Lex Fridman Podcast

#145 – Matthew Johnson: Psychedelics

Dec 14, 2020

Matthew Johnson, a renowned professor and psychedelics researcher at Johns Hopkins University, explores the fascinating world of psychedelics and their effects on the mind. The discussion dives into their therapeutic potential for mental health, the transformative experiences they offer, and their low addiction risk. Johnson emphasizes the complex relationship between psychedelics and consciousness, touching on topics like personal transformation and the implications for understanding our existence. The conversation blends science, philosophy, and personal insights.

03:39:37

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Episode guests

Matthew Johnson

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Episode notes

Intro

4min

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelics

2min

Exploring the Psychedelic Landscape

16min

Psychedelics and the Expansion of Consciousness

24min

Psychedelics and Personal Transformation

11min

Understanding Addiction Through Behavioral Economics

14min

Addiction, Pricing, and Policy Impacts

17min

Navigating Psychedelics and Nicotine Regulation

8min

Cocaine, Condoms, and Decision-Making

13min

10.

Innovative Solutions for Nightlife Safety and Convenience

1min

11.

Drugs, Behavior, and Transformation

6min

12.

Navigating Psilocybin Dosing and Effects

6min

13.

Psilocybin and Smoking Cessation

20min

14.

Engaging with Psychedelic Research: Effective Communication Strategies

3min

15.

Navigating the Heartbreak of Unanswered Emails

3min

16.

Psychedelics, Consciousness, and Collaboration

22min

17.

Exploring Consciousness Through Psychedelics

20min

18.

Exploring the Depths of Complexity and Emergence

2min

19.

Consciousness, Psychedelics, and Extraterrestrial Encounters

11min

20.

Embracing Mortality: Psychedelics and the Search for Meaning

15min

21.

Exploring the Beauty of Human Experience and Commitment

2min

Matthew W. Johnson is a professor and psychedelics researcher at Johns Hopkins. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Matt’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drug_Researcher
Matt’s Website: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/profiles/results/directory/profile/0800020/matthew-johnson
Study Website: https://hopkinspsychedelic.org/

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OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(06:31) – Introduction to psychedelics
(22:33) – Psychedelics expand the mind
(25:44) – The priors we bring to the psychedelic experience
(29:40) – Elon Musk and first principles thinking
(40:10) – DMT
(51:32) – Joe Rogan and DMT
(57:40) – The nature of drug addiction
(1:11:29) – The economics of drug pricing
(1:17:44) – Should we legalize all drugs?
(1:29:46) – What is the most dangerous drug?
(1:32:20) – Does drug prohibition work?
(1:36:14) – Cocaine and sex
(1:43:15) – Risky sexual decisions
(1:54:12) – Psilocybin helping people quit smoking
(2:00:30) – Young Jamie
(2:22:38) – Participating in a study
(2:29:57) – Psychedelics and the human mind
(2:37:20) – The future of psychedelics
(2:40:01) – Neuralink
(2:49:33) – Consciousness
(3:02:15) – Panpsychism
(3:12:20) – Aliens and DMT
(3:22:24) – Mortality
(3:32:12) – Meaning of life

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