The Pete Isaia Podcast #19 Don’t look at the addiction, look at the trauma
Today I welcome the brilliant Psychologist Micha Lerner into the studio to have a comprehensive conversation surrounding psychedelics, psychology, and their place within the human experience.
Micha has previously lectured at Bond University, researched psychedelic therapy and held a position as a psychologist at the world's most prestigious and elite private drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre; The Sanctuary, Byron Bay. Now he spends his time travelling around the world offering psychological series to private clients, working on his PhD in psychedelic research, surfing, and spending time around family.
We begin this conversation by diving into the psychology behind addiction. Micha shares his professional experience working with patients recovering from serious addictions and explains why an individual turns to addiction, overcoming its difficulties, and what he perceives the most effective treatment plan to be.
We dive deep into how MDMA and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy affect the brain of an individual experiencing complex trauma and PTSD. Relating to how our current sense of self is derived from our ego and its anthesis that develops from childhood, and how certain drugs can entirely reframe our perception of our own identity, and our reality.
The conversation leads us to ancient civilizations and tribes that have experimented and integrated animal and plant substances with psychedelic properties, and how humans have even observed animals with the same curiosity to experience unexplored states of consciousness.
We tie the conversation together by reflecting on our place in the modern world and how we must choose to navigate our reality with the tools and knowledge we have on offer.
The themes discussed in this episode offer deep reflection and thinking - enjoy and send this to someone that could resonate with the episode.
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