PT503 – Updates from MAPS: Current Initiatives, Psychedelic Science 2025, and Music as a Bridge, with Devon Phillips
Apr 12, 2024
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Devon Phillips from MAPS discusses mainstreaming psychedelics, harm reduction at festivals, training influencers as resources, NFL's collaboration with MAPS, upcoming initiatives like Psychedelic Science 2025, and the power of using psychedelics for pleasure and celebration. He emphasizes inclusive drug policy and safe containers for healing.
Devon Phillips focuses on mainstreaming psychedelics culturally beyond research.
MAPS collaborates with NFL player to destigmatize psychedelics through 'My Cause, My Cleats'.
Podcast addresses broader drug policies, harm reduction, and societal implications.
Importance of reframing addiction conversations to consider cultural context and healthcare systems.
Deep dives
Devon Phillips and the Cultural Perspective on Psychedelics
Devin Phillips, a key member of MAPS for three years, emphasizes the cultural impact of psychedelics through his work. With roots in neuroscience, fashion, music, and art, Phillips aims to bridge the gap between research and the cultural perception of psychedelics. He highlights the importance of reaching broader audiences beyond research, underlining the cultural significance and potential of psychedelics to impact society positively.
MAPS Collaboration with NFL Player John and Psychedelic Mainstreaming
MAPS' collaboration with NFL player John brought psychedelics into mainstream conversations through the NFL's 'My Cause, My Cleats' initiative. John's personal experience with psychedelics for healing and his public endorsement on an NFL platform marked a significant milestone in destigmatizing and mainstreaming psychedelics. This partnership showcased how influential figures can responsibly share their psychedelic experiences to promote awareness and healing.
Expansion of Drug Policy Discussions within Psychedelic Movement
The podcast reflects an emerging discourse within the psychedelic space regarding the integration of broader drug policies discussions. By including topics beyond psychedelics alone, such as drug testing and harm reduction, the conversation expands to address holistic drug policies and societal implications. There is a growing recognition of the need for responsible drug use conversations, driven by increasing incidents of drug-related harm and overdose cases.
Reframing Addiction Conversation
The podcast highlights the importance of reframing the addiction conversation. It discusses how individuals may fall into addiction due to finding something that initially works for them, leading to potential negative outcomes. This reframing emphasizes the cultural context, societal factors, and the need for better healthcare systems to address addiction issues.
Advocating for Harm Reduction in Event Settings
The podcast advocates for harm reduction strategies at music festivals and events. It mentions the implementation of drug checking services to reduce hospitalizations by 80% and the importance of supervised injection sites. The discussion emphasizes the need for policy changes, harm reduction efforts, and the role of influential artists in promoting safer event environments.
Promoting Transparency and Education
The episode emphasizes the importance of transparency and education in drug use conversations. It discusses the challenges of discussing topics like microdosing in certain communities and highlights the need for policy changes to facilitate open dialogues about drug use. The podcast encourages sharing personal experiences, supporting harm reduction initiatives, and fostering a community-driven approach to drug education.
Empowering Personal Narratives
The episode underscores the power of personal narratives in shaping perceptions of drug use. It mentions initiatives like storytelling workshops at music festivals to facilitate discussions about psychedelic experiences and coming out stories. The emphasis is on creating safe spaces for individuals to share their journeys, advocate for policy reform, and promote inclusive conversations about drug use.
In this episode, Joe interviews Devon Phillips: community & partnerships officer for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).
Phillips works on strategies to tackle the questions: How do we responsibly mainstream psychedelics? And how do we get culture engaged? He's focusing on being the bridge to psychedelics outside of research, facilitating workshops and psychedelic coming-out stories at music festivals and conferences. He talks about harm reduction and drug checking at festivals, the concept of training big names to become trustworthy resources, the differences found in a hop hop crowd compared to EDM, and the power in using psychedelics for pleasure and celebration – not just healing and growth.
He also discusses:
MAPS' involvement with the NFL for their 'My Cause, My Cleats' campaign, and how the San Francisco 49ers' Jon Feliciano is bringing awareness to psychedelic healing
Details about MAPS' first responders training, fiscal sponsorship program, international therapist education program, and upcoming membership program (launching in June)
The success of MAPS' Psychedelic Science and his hopes for the 2025 edition, taking place June 16 - 20 at the Denver Convention Center
Dr. Carl Hart, drug exceptionalism, and the importance of creating safe containers and inclusive drug policy
