleep.
* While scientific research on these correlations is limited, observations from clinical experience support their significance. Going to bed earlier before midnight is important for mental health and overall well-being.
* Practical tips for improving sleep include eating breakfast within 45 minutes of waking up, avoiding caffeine as a substitute for food, staying hydrated, going to bed earlier, and cultivating a healthier relationship with technology.

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This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.illusionconsensus.com/subscribe

Hi everyone,
In this episode, professor Bryce Nickels and I discuss the debate over the origin of COVID-19, specifically whether it was a lab leak or a natural spillover. We highlight the challenges faced by scientists who question the lab leak theory and the suppression of dissenting voices. We also discuss the risks and ethics of gain-of-function research and the need for transparency and public accountability in the scientific community. The conversation in this part focuses on the deliberate suppression of Jeremy Farrar's involvement in the Nature Medicine paper, the importance of getting the paper retracted to expose the manipulation by top funders, and the hearing on Peter Daszak's role in gain-of-function research. The discussion also touches on the challenges of having different perspectives during the pandemic and the need for a healthier culture of scientific debate and discussion.
The Illusion of Consensus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber:

Takeaways
* The scientific journals have played a role in suppressing the lab leak theory and promoting the natural spillover theory.
* There is a need to reevaluate the justification for certain types of research, such as studying exotic viruses in labs, and consider the potential risks and ethical implications. There was a deliberate suppression of Jeremy Farrar's involvement in the Nature Medicine paper, which is an ethical violation that needs to be addressed.
* Getting the paper retracted is important to expose the manipulation by top funders and inform the public and scientific community about the deliberate shaping of the message on the origins of the virus.
* The hearing on Peter Daszak's role in gain-of-function research was a historic event that may change the future direction of the origins issue and the regulation of risky virology research.
Listen Now:
Apple podcasts / Spotify
Sound Bites
* "The debate over COVID has become something where you have to take sides and stay with everyone that's on your side on every issue."
* "Biosafety Now's mission is to reduce the risks of lab-generated pandemics and push for public transparency and accountability."
* "The consensus in the mainstream press and among scientists like Tony Fauci was that there was no debate about the lab leak theory."
* "Nature medicine. They tried to get into nature and it went into nature medicine."
* "The paper states that the work was funded by the Wellcome Trust, which is, he was the head of it. So that is a clear, I mean, that's simply just an ethical violation that's as clear as day and nobody can dispute it."
* "The acknowledgement of malfeasance or misfeasance and misconduct is the most critical thing. And that paper is the one that needs to go first."
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This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.illusionconsensus.com/subscribe

Hi everyone,
In this interview I talk to Debbie Lerman, an investigative journalist, about the key players and decision-making processes behind the pandemic response in the United States. She reveals that the National Security Council (NSC) took over as the lead policy group, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) becoming the lead federal agencies. This shift in power sidelined the CDC and HHS, which were traditionally responsible for managing infectious disease outbreaks. Debbie also explores the appointment of Deborah Birx as the head of the White House Task Force and questions the involvement of Matt Pottinger, a China expert, in the decision-making process. The conversation explores the role of the government and public health officials in the COVID-19 response.
The Illusion of Consensus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber:

Takeaways:
* The National Security Council (NSC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took over as the lead policy and federal agencies, respectively, in the pandemic response.
* Deborah Birx was appointed as the head of the White House Task Force, but the involvement of Matt Pottinger in the decision-making process is questionable.
* The decision-making process behind the lockdowns and the development of vaccines was influenced by the defense industry and lacked democratic participation.
* There is a need to restructure pandemic response plans to ensure that the right people with reasonable training and the right temperament are in charge.
* Revoking emergency declarations and promoting democratic participation are essential to maintain trust in public health and prevent a bioterrorism-like response in the future.
Watch:
Apple / Spotify
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: Debbie Lerman's Investigative Journalism on the Pandemic
04:48 The Key Players: National Security Council and Department of Homeland Security
10:02 Sidelining the CDC and HHS in the Decision-Making Process
26:10 Deborah Birx's Controversial Appointment
29:34 Questioning the Involvement of Matt Pottinger
31:27 Deborah Birx and the Non-Traditional Approach to Public Health
34:50 The Decision-Making Process Behind the Lockdowns
41:04 The Development of Vaccines and Operation Warp Speed
47:47 The Ineffectiveness of Contact Tracing
52:23 Treating COVID-19 as a Bioterrorism Crisis
59:33 Restructuring Pandemic Response Plans and Promoting Democratic Participation
A note from our podcast sponsor:
Alcami Elements - a premium herbal supplement for energy, focus, and concentration. Alcami contains 9 high-quality adaptogens that can help regulate your nervous system and optimize energy and focus. Adaptogens are herbs and mushrooms that help build the body’s resilience to stress.
Get 10% off your first order or 30% off a monthly subscription using the code "illusion” here:
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This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.illusionconsensus.com/subscribe

Hi everyone,
In this conversation, I interview psychologist Dr. Matt Johnson about the current state of mainstream pharmaceutical solutions for mental health issues such as ADHD, depression, and anxiety. A bit about Matt: he has lead groundbreaking research in psychedelic therapy at Johns Hopkins University over the past two decades. We aimed to discuss that but ended up spending the whole podcast discussing the staggering limits of current pharmaceutical interventions. As an expert in the intersecting field of psychopharmacology — studying the psychological effects of various drugs — he was the perfect person to discuss this with.
As Matt humbly admitted, psychopharmacology faces challenges in finding effective treatments for complex psychological problems. Medications like SSRIs and benzodiazepines have limitations in terms of long-term efficacy and side effects. Meanwhile, the use of psychedelics and related compounds, such as ketamine, have shown promise in providing relief for depression and anxiety. However, the field of psychopharmacology still lacks major breakthroughs and relies on medications that may not fully address the complexity of psychological issues. The new development of non-psychedelic compounds that mimic the effects of psychedelics without the visionary experience may not be as effective. The conversation highlights the need for innovative approaches to mental health treatment.
The Illusion of Consensus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber:

Takeaways
* Mainstream pharmaceutical solutions for mental health issues like ADHD, depression, and anxiety have limitations and potential harms.
* Overuse of ADHD stimulant medications is a concern, and the narrative of depression being caused by low serotonin levels is overly simplistic.
* Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can be highly effective in treating anxiety disorders and depression.
* Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for anxiety but can have negative long-term effects and should be used with caution. Psychopharmacology struggles to find effective treatments for complex psychological problems.
* Medications like SSRIs and benzodiazepines have limitations in terms of long-term efficacy and side effects.
Sound Bites
* "There are major issues with some traditional medications"
* "The narrative of depression being caused by low serotonin is overly simplistic"
* "Psychedelic therapy offers the potential for long-term benefits"
* "Psychopharmacology medications for the mind don't seem to work the same way as other classes of medicine."
* "There's a real danger associated with being on benzodiazepines chronically."‘
Watch now:
Apple link / Spotify
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
09:20 Mainstream Pharmaceutical Solutions for Mental Health
32:00 Exploring the Root Causes of Mental Health Disorders
46:30 The Limitations of Psychopharmacology
57:43 The Complexity of Mental Health and Treatment
01:08 Debunking the Serotonin Model of Depression
01:29 The Limitations of Medications for Anxiety
01:58 Closing Remarks and Future Directions
Our exciting first podcast sponsor:
Alcami Elements - a premium herbal supplement for energy, focus, and concentration. Alcami contains 9 high-quality adaptogens that can help regulate your nervous system and optimize energy and focus. Adaptogens are herbs and mushrooms that help build the body’s resilience to stress.
Get 10% off your first order or 30% off a monthly subscription using the code "illusion” here:
https://www.alcamielements.com/products/alcami-elements-life-enhancing-beverage
The Illusion of Consensus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber:



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.illusionconsensus.com/subscribe