Welcome back to The Trip Report Podcast, a production of Beckley Waves, a Psychedelic Venture Studio.

Today, I am speaking with Manesh Girn, Ph.D, a prominent researcher and science communicator in the field of psychedelics and neuroscience. 

Manesh is a postdoctoral researcher at UCSF in Robin Carhart-Harris's lab. His fascinating background bridges psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience.

Manesh's journey into the world of psychedelics began in his late teens through an interest in meditation and spirituality. 

A profound experience with psilocybin during his undergraduate years ignited his passion for exploring the therapeutic and cognitive potentials of psychedelics. 

His work has taken him from the University of British Columbia to McGill University, where he completed his PhD focusing on the default mode network and its role in human cognition and behavior.

In this conversation, we discuss:

* Manesh's introduction to psychedelics and how his early experiences shaped his academic and research career.

* The intersection of meditation, psychedelics, and the default mode network

* His extensive research on the default mode network and how psychedelics affect it.

* The concept of neurophenomenology and its significance in linking subjective experiences with brain dynamics.

* The ambitious projects at UCSF, including the most comprehensive psychedelic brain imaging study to date.

* His involvement in a large-scale international psychedelic brain imaging data-sharing consortium.

* The future of psychedelics in enhancing human potential and creativity, particularly through the work of the Center for MINDS.

Manesh is passionate about leveraging psychedelics to help people not just recover from mental health issues but also to thrive and reach their fullest potential.

And now, I bring you my conversation with Manesh Girn.

Listen to the episode on Substack, Spotify, Google or Apple.

Credits:

* Hosted by Zach Haigney 

* Produced by Zach Haigney, Erin Greenhouse, and Katelin Jabbari

* Find us at thetripreport.com

* Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube

Theme music by MANCHO Sounds, Mixed and Mastered by Rollin Weary