Adventures Through The Mind

Chris Kilham joins us on Adventures Through The Mind to explore yoga, cannabis, and yoga and cannabis. We also explore the spirit of cannabis, psychedelics in general as a part of spiritual practice, and the dangerous pitfalls of spiritual narcissism and delusions that arise from all spiritual practice, and especially insular spiritual communities.   For links to Chris' work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to https://bit.ly/ATTMind151   ***Full Topics Breakdown Below***   OUR SPONSOR   R/EVOLUTION: A Deep Dive Course for Psychedelic Explorers Use code JESSO for 15% off until November 1st Before then, there are also 15 tickets for a greater discount with code ADVOCATEJESSO until that tier sells out. For more info visit the course page. ***Course begins on November 1st.   SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Andreas D, Clea S, Joe A, Ian C, David WB, Yvette FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, Eliz C, Chuck W, Nathan B, & Nick M     Episode Breakdown Chris Kilham’s yoga practice history Yoga and cannabis for chronic pain and back injuries What is Yoga and what is the point of the practice? Spiritual narcissism and insular spiritual communities Psychedelic use and messianic delusions Spiritual/psychedelic practice for the development of the healthy self The importance of a healthy community in your integration Is cannabis a psychedelic? How? Yoga and the spirit of cannabis What message are the different plant spirits trying to teach us? Different cultivars and the spirit of cannabis Don’t anthropomorphize plant spirits The pharmacology of cannabis and endocannabinoid system (ECS) The wonder of LSD and the discovery of serotonin Is microdosing a placebo? the stigma again using drugs with spiritual practice The risk of psychosis with psychedelics Psychedelics are well beyond the therapeutic framework The value of psychedelics beyond therapy 2nd Gen psychedelics and the failings of the corporate mindset Important advice for your first cannabis-yoga experience   ************** SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   ► Or, you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness: https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Shelley and Charley Wininger join us to tell a story of great loss, one that provides the context to wonder about the potential of group MDMA experiences for grief and the recently bereaved, as well as questions about death and dying, feeling safe to be vulnerable, and the profound healing of togetherness in times of great loss. ... For links to Winingers's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to https://bit.ly/ATTMind150   ***Full Topics Breakdown Below***     SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Andreas D, Clea S, Joe A, Ian C, David WB, Yvette FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, Eliz C, Chuck W, Nathan B, & Nick M     Episode Breakdown The relevant background of Charley & Shelley’s relationship and community The story of the death of Shelley’s son Their yearly group roll The MDMA grief circle Shelley sharing during the MDMA grief circle "I never want to go to a conventional wake again” The muting of emotions during modern funerals Feeling safe to feel the full pain of grief MDMA and learning to feel safe to be vulnerable Integrating MDMA into community grief processes Grieving the loss of safety and connection The MDMA middle way The MDMA experience is a holy space of profound togetherness and Love How MDMA impacted Shelley’s grieving process Learning to be wrecked on schedule Openly crying gives others permission to touch the tears in themselves Feeling safe to feel with MDMA Charley checks in with me The integration of a group MDMA grief circle Generational differences in stigma against MDMA   ************** SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   ► Or, you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness: https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Casey Schwartz, author of Attention: A Love Story, joins us talk about her journey with Adderall addiction; how social media technology influences our attention and behavior; internet reactivity and mob “justice”; psychedelics and their impact on attention; the deeper philosophy of what attention is; and why attention matters.   For links to Schwartz's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to https://bit.ly/ATTMind149   ***Full Topics Breakdown Below***     SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Andreas D, Clea S, Joe A, Ian C, David WB, Yvette FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, Eliz C, Chuck W, Nathan B, & Nick M     Episode Breakdown What if that final rug comes up from under us The beginnings of Adderall addiction The Adderall promise and of the attentional expectations of the modern world Adderall does not increase attention, not really If attention isn’t focused concentration then what is it? Is there such a thing as natural attention? Social media turning us into reactive children Bonding by bullying through canceling, Casey’s journey of watching her father get swept up in the metoo movement The difference between justice and vengeance, redemption, and a lack of much-needed nuance Adderall addiction in the age of technological onslaught How what we attend to changing the meaning landscape of our lives The deeper philosophy of what attention is, and why attention matters Where you put your attention is how you live your life Psychedelics and attention; how psychedelics alter how we attend to life Attention, prayer, and the discovery of divine A personal trip report of Vyvanse vs Adderall Attention: A Love Story and social links   ************** SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   ► Or, you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness: https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Our guest for this episode is Stephen Jenkinson and, with him, we will wonder about wonder and inquire–with wonder–about wisdom, prejudice, language, Mystery, generational truancy, the plague, and inquiry itself. For links to Jenkinson's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to https://bit.ly/ATTMind148   ***Full Topics Breakdown Below***       SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Andreas D, Clea S, Joe A, Ian C, David WB, Yvette FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, Eliz C, Chuck W, Nathan B, & Nick M     Episode Breakdown Inquiry, wonder, language, and the end of our days Our education was a war on Mystery Wonder isn't necessarily safe or good-feeling We have no obligation to be ok Psychedelics, MAID, and modernity "We deserve an ordinary life" Ambivalence, and being a “divisionary” Wisdom and prejudice Owning the truancy of the boomer generation Fate and the gods The failures of the language of loss to speak to the realities of the plague  The plague is already a savagely lost opportunity The nostalgia of our pre-pandemic days A generation's worth Doomsday and the greatest trauma implemented on the English people The end of the pandemic will be only the beginning of our undoing   ************** SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   ► Or, you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness: https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Amanita Dreamer is on the show to talk about her story of healing from panic and anxiety with the amanita muscaria mushroom.  We also talk about the mushroom's pharmacology, safe preparation and use; and how (and why) it can help us heal from not only childhood trauma but pre-birth and infancy trauma by re-parenting us. Finally, we talk about what it means to live traumatized in a traumatized and traumatizing world and how the amanita mushroom might help us discover, and build, a world that feels like a safe home. For links to Amanita Dreamer's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to https://bit.ly/ATTMind147   ***Full Topics Breakdown Below***     SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Andreas D, Clea S, Joe A, Ian C, David WB, Yvette FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, Eliz C, Chuck W, Nathan B, & Nick M     Episode Breakdown Introducing my own ignorance and resistance against amanita muscaria What is the amanita muscaria mushroom? Amanita Dreamer's journey through healing anxiety, panic attack and benzo dependence with amanita How finding Amanita in the forest saved AD’s life The active metabolites of amanita are they toxic? And how are they different in their experience Microdosing amanita is adaptogenic Healing pre-birth and infancy trauma with Amanita Muscaria Amanita is here to re-parent you | you are valuable Infancy trauma and anxiety disorders in adulthood Healing core wounds and become a truly human culture The amanita spirits are the cultural elders here to bring us back to our humanity Home is a place where you can exist without coercion Home means traveling and celebrating together Learning from the mushroom The difference between psilocybin and amanita Methods of amanita consumption | tea, smoking, microdosing, and macrodosing What an amanita experience is like Reviewing the psychoactive metabolites and metabolism of ibotenic acid into muscimol The amanita sleep and why you don't remember The other side of the trip Trip sitting amanita journeys vs journeying alone Smoking amanita muscaria and connecting with the ancestors Microdosing amanita muscaria How long does amanita tea last in the fridge Censorship and mushroom content   ************** SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   ► Or, you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness: https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Danny Nemu is on the show to talk about Science Revealed, the failures of our scientific institutions, and their unreliability as proxies for sensemaking reality.  We explore the question: Can we trust science? ***Interview recorded April 29, 2021 (This is a weird interview because there are several moments where my—I personally consider valid—inclination to push back against certain statements revealed myself as being somewhat wrapped in ideological assumptions and juvenile reactivity... It was an interesting learning experience for myself... That being said, Danny and I continued to have a thoughtful and respectful conversation and one that I hope you will appreciate.) ... For links to Beiner's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to https://bit.ly/ATTMind146   ***Full Topics Breakdown Below***     SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Andreas D, Clea S, Joe A, Ian C, David WB, Yvette FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, Eliz C, Chuck W, Nathan B, & Nick M     Episode Breakdown “It’s been a very interesting pandemic” does peer-review science actually create change (focus on cannabis legalization) Censorship in peer-review science (especially medicine) Close-mindedness and rationalism in scientific institutions Is science (actually) self-correcting? Science as a force of colonialism Is science (actually) self-correcting? pt.2 Grasping for theories and anti-science Conspiracy theories, mythic truths, and propaganda Debating covid narratives Viruses are information What is Covid revealing to us about ourselves? The damage caused by the prevailing human superiority complex The world is sick and we are in crisis Science and learning to know less   ************** SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   ► Or, you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness: https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Natasha Mason PhD and Jan Ramaekers PhD are on the show to discuss the effects of psilocybin on creativity; the challenge of measuring creativity in a lab; the role creativity plays in mental health; and even the connections between psychedelics, creativity, and movements in art and culture.   For links to out guest's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to https://bit.ly/ATTMind145   ***Full Topics Breakdown Below***     SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Andreas D, Clea S, Joe A, Ian C, David WB, Yvette FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, Eliz C, Chuck W, Nathan B, & Nick M     Episode Breakdown A disambiguation of the term Creativity; convergent vs divergent thinking The difficulty of determining what qualifies as creative in creativity research Creativity is defined by culture, too Creativity and its role in mental health; creativity is an essential cognitive ability How creative thinking can help with depression Cognitive flexibility, psychedelics, and healing depression The neurophysiology of creativity Creativity and the default mode network Outline their study on the effects of psilocybin on creativity and its results How much psilocybin (dose) were they giving people and why? How they measured the personal sense of being creative Psychedelics, art, and creativity research The role of glutamate in the ego dissolution experience The window of opportunity for neuroplasticity after psychedelics Glutamate, psilocybin, excitotoxicity, and depression The psychedelic encounters with near-death are protecting the brain (maybe) What’s next in their research on the effects of psilocybin on creativity   ************** SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   ► Or, you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness: https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

Antwan Saca and Leor Roseman are two of the authors of the research paper Relational Processes in Ayahuasca Groups of Palestinians and Israelis. They are on the show to talk about that research and the complexities of conflict and conflict-resolution it explores. For links to our guest's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to https://bit.ly/ATTMind144   ***Full Topics Breakdown Below***     SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Andreas D, Clea S, Joe A, Ian C, David WB, Yvette FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, Eliz C, Chuck W, Nathan B, & Nick M     Episode Breakdown Introducing the complexity of this topic Why Leor and Antwan were called to doing this research The dynamics in joint-space ayahuasca ceremonies with Israelis and Palestinians Facing the elephant in the room The role of cultural identities in the perpetuation of conflict The power dynamic on the west bank is more than just a cultural narrative The limitations of apolitical, individualistic "inner spirituality" narratives The vital importance of anger in facing injustice The challenge of integrating ayahuasca ceremonies (and conflict-resolution experiences) in the West Bank Communitas: can it change an unjust political reality or does it keep that reality as it is through evading it? Learning new ways of engaging the challenge of an unjust political reality that help encourage actual change The danger of these ayahuasca ceremonies and conflict-resolution in the West Bank. Drug stigma and the emergence of ayahuasca in Middle Eastern countries Movements towards using local plants in Middle Eastern Ayahuasca brews The different kinds of experiences reported Unity-based connection (and criticism of the “individual spirituality" of perennial philosophy) Recognition and difference-based connection Conflict-related revelation Awe and Silence Paraverbal qualities of language Delivery of conflict-related revelation and the need to ‘share the message’ Journalism and the complexity of reporting on ayahuasca ceremonies and conflict resolution in the West Bank   ************** SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   ► Or, you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness: https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

In this psychedelic café, we explore spiritual awakening and spiritual crisis; what they are, and what causes them. We also explore how we heal from spiritual crisis; their connection to trauma; the spiritual roots of healing bipolar; differentiating spiritual crisis from clinical psychiatric illness; the anti-theistic paradigm of psychiatry; personal crisis in the context of global climate crisis; and having a force larger than oneself un-make and remake our lives. Our guests are: Anna Lutkajtis Dayle Mcleod Benjamin Mudge Michelle Anne Hobart Kyle Buller Dr. Nicole Gruel For links and Bios for each guest, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to https://bit.ly/PsyCafe6   ***Full Topics Breakdown Below***     SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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 *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Andreas D, Clea S, Joe A, Ian C, David WB, Yvette FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, Eliz C, Chuck W, Nathan B, & Nick M     .....     Episode Breakdown Spiritual crisis as a way of discovering who we really are What makes spiritual awakening a crisis and how do we learn from them Spontaneous transformations of worldview Being dazzled by truth Living in a secular society increases the likelihood of spiritual crisis Where is the line between psychosis and spiritual crisis True spirituality is about love What does it mean to have a spiritual crisis? Bipolar, schizophrenia, and being unable to resolve a spiritual crisis The efficacy of psychiatric drugs in treating bipolar The role of the body in resolving spiritual crisis The importance of social context in spiritual crisis Spiritual crisis as a call to your ancestral lineage Preparing the cultural grounds for psilocybin introduction into the medical system The paradigm of psychiatry is anti-theistic The importance of including indigenous voices We are in a global spiritual crisis Trauma’s role in spiritual crisis How we ground through spiritual crisis experiences We need to upgrade our language around religious experiences Should we be trying to feel better?

Pierre Bouchard is on the show to talk about somatic therapy, the traumatic roots of depression, and the role ketamine-assisted somatic psychotherapy can play in healing that trauma, and thus the depression it produces. For links to Bouchard's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to https://bit.ly/ATTMind143   ***Full Topics Breakdown Below***     SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Andreas D, Clea S, Joe A, Ian C, David WB, Yvette FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, Eliz C, Chuck W, Nathan B, & Nick M     Episode Breakdown Somatic therapy vs traditional talk therapy The objectivity of sensation How somatic sensation can be used therapy We are all creatively organized to get love in the world How somatic therapy helps heal trauma Adding low-dose ketamine to somatic trauma therapy | ketamine therapy for depression How ketamine’s dissociative effects assist in safely accessing trauma feeling Developmental trauma and the roots of depression Treating depression through healing developmental trauma Trauma, depression, and healing through relationship How many somatic sessions does it take to heal depression? (integration) The problems of the present industry of ketamine therapy for depression Therapists should experience ketamine before providing ketamine In the absence of somatic ketamine therapists, how can we get the help we need to make sense of our ketamine experiences It’s never too late to have a good childhood   ************** SUPPORT THIS PODCAST   ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: 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   ► Or, you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness: https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/