When you look at the world, it can feel like we're in a precarious moment. If you’ve listened to past episodes, you know we call this the meta-crisis — an era of overlapping and interconnected crises like climate change, polarization, and the rise of decentralized technologies like synthetic biology. It can feel like we’re on a path to destroy ourselves.That's why we’re talking to Rick Doblin, the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, or MAPS. They’re a nonprofit focused on educating and researching the benefits of using psychedelic therapy to address PTSD and promote humane ways of relating worldwide.Doblin’s vision is for nothing less than a transformation of society through psychedelic-assisted therapy – not for the drugs themselves, but for their ability to help us react to one another with compassion, appreciate differences, and accept criticism.Given the perma-crisis we face, it’s provocative to think about a tool that, when prescribed and used safely, could help us overcome rivalrous dynamics out in the world and on social media. If we rescue our hijacked brains, we can heal from the constant trauma inflation we get online, and shrink the perception gap that splits us into tribes.Both MAPS and Center for Humane Technology want to understand what helps minds heal and be free. We invite you to keep an open mind about a different kind of humane technology as you listen to this episode. Correction: Doblin attributes a quote to Stan Grof about psychedelics helping your ego be “transparent to the transcendent.” In his book Pathways to Bliss, Joseph Campbell wrote, "When a deity serves as a model for you, your life becomes transparent to the transcendent as long as you realize the inspiring power of that deity. This means living not in the name of worldly success and achievement, but rather in the name of the transcendent, letting the energy manifest through you.” Grof was likely paraphrasing Campbell’s work and applying it to psychedelics. Additional credits:The episode contains an original musical composition by Jeff Sudakin. Used with permission. RECOMMENDED MEDIA Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)The non-profit founded by Rick Doblin in 1986 focused on developing medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. MAPS has some open clinical trials; see details on their website. Rick Doblin’s TED talkIn this fascinating dive into the science of psychedelics, Doblin explains how drugs like LSD, psilocybin and MDMA affect your brain - and shows how, when paired with psychotherapy, they could change the way we treat PTSD, depression, substance abuse and more.How to Change Your Mind by Michael PollanPollan writes of his own consciousness-expanding experiments with psychedelic drugs, and makes the case for why shaking up the brain's old habits could be therapeutic for people facing addiction, depression, or death.How to Change Your Mind on NetflixThe docuseries version of Pollan’s bookBreath by James NestorThis popular science book provides a historical, scientific and personal account of breathing, with special focus on the differences between mouth breathing and nasal breathing.Insight timerA free app for sleep, anxiety, and stress RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES You Will Never Breathe the Same Again with James Nestorhttps://www.humanetech.com/podcast/38-you-will-never-breathe-the-same-againTwo Million Years in Two Hours: A Conversation with Yuval Noah Harari https://www.humanetech.com/podcast/28-two-million-years-in-two-hours-a-conversation-with-yuval-noah-harariYour Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_ 

Rick Doblin, Ph.D., founder and executive director of MAPS, discusses the potential of MDMA as a therapeutic tool for PTSD. He debunks exaggerated risks associated with MDMA and highlights the progress made in getting FDA approval for a psychotherapy technique. The discussion explores the history of psychedelics and the need for their reevaluation. The chapter also touches on the FDA's approach to therapeutic protocols, Rick's journey with LSD, and the historical background of LSD.

Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice explore psychedelics and mind-bending research with Rick Doblin, President of Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). They discuss treating PTSD, the history of psychedelics, the impact of methamphetamine, and the potential benefits of psychedelics in therapy.

Rick Doblin is a psychedelics researcher and the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: – Theragun: https://therabody.com/lex to get 30 day trial – ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free – Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium – Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings EPISODE LINKS: Rick’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/RickDoblin MAPS: https://maps.org PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: – Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast – Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman – Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman – Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) – Introduction (07:54) – Introduction to psychedelics (11:09) – Psychedelics reveals the inner depths of humans (23:43) – Differences between psychedelics (31:08) – The future of psychedelics (39:52) – Epigenetics (45:49) – DMT (53:16) – Ego dissolution (56:33) – One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (59:32) – Psychedelics and Creativity (1:03:25) – MKUltra and the Grateful Dead (1:08:04) – Ted Kaczynski (1:13:46) – Timothy Leary (1:21:10) – Good Friday Experiment (1:25:46) – Forming of MAPS (1:37:01) – Gaining access to psychedelics (1:45:30) – MDMA Medical Trials (2:17:00) – Clinical Trials for other substances (2:21:43) – Future of society with psychedelics (2:26:13) – Big Pharma (2:32:32) – Advice for the younger generations (2:38:17) – Meaning of life

Rick Doblin, advocate for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, discusses the potential benefits and challenges of using psychedelics for therapy. He explores the success rates of clinical trials using therapy and MDMA, the structure of MDMA-assisted therapy, and the concept of neuroplasticity. Doblin also reflects on his journey in the field of psychedelics and the impact of vulture decline on human health.

Rick Doblin, the founder of MAPS and a key figure in the psychedelic movement, teams up with filmmaker Nirvan Mullick, who spent a decade documenting this journey. They delve into the transformative power of psychedelics and storytelling in shaping narratives for societal change. Rick shares personal experiences and challenges faced in the fight for MDMA's FDA approval, while Nirvan reflects on the importance of compelling narratives in promoting public understanding. Together, they explore how these elements can catalyze a global shift in consciousness.

Rick Doblin, Ph.D., is the founder of MAPS and a pioneer in psychedelic research. In this discussion, he shares insights on the FDA's handling of MDMA trials, emphasizing miscommunications that led to setbacks for Lykos Therapeutics. Doblin argues that neglecting public perception was a critical mistake and explores the bias at the FDA. He also highlights the need for better public education and drug policy reform, contrasting U.S. and European regulatory approaches while discussing innovative international MDMA therapy initiatives.

Original broadcast date: Friday, March 19, 2021. Our senses can only take us so far in understanding the world. But with the right tools, we can dig deeper. This hour, TED speakers take us through the looking glass, where we explore new frontiers. Guests include astrophysicist Emily Levesque, wildlife filmmaker Ariel Waldman, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist Rick Doblin and science fiction author Charlie Jane Anders.TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at: plus.npr.org/ted Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Join Rick Doblin, the visionary founder of MAPS, as he navigates the intricate path of bringing MDMA-assisted therapy to FDA approval. Discover the ethical complexities in integrating psychedelics with therapy and the resilience needed to overcome regulatory hurdles. Rick shares insights on the profound healing potential these treatments hold for trauma survivors and emphasizes the importance of public education and drug policy reform in shaping the future of psychedelic therapy. It's an enlightening discussion brimming with hope and innovation.

Explore the intersection of traditional therapy and psychedelics with Rick Doblin, discussing the mental health crisis and studies in Iceland. Delve into personal stories of healing through psychedelic-assisted therapy and the potential for a trauma-free world by 2070. Learn about the benefits of brain health supplements, transformative growth, and geopolitical concerns related to psychedelic therapy. Discover the spiritual awakening and debates around natural vs synthetic psychedelics, along with potential PTSD treatment through psychedelic therapy.