EP12: From Enslavement to Freedom: MDMA, Jewish Trauma and Resilience with Dr. Rachel Yehuda

Dr. Rachel Yehuda, one of the world’s foremost experts on epigenetic trauma and psychedelic-assisted therapies, joins Rabbi Zac for a conversation about the significance of the Jewish story as a foundation for processing ancestral traumas. They speak about Rachel’s upbringing, the history of trauma research, and the future of MDMA-assisted therapy. Dr. Rachel Yehuda Bio: Rachel Yehuda, PhD, is an Endowed Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Trauma.  She is also Director of Mental Health at the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Yehuda is a recognized leader in the field of traumatic stress studies, PTSD, and intergenerational trauma.  In 2019, Dr. Yehuda was elected to the National Academy of Medicine for her seminal contributions to understanding the psychological and biological impact of traumatic stress.  In 2020, Dr. Yehuda established and now directs the Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research. This podcast is offered as a free community resource by Shefa: Jewish Psychedelic Support. If you feel moved to donate to support this work, ⁠you may do so on our ⁠⁠website here.⁠⁠ Our intro and outro music is an excerpt of the song ⁠Ein Od⁠ by ⁠Yosef Goldman⁠.