Shane Mauss, comedian known for discussing psychedelic experiences, talks about the mainstreaming of psychedelics, the role of public figures in promoting cognitive liberty, the surge in popularity of psychedelics, positive aspects of the psychedelic community, trends in 'optimizers,' and the evolution of mainstream acceptance of psychedelics.
The mainstreaming of psychedelic drugs and the role of public figures like Joe Rogan in normalizing psychedelics and promoting cognitive liberty.
The significant changes in the scientific community's attitude towards psychedelics and the potential benefits of psychedelics in mental health treatment.
Deep dives
The Psychedelic Renaissance
The podcast episode discusses the current "psychedelic renaissance" and the increasing mainstreaming of psychedelic drugs. The guest, Shane Moss, shares his perspective on the surprising pace of legalization and the role of public figures like Joe Rogan in normalizing psychedelics and promoting cognitive liberty. He also highlights the shift in public perception over the years, from the era of strict anti-drug campaigns to the current decriminalization efforts.
The Growing Interest and Research in Psychedelics
Shane Moss reflects on the significant changes in the scientific community's attitude towards psychedelics. He discusses how, just a few years ago, only a handful of organizations were attempting to study psychedelics, while now prestigious institutions like Johns Hopkins and Stanford are actively involved in research. He raises the question of why this shift is happening and considers the possibility that it resulted from the failure and inherent flaws of the war on drugs.
The Benefits and Impact of Psychedelics
Shane Moss shares his personal experiences with psychedelics and highlights their potential benefits, particularly in helping with mental health issues like depression. He discusses his fascination with DMT and its impact on his scientific curiosity, leading him to explore the mysteries of the subconscious mind and neuroscience. He also acknowledges the diverse and sometimes unorthodox perspectives within the psychedelic community, praising its openness while also expressing concern about instances of magical thinking, pseudoscience, and grifting.
My guest is Shane Mauss, a comedian who tours the country discussing his psychedelic experiences in fantastic, immersive shows like DMT: A Love Story and A Better Trip. If you're in the New York City area, he'll be appearing at the Psychedelic Assembly in midtown October 27-31 as a part of a Halloween-themed show called Spookadelic.
I caught up with him at the Psychedelic Science 2023 conference, held in Denver this June, where he participated in a "roast" of the psychedelic scene. Go here for "The Psychedelic Renaissance Is Here," Reason's 30-minute documentary about that event and the larger psychedelic movement.
Mauss, who also hosts a science podcast called Here We Are, shared his thoughts about the mainstreaming of psychedelic drugs, the surprising pace of legalization efforts, and the role that Joe Rogan, Aaron Rodgers, and other public figures play in normalizing psychedelics and promoting cognitive liberty.
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