Lili Brillstein, a healthcare pioneer, discusses what payers prioritize, effective communication strategies for startups, transitioning to value-based agreements, merging diagnostics with care delivery, advancing precision psychiatry, and the future of fee-for-service vs. value-based care in healthcare. The episode offers valuable insights on navigating the complex healthcare system.

Greg and Matias interview Ed Boyden about neuroscience frontiers and its applications to mental health.Ed is a pioneer in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of the brain. He runs a lab at MIT for Synthetic Neurobiology and is a professor across the departments of neurotechnology, biological engineering, and cognitive science at MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research. His inventions include optogenetic tools and expansion microscopy. He is co-founder of Cognito Therapeutics, Elemind, TI Solutions, and Synlife, and scientific advisor to several other companies. In this episode, we discuss…Academia vs. startups for neuroscience advancementEvaluating data vs intuition to assess new technologiesBreakthroughs like optogenetics and expansion microscopyHow to translate neurotech into companies/commercializationApproaches for clearly communicating and "storytelling" complex science.Credits:Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg KubinProduced by Jonathan A. Davis,  Nico V. Rey & Caitlin NerFind us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.venturesFollow us on Instagram and Twitter!Theme music by Dorian LoveAdditional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Greg and Matias interview Steve Rio about 5-MeO-DMT and its potential role in mental healthcare. Steve is a social impact cofounder, transformational coach, and practitioner at the Enfold Institute, one of the most reputable aboveground retreat centers working with 5-MeO-DMT. He shared many insights from his hands-on experience guiding hundreds of people through the medicine.In this episode, we discuss…5-MeO-DMT’s distinct psychedelic experienceEnfold’s protocol of screening, preparation and integrationWhy high doses may not fit into the mainstream medical model5-MeO's intense somatic release and non-dual experienceThe future of 5-MeO research and drug developmentMore information on Enfold Institute here: enfold.orgCredits:Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg KubinProduced by Jonathan A. Davis,  Nico V. Rey & Caitlin NerFind us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.venturesFollow us on Instagram and Twitter!Theme music by Dorian LoveAdditional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Tom Insel is an entrepreneur and former director of the US National Institute of Mental Health, the lead US agency supporting mental health research with a $2 billion budget. Since his time at the NIMH, Tom has built mental health technology, first at Verily and Mindstrong Health, and more recently founded Vanna Health, an online healthcare provider for serious mental illness.In his book "Healing", he talks about the importance of the 3 P's for solving the US mental health crisis: People, Place, and Purpose. Greg & Matias interview Tom on Business Trip to discuss the 4th "P": Payment. "We have to figure out how to pay for this", he says.In this episode, we discuss…Psychedelics in the healthcare systemAre antidepressants overprescribed? AI in mental healthTom’s learnings from almost starting a VC fundCredits:Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg KubinProduced by Jonathan A. Davis,  Nico V. Rey & Caitlin NerFind us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.venturesFollow us on Instagram and Twitter!Theme music by Dorian LoveAdditional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

What if your next antidepressant was a clam or spinach?Greg & Matias invite Dr. Drew Ramsey to explore nutritional psychiatry - a field exploring how the food we eat can be as powerful as medication in treating mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.Dr. Drew Ramsey is a psychiatrist, entrepreneur and author focusing on nutritional interventions for mental wellbeing. Drew shares scientific research to make a business case for nutritional psychiatry - how customized food interventions could reduce healthcare costs for conditions like depression and anxiety. We debunk common myths around nutrition and mental health and envision a future where psychedelics and fermented foods may be first-line treatments. Ramsey offers simple diet tweaks you can make today for improved mental fitness.In this episode, we discuss…How nutritional psychiatry can be a cost-effective mental health treatmentWhy doctors need more nutritional education to prescribe food as medicine What startups and opportunities there are in this space What foods and nutrients are best for your mental healthTune into the episode to learn more!Credits: Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg KubinProduced by Jonathan A. Davis,  Nico V. Rey & Caitlin NerFind us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.venturesFollow us on Instagram and Twitter!Theme music by Dorian LoveAdditional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Advocate Jan Baszucki discusses using ketogenic diets and fasting for mental health conditions like bipolar disorder. Topics include personal stories, science behind metabolic psychiatry, misconceptions about mental health and diets, challenges to adoption, and business opportunities in metabolic interventions.

Advancements in neuroscience, AI, and bioengineering are unlocking new possibilities for neurotechnologies. Investors are paying attention.Alex Morgan of Khosla Ventures is an MD, PhD, physicist, and one of the most active investors in neurotech startups. He's backed companies harnessing neuromodulation for varied applications - from sleep (Somnee) to depression (Flow) to motor recovery (Syncron). In this episode, Alex shares an insider's overview of the neurotech landscape. We discuss when neurotech solutions make more sense than traditional pharma. Alex reveals which brain technologies excite him most, and why.We also unpack key business strategy questions. When should startups pursue the consumer route versus FDA approval? What does Alex look for in neurotech founders on the cutting edge?This episode is for founders, investors, clinicians, and researchers interested in understanding the cutting edge of neurotech and how it will become an integral part to the future of our mental health. 

Jacob Robinson, an entrepreneurial scientist and CEO of Motif Neurotech, discusses the future of mental health treatment through innovative neuromodulation implants aimed at depression. Joined by Brom Rector of Empath Ventures, they unveil how these minimally invasive devices could revolutionize psychiatry, offering alternatives to traditional drug therapies. The conversation touches on ethical considerations, challenges of accessibility, and the differentiation between Motif and Neuralink. They also explore the transition from academic research to innovative entrepreneurship in the neurotechnology space.

In part 2 of a 2-part series, Greg and Matias explore microbial therapeutics for mental health with Dr. Christopher Reyes, biophysist, serial enterepreneur, and founder of Bloom Science. Dr. Reyes' research on leveraging microbes to treat neurological conditions began at UC San Francisco.He is now translating his microbiome research into startups targeting epilepsy, ALS, and even anxiety and depression. We discuss the science behind how gut microbes may influence neurotransmitters and mood. Dr. Reyes gives an insider perspective on the challenges of standardizing microbial therapies when each person has a unique microbiome fingerprint.We explore the regulatory landscape and future of microbial therapies for mental health. Dr. Reyes shares his experience navigating intellectual property, licensing deals, raising capital, and designing clinical trials to bring microbiome innovations to market. Credits: Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg KubinProduced by Jonathan A. Davis,  Nico V. Rey & Caitlin NerFind us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.venturesFollow us on Instagram and Twitter!Theme music by Dorian LoveAdditional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Dr. Phil Strandwitz, Founder of Holobiome, discusses the gut-brain connection and pioneering microbial therapies. Trillions of gut bacteria influence neurotransmitter activity, mood, and cognition. Imbalances in the microbiome may underlie mental health issues. Startups like Holobiome aim to develop microbiome-based treatments including fecal transplants. Lifestyle changes like diet, prebiotics, and probiotics can support gut health. This conversation will change how you think about the gut-brain connection.