Led by the inspiration of a cephalopod now extinct 66 million years, Sky Otter and I explore what is means to live our lives in alignment with life, creatively, and with heartbreak, grief, endings, and death as not only necessary parts of the process, but gifts that can deepen, enrich, and guide our limited days. Some of the topics we explore include ammonite as example of death and creative change in evolution; why life requires death and heartbreak is necessary; finding our way out of mass extinction through creativity in service to life; building heart-full community in relationship with Nature; deep Time and the ever-present is-ness of all things from all time; and why acting in alignment with life is a gift to all life, across all time. ... For links to Sky's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind186 FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW ... Sky's previous features on ATTMind Podcast -▷ Episode 156: Deep Ecology, Earth Connection, and The Circle of Life -▷ Psychedelic Café 9, Why Our Sense of Connection Matters    SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A, ——    Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening (02:04) Guest Bio (03:43) Patreon Thanks (05:38) Interview beings (10:04) Ammonite as example of death and creative change in evolution (15:40) Aligning with life beyond the individual self (19:33) Finding our way out of mass extinction through creativity in service to life (25:33) Life requires death; heartbreak is necessary (29:45) Grief is natural, but easier said than done (35:50) Building heart-full community in relationship with Nature (38:49) The misappropriation of “trusting life” to bypass ecological responsibility (46:33) Creativity and trusting life vs nihilism and numbing out in the face of ecological crisis (50:11) The complexity, challenge, and benefits of living in alignment with life (1:06:39) Deep Time and the ever-present is-ness of all things from all time (1:12:39) Acting in alignment with life is a gift to all of life; why we DON’T feel connected with life (1:22:20) I am because we are… (1:24:54) Follow-up links and contact details (1:26:03) Outro

Topics discussed in the podcast include the impact of psychedelics on problem-solving and perception, sci-fi narratives shaping worldview, AI becoming a new god, emotional management in a potential dystopian future, extended-state DMT experiences, and navigating the meta-crisis with psychedelics.

Travis Cartwright and Marie Zak are clinical herbalists from Althaea Herbals, an apothecary in Nelson, BC, Canada. They join us on the show today to talk about herbalism as a way of being in the world, as well as a clinical practice. We also explore why herbalism is not just a plant replacement for pharmaceuticals; how an animistic worldview can empower us to cultivate a direct and living relationship with plants and nature as a whole; how we can learn to communicate with plants through the direct experience of the body; some of Travis and Marie’s favourite herbs; where psychedelic plants and fungi fit in a practice of herbalism; and how herbalism can support us in our experiences with psychedelic plants.  Enjoy ...   For links to Travis and Marie's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind184 ... B E L O N G I N G -- A PATHWAY HOME (course) Marie and Travis are running a 7-week long online course to deepen your capacity to connect with plants and practice herbalism in your own life. Sundays, beginning on February 18th, for seven weeks. Registration closes Feb 17, 2024 More info here: https://www.jameswjesso.com/belonging Use the promo code JESSO for 15% off ... Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (2:31) BELONGING, Altheae’s upcoming course | Info here (3:43) Patron Thanks (4:32) Interview begins (5:08) What herbalism is (and isn’t) | An explanation of vitalistic herbalism (11:51) Clinical herbalism to balance the vital energies of the body | not just a “green pill” approach (19:37) The limitations of herbal practices (23:40) When to seek a clinical herbalist | when to not seek and herbalist (30:29) Animism and being in direct relationship with plants (35:40) The personal and collective benefits of building a direct relationship with nature (43:59) Heart-centered communication, non-rational engagement, and co-attunement with plants (47:48) Learning from and through the plants, through the direct experience of the body | somatic experience (1:03:11) Where psychedelic plants and fungi fit in a practice of herbalism (1:14:35) Where synthetic chemicals like MDMA fits in herbalism (1:19:16) Travis and Marie’s personal favourite herbs, and why (1:22:36) Where to start with herbalism in your life (1:27:35) Belonging: A Pathway Home; their online course in building a personal practice of herbalism (1:33:23) Follow-up links and contact details: https://www.althaeaherbals.com/ (1:34:14) Outro   ... SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, & Heather S.  And a special thanks to Martin F. for the generous paypal donation. 

This episode is with Mijal Schmidt and presents a rather robust exploration of what psychedelic integration is and the specifics of what an ayahuasca integration requires. We talk about the importance of good preparation, and what that looks like; various integration practices and activities; the most common challenges in integrating ayahuasca experiences, including integrating HUGE experiences and difficult experiences; the integration of experiences of exogenous material, e.g. entities or absorbing other people’s processes; and how to know when we have successfully completed our integration. We also explore the difference between psychedelic integration and psychotherapy; learning to accept what is happening in our journeys, even when we don't like it or want it or think it's what we are supposed to be experiencing; as well as how to support someone in a post-psychedelic crisis, and when to intervene for their own safety. Enjoy! ... For links to Mijal's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind183 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A, Heather S, & Heartwood Mushrooms ——    Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:05) Introduction and Guest Bio (4:53) Patron Thanks (6:07) Interview Begins (7:13) Mijal’s integration history in private practice and through the ICEERS Support Center (16:40) Best practices in preparing for a psychedelic journey (22:36) Preparing for ayahuasca specifically (28:56) The term “intake” vs “ceremony” (29:57) What an ayahuasca experience is, and what we might find (37:22) Considering the integration of experiences of exogenous material, e.g. entities or absorbing other people’s processes (44:05) The importance of acknowledging Mystery (50:40) What, exactly, is psychedelic integration? (58:10) Various integration practices and activities (1:02:21) We need to be care about when, and who we talk to about our psychedelic experiences (1:12:13) Be careful acting on what ayahuasca tells you, unless it's getting you out of danger (1:14:52) How to know when you have successfully integrated your ayahuasca experience (1:18:53) The most common challenges in integrating ayahuasca experiences (1:24:20) Integrating HUGE ayahuasca experiences (1:30:09) Learning to accept what is happening in our journeys (1:34:49) The feelings you think are in the way, are the way (1:26:23) Supporting someone in post-psychedelic crisis (1:41:53) When to intervene in someone’s post-psychedelic crisis (1:48:57) Follow-up links and social handles (1:51:12) Outro

Acacea Lewis is our guest for this episode of Adventures Through The Mind. Our interview explores a number of vignettes into her scholarly explorations of psychedelic mushrooms throughout human history, and especially in various African traditions. But the two main thematic arcs we travel in the interview are the work of the late Kilindi Iyi and the value and potential of high dose psilocybin experiences as a form of marital arts, primarily through the lens of Acacea’s personal experiences. ... For links to Acacea's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind182 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   EPISODE SPONSOR The Spirit Plant Medicine Conference 2023 Happening in-Person and Online, Nov 3-5  Head to http://www.jameswjesso.com/spmc and use the promo ADVENTURES to get a 30% off the price of your ticket.   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Heather S, & Heartwood Mushrooms ——  ... Episode Breakdown (0:00) Episode sponsor (1:11) Opening and guest bio (4:32) Patron Thanks (6:48) Interview begins (8:09) Acacea’s journey into high doses of psilocybin (14:25) Acacea’s journey with Kilindi Iyi (18:57) We see what we are interested in (22:54) The African use of psychedelic mushrooms (Egypt and Maasai) (30:20) The history of African martial arts, and the role of psychedelic states in martial arts practice (33:25) Debunking pseudoscience can backfire (30:08) An outline of Acacea’s first banned talk (37:24) High dose psilocybin as a martial arts form (40:03) The value (and dangers) of taking high doses of psilocybin (43:44) Psilocybin mushrooms in the Aztec traditions (45:51) The value of high doses is exploration (of self and of reality) (56:05) Learning to be our authentic self through battle with the trained self (1:01:04) The importance of healthy community during high dose explorations (1:06:28) The challenges and opportunities of being stereotyped as a black woman in public advocacy of psychedelics (1:17:32) Considering the potential harms of “accidentally promoting” high doses | there will always be ignorance in the world (1:24:37) Psilocybin mushrooms can be harsh, just like mother nature can be harsh (1:26:12) A quick run down of the lectures Acacea will be giving at the Spirit Plant Medicine Conference. (1:27:05) Crystals as a technology for psychedelic experiences (1:32:23) Connecting with Acacea on social media, and her online school (1:35:20) Outro

Dr. Eve Maram is a clinical and forensic psychologist and a certified Jungian Analyst in private practice in Orange, California. She joins us to share her perspective on schizophrenia, of it as a condition wherein the organizing function of the ego is overwhelmed by the turbulence waters of the unconscious (a statement that will be well flushed out in the interview); but we also go deep into her model of the schizophrenia complex, which is the bundle of “thoughts and feelings constellated by encounters with what we call schizophrenia, for those who experience symptoms, and for those others impacted by them” (another statement that will be fully flushed out throughout the interview).  Throughout this interview we also explore what a complex is; the role schizophrenia played in the development of Jung’s theories; the vital important of relationship for those with schizophrenia; how schizophrenia attacks relatedness; the various ways the schizophrenia complex arises within us and why; pharmaceutical vs non-pharmaceutical treatments of schizophrenia; the changing cultural tides around how medicine perceives schizophrenia; and practical advice for relating with those who have schizophrenia and their symptoms, advice for practitioners, loved-ones, and even for people with the condition themselves.  Enjoy. For links to Dr. Maram's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind181 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Heather S, & Heartwood Mushrooms ——    Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:47) Episode overture and guest bio (5:21) Patron thanks (7:38) Interview begins (8:23) How Dr. Maram came to study schizophrenia (15:03) A Jungian definition of “complex” (18:14) The Schizophrenia Complex (24:10) How schizophrenia was essential in the development of Jung’s ideas (26:37) We don’t really know what schizophrenia is, exactly. (28:36) Schizophrenia as the ego mind being flooded by the unconscious (36:01) The Schizophrenia Complex arises from our fear of total annihilation (44:44) That fear is justified, for many reasons, what matters is that we are conscious of it. (51:09) Relationship is essential in navigating schizophrenia; but schizophrenia attacks relatedness (54:21) The Schizophrenia Complex manifesting through fawning (trying to save them) (1:00:04) Treating schizophrenia: pharmaceutical vs non-pharmaceutical methods (1:07:56) Anosognosia (1:09:32) Exploring the changing cultural tides around how medicine perceives schizophrenia (1:13:32) Telling the difference between psychosis and spiritual crisis (1:16:22) Some practical advice for practitioners working with people with schizophrenia (1:20:18) Some practical advice for people with schizophrenia grappling with their diagnosis and condition (1:24:58) Some practical advice for people living with/caring for loved ones with schizophrenia (1:31:51) Follow-up links and information about Dr. Maram’s book, The Schizophrenia Complex (1:32:38) Closing

Dr. Adele LaFrance, a psychedelics and emotional processing expert, discusses the healing power of love. The podcast explores emotional processing, psychedelics' role in supporting emotional capacity, and encounters with love during psychedelic experiences. It also delves into the complexities of love, sexuality, and sexual healing, emphasizing the need to integrate love's healing power. The discussion includes the impact of historical trauma on emotional disconnection, gender conditioning's influence on emotional expression, addressing unaddressed wounds and emotional triggers in relationships, and the different dimensions of love. Dr. LaFrance also highlights the importance of creating a safe environment for psychedelic therapy, boundaries in therapeutic relationships, and the effects of unhealed wounds and historical trauma on sexual relations.

Here is a short but important update to the Podcast release schedule. TLDR: Rather than every two weeks, podcasts will now be released every 4 to 6 weeks for the next few months in order to allocate more time to writing a book: a follow-up to my first book, Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom    --- SUPPORT THIS PODCAST — ► Donate monthly on Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Tip Me on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso ► Donate via Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS ► Crypto Donations: https://www.jameswjesso.com/bitcoin/ ► Merchandise: https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ ► More options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support/ -- STAY IN TOUCH -- ► Newsletter: https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter ► Telegram Channel: https://t.me/jameswjesso  

Rachel Harris, PhD joins us to talk about her new book, Swimming In The Sacred Swimming in the Sacred offers a revelatory look into the past half-century of psychedelics use via in-depth interviews Harris conducted with women elders who have worked underground guiding sacred entheogenic journeys to cultivate insight, healing, and spiritual development.    Specifically, we talk about working with unseen worlds and unseen others; thin veils, absorption, and being accidentally overdosed by psychedelics; the uncanny connection between guide and journeyer during ceremony; and how psychedelic guiding work is NOT therapy and how therapy and guiding are two different skill sets. Furthermore, we talk about the complexity of good dosing; the value of lower doses and the risks of putting larger doses on a pedestal; the strange emerging phenomenon of “competitive ego deathing”; and learning to work with life in a bigger way by learning to let our psychedelic insights work on us over time. We talk about the risks of harm and abuse in both under- and above-ground psychedelic therapy; the difference between certification and qualification; how we lose our capacity to properly skill psychedelic guides in our rush to certify as many as possible to meet a massive demand; how to assess if a provider is trustworthy and skilled; and why psychedelic therapists NEED to experience psychedelics themselves. ... For links to Rachel's work, full show notes and supportive materials, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind179   *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**>>> Episode Art is a modified version of La Medicina Vive En Mi by the incredible Luis Tamani   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Tip Me on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telgram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Nanci BF, Heather S, and Heartwood Mushrooms ——    Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (4:08) Guest Bio (6:23 ) Patreon thanks | Support The Show (7:55) Interview begins (10:08) The research behind Swimming In The Sacred (12:10) Focusing on the value of the wisdom of women guides, specifically (14:22) How women have been doubly silenced in psychedelic circles (21:11) These guides aren’t therapists; their work is not therapy (24:14) The capacity to work with unseen worlds is not necessarily available to all of us (29:21) Thin veils, absorption, and being accidentally overdosed by psychedelics (30:57) The complexity of good dosing | “Competitive Ego Deathing” (34:11) Therapists DO NOT need to dose with their client (34:44) Psychedelic therapists NEED to experience psychedelics | sitting and therapy are separate skills (41:47) The uncanny connection between guide and journeyer during ceremony (45:20) Modern psychedelic research is lacking collaboration with the wisdom of the underground (49:40) We lose capacity for skillfulness in psychedelic guidance when we rush to certify psychedelic therapists (53:18) The difference between certified and qualified (53:52) What to ask a psychedelic guide to determine if they are trustworthy (55:28) What is lost when psychedelics become a mainstream institution (56:14) Psychedelic guidance is not about symptom reductions (57:51) Addressing the risk of abuse in psychedelic therapy (1:07:27) Therapists, heal thyself | “Waking up” does not amount to “cleaning up” (1:08:51) Waking up, Cleaning up, Growing up, Looking around (1:11:13) Working with life in a bigger way (1:13:59) The value of lower doses and the risks of putting larger doses on a pedestal  (1:24:29) The strange trend of overdosed microdosing supplements (1:25:40) Psychedelic insights work on you over time, if you support them in doing so (1:34:03) Be careful not to psychologize spiritual experiences (1:39:56) Discerning between a “message from the medicine” and ego projection (1:42:51) Psilocybin-assisted Therapy Vs Therapy-assisted Psilocybin (1:44:57) Advice for people who want to become psychedelic therapists (1:47:09) Advice for therapists who want to start providing psychedelic therapy  (1:48:07) Ketamine Therapy is NOT Psychedelic Therapy (1:50:50) Advice for people who want to become underground guides (1:52:43) Advice for finding a psychedelic guide you can trust (1:54:27) Advice for people who want to develop a life practice with psychedelic plants (1:56:41) “Swimming In The Sacred” comes from Maria Sabina (1:57:58) Follow-up links (1:58:55) Closing   Rachel's other interviews on Adventures Through The Mind Integrating Ayahuasca (and "her" voice in your head) w/ Rachel Harris Ph.D. ~ Ep. 63 What Psychedelic Can Teach Us About Dealing With Crisis - Psychedelic Café 2

Today’s episode is a bit of a lateral step from psychedelics specifically as we are going to talk about bipolar with Sara Schley, the author of the highly-acclaimed memoir BrainStorm: From Broken to Blessed on the Bipolar Spectrum.  We talk about bipolar as a spectrum and the different variations of bipolar disorder; why it is that so many people with bipolar are misdiagnosed and the issues this presents to those individuals and their families; major triggers for bipolar episodes and why medication isn’t enough to keep people stable; the self-care system Schley has developed for living with a bipolar brain; and how to support your friends/family that are in a bipolar crisis. Enjoy. ... For links to Schley's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind178 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Tip Me on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telgram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Nanci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms ——  and to Laurie A for their generous one-time donation.   Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:52) Guest bio and episode summary (3:40) Patreon thanks | Support the show (5:45) Interview Begins (8:37) The story of Sara discovering that she has bipolar (12:34) The bipolar spectrum and the different variations of bipolar disorder (16:55) Traditional SSRIs do NOT work for bipolar (18:21) The epidemic of misdiagnosis of bipolar (21:52) How undiagnosed bipolar (and mental illness in general) can destroy your relationships and your life (27:17) Why there are so many mentally ill people in our society (30:25) The genetics, epigenetics, and neurology of bipolar (35:34) Does life context “activate” bipolar or is it inevitable regardless of context? (43:49) PECS self-care system (Physical, emotional, creative, spiritual) (49:56) Pharmaceutical vs non-pharmaceutical treatment for bipolar (1:00:39) Having a practical PECS moment (1:02:19) Keeping bipolar stable and major triggers (1:08:39) Why isn’t medication enough to keep stable? (1:14:16) James’ morning practice (1:16:07) How bipolar made Sara a better person (1:20:41) What Sara wants you to remember from this podcast (1:21:31) The emergency ally toolkit (how to support your friends/family that are in a bipolar crisis) (1:23:04) Follow up links for other content, social media, and Sara’s book Brainstorm (1:24:33) Closing, socials, and gratitude