
Adventures Through The Mind
Adventures Through The Mind is an interview-based podcast hosted by Canadian author and public educator, James W. Jesso.
Although the show topics range---from spirituality, mental health, and emotional maturity; to love, relationships and sexuality; to history, philosophy, and neuroscience---there are two underlying themes that intersect them all: psychedelics & the mind.
James W. Jesso is the author of Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom and The True Light Of Darkness, both about his experiences exploring the potentials of psychedelics.
Latest episodes

6 snips
May 18, 2023 • 2h 7min
Using Psychedelic Molecules to Explore Alternate Worlds | Andrew Gallimore, PhD ~ ATTMind 176
In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Andrew Gallimore to explore the content of his new book 'Reality Switch Technologies: Psychedelics as Tools for the Discovery and Exploration of New Worlds'. We discuss how the brain builds an experiential world model from patterns of information at the neural level; how all of those worlds are correlated with specific neural patterns; how we can disturb that neural pattern to encounter new worlds; essentially, using psychedelic molecules to explore alternate worlds. We explore how different classes of psychedelics affects the brain differently and thus switch us to different potential worlds, focusing specifically on the neural and world-switching effects of classical psychedelics, tropane alkaloids, and ketamine. We also explore why the brain doesn’t care if its models are true, only if their adaptive; how perception of reality flows from conceptual hypothesis down, not from sensory information upwards; the self-model and its disintegration (ego death); we talk about schizophrenia and hearing voices; and about how every experience is “real” but not all experience is accurately mapped to our environment. ... For links to Gallimore's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind176 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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 —— Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening and introduction (3:10) Guest bio (4:38) Patreon Thanks | Support the Show (6:14) Interview Begins (7:38) All experience is “real”; all experiences are of models made by the brain (10:45) DMT worlds are made of the same stuff as our normal waking world (13:15) The brain builds a world model from patterns of information at the neural level (18:31) The Interface Theory of Perception; not every experience is an adaptive model of the environment (22:07) The brain doesn’t care if its models are true, only if it's adaptive. (24:26) Perception of reality flows from conceptual hypothesis down, not from sensory information upwards; predictive coding (35:40) The world falls out of the brain; how the brain builds the rich complexity of an entire reality (40:50) The self-model and its disintegration (ego death) (45:08) Schizophrenia and hearing voices (52:21) How the brain builds the world space of consensus reality, and how we can explore new world spaces by changing our brains with psychedelics (59:59) The C-Switch: how classical psychedelics affect the structure and dynamics of our models for reality (1:07:32) How classical psychedelics offer us profound insights and increase creativity through their effect on our brain’s hypotheses about reality (1:11:39) Ego death is the result of classical psychedelics producing a loss of distinction between self and other (1:14:20) Increased wonder and insights resulting from classical psychedelics destabilizing the brain’s hypotheses (1:23:08) Considering the difference between 5-MeO-DMT and DMT in the context of classical psychedelic effect on “the world space” (1:27:34) The M-Switch: how tropane alkaloids (aka datura) affect the structure and dynamics of our models for reality through acetylcholine, the M1 receptor, and the management of error signals (1:36:38) Tropanes, attention, and coming in and out of reality and hallucinations (1:39:30) The N-Switch: how ketamine and PCP affect the structure and dynamics of our models for reality through the NDMA receptor, the push-pull dance between anesthesia and high-psychedelia (1:45:23) James musing on his high-dose ketamine experiences (1:46:45) Ketamine is an abstract state of consciousness (1:50:11) What about Cannabis, MDMA, and Amanita Muscaria? (1:54:51) Using psychedelic molecules (and designing new ones) to explore and map alternate worlds (2:02:47) Follow-up links and socials (2:05:21) Outro

May 5, 2023 • 1h 30min
The Visionary San Pedro Cactus: Healing, Sustainability, and Sacred Relationships with Huachuma | Laurel Sugden ~ ATTMind 175
Laurel Anne Sugden discusses the objective and subjective aspects of the San Pedro cactus, including its habitat, history, sustainability, alkaloids, qualities of experience, safe preparation methods, impact of anthropocentrism, subjectivity of ethics, breaking the ego, and fascination with hyperspace entities and aliens.

Apr 21, 2023 • 1h 46min
The 6 Pitfalls: Safety and Best Practices for Ayahuasca Facilitators in Non-Traditional Contexts | Jeronimo M.M. ~ ATTMind 174
This episode features Jeronimo MM of ICEERS Foundation and explores the potential dangers and pitfalls present for ayahuasca/plant medicine facilitators in non-traditional contexts. Dangers specific to the facilitators, that Jeronimo refers to as The 6 Pitfalls: Sex, Money, Power, Intercultural Relationships, and Legal Situations. We also do a deep dive into what a “non-traditional context” is and two potential harms that might come up for participants, namely “when the experience is too much” and “Ayahuasca told me that…” To use Jeronimo’s words from the interview you are about to hear, this episode explores “How to avoid harming people who have put themselves under your care” We welcome Jeronimo back to Adventures Through The Mind for his fourth feature. His previous episodes were a dedicated interview on the complexity of the ongoing mainstreaming of psychedelics and the others were psychedelic cafes on how to protect from corporate influence and bad actors in the psychedelic scene, and the importance of ethnopharmacology for the future of humanity. If you are a plant medicine facilitator of any kind or know facilitators, this episode is definitely for you. However, this episode will be relevant to anyone interested in participating in any kind of plant medicine ceremony. As the dangers presented, facilitators are also dangers present to participants under those facilitators’ care. Having a sense of what they are in advance empowers your capacity to better navigate the often murky world of underground facilitation. ... Importantly, this episode is a vignette into a portion of the 6-month course Jeronimo is putting on through ICEERS titled Increasing the Safety of Ayahuasca Sessions: A harm reduction course for facilitators in non-traditional contexts. The course begins on May 8 and the admission process ends on April 27. Meaning there is little time left to sign up, if you feel called to do so. More details (along with a video version of this interview) are available at bit.ly/ATTMind174 Or you can jump right over to the course page by heading to http://iceers.academy/ *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** ***Featured image is courtesy of and copyright iceers.academy 2023 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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 —— Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (7:01) Increasing the Safety of Ayahuasca Sessions Course (7:50) Patron thanks (9:11)) Interview Begins (10:21) A harm reduction course for Facilitators in non-traditional contexts. (14:31) Why non-traditonal use contexts for ayahuasca require additional protocols to protect participants and facilitators (20:03) Dangers for participants: when the experience is too much, flight-response, disassociation, psychosis (29:18) The fine line between when to let difficult experiences unfold naturally and when to intervene (38:21) How to protect an ayahuasca participant from falling into disassociation (42:18) The dangers of "Ayahuasca told me that..." (50:15) Discerning between internal and external truths as a part of psychedelic integration (54:57) The 3 confirmations rule for psychedelic realizations (57:01) The 6 pitfalls for ayahuasca/plat medicine facilitators | Sex, Money, Power, Isolation, Intercultural Relationships, Legal situations (59:34) How the social structure of being an ayahuasca faciliator can push them into these pitfalls (1:10:11) The Pitfall of Money | the importance of payment, but the manipulations that can occur through payment (1:12:42) “Ayahuasca told me…” sex, love, and relationships (1:21:37) Its nice to be celebrated, but eventually it becomes a poison (1:27:31) The pitfall of “Intercultural Relationships” | relationships between non-traditional facilitators and traditional cultures (1:38:54) “How to avoid harming people who have put themselves under your care” | freedom vs responsibility (1:43:47) Follow-up links for the ICEERS course. (1:44:54) Closing

Apr 7, 2023 • 1h 47min
Psychedelic Hope In The Treatment Of Cluster Headaches | Bob Wold of Clusterbusters Inc ~ ATTMind 173
Bob Wold is from Clusterbusters Inc. He joins us on this episode of Adventures Through The Mind podcast to present cluster headaches, one of the most painful conditions known to humankind—their patterns, symptoms, and pathophysiology; as well as the treatments presently available, with a specific deep dive into psychedelic tryptamines as the most effective treatment discovered thus far and how those with clusters use those tryptamines. ... For links to Bob and Clusterbusters', full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind173 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A, Nanci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (3:13) Episode Overture (6:42) Patreon Thanks (7:58) Interview begins (8:44) What are Cluster Headaches: patterns, symptoms, and physiology (16:52) Cluster cycles | headaches returning every year at the same time (20:09) Physiological causes and triggers (24:40) The strain of clusters on family and relationships | The life-saving benefits of community (29:24) Suicidality amongst survivors of cluster headaches (33:24) Pathophysiology of clusters: trigeminal nerve and the hypothalamus (36:34) The treatment landscape | medications and high-flow oxygen (43:49) Lack of funding compromising research on cluster headaches (48:55) The treatment landscape: opiates(e.g. heroin), caffeine, and aerobic exercises (58:57) The history of psychedelic tryptamines for cluster headaches (1:05:33) Psychedelic tryptamines are the most effective treatment for cluster headaches (1:0911) Psychedelic tryptamines for clusters: dosage, efficacy, and protocol (1:16:24) Why psychedelic tryptamines help cluster headaches (1:19:10) LSA vs LSD vs Psilocybin for treatment efficacy (1:23:10) Growing your own psychedelic medicine is revolutionary (1:28:57) Advocation and education on psychedelic tryptamines for cluster survivors (1:32:39) Novel psychedelics tryptamines for cluster headaches (1:35:54) Conflicts between the DEA and research into new psychedelic treatments (1:42:36) Clusterbusters: who they are, what they do, and how you can connect with them (1:45:22) Outro ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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 OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness — https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Feb 24, 2023 • 1h 36min
A Jungian Approach To Psychosis, Spiritual Crisis, and Healing Our Deepest Wounds | Dr Tim Read
Dr. Tim Read is a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author based in London. He joins us on the show to discuss the deep unconscious, complexes, being triggered, and why we need a new way to treat mental illness. We talk about the difference between spiritual crisis and psychosis; how modern psychiatry is broken; and why psychiatrists should undergo psychedelic therapy. Additionally, we explore the difference between being in process and processing; how our triggers are an opportunity to step into our healing journey; the role of relationships in our healing; how to help shift culture and community to better support people in crisis; how to support people in psychotic delusion (without colluding in their delusions); and the point at which we should involve psychiatric intervention. Enjoy ... For links to Jordan's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind172 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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 —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:51) Overture (5:31) Patron Thanks (6:46) Interview begins (8:28) The deep unconscious, COEX/complexes, and being triggered (12:45) Why we need a new way to treat mental illness (14:03) A bit more into COEX systems and processing being triggered (21:16) Being triggered distorts our perception of reality (22:40) Being triggered offers us an opportunity to heal (in process vs processing) (24:48) Getting stuck in a trigger (30:33) Triggers are an opportunity to step into our healing journey (33:30) How to process being triggered (36:30) The role of relationships in our healing process (40:40) How do we help shift culture and community to better support people in crisis (43:12) Why psychiatrists should undergo psychedelic therapy (44:35) Modern psychiatry is broken (48:10) A definition of Spiritual Emergency, Spiritual Crisis (51:34) The difference between spiritual crisis and psychosis (56:34) Mental illness is not biologically rooted (bipolar, psychosis, and schizophrenia) (1:00:07) Exploring the root of mental illness from a Jungian perspective (1:13:55) The deepest personal touches the transpersonal (1:15:36) The challenge of touching the transpersonal (1:17:40) The point at which we should involve psychiatric intervention (1:21:07) Psychiatric medication can be necessary at times | don’t let ideology get in the way of common sense (1:26:04) How to support people in psychotic delusion (without colluding in their delusions) (1:29:59) It’s all about love | Love is the key ingredient (1:32:07) Follow-up links (1:34:00) Outro ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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 OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness — https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Feb 10, 2023 • 1h 39min
Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings: Qualities, Causes, and Consequences | Jessica Corneille ~ ATTMind 171
Jessica Corneille, MSc is a Research Psychologist specializing in spontaneous spiritual awakening experiences. On this episode of the podcast we start by presenting a definition of a spontaneous spiritual awakening experience before going on to explore the after-effects of these experiences; how they seem to affect both atheists and strongly religious people; common preceding factors; the neurobiological and psychological factors correlated with spontaneous awakening experiences; as well as negative spiritual experiences, e.g spiritual crisis or spiritual emergencies. We also deconstruct the exclusive pathologizing of psychosis, bipolar, and schizophrenia and the delegitimization of the mystical states of other cultures as a kind of racism. And we end with a discussion on integrating spontaneous awakening experiences and how to support people in their integration of spontaneous mystical experiences. ... For links to Corneille's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind171 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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 —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:13) Overture (8:02) Patreon Thanks (9:54) Interview begins (11:06) A definition of a spontaneous spiritual awakening (12:36) The qualities of a spontaneous spiritual awakening (18:52) Changes in visual and auditory perceptions during/after (21:00) Entity/demon encounters (24:20) Common preceding factors (28:07) The after-effects of spontaneous mystical experiences (30:01) How these experiences seem to affect both atheists and strongly religious people (35:07) Negative mystical experiences, spiritual crisis (41:38) The neurobiological and psychological factors correlated with spontaneous awakening experiences (43:52) Temporal lobe epilepsy and mystical experiences (47:29) Deconstructing the exclusive pathologizing of psychosis, bipolar, and schizophrenia (1:01:14) The delegitimization of the mystical states of other cultures as a kind of racism (1:13:48) Integrating spontaneous spiritual awakening experiences (1:25:06) How to support people in their integration of spontaneous awakening experiences (1:28:41) Links for supportive info for people integrating spontaneous awakening experiences (1:30:33) How to assess when it makes sense to consult a mental health professional (1:33:44) What’s next for Cornnn….. and socials (1:37:54) Outro ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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 OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness — https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Jan 27, 2023 • 2h 20min
The Future of Visionary Art in an Era of Ai | Psychedelic Café 11
Today we feature another addition to our Psychedelic Café series. This time exploring what art means and what the meaning of art might become in a growing era of ai generated art-like images flooding the mindspace of humanity through consumptive digital media channels. The cafe is a curated collection of participants who, through a structure series of rounds, explore together a single question. The question we are exploring is: What does the meaning of art look like in an era of increasingly-accessible AI art generators with increasingly powerful capacities for fidelity and complexity? And our guests are Autumn Skye, Simon Haiduk, Evan Bartholomew (aka Bluetech), Martina Hoffman, Chor Boogie, Dan De Santos, and Michael Phillip. ... For links to our guests' work, full bios and show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/PsyCafe11 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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, Michelle M, Joe A, Naci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (2:18) Overture (7:36) Patreon thanks (8:33) Participant Introductions (15:49) Introducing the question: (17:27) Ai art is inevitable (19:32) Ai as a bypass of the raw creative process (23:52) Ai art prompting as a kind of compulsion/binge (27:22) Ai isn’t art but something entirely new; the birth of a new god (29:32) The legal and ethical questions around ai use of artists’ work without consent (34:14) Ai meets our cultural compulsion to consume, rather than truly create (35:55) A spiritual way to work with Ai art as ceremony; image generation vs making art (40:39) A flood of ai art generators culturally downgrading the monetary value of actual art (43:00) The spiritual harm of ai art generation (46:04) If artists feel threatened by Ai, then they need to step up their game (51:33) Resisting the pull towards living a solely digital life by doubling down on the physical act of creation (1:01:34) Ai art generators as a new archetypal container for reality (1:02:50) How ai art generators work; the latent space (1:06:43) If art alters consciousness, what quality of consciousness is ai art cultivating in us? (1:11:55) “The ai does not copy anything from the image” (1:16:39) Losing our connection to nature and our humanity in favour of a transhumanist fallacy (1:21:49) A heated exchange on being “transparent” about artists using digital tools (1:31:15) Trending novel technologies as a platform for massive shadow projection (1:32:51) The danger of human creativity being atrophied due to the ease of access of digital content (1:36:26) The dishonesty of not claiming when art is made through digital means (1:40:59) Ai art generators as a means to satisfy our need to create, without having to leave the easy consumption of digital content (1:45:11) We need human creativity, even for ai art to be worthwhile (1:46:21) Artistic editing vs artistic creation (1:49:13) The dilution of the power of art by a deluge of ai content (1:52:53) Closing thoughts on this conversation (1:54:25) Ai art generators as an avenue for non-creative people to explore the creation of beautiful images (1:58:33) Learning faith through the process of artistic creation (and the journey of life) (2:02:59) Do we choose to surrender our souls to the matrix of digital novelty or stay in the light of a higher principle? (2:05:05) An expression of hope for us to remember our humanity in the face of ongoing technological novelty (2:10:26) Wondering about intentions, psychedelics, and resisting the pull to getting locked into an ai reality (2:13:42) The potential for ai is so incredible, but generating art seems like a dangerous waste of that potential (2:15:28) The debate around art generators reveals the meta-crisis we are all in. (2:18:30) Closing ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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 OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness — https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Jan 13, 2023 • 2h 12min
The Business and Practice of Psilocybin Therapy in Jamaica | Justin Townsend ~ ATTMind 170
Justin Townsend is the CEO and Head Facilitator at the psilocybin therapy retreat centre MycoMeditations. He is on the show for this episode to explore two topic themes: The business side of running a successful psilocybin retreat centre in the economic context of the modern corporate world without losing your ethics in the process The therapeutic framework and philosophy that MycoMeditations holds for their retreats and their guests. Some of the things we cover on the first side of the conversation: Justin’s journey from the corporate world to running an psychedelic psilocybin therapy retreat centre; psychopathology and integrity in the corporate world, and how good people end up doing bad things; the nuances around running a financially successful psychedelic retreat centre without ethical sacrifices; what it means to be building what they call “gold-standard for group-facilitated psilocybin therapeutics in natural settings”; data propriety; and supporting peer-reviewed research. In the other half of the conversation we explore: why MycoMeditations holds an entity “non-shamanic” framework for their psilocybin work; how to support someone who has a beyond Western framework experience from a non-shamanic framework; helping to prevent post-psychedelic hypomania from evolving into psychosis; differentiating between psychosis and a “normal psychotomimetic response”; non-pharmacological interventions for psychosis and psychotomimetic responses; as well as The Golden Shadow and the dangers of golden-shadow projection in both psychedelic therapy and spiritual communities. Enjoy. ... For links to Justin's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind170 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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, Michelle M, Joe A, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:12) Overture and guest bio (5:18) Patron thanks (6:05) An important statement about endorsements (7:41) Interview begins (7:47) Justin’s journey from the corporate world to running an psychedelic psilocybin retreat centre (12:52) Exploring the toxic psychology/behaviours of the corporate world (20:26) Psychopathology in the corporate world, and how good people end doing bad things—multipolar traps (26:03) Merging his corporate experience and psychedelic work to build a high-quality company in the psychedelic retreat field (29:27) The importance of protecting a business ethos from financial takeover (32:39) Exploring nuances around running a financially successful psychedelic retreat centre without ethical sacrifices (39:06) MycoMediation’s mission to build the “gold-standard for group-facilitated psilocybin therapeutics in natural settings” — and how and why they are doing it (44:08) Why MycoMeditation will keep their “gold-standard” data proprietary, for now (54:46) Where/how MycoMediation is helping support peer-reviewed science. (57:21) Building a fully non-shamanic framework for psilocybin retreats, and why it matters for Western people. (1:04:41) How to support someone who has a beyond Western framework experience from a non-shamanic framework (1:17:16) Helping to prevent post-psychedelic hypomania from evolving into psychosis (1:21:09) Differentiating between psychosis and a “normal psychomemetic response” (1:31:16) Discussing non-pharmacological interventions for psychosis and psychomimetic response (1:39:04) The Golden Shadow and the dangers of golden-shadow projection in psychedelic therapy (1:45:51) A “tough pill to swallow” with respect to the issues of indigenous reciprocity and biopiracy as a psychedelic company (1:60:52) How MycoMeditations is helping to give back to the people of Jamaica (1:58:12) Pushing back on Townsend’s “tough pill to swallow” (2:01:50) Townsend’s concerns around what is happening with psilocybin in Oregon (2:06:58) Closing the interview, follow up links and socials (2:08:30) Outro ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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 OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness — https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Dec 23, 2022 • 1h 46min
Microdosing Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms | Baba Masha M.D ~ ATTMind 169
Baba Masha MD joins us to present the results of her research into microdosing amanita muscaria mushrooms, the benefits and the risks, as well as what she learned about the ideal prepration and protocol. In this episode of the podcast we first explore Masha’s journey of making a banned-podcast about psychedelics in Russia; being the first person to be public about consuming psychedelics in Russia; as well as the context of drug use and prohibitionist propaganda in Russia and it’s impact on public health. Masha then outlines the origins of her microdosing amanita muscaria study; where the data came from; the results; the potential influence of placebo effect; some nuances about the chemical compositions and pharmacology of amanita; and what her study revealed about the optimal dosing and preparation protocols for microdosing amanita muscaria. ... For links to Baba's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind169 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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, Clea S, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Michelle M, Chloe C, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:47) Introduction (6:22) Patron thanks (8:45) Interview begins; The context for why Masha is in disguise (11:34) Masha’s journey of making a banned-podcast about psychedelics in Russia; the first person to be public about consuming psychedelics in Russia (16:36) The creation of Baba Masha’s amanita muscaria microdosing study (21:57) The impact of Masha’s podcast in Russia, and why it got banned (26:40) The context of drug use and prohibitionist propaganda in Russia (29:34) The impact of Russian prohibitionist narratives on drug-induced anxiety/panic attacks (36:03) General information about amanita muscaria (41:37) The dangers of psychedelic doses on amanita muscaria (55:39) The chemical compounds present in amanita muscaria—ibotenic acid and muscimol (1:01:01) How the different ratios of ibotenic acid and muscimol effect different people differently (in microdosing) (1:08:50) The best time of day to microdose amanita muscaria (1:11:54) Microdosing amanita muscaria as an antidote to chemical dependence (1:13:52) Topical amanita muscaria as a powerful anti inflammatory (1:18:56) Microdosing amanita muscaria effects on memory (1:23:52) The potential placebo effect of microdosing amanita muscaria (1:31:32) The optimal dosing protocol for microdosing amanita muscaria (1:35:05) The optimal preparation of amanita muscaria for microdosing (1:38:27) Smoking amanita muscaria (1:39:24) Follow up links, social handles, and where to buy their book (1:43:08) Outro (1:43:53) Support the podcast ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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 OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness — https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Dec 9, 2022 • 2h 14min
Visions For A World In Crisis | Psychedelic Café 10
Our guests for this episode are Dennis McKenna, The Teafaerie, Chris Bache, Bruce Damer, Dank Duchess, Laurel Anne Sugden, and Stephen Gray. Together, in Psychedelic Cafe style, we explore conversation with the following question as our central guiding inquiry: "What is the power and potential of psychedelics in navigating the many-orders of growing collapse that our planet is currently facing?" Topics explored include global crisis and the birth of the future human; how the pain and suffering of ongoing collapse that will drive us into our next expression in consciousness; the intelligence of the universe; liberating ourselves from materialism; coming to terms with death; nudging consciousness forward through symbiosis with plant teachers; the history of the San Pedro cactus as an example of how sacred plants help support us through climate crisis; and an optimistic look at our present circumstances. Enjoy. ... For links to our guest's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/PsyCafe10 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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, Clea S, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Michelle M, Chloe C, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (3:18) Overture (7:40) Patron Thanks! (9:46) Cafe begins; guest introductions (19:59) Introducing The Question: "What is the power and potential of psychedelics in navigating the many-orders of growing collapse that our planet is currently facing?" (20:31) Strong medicine might be required (25:22) The stress of modern collapse may be in service to our evolution (31:30) Un-fixing the ego and recalibrating our interdependence (37:02) Global crisis and the birth of the future human (42:13) Slay the dragon, Save the grail (45:18) Nudging consciousness forward through symbiosis with plant teachers (56:06) The great forgetting and re-membering Connection as primary (58:52) An optimistic look at our present circumstances (1:03:35) The power and potential of social networks to create important change (1:06:56) Life has been deeply connected since the beginning (1:14:05) It is the pain and suffering of ongoing collapse that will drive us into our next expression in consciousness (1:18:50) The history of the San Pedro cactus as an example of how sacred plants help support us through climate crisis (1:23:51) Life’s intelligence can be trusted (1:31:06) The intelligence of the universe; liberating ourselves from materialism (1:34:29) Psychedelics don’t belong (only) in the therapist’s office (1:35:50) The power of psychedelics is not in the molecule, not in the matter (1:43:32) Coming to terms with death; all life lives on death (1:46:51) The is no end point and there is nothing to fear when we die (1:50:01) There are no answers, that’s not the point (1:52:17) The sentient other; what does real actually mean? (1:57:59) Does modern psychedelic therapy make us myopic onto the self? (2:00:17) We only think we are alone (2:01:59) It’s going to get worse before it gets better, let’s learn to support each other (2:04:20) Actions are necessary to create good in the world, but our actions can be easily confused (2:07:19) “Please, take heart” ; the awakened heart is our natural state (2:10:01) Closing The Cafe; goodbyes (2:10:51) Outro ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS 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 OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness — https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/