Psychedelic therapy is on the verge of reshaping mental health, trauma healing, and human consciousness. This episode reveals what’s really happening behind the scenes at the FDA, inside pharmaceutical companies, and within the global movement to legalize MDMA-assisted therapy.

Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience:

https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR

Host Dave Asprey sits down with Rick Doblin, PhD, the legendary founder of MAPS and one of the most influential figures in psychedelic science. With nearly 40 years leading clinical research on MDMA, psilocybin, and trauma healing, Rick brings unmatched insight into how these compounds are transforming functional medicine, emotional resilience, and neuroplasticity.

They break down the regulatory battle over MDMA therapy, the clash between pharmaceutical profit and public benefit, and the urgent need to combine pharmacology with therapy for real results. You’ll also learn how psychedelics impact neurohacking, epigenetics, and the default mode network—and why the next frontier of self-transformation may be couples therapy with MDMA.

This episode offers critical knowledge for anyone serious about biohacking, trauma release, mental performance, and accessing deeper states of healing. This podcast channel dives into the intersections of psychedelics with fasting, ketosis, cold therapy, and self-quantification—and how altered states can unlock more energy, better relationships, and lasting change.

You’ll Learn:

• Why separating therapy from psychedelics is the most dangerous path forward

• How MAPS evolved into a public benefit pharma company—and what went wrong

• The real story behind the FDA’s rejection of MDMA therapy in 2024

• How MDMA affects neuroplasticity, mitochondria, and trauma recovery

• Why group therapy and couples therapy are the future of psychedelic healing

• The dangers of overusing ketamine—and how it’s being exploited by profit-driven clinics

• What the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference will reveal about the future of medicine, spirituality, and consciousness hacking

• How psychedelics could reverse epigenetic trauma passed down through generations

• The role of default mode network suppression in spiritual experiences and trauma resolution

• Why the war on drugs was never about safety—and what a post-drug-war world might look like

Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade is the top podcast for people who want to take control of their biology, extend their longevity, and optimize every system in the body and mind. Each episode features cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, neurohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.

Episodes are released every Tuesday and Thursday, where Dave asks the questions no one else dares, and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing.

SPONSORS:

- Leela Quantum Tech | Head to https://leelaq.com/DAVE for 10% off

- ARMRA | Go to https://tryarmra.com/ and use the code DAVE to get 15% off your first order

Resources:

• Dave Asprey’s New Book - Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/

• Psychedelic Science Conference 2025 Website – https://www.psychedelicscience.org/

• Rick’s Website: https://maps.org/

• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com

• Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com

• Dave Asprey’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/daveasprey

• Upgrade Collective – Join The Human Upgrade Podcast Live: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com

• Own an Upgrade Labs: https://ownanupgradelabs.com

• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com

• 40 Years of Zen – Neurofeedback Training for Advanced Cognitive Enhancement: https://40yearsofzen.com

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Trailer

• 02:00 Intro

• 03:43 Rise of Psychedelic Pharma

• 05:00 Therapy vs. Profit

• 06:44 Neurofeedback + Psychedelics

• 08:28 Origins of Drug Laws

• 14:06 MDMA Safety + Usage

• 16:32 Psychedelics in Therapy + Meditation

• 25:18 Psychedelic Hierarchy for New Users

• 26:51 Psychedelic Churches + Culture

• 28:58 Ayahuasca: Spiritual Insights

• 30:24 MDMA and Federal Policy

• 31:09 Inside the FDA Decision

• 32:52 Therapeutic Promise of Psychedelics

• 34:43 Psychedelics + Spirituality

• 37:37 Neuroscience of Psychedelics

• 40:12 Epigenetics + Generational Trauma

• 43:50 War on Drugs Revisited

• 46:37 Future of Legalization

• 49:55 MDMA for Couples

• 51:29 Group Therapy with Psychedelics

• 52:26 Psychedelic Science 2025 Preview

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523: The Ruling Elites and Violence in Colombia