Psychedelics Today

Download Nicholas Powers Ph.D. is a poet, journalist, and Associate Professor of English, SUNY Old Westbury. Nick joins us to talk about psychedelics, race, cultural diversity, and the future of psychedelics. Race and diversity within the psychedelic community has been a hot topic lately, and it is an important topic to continue discussing and examining. Unfortunately, the community is exclusive to people of privilege and power, which shows some concern when it comes to the future direction of this field, as it leaves out diverse ideas and beliefs from people from other cultural backgrounds and communities. What are your thoughts on this topic? Leave us a comment below! Show Topics Diversity in research Monica Williams - Diversity in the psychedelic research The trust between diverse populations and institutional research History of forced sterilizations and the Tuskegee syphilis study The importance of storytelling and authentically listening to stories of people from other cultural backgrounds Start your

Download Dr. Matt Brown of the Chicago Psychedelic Club and the Psychedelics and the Future of Psychiatry Meetup joins us to talk about his interests and involvement with psychedelics.  We talk about how Dr. Brown got interested in psychedelic research and how he got involved in forming two psychedelic meet up groups in Chicago. Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think! Show Notes Perspectives on psychedelics Creating a psychedelic meetup Building community Introducing more voices into the conversation besides medical professionals and students - artists and other creative people can help to provide various insights into the psychedelic conversation. Show Links Dr. Matt Brown's Website Chicago Psychedelic Club Psychedelics and the Future of Psychiatry If you enjoy the show, please consider donating to our Patreon! About Dr. Matt Brown D.O., M.B.A. Dr. Brown Specializes in whole health psychiatry. This approach differs from many other practitioners who more and more practice symptoma

Download Dr. Scott Shannon joins Psychedelics Today to share his experience and insights about ketamine therapy used in conjunction with integrative psychiatry. Dr. Shannon has been working with ketamine for the past year within his psychiatry practice and has found tremendous benefit in using this medicine for particular disorders. Dr. Shannon is also part of the Fort Collins MAPS MDMA-assisted psychotherapy Phase 3 study, which is just starting up. Show Topics/Notes What is ketamine? Mechanisms of action of ketamine. What is the ketamine experience like? Three types of administration methods - IV, IM, and oral MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and the MAPS Phase 3 trials Transpersonal experiences fostering change and transformation Critiques of traditional psychiatry. Patient with 40 years of depression became a new person no longer suffering from depression. Electro Convulsive Therapy was almost an option, thankfully avoided. The importance of music with ketamine therapy and other psychedelics Scott Sha

Download Emanuel Sferios joins us to talk about his upcoming film "MDMA The Movie" along with the founding story of Dance Safe. Emanuel has a fascinating story that includes. Humble beginnings Lots of media attention Huge amounts of fundraising for harm reduction A film that is going to be incredible. Check out the trailers below! MDMA was one of the last drugs that the old guard anti drug US government worked to smear with disinformation and outright lies,  using outlets like Oprah and more to stain MDMA's reputation. While Ophra's media empire has now come around a bit, MDMA continues to hold parts of the social stigma that Oprah helped to give it. Emanuel tells the story here with on the ground details in ways that Kyle and Joe haven't heard before. We hope you love it! If you enjoyed this episode you may love these other podcasts. Confessions of an Underground MDMA Therapist Thomas Roberts Ph.D. – The Broad Future of Psychedelic Research https://youtu.be/7ldu7qAdZ0Q Show Notes/Links DanceSafe MDMA

Download Rafael Lancelotta, the administrator of the site, 5meodmt.org (5 Hive), joins us to talk about the powerful psychedelic compound, 5-MeO-DMT. Some of you may have heard of this medicine, but if you have not, chances are you will begin hearing about it more and more. 5-MeO-DMT is a powerful psychedelic medicine that comes from venom secretion of the Bufo Alvarius toad. This compound is also found in various plants as well. Correction - 5-MeO-DMT has an oxygen and a methyl group attached to it, not just an oxygen. https://youtu.be/xtOiBiAL-K8 Show Topics What is 5-MeO-DMT How does it differ from N.N-DMT? Near-death experiences and DMT Dr. David Nichols talking about DMT at Breaking Conventions Experiences of 5-MeO-DMT The pros and cons of online forums Risks and concerns [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeeqHUiC8Io] Show Links 5 Hive (5meodmt.org) Bufo alvarius: The Psychedelic Toad of the Sonoran Desert Wikipedia  ERIE presents: Toad Medicine: Catalyst for recovery and positive chang

Download Daniel McQueen of Medicinal Mindfulness joins us to talk about extended-state DMT research, also known as DMTx. Daniel has been presenting this idea at local events in the Colorado area to help raise awareness and money to help bring this research idea to life. To learn more about this project, upcoming events, or to donate to help fund the research check out DMTx.org Here is a quick message from Daniel: A few years ago we started a community gathering and speaker series called Psychedelic Shine, and it was through this project that I met Dr. Rick Strassman, Dr. Dennis McKenna, and Dr. Andrew Gallimore, to name a few. The process of creating psychedelic inspired programs, meeting innovative leaders in the field, and also the inner exploration this work requires, were all factors that initiated this journey into exploring Extended-State DMT research. It has been a wild and wonderful ride ever since, and we're excited to step into the next stage of this work. It is our intention to create a sustain

Download Kwasi Adusei of the Psychedelic Society of Western New York joins us to talk about the Global Psychedelic Month of Service campaign. This is a wonderful campaign to help encourage members of the psychedelic community to become more involved in their communities. About The Global Psychedelic Month of Service Still hiding in the psychedelic closet? Looking for an opportunity to join the movement? This November, find a need in your community, gather your friends, and participate in the Global Psychedelic Month of Service. In the month of November, the global psychedelic community invites you to take on a need in your community in the name of psychedelics. Psychedelic groups all over the world are joining the cause by giving back. At the core of the psychedelic movement is a mission of social activism. So take part in seeing this mission through by volunteering at your local soup kitchen, food pantry, or doing a community clean up. The integration of a psychedelic experience is as important as the exp

Download Kyle and Joe report from the scene of the amazing Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics conference. We had the chance to interview attendees of Horizons NYC 2017 outside the venue on the closing day. Horizons is a fantastic event at an amazing venue in the heart of Manhattan at the historic venue - "The Cooper Union." The same podium on stage was shared by Abraham Lincoln, Susan B Anthony, and along with many other important historical figures. It was an amazing event and we hope that this episode helps share some of the excitement. We talked to past guests, future guests, and also some new friends. You may recognize some of the voices :) Let us know what you think of this episode and if you want to hear similar episodes to this in the future. [vimeo 237699822 w=640 h=360] Horizons 2017: NICHOLAS BYRON POWERS, Ph.D "Black Masks, Rainbow Bodies: Race and Psychedelics" from Horizons on Vimeo. In the show, we speak about a lot of things from Horizons NYC including The most interesting thing lear

Download Kyle and Joe talk with Shane LeMaster about ketamine as a therapeutic tool and also a tool for self-discovery and personal development. Shane shares some amazing stories, and we get to peel off some of the layers around ketamine. There are some amazing uses, and perhaps some therapeutic falling short of the mark in the ketamine world that we discuss. Hope you enjoy! [caption id="attachment_1591" align="alignnone" width="640"] Source: https://www.rehabs.com/pro-talk-articles/is-ketamine-really-a-miracle-drug-for-depression/[/caption] Shane is a past guest on the show and one of our favorites. You will really like his past episodes where we talked about peyote, treating veterans, Jiujitsu for PTSD and microdosing for athletic performance. (first - second) Sign up for our course! Show Topics/Discussion Chemical effects Lego world of the Ketamine experience Hallucinogenic properties of Ketamine for Shane Astral Projection Therapeutic method. Music, Temp, Comfort, Safe setting, etc. Not trauma wo

Download Animals are known to indulge in psychoactive compounds. Humans are not the only species who like to become intoxicated. From bees drinking to fermented nectars to reindeer of the Siberian tundra eating Amanita muscaria mushrooms, Aaron and Andras find a creative way to start a conversation about drug policy, harm reduction, and psychedelics. Aaron and Andras have started a company that produces tshirts depicting cute animals doing drugs. While this may seem like a way to promote drug use using cute animals, Aaron and Andras have a deeper meaning, which is about starting a conversation and trying to shift the cultural narrative about drug use. If you want to get one of your own t-shirts, use the coupon code: PSYCHEDELICSTODAY25 to receive 25% off your purchase!                                [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVqObIauPJA] Enroll Today! Show Notes/Links Cute Animals Doing Drugs  Coupon Code: PSYCHEDELICSTODAY25 Animals and Psychedelics: The Natural World and the Instinct

Download What is microdosing? Is this a growing trend in the psychedelic community? What do some people in the psychedelic community think about it? Can it really help boost creativity and productivity? While the idea that microdosing can help with depression, creativity, and productivity, these claims are usually backed by self-reported experiences. There is currently no hard science/research that highlights the risks, safety, or benefits of this concept despite the growing trend and loads of anecdotal evidence. If you want to learn more about this current trend, be sure to get your ticket to the upcoming Psymposia Microdosing event. We are sure all of these questions will be laid out on the table, and it will sure be a great night and discussion! Brian Normand, Co-Founder of Psymposia, joins us again to talk about the Psymposia Microdosing event/Horizons afterparty. The event will be hosted by the one and only, Duncan Trussell. If you have plans to attend the Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics conferen

Download Joe speaks with Becca Segall Tarnas about her work with Carl Jung's Red Book and J.R.R. Tolkien. There is a substantial amount of overlap between the two. Why these two in a show about psychedelics? Transpersonal \ Jungian psychology is the bridge. There appears to be objects or entities beyond the veil of our perception and understanding (so far). We have a collective imagination \ collective unconscious that these things interact in. Psychedelics and other methods can give us access to these. Becca will be presenting her work to this point at the Prague ITC 2017. This discussion goes all over the world, so feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We really enjoy Becca's work and hope to have her on again in the near future! [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUeywHbxXSM] About Becca Segall Tarnas Becca Segall Tarnas is a doctoral candidate in the Philosophy and Religion department at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Her dissertation research is focused on the theor

Download This talk was recorded live in Bolton, Vermont during a MAPS Psychedelic Dinner fundraising event in May 2016. Lenny Gibson presented a lecture during the event about the brief history of psychedelics in the Western world -- surveying the ancient Greek mysteries to the current contemporary psychedelic culture. "Blessed is he who, having seen these rites, undertakes the way beneath the Earth. He knows the end of life, as well as its divinely granted beginning." Pindar Creatures for a day! What is a man?What is he not? A dream of a shadow Is our mortal being. But when there comes to menA gleam of splendour given of heaven,Then rests on them a light of glory And blessed are their days. Pindar I suddenly became strangely inebriated. The external world became changed as in a dream. Objects appeared to gain in relief; they assumed unusual dimensions; and colours became more glowing. Even self-perception and the sense of time were changed. When the eyes were closed, coloured pictures flashed past in a quic

Download In this episode, Joe and Kyle discuss the difference contexts of psychedelic use: Therapeutic Recreational Psychospiritual & Self-Discovery Ceremonial & Shamanic While these categories can be flexible and sometimes merge into one another, we thought that it would be important to give context to the variety of experiences. As MAPS has just received "Breakthrough Therapy" status on the MDMA-assisted psychotherapy research, this is an exciting time for research and therapeutic use of a powerful medicine. However, there may be some confusion about how the therapeutic approach is different from some of these other contexts and ways of using psychedelics. While we believe that all contexts are valid or legitimate and each carry their own risk/benefit, we thought that it would be helpful and fun to talk about our views about this subject. Become a Patron!https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js If you want to learn more about navigating the psychedelic experience or learn more about

DMTx Download The summer has been busy for us at Psychedelics Today. We have been working hard on launching our new online course, "Navigating Psychedelics: Lessons on Self-Care & Integration." Beside lining interviews up for the podcast, we have been recording video interviews/master classes for the course. Since we just launched the course this week, we figured that would check in and just talk about what's been going on. This conversation takes off with Joe and Kyle discussing the recent DMTx event that took place last month in Boulder, Colorado. During this talk, we both speculate the risks and concerns of this research as well as the potential benefit. With the conversation revolving around DMT and extended-state DMT research, the discussion heads down the rabbit hole for a bit and we explore the global crisis, climate change, future uses of DMT, alien worlds and alternative dimensions, and more! We also highlight the recent death of Baylee Ybarra Gatlin, who passed away at the Lightening in a

Download We have an awesome time speaking with SSDP's Drug Education Manager, Dr. Vilmarie Narloch. Vilmarie is making a big difference with drug safety in the US and internationally with SSDP's education program 'Just Say Know.' During the show we discuss Vilmarie's work with policy around the Good Samaritan laws and other impressive and impactful harm reduction projects. We also discuss some of the pressure from various elements in the government regressing rules, like some law enforcement offices refusing to use Narcan\naloxone to help save the lives of people overdosing. This episode is a dose of compassion and gives perspective about the different impacts from the drug war and prohibition. If you are a student who wishes to get involved in drug policy work, please check out the work that SSDP is doing. If you do not have a chapter at your school or university, start one today! Vilmarie also joins us in our course Navigating Psychedelics for a master class featuring harm reduction strategies and more.

Download Ashley Booth This week we talk with Ashley Booth, co-founder of InnerSpace Integration and founder of the Aware Project: Rethinking Psychedelics. Ashley shares with us how she went from being an oceanographer to starting a psychedelic community in the Los Angeles area and also pursuing psychedelic research. We talk about how the formation and history of both the Aware Project and InnerSpace Integration, and the importance of building a psychedelic community. We also talk about Ashley's background in somatic practices such as Hakomi and how Hakomi can be used for integration as well as in the psychedelic space. Body psychotherapy seems to be a tool of the future for many psychotherapists who are interested in psychedelics and psychedelic research as normal talk therapy does not always address some of the underlying issues that are stored within the body. Other Show Topics Non-visual experiences with Aya Not getting caught up in the story. Burning Man Integration groups/networks Tips on getting invo

Daniel Pinchbeck, author of the new book, How Soon is Now? joins us this week to talk about the global ecological crisis, climate change, and how psychedelics may play a role in transforming human culture. If you do believe that we are in a time of great ecological crisis, what are you doing about it? Taking action is the most important step to creating change, but are we willing to take the sacrifices and action to create change? Daniel shares his insights about how to take action to implement change. While some of these changes may be challenging, i.e., stop traveling as much, it may be necessary to help cut carbon emissions and to slow down the global warming cycle. Or is it too late to even take action? A recent journal article, "Lifetime experience with (classic) psychedelics predicts pro-environmental behavior through an increase in nature relatedness" states: Our model controlled for experiences with other classes of psychoactive substances (cannabis, dissociatives, empathogens, popular legal drugs) as

Download Sara Gael joins us on this week's episode. Sara is the Director of Harm Reduction at the Zendo Project. We get into some great stuff including some of Zendo's biggest wins, how Zendo works, how to discuss harm reduction with festival organizers, and how to manage difficult experiences that arise in the Zendo.  Something interesting that we learned during this talk was how law enforcement at Burning Man has really been interested in learning more about Zendo and their services, and requested Zendo to help train their staff. Sara also shares her experience and insights working on the MAPS Phase 2 MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD trials and how she got involved in psychedelic research. We also explore how transpersonal psychology can serve as an important framework for working with psychedelic experiences. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvzq63xWCeI] We hope you enjoy this episode. Be sure to leave us a comment below and share this episode! The Zendo Project The Zendo Project is spo