Matthew W. Johnson, Ph.D. - Psilocybin for Smoking Cessation: A New Era of Psychedelic Research

Dec 18, 2022

Matthew W. Johnson, Ph.D., a world-renowned researcher in psychedelics, discusses his studies on psilocybin for smoking cessation and cancer distress treatment. He shares the initial findings of psilocybin vs. nicotine patch as smoking cessation treatments. The podcast also highlights the significance of funding therapeutic studies and the transformative power of psychedelic medicine in personal growth and evolution. The role of researchers and advisors in the psychedelic ecosystem, the concept of perennial philosophy, and the importance of finding qualified providers and integration in psychedelic research are also explored.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 6min

Personal Growth and Evolution in Psychedelic Research

05:40 • 20min

Exploring the Role of Researchers and Advisors in the Psychedelic Ecosystem

25:48 • 5min

The Perennial Philosophy and Psychedelics

31:13 • 8min

The Importance of Finding Qualified Providers and the Need for Integration

39:00 • 2min

Matthew W. Johnson, Ph.D. joins Paul F. Austin to share his studies of psilocybin for smoking cessation, cancer distress treatment, and more

In this episode, we feature another special interview recorded at the 2022 Wonderland conference in Miami, FL.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here.

Matthew W. Johnson, Ph.D. is the Susan Hill Ward Endowed Professor of Psychedelics and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins. Working with psychedelics since 2004, he is one of the world’s most widely published experts in the field. He has published research on psychedelics and mystical experience, personality change, tobacco smoking cessation, cancer distress treatment, and depression treatment. In 2021, as principal investigator, he received the first grant in 50 years from the US government for a treatment study with a classic psychedelic, specifically psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction. He is also known for his expertise in behavioral economics, addiction, sexual risk behavior, and research with a wide variety of drug classes.

Highlights:

How Dr. Johnson’s own life has changed as a result of his years of research, including psilocybin for the treatment of cancer distress.
Dr. Johnson’s study on psilocybin for smoking cessation; the first US government-funded study on the therapeutic use of a psychedelic in 50 years.
The initial findings of psilocybin vs. nicotine patch as smoking-cessation treatments.
How Dr. Johnson plans to contribute to psychedelic research and oversight as the industry grows.
Dr. Johnson cautions psychedelic therapists against inappropriately pushing spiritual or religious frameworks onto patients.

Episode Links:

These show links may contain affiliate links. Third Wave receives a small percentage of the product price if you purchase through the above affiliate links.

This episode is brought to you by Apollo Neuro, the first scientifically validated wearable that actively improves your body’s resilience to stress. Apollo was developed by a friend of Third Wave, Dr. David Rabin M.D Ph.D., a neuroscientist and board-certified psychiatrist who has been studying the impact of chronic stress in humans for nearly 15 years. Third Wave listeners get 15% off—just use this link.