Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition

How Psychedelics Change the Brain: MDMA, Psilocybin, Benefits & Risks | Dr. Rick Doblin

Jul 23, 2025
Dr. Rick Doblin, founder of MAPS and an advocate for psychedelic therapy, shares his revolutionary insights on how MDMA can treat PTSD. He recounts his early experiences with psychedelics, revealing their potential for healing trauma through interconnectedness. Rick explains the neurobiology of PTSD, detailing how MDMA aids in reducing fear and enhancing empathy. He discusses the importance of integration and the therapeutic protocol designed for safety. With optimism for FDA approval, he highlights the growing support for psychedelic therapy in mental health.
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ANECDOTE

Early Psychedelic Epiphany

  • Rick Doblin first realized psychedelics' potential after mescaline and LSD in his late teens, feeling deep interconnectedness beyond the self.
  • This early experience motivated his lifelong activism to bring psychedelics into medicine.
INSIGHT

Psychedelic Is Mind‑Manifesting

  • 'Psychedelic' should be broadened to mean any mind‑manifesting practice, not only classic hallucinogens.
  • Dreams, breathwork, fasting and rituals can produce similar altered states and therapeutic value.
ANECDOTE

Discovering MDMA At Esalen

  • Rick discovered MDMA at Esalen and found it made him more connected, a better listener, and less defensive.
  • He bought MDMA, used it with his girlfriend, and felt it offered profound therapeutic potential beyond party use.
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