The Psychedelic Therapy Podcast

Today on the show we are discussing the state of psychedelic legislation in the wake of Colorado’s Proposition 22 passing in November. Sharing the most relevant implications for psychedelic therapists and healers we have the best person for the job, MAPS Director of Policy and Advocacy Ismail Lourido Ali. On the show we discuss legalization vs decriminalization. We look at the different tracks for psychedelic legalization from medicalization to religious exception to regulated adult use. We discuss Oregon’s Bills 109 and 110 exploring “scope of practice,” residency laws, and training reciprocity. We look at Colorado’s Proposition 22 and the two big differences between that and what was passed in Oregon two years ago. We discuss equity initiatives. Ismail shares what legalization efforts look like on the federal level and to close our conversation, he speaks directly to psychedelic healers. As MAPS’ Director of Policy and Advocacy, Ismail advocates to eliminate barriers to psychedelic therapy and research, develops and implements legal and policy strategy, and supports MAPS’ governance, non-profit, and ethics work. Ismail earned his J.D. at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2016, after receiving his bachelor’s in philosophy from California State University, Fresno. Ismail has previously worked for the ACLU of Northern California’s Criminal Justice & Drug Policy Project, and Berkeley Law’s International Human Rights Law Clinic. Ismail is licensed to practice law in the state of California, and is a founding board member of the Psychedelic Bar Association. Ismail is passionate about setting sustainable groundwork for a just, equitable, and generative post-prohibition world. Timestamps :06 - Izzy’s role as Director of Policy and Advocacy for MAPS :10 - Legalization vs decriminalization :16 - Religious exception vs medicalization :22 - Oregon’ regulated adult use system (Bill 109) :28 “Scope of practice” and psilocybin facilitation licenses in Oregon. :34 - Information for practitioners hoping to offer services in Oregon or Colorado including residency laws and training reciprocity :40 - Two big differences in the recently passed Colorado’s Prop 22 :47 - Equity initiatives in Oregon and Colorado :54 - What can we anticipate around federal legislation in psychedelics Links Izzy’s Instagram Izzy Twitter Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies - MAPS MAPS Twitter MAPS Instagram Psychedelic Bar Association Guide to RFRA and Best Practices for Psychedelic Plant Medicine Churches Oregon Health Authority MAPS analysis regarding Oregon’s Measures 109 and 110 passed in Nov 2020 MAPS analysis regarding Colorado Proposition 122 MAPS analysis regarding our work on SB519 in CA to decriminalize the personal use of all psychedelics

Could enhancing creativity be the key to healing mental illness? Laura Dawn of Grow Medicine, makes a compelling case for the value of psychedelics for enhancing flow. Our conversation begins with an exploration of eldership and indigenous concepts of reciprocity based on Laura Dawn’s recent trip to Columbia. Laura Dawn gives us practical tools for enhancing creativity and makes the case for psychedelic healing through optimizing flow states. We conclude with how to prevent burnout amongst healers, facilitators, and other leaders in the psychedelic space. Laura Dawn hosts The Psychedelic Leadership Podcast and is the founder & director of Grow Medicine. She has a Masters in Science specializing in Creativity Studies & Change Leadership and is at the forefront of exploring the intersection between psychedelics and creative cognition for leadership development. Timestamps :05 - Laura’s trip to Colombia to learn from the Kogi and Mamos indigenous elders :19 - How to best innervate psychedelics into the mainstream :24 - Focusing on the intersection between psychedelics and creative cognition :34 - Healing mental illness through creativity tools for accessing creative cognition :49 - How to prevent burnout amongst healers, facilitators, and people in the psychedelic space Links Grow Medicine Website Laura Dawn Website Instagram

Can sound help us disconnect from unhealthy habitual patterns? Today’s guest Alexandre Tannous, creator of the Sound Meditation protocol, shows how we can use harmonic frequencies to release trauma, enhance self-awareness and live happier, healthier lives. Our conversation begins with Alexandre’s explanation of harmonic frequencies and the problem with the quantization of the 12-tone scale. We discuss the value of sound in the context of psychedelic experiences, as well as sound meditation protocols (set and setting). We conclude with issues that need to be addressed when working with these powerful tools. Alexandre Tannous is an ethnomusicologist, sound therapist, and sound researcher. He is also the Principal Founder of ResonantMind Collective. For the past 22 years Alexandre has been researching the therapeutic and esoteric properties of sound from three different perspectives – Western scientific, Eastern philosophical, and shamanic societal beliefs – to gain a deeper understanding of how sound has been used to affect human consciousness. This search has led him to where art, science, philosophy, and spirituality intersect. He continues to do research on sound, currently works as a sound therapist, teaches the method he has created, and lectures about sound throughout the world. Timestamps :08 - An overview of sound and the 12 tone scale :20 - The problem with calling supplements “plant medicine” Ability to experience the transformational quality of sound in the context of a psychedelic experience :28 - Default mode network :37 - Alexandre’s specific protocol for Sound Meditation :44 - The impact of the Sound Meditation Protocol :54 - The pitfalls of powerful tools and the parasitic force Links Alexandre Tannous Website Resonant Mind Collective 

In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life. And as psychedelics are becoming more mainstream, there is an increased interest in using new tools to overcome these disorders. Today, with guest Adele Lafrance, we discuss the promising impact that ayahuasca, MDMA, ketamine, and psilocybin can have on a person who is struggling to heal from disordered eating. We begin our conversation by discussing the challenges of healing eating disorders and how psychedelics can help. Adele then shares her work with Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), and resources that are specific to clinicians. She speaks on ayahuasca as a healing modality with the unique concerns of ayahuasca preparation diets and the importance of integration. We close with discussing MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine as treatment options, and the importance of love in healthcare. Dr. Adele Lafrance is a clinical psychologist, research scientist, author, and developer of Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). She is a leader in the research and practice of psychedelic medicine, with a focus on ayahuasca, MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine. Currently, Adele is the clinical investigator and strategy lead for a MAPS-sponsored study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Links: Adele Lafrance Adele's Twitter  Dr. Rachel Yehuda  Gabor Mate  The Jungle Prescription  Emotion-Focused Family Therapy Book  Emotion-Focused Therapy Website EFFT Institute  Timestamps :05 - Challenges of healing from an eating disorder and ayahuasca for treatment :15 - Adele’s introduction to working with eating disorders and Emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT) :21 Resources for EFFT and specific techniques for clinicians :31 - Findings with ayahuasca as a healing modality for eating disorders, and psychedelic integration :36 - Training to bring practitioners up to speed on eating disorders :43 - MDMA and its treatment with PTSD :48 - Ketamine and eating disorders :50 - The importance of talking about love in psychedelic research

We live in a global epidemic of sexual violence and spaces for psychedelic healing are not only not exempt, but there are also factors which make sexual violence more likely in these spaces. Join us for the second half of our two-part series with author and psychotherapist, Laura Northrup, as we understand why violations occur in spaces of healing and what we can do about it. We open by discussing the spectrum of ethical violations in mental healthcare generally and psychedelic spaces specifically. We go over the conditions, both psychological and cultural, that contribute to harm. We discuss accountability both of individuals involved and the community generally which brings us into a conversation bystandership about deplatforming. We end our conversation with a review of Laura’s new book Radical Healership and how to build a values-driven practice. Laura is an author, educator, somatic psychotherapist, and podcaster. She is the host and creator of the podcast Inside Eyes, an audio series about people using entheogens & psychedelics to heal from sexual trauma. Her work focuses on defining sexual violence through a spiritual and politicized lens, mentoring healing practitioners in creating a meaningful path, and supporting the spiritual integrity of our collective humanity. Her new book, Radical Healership helps practitioners build a values-driven practice in a profit-driven world. Disclaimer: This show discusses sexual violence so please go slow and take care of yourself. Links Laura Northrup’s Radical Healership Inside Eyes Podcast Psychedelic Survivors Support Group Horizons Conference Timestamps :10 – The spectrum of ethical violation :19 – What is occurring in the psyche to cause healers to violate someone? :25 - What does full accountability look like when it comes down to sexual harm within a healing relationship? :28 - Dangerous personality types and people :34 - Does the psychedelic community have a unique situation in terms of sexual abuse? :39 - The challenging question of deplatforming :49 - Do governing bodies help prevent assault :53 - Laura’s new book for practitioners, “Radical Healership”

Psychedelic medicine is a powerful tool that can support the healing of survivors of sexual violence, however, the conditions of psychedelic therapy both above and below ground can also create trauma for those looking to heal. Laura Northrup, a somatic psychotherapist, author, and podcaster is our guest for a two-part series on healing sexual violence with psychedelics and how to protect those seeking healing. In Part 1, our conversation begins with addressing the issue of sexual violence in the psychedelic community. Laura shares resources on becoming truly trauma-informed and how practitioners can create a safe space during a psychedelic experience, including creating appropriate boundaries. We go over how to support someone if you are not professionally trauma-informed, and how to find a practitioner who is. We end with a discussion about supporting bystanders of sexual violence. Laura is an author, educator, somatic psychotherapist, and podcaster. She is the host and creator of the podcast Inside Eyes, an audio series about people using entheogens & psychedelics to heal from sexual trauma. Her work focuses on defining sexual violence through a spiritual and politicized lens, mentoring healing practitioners in creating a meaningful path, and supporting the spiritual integrity of our collective humanity. Disclaimer: This show discusses sexual violence so please go slow and take care of yourself. Links Inside Eyes Podcast Laura Northrup’s Radical Healership Janina Fisher’s Trauma Trauma Treatment Telehealth Certification Course Donald Kalsched’s Trauma Training Events Timestamps :10 - Addressing the issue of sexual violence in the psychedelic community :16 - How to become truly trauma-informed. :30 - How a practitioner can create a safe container during a psychedelic experience :38 - How to support someone if you are not professionally trauma-informed? :41 - Finding other practitioners and trainings :48 -  Working with bystanders of sexual violence

Psilocybin is quickly becoming recognized as an effective modality for treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Yet, the road to decriminalization and legalization of the medicine in the US and on a global scale is still slow going. Join us today with Chris Koddermann of the International Therapeutic Psilocybin Initiative, or ITPRI, to discuss his push for the ​​UN to reclassifies psilocybin as a less dangerous drug. We begin with Chris’s introduction to psychedelics. He shares his motivation to work pro bono to get psilocybin rescheduling passed. We discuss the Convention of Psychotropic Substances of 1971 and what decriminalization actually means. We close with a deep dive on this  current psilocybin initiative, what it means to regulate psilocybin, psilocybin availability, and how you can get involved in moving change forward. Chris Koddermann is the co-founder and chair of the Board of Directors for the International Therapeutic Psilocybin Initiative (ITPRI). ITPRI brings together an international coalition of leading psychedelic therapy advocacy and research organizations to promote and secure a rescheduling of psilocybin under the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Links International Therapeutic Psilocybin Rescheduling Initiative (ITPRI) Twitter LinkedIn WHO Expert Committee On Drug Dependence Commission on Narcotic Drugs  Beckley Psytech Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Mind Medicine Australia Osmond Foundation The Open Foundation  David Nutt’s Drug Science Contact info@reschedulepsilocybin.org Timestamps :05 - Being ‘out’ in the psychedelic space while working in legislation :09 - Why do unpaid work  to get psilocybin legislation passed? :13 - The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) & The Convention of Psychotropic Substances (1971) :17 - Current restrictions on psilocybin research :19 - Decriminalization explained :22 - Rescheduling psychedelics :31 – Psilocybin Coalition and ITPRI :34 - Lessons learned from the rescheduling of cannabis and next steps in psilocybin legalization :38 - How to regulate the productions of psilocybin

Where do you get your psychedelic news? DoubleBlind is a leading media company and magazine that has teamed up with experts in the field to provide informative and educational news, courses, and webinars in the psychedelic space. Today on the show we are speaking with DoubleBlind Co-Founder and CEO Shelby Hartman. We begin our conversation with the inception of the magazine, the meaning behind the name and DoubleBlind’s most popular articles. Shelby shares how DoubleBlind runs as a business, through its courses, memberships, and webinars, as well as the ongoing challenges faced by psychedelic businesses on social media platforms. We close with the future of DoubleBlind magazine and the psychedelic community at large. Shelby Hartman is the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of DoubleBlind Magazine. Her work has appeared in VICE, Quartz, the Huffington Post, and Rolling Stone, among others. After working in broadcast news production for CBS News, Shelby transitioned to magazine writing, working as an editor at Pasadena Magazine. She later worked as a columnist at LA Weekly and an editor at the cannabis media company, Herb. Links DoubleBlind Magazine Instagram YouTube The Ancestor Project Lucid News ICEERS Ayahuasca Defense Fund North Star Ethics Pledge Psychedelic Support Timestamps :01 The idea behind DoubleBlind Magazine :09 Shelby’s intro to psychedelics and philosophies :20 DoubleBlind’s audience, the reason behind the name, and top articles :32 DoubleBlind Magazine as a business and challenges faced across digital platforms :43 DoubleBlind’s membership, the future of the magazine, and the psychedelic community at large

As psychedelics become increasingly popular in the US and beyond, it’s imperative that new businesses honor, protect, and profit-share with the indigenous communities who are stewards of these medicines. Today on the show, Jesse Hudson, Chief Legal Officer at Woven Science explains the recent policy paper from Woven’s nonprofit El Puente which focuses on reparations, education, preservation, and inclusion for indigenous wisdom keepers. We begin with Jesse’s early work with ICEERS’ Ayahuasca Defense Fund (ADF) and the case for religious freedom. We discuss the importance of corporate social responsibility in psychedelic medicine and some examples of organizations which are doing it well. Jesse shares El Puente’s recent policy paper including the four pillars of biocultural conservation, appellations of origin, regulatory sandboxes, and financial sharing. We conclude our conversation with the value for psychedelic businesses of preserving, protecting, and giving voice to indigenous communities. Jesse Hudson has worked in the psychedelic space for 15 years as a lawyer, consultant, and advisor for organizations including ICEERS' Ayahuasca Defense Fund, Chacruna Institute, Enthea Health, Sage Institute, Journey Colab, and Vine Ventures. He is Chief Legal Officer at Woven Science, where he leads the non-profit El Puente, which promotes access and benefit-sharing with indigenous peoples and holds 10% of Woven’s equity. Links Woven Science El Puente El Puente Policy Paper (English) El Puente Discord Channel "El Puente: an impact DAO" on Medium Woven Science Twitter Ayahuasca Defense Fund (ADF) Contact jessie@woven.science Timestamps :17 - ICEERS and ayahuasca defense fund (ADF) :21 - Woven Science and ecosystem approach :26 - Ethics in psychedelic business :43 - El Puente’s Four Pillars: Biocultural conservation, appellations of origin, regulatory sandboxes, and financial sharing. :56 - Taxation and regulation exemptions for indigenous communities 1:03 - Financial benefits sharing, mandates, and ethics

Iboga (or its extraction ibogaine) is one of the most powerful psychedelic plants. Today we are joined by Jonathan Dickinson, of Ceiba Recovery, an integration coach and consultant for iboga and ibogaine healing. Our conversation begins with an overview of iboga and its unique value in treating addiction. We discuss Bwiti tradition in Gabon and Central Africa, where iboga is used as an initiatory sacrament. Jonathan shares his work with Ceiba Recovery, which includes online ibogaine aftercare. We conclude with the pros and cons of a clinical ibogaine setting vs the traditional iboga initiation, as well as general advice on integrating this powerful medicine. Jonathan is a recovery coach and consultant and has been working with iboga and ibogaine in both clinical and ceremonial contexts in Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica since 2009. He has been part of hundreds of detox treatments and has also coached people through long-term micro-dosing protocols for everything from depression and anxiety to neurodegenerative disorders. He previously served as the Director of the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance (GITA), during which time he led the development of the Clinical Guidelines for Ibogaine-Assisted Detoxification, a risk management guide that remains a standard in the field. Links Ceiba Recovery Clinical Guidelines for Ibogaine-Assisted Detoxification The Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance (GITA) Blessings of the Forest Timestamps :07 - What is iboga and what does the experience feel like? :16 - Iboga as a sacrament for initiation :27 - Jonathan’s process from initial interest to aftercare coaching and support of iboga :32 - Protecting the local community and sustainable farming in Gabon :34 - Ceiba, addiction, and the stages of change model :44 - Iboga in a clinical setting vs traditional initiation :50 - Dealing with Iboga’s long integration