The Psychedelic Podcast

Dr. Richard Blake, a pioneering psychologist and breathwork researcher, shares groundbreaking insights from his extensive research on Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB). He discusses its effectiveness in reducing anxiety compared to traditional therapies like SSRIs and psychedelics. The conversation highlights the importance of trauma-informed practices, safety in breathwork sessions, and the integration of holistic approaches in mental health treatments. Blake emphasizes the transformative potential of lifestyle changes and community support in achieving deep emotional healing.

Rick Doblin, Ph.D., the visionary founder of MAPS, shares his journey through the recent FDA rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy, revealing the painful setbacks and the hope that persists. He discusses the vital interplay between therapy and psychedelics, emphasizing the need for public benefit models amid commercialization. The conversation touches on the transformative potential of Ibogaine and explores the essential therapist-patient relationship in healing trauma. Rick envisions a future where spirituality and collective well-being drive the psychedelic renaissance.

Bryan Hubbard, Executive Director of the American Ibogaine Initiative and former head of Kentucky's Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, discusses groundbreaking therapies using ibogaine for opioid addiction and brain health. He reveals how ibogaine can reset neurochemistry and explores its potential in treating conditions like Parkinson's disease. The conversation delves into the spiritual and political aspects of psychedelic medicine, highlighting Texas as a new frontier for research and the urgent need for innovative treatment options in combating the opioid crisis.

Dr. Pedram Shojai, known as The Urban Monk, is a former Taoist monk and doctor of Oriental medicine who bridges ancient wisdom with modern living. He discusses the critical role of physical health in enhancing spiritual experiences, emphasizing gut health and nervous system balance. Pedram shares insights from his journey of integrating monastic practices into daily life, the pitfalls of 'shortcut spirituality,' and the need for mindful routines. He highlights the importance of preparation and proper guidance for anyone exploring psychedelics.

Dr. Richard Schwartz, creator of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, shares his insights on how psychedelics like ketamine and MDMA can unlock our compassionate core, known as 'Self energy.' He discusses their role in healing trauma by relaxing protective parts of our psyche, allowing access to repressed emotions. Schwartz reveals his own experiences with psychedelic-assisted therapy, transforms the narrative around 'bad trips,' and emphasizes respectful engagement with our internal parts for profound healing and personal growth.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Marlena Robbins, a proud member of the Diné (Navajo) nation and doctoral student at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. Marlena shares her personal journey with psilocybin mushrooms and how they helped reconnect her with her heritage and family. Her research examines the cultural, social, and policy aspects of psilocybin use within Native communities, highlighting differences between urban and rural perspectives to inform educational frameworks, culturally-informed psychedelic assisted therapy models, and public health policy. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-302/?ref=278 Marlena Robbins is pursuing a Doctor of Public Health degree at UC Berkeley. Her research examines the cultural, social, and policy aspects of psilocybin use within Native communities, highlighting differences between urban and rural perspectives to inform educational frameworks, culturally-informed psychedelic assisted therapy models and public health policy. Robbins is a graduate student researcher at the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, focusing on program evaluation. Her residency with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration led to the development of a tribal engagement toolkit, showcasing the significance of psychedelics in spiritual, recreational and conservative contexts among Tribal communities. Recently, Robbins was invited to join the Federally Recognized American Tribes and Indigenous Community Working Group for the Natural Medicine Health Act with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. This role enables her to advocate for the protection of sacred plants against commercialization and cultural misappropriation. Highlights: Finding sobriety and healthy motherhood through mushrooms First experience of Hozhó: beauty, harmony, and balance Reconnecting with mother through shared psychedelic healing Advocating for indigenous representation in psychedelic research Applying indigenous critical lens to psychedelic policy Personifying medicines as relatives with their own spirits Evaluating psychedelic integration in Native mental health systems Moving beyond capitalism toward reciprocal relationships with medicines Meeting ancestral trauma with courage instead of avoidance Building bridges between indigenous knowledge and Western healthcare Episode Sponsors: Psychedelic Coacing Isntitute's Intensive for Psychedelic Professionals in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth. Golden Rule Mushrooms - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout

Sam Mandel, co-founder and CEO of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles, shares his inspiring journey in pioneering ketamine infusion therapy for mental health. He discusses the evolution of KCLA from a storage closet to a leading clinic, overcoming stigma and emphasizing patient-centric care. Sam critiques the current mental health system while advocating for individualized treatment approaches. He also highlights the challenges of integrating new therapies and the importance of creating a supportive environment for healing.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Simon Ruffell, a psychiatrist, ayahuasca researcher, and student of curanderismo. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-300/?ref=278 Simon shares his transformative journey from being a skeptical Western psychiatrist to embracing the spiritual dimensions of plant medicine after experiencing what he describes as an "ontological shock" during an ayahuasca ceremony. He discusses his ongoing apprenticeship with Shipibo curanderos in the Amazon, his research into ayahuasca's effects on mental health and epigenetics, and his work bridging indigenous wisdom with Western scientific understanding. Dr. Ruffell explores the differences between Western medical approaches and traditional healing practices, highlighting how the Shipibo focus on harmony and balance rather than fixing specific problems. Through his organization Onaya, he conducts reciprocal research with indigenous communities, studying how ayahuasca affects veterans with PTSD and examining the epigenetic changes that may explain its profound healing effects. Dr. Simon Ruffell is trained across three modalities: Western medicine (as a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry), research psychology (with a PhD in Amazonian ayahuasca and mental health), and traditional plant medicine (as a student of curanderismo). He is the Chief Medical Officer of MINDS, a nonprofit research organization exploring the potential of psychedelics and consciousness practices to address humanity's greatest challenges. Since 2015, his work has focused primarily on exploring ayahuasca while collaborating with indigenous communities in the Amazon basin. He is the CEO of Onaya and founded the nonprofit Onaya Science, which researches the effects of ayahuasca in naturalistic Amazonian settings. Dr. Ruffell's work seeks to understand plant medicines from both Indigenous and Western perspectives, and he is currently training in Shipibo Shamanism under Don Rono Lopez. Highlights: A spiritual attack during ceremony that shifted his perspective on reality Bridging indigenous wisdom with Western scientific research The difference between psychedelic guides and trained shamans Ayahuasca and epigenetics: clearing ancestral trauma How traditional medicine evolves and adapts over time Remarkable PTSD treatment outcomes with veterans Approaching healing as returning to harmony EEG research during ceremonial Icaros singing Shamans as navigational experts of the psychedelic realm When to choose Western medicine vs. traditional approaches Episode Links: Dr. Simon Ruffell's Website Onaya Onaya Science Episode Sponsor Psychedelic Coacing Isntitute's Intensive for Psychedelic Professionals in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Dr. Raymond Turpin, a psychologist and psychedelic researcher who has been studying these medicines since 1984. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcasts/episode-299/?ref=278 Dr. Turpin shares his journey from discovering Timothy Leary's writings as a college student to founding the Pearl Psychedelic Institute in North Carolina. He discusses his experience as one of only two sites nationwide to provide MDMA-assisted therapy through the FDA's expanded access program, the profound healing he witnessed in patients with treatment-resistant PTSD, and the challenges faced after the FDA's rejection of MDMA therapy in 2024.  Through stories of clinical breakthroughs, educational initiatives, and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, Dr. Turpin offers insights into the evolving landscape of psychedelic medicine and his hope for its future integration into mainstream mental healthcare. Dr. Raymond Turpin is the Executive Director and Clinical Director of the Pearl Psychedelic Institute in western North Carolina. He has been studying and researching psychedelics since 1984 and earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Dr. Turpin served as an investigator in an Expanded Access program providing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant PTSD and has worked with ketamine-assisted therapy while providing psychedelic integration services. Since 2022, he has been a Mentor for the Certificate in Psychedelic Therapy and Research program at CIIS. His clinical experience spans psychiatric hospitals, emergency units, residential treatment facilities, schools, and community mental health clinics. Highlights: A psychedelic calling that began in 1984 How a mushroom trip changed his career path When conventional mental health tools fall short MDMA's remarkable results with treatment-resistant PTSD From 71 to 18: Dramatic PTSD symptom reduction The FDA rejection: A devastating setback Hurricane Helene's impact on Asheville's healing community Why psychedelics threaten traditional mental health paradigms Turning trauma's irritant into a pearl of wisdom Education as resistance against misinformation Episode links:  The Pearl Psychedelic Institute The Pearl Institute YouTube channel California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Certificate in Psychedelic Therapy and Research program Webinar: MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: Expanded Access & Beyond Timothy Leary's autobiography "Flashbacks" (1984) Episode Sponsor: The Intensive for Psychedelic Professionals in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Katelyn Kalstein, a licensed naturopathic doctor, acupuncturist, and psychotherapist specializing in integrative mental health and psychedelic medicine. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-298/?ref=278 Dr. Kalstein shares her journey from growing up with natural remedies to her transformative experiences in India and Brazil, where she first encountered ayahuasca and joined the Santo Daime church. She discusses her unconventional career path through naturopathic medicine, neurofeedback at 40 Years of Zen, and as Clinical Director at Field Trip Health in Los Angeles. Dr. Kalstein offers valuable insights on the importance of community in healing, the limitations of current medical models, and why psychoanalytic theory remains essential in psychedelic work.  Through her experiences with various modalities, she illuminates the path toward a more integrated approach to mental health that honors both traditional wisdom and modern science. Dr. Katelyn Kalstein is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, acupuncturist, and psychotherapist specializing in ketamine assisted psychotherapy. The former Clinical Director of Field Trip Health in Los Angeles, Dr. Kalstein has seen hundreds of patients through ketamine treatment, both as a prescriber and a therapist. She is certified in Psychedelic Therapy and Research (CIIS) and looks forward to utilizing MDMA and psilocybin therapy when they become legally available. Starting her career in primary care medicine, Dr. Kalstein is passionate about an integrative approach to mental health care - treating mind, body and spirit. In addition to formal training, Dr. Kalstein has over 20 years of personal experience with psychedelics and meditation, traveling to India, Peru and Brazil for over a decade in order to study with various spiritual teachers and shamans. She has a deep respect for indigenous knowledge and mindfully integrates these teachings into her modern clinical practice.   Driven by a passion for the safe and ethical use of psychedelics, she views these medicines as powerful catalysts for personal and planetary change. Highlights: Her grandfather's natural medicine influence First ayahuasca experience—in an Indian ashram The Santo Daime church experience Shaving her head and following a guru Disillusionment with conventional medicine Neurofeedback vs. psychedelic experiences Field Trip's clinical model challenges Psychoanalysis in psychedelic integration Understanding healthy ego development Nashville's emerging psychedelic community Episode links:  Website Instagram: @drkatelynkalstein Simply Being Therapy (Nashville) Episode Sponsor: The Intensive for Psychedelic Professionals in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth.