

#177 — Psychedelic Science
17 snips Dec 2, 2019
Roland Griffiths, a leading researcher at Johns Hopkins University, discusses the fascinating world of psychedelics. He breaks down the therapeutic potential of compounds like psilocybin and MDMA, while addressing the historical stigma surrounding their use. Topics include the importance of 'set and setting,' and the differences between psychedelics and traditional drugs. Griffiths also delves into transformative experiences, microdosing, and the striking phenomenon of encountering entities during trips, suggesting profound impacts on personal belief systems.
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Griffiths' Meditation Journey
- Roland Griffiths considered leaving science to study meditation in India.
- His responsibilities and established career at Johns Hopkins prevented him.
Third Rail Research
- Psychedelic research was a "third rail" in academia during Griffiths' graduate studies.
- Open interest could marginalize researchers' careers.
Psilocybin Study Design
- Griffiths' psilocybin study used a high dose of methylphenidate (Ritalin) as a control.
- They compared it to psilocybin in a blinded study with naive participants.