Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers

Send us a textIn this episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison are joined by Dr. Alan Davis, MD. Alan is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician and shamanic practitioner. They cover the following topics:(1:38) Alan introduces himself(2:38) What does "shamanism" mean?(4:55) Shamanic initiations (10:00) What is "Core Shamanism"?(12:38) The role of ceremony in shamanic practice(15:20) The importance of mindset and setting when going into a plant medicine ceremony(16:50) How to navigate the fear of purging in a plant medicine ceremony(21:48) The concept of oneness and healing by unblocking stuck energy(28:50) Being a shaman doesn't make you a saint(31:50) Was Jesus a shaman? (34:25) The role of madness in the shamanic path(38:14) The tools of core shamanism to trigger an altered state(46:30) The importance of practice and "the journey is the point"(52:00) Sound as a portal to non-ordinary states(52:55) How do we merge shamanism and western medicine?(01:07:00) Self Observation, by Red Hawk(01:08:10) Foundation for Shamanic Studies(01:08:57) Society for Shamanic Practice(01:09:56) Shamanic Teachers(01:10:10) The Power Path(01:11:06) The Four Winds Institute(01:11:41) Red flags to watch for when looking for a shamanic teacher/healerEmail us questions and feedback at psychfrontiers@novamind.ca Learn more about our podcast at https://www.psychedelictherapyfrontiers.com/Learn more about Novamind at https://www.novamind.ca/Learn more about our podcast at https://numinusnetwork.com/learn/podcast/Learn more about psychedelic therapy training opportunities at https://numinusnetwork.com/training/Learn more about our clinical trials at https://www.numinusnetwork.com/researchLearn more about Numinus at https://numinusnetwork.com/Email us at ptfpodcast@numinus.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstevethayer/https://www.instagram.com/innerspacedoctor/https://www.instagram.com/numinushealth/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison discuss finding purpose, meaning, mental health stigma, and diagnostic labels.  They cover the following topics:(2:44) The pressure to "find your purpose" (4:39) Perhaps the purpose of life is simply to "live"(7:51) Living in alignment with your truest self. Know yourself and follow your bliss. (10:15) Jonathan Fields and the "Sparketype" (12:40) Simon Sinek's TED talk on the "Start With Why" concept(14:05) The "negative" parts of your journey might be the most important parts(15:40) Man's Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl(16:43) Follow your curiosity as a stepping-stone to following your bliss(18:57) There is a need for a balance between "doing" and "being"(20:50) Marcus Aurelius and Stoic philosophy on purpose (21:43) Waking Up Course by Sam Harris (24:15) How mindfulness frees you from unnecessary suffering (25:29) The risks of over-identifying with diagnostic labels (33:28) The benefits of making a diagnosis (39:59) Nature AND nurture influences who we become(45:34) Let go of the parts of you that are not yours(50:15) Jay Shetty(51:56) Jim Collins, From Good to Great(53:25) IkigaiEmail us questions and feedback at psychfrontiers@novamind.ca Learn more about our podcast at https://www.psychedelictherapyfrontiers.com/Learn more about Novamind at https://www.novamind.ca/Learn more about our podcast at https://numinusnetwork.com/learn/podcast/Learn more about psychedelic therapy training opportunities at https://numinusnetwork.com/training/Learn more about our clinical trials at https://www.numinusnetwork.com/researchLearn more about Numinus at https://numinusnetwork.com/Email us at ptfpodcast@numinus.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstevethayer/https://www.instagram.com/innerspacedoctor/https://www.instagram.com/numinushealth/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison are joined for the second time by Dr. Paul Theilking, MD. Paul is a psychiatrist, zen practitioner, and Chief Scientific Officer at Novamind. They cover the following topics:(2:45) What is a contemplative practice? (4:38) Contemplative practices go by many names (e.g., "spiritual") (10:45) Mindfulness and the mystical experience(16:55) Paul discusses mindfulness form a Zen perspective (20:44) The Zen practice of Koan contemplation(24:00) What it means to "practice" mindfulness(27:25) The difference between resisting and not resisting the contents of the present moment(32:40) Is the mindful state of non-striving compatible with accomplishing goals? (39:17) Why are contemplative practices often used for integration after psychedelics?(47:22) Yoga as a contemplative practice (53:28) Contemplative practices and the purpose of life(01:00:16) The neuroscience of mindfulness(01:02:55) Mindfulness and psychedelics help us understand the "self"Email us questions and feedback at psychfrontiers@novamind.ca Learn more about our podcast at https://www.psychedelictherapyfrontiers.com/Learn more about Novamind at https://www.novamind.ca/Learn more about our podcast at https://numinusnetwork.com/learn/podcast/Learn more about psychedelic therapy training opportunities at https://numinusnetwork.com/training/Learn more about our clinical trials at https://www.numinusnetwork.com/researchLearn more about Numinus at https://numinusnetwork.com/Email us at ptfpodcast@numinus.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstevethayer/https://www.instagram.com/innerspacedoctor/https://www.instagram.com/numinushealth/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison discuss self-compassion, why it is so hard (but so important) to forgive, and how to detox from judgement. They cover the following topics:(1:29) The pitfalls of the self-esteem movement(3:47) Self-compassion vs. self-love/-esteem(6:49) Scrupulosity and OCD (9:09) The contributors to the development of the internal critic (12:05) The distinction between shame vs. guilt(15:55) The nature of human judgement(17:49) Stigma, biases, and judgement around psychedelics and other drugs(18:50) Dr. Carl Hart and Drug Use for Grown-Ups(21:35) Thinking critically, evaluating assumptions, and updating beliefs(23:46) Defining compassion being worthy of love(24:50) Dr. Kristen Neff's work on self-compassion(29:25) Social media tends to promote negative self-evaluation and using humor as a defense mechanism(35:05) How psychedelic psychotherapy (ketamine in this case) can facilitate self-exploration and healing(38:15) Emotions are powerful signals that give us information that we need to navigate life(45:47) Tara Brach and Radical CompassionEmail us questions and feedback at psychfrontiers@novamind.ca Learn more about our podcast at https://www.psychedelictherapyfrontiers.com/Learn more about Novamind at https://www.novamind.ca/Learn more about our podcast at https://numinusnetwork.com/learn/podcast/Learn more about psychedelic therapy training opportunities at https://numinusnetwork.com/training/Learn more about our clinical trials at https://www.numinusnetwork.com/researchLearn more about Numinus at https://numinusnetwork.com/Email us at ptfpodcast@numinus.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstevethayer/https://www.instagram.com/innerspacedoctor/https://www.instagram.com/numinushealth/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison discuss fear, the difference between pain vs. suffering, and the value of struggle in life. They cover the following topics: (1:02) Steve recounts his recent experience with fear on a mountaineering trip(9:30) Steve tells the story of navigating a frightening cannabis experience (12:45) Fear is a warning signal. What we resist persists. The only way out is through.  (15:45) Awareness and mindfulness allows us to navigate difficult emotions(17:05) Coping with fear using mindfulness is a skill that can be developed using deliberate practice  (22:00) Using mindfulness to develop emotional resilience (e.g., "progressive overload")(24:04) The Tools, by Phil Stutz (26:00) Take the Stairs, by Rory Vaden and "do it scared". The "equation" for burnout(27:55) Discipline Equals Freedom, by Joko Willink (29:29) Embrace emotions and take inspired action with compassion(31:20) How therapists/guides can help people through difficult psychedelic experiences (33:44) Existential fears and how we cope with them(40:38) Looking at sad things through loving eyes(41:30) Pain vs Suffering(45:00) Psychedelics can offer a therapeutic "death" experience (47:15) Reid talks about his encounter with death during an ayahuasca ceremony (49:30) Perspective and awareness can have a calming effect  Learn more about our podcast at https://www.psychedelictherapyfrontiers.com/Learn more about Novamind at https://www.novamind.ca/Learn more about our podcast at https://numinusnetwork.com/learn/podcast/Learn more about psychedelic therapy training opportunities at https://numinusnetwork.com/training/Learn more about our clinical trials at https://www.numinusnetwork.com/researchLearn more about Numinus at https://numinusnetwork.com/Email us at ptfpodcast@numinus.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstevethayer/https://www.instagram.com/innerspacedoctor/https://www.instagram.com/numinushealth/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison are joined by Dr. Paul Theilking, MD. Paul is a psychiatrist, zen practitioner, and Chief Scientific Officer at Novamind. They discuss healthcare provider burnout and other unique challenges of being in the helping/healing professions. (1:20) Paul introduces himself (3:11) What is burnout? (10:00) Connection is key to preventing and/or coping with burnout(11:39) What does a psycholytic ketamine therapy session look like?(11:11) Reducing the stigma of seeking mental healthcare among healthcare workers(14:08) Self-awareness is the first step of burnout prevention (17:03) Compassion fatigue(20:43) The "equation" for burnout (22:14) Compassion fatigue vs emotional boundaries(24:09) Using meditation paired with personal therapeutic work to mitigate burnout(27:41) The importance of mindfulness skill-building and practice (32:20) Cultivating resilience and when it's okay to "quit" or make changes(36:08) The importance of sleep and Michael Pollan's book, This Is Your Mind on Plants(39:25) Non-attachment and mindfulness(47:08) Loving kindness meditation, "Metta", and holding space(52:00) Don't tie your identity to client/patient outcomes(57:46) Self-compassion and the importance of a supportive team/environment for preventing burnoutLearn more about our podcast at https://www.psychedelictherapyfrontiers.com/Learn more about Novamind at https://www.novamind.ca/Learn more about our podcast at https://numinusnetwork.com/learn/podcast/Learn more about psychedelic therapy training opportunities at https://numinusnetwork.com/training/Learn more about our clinical trials at https://www.numinusnetwork.com/researchLearn more about Numinus at https://numinusnetwork.com/Email us at ptfpodcast@numinus.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstevethayer/https://www.instagram.com/innerspacedoctor/https://www.instagram.com/numinushealth/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison are joined by returning guest, Vhari Macbeth, CSW, to discuss psycholytic ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). They cover the following topics:(1:49) Some differences between psycholytic and psychedelic(4:26) Psychedelics assist the therapy process, but don't do the work for you(9:00) Different skills required for psycholytic vs psychedelic-assisted therapy and the importance of the therapeutic relationship(11:39) What does a psycholytic ketamine therapy session look like?(12:10) The advantages and power of group therapy(16:10) The Huberman Lab Podcast(19:34) Dosing a psycholytic session(22:38) What types of conditions do we treat with psycholytic KAP?(24:45) PTF Podcast episode: Treating trauma with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (29:03) Ketamine's effect on cognition and neuroplasticity (32:05) Non-sleep deep rest and yoga nidra(38:55) Some drawbacks or challenges of KAP(40:15) PTF Podcast episode: Psychedelics, psychosis, & the abuse potential of ketamine(43:10) Horizons 2017: Phil Wolfson's talk on ketamine(50:13) Ketamine can contribute to therapeutic breakthroughs (54:50) Comparing, combining, and sequencing different psychedelics therapeutically Learn more about our podcast at https://www.psychedelictherapyfrontiers.com/Learn more about Novamind at https://www.novamind.ca/Learn more about our podcast at https://numinusnetwork.com/learn/podcast/Learn more about psychedelic therapy training opportunities at https://numinusnetwork.com/training/Learn more about our clinical trials at https://www.numinusnetwork.com/researchLearn more about Numinus at https://numinusnetwork.com/Email us at ptfpodcast@numinus.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstevethayer/https://www.instagram.com/innerspacedoctor/https://www.instagram.com/numinushealth/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison are joined by Hannah Cross, LCSW, to discuss how psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is used to treat trauma. They cover the following topics:(1:00) Hannah introduces herself. Wild Sunflower Counseling  (1:45) How is trauma defined? (3:25) "Little t" vs. "Big T" trauma(8:35) How trauma affects the mind, nervous system, and body. The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D. (12:12) The three E's of trauma(12:28) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD (14:31) Understanding and treating trauma from a "parts work" perspective (18:35) MAPS and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD(29:10) Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) and trauma trapped in the body(34:10) The breath is the barometer and remote control of the mind(37:00) Episode on how to integrate a psychedelic experience (37:10) Trance/Ecstatic dance for embodied healing (41:20) Processing and releasing damned up emotion (e.g., using ayahuasca and ketamine)(42:48) Reclaiming your identity/voice after trauma (45:18) How ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is used to treat trauma(51:48) Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy can provide corrective experiences(55:13) MDMA shows promise as a couples therapy enhancer (57:26) The challenges of treating trauma as a clinician Learn more about our podcast at https://www.psychedelictherapyfrontiers.com/Learn more about Novamind at https://www.novamind.ca/Learn more about our podcast at https://numinusnetwork.com/learn/podcast/Learn more about psychedelic therapy training opportunities at https://numinusnetwork.com/training/Learn more about our clinical trials at https://www.numinusnetwork.com/researchLearn more about Numinus at https://numinusnetwork.com/Email us at ptfpodcast@numinus.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstevethayer/https://www.instagram.com/innerspacedoctor/https://www.instagram.com/numinushealth/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison discuss how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is used to treat eating disorders. They cover the following topics:(1:00) The combination of nature and nurture that leads to the development of disordered eating and eating disorders (2:55) Holy Anorexia, by Rudolph M. Bell(4:00) Center for Change eating disorder clinic(4:41) "Manorexia"-- eating disorders in males are under-recognized (7:45) Biological underpinnings of eating disorders(11:26) Environmental pressures and unnatural foods contribute to disordered eating  (14:20) The Molecule of More, by  Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long(15:55) Women, Food, and God, by Geneen Roth  (16:23) Radical Acceptance, by Tara Brach (19:50) Reasons eating disorders are difficult to treat and heal from(22:00) Health at any size and the limitations of BMI as a metric of health (25:10) Using psychedelics to treat eating disorders and why they might be effective (31:50) The importance of supportive others (like family) in eating disorder recovery and rethinking the word "burden"(40:34) High doses and multiple sessions might be required for psychedelic-assisted therapy for eating disorders  (44:20) We need to be more proactive in screening for eating disorders and disordered eating (e.g., the SCOFF questionnaire)(46:27) Orthorexia  (49:15) Yin & Yang, Masculine & Feminine, and balance (53:30) Journeys of Embodiment at the Intersection of Body and Culture, by Niva PiranLearn more about our podcast at https://www.psychedelictherapyfrontiers.com/Learn more about Novamind at https://www.novamind.ca/Learn more about our podcast at https://numinusnetwork.com/learn/podcast/Learn more about psychedelic therapy training opportunities at https://numinusnetwork.com/training/Learn more about our clinical trials at https://www.numinusnetwork.com/researchLearn more about Numinus at https://numinusnetwork.com/Email us at ptfpodcast@numinus.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstevethayer/https://www.instagram.com/innerspacedoctor/https://www.instagram.com/numinushealth/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison are joined by Bob Mcnutt, LCSW, to discuss the how ketamine is combined with a variety of psychotherapy modalities, particularly EMDR. They cover the following topics:(1:50) Bob introduces himself and explains his interest in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.  becoming a ketamine therapist. (4:20) What is psycholytic vs psychedelic psychotherapy?(9:25) An brief introduction to EMDR(11:03) EMDRIA training for EMDR(11:55) The role of exposure in EMDR(17:00) Somatic Experiencing by Peter Levine(18:45) Ketamine helps with the "window of tolerance" in therapy(24:13) Why EMDR and ketamine pair well(25:23) What is psychotherapy and why does it work?(31:07) The Shrink Next Door movie(34:02) Ketamine might help clients make better use of therapy and open up to the therapeutic relationship(37:25) Psychedelics pair well with a variety of therapy methods, but it depends on what each individual needs(38:25) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and psychedelics(40:35) The challenges of treating attachment-based trauma vs single-case traumas (48:15) How to Change Your Mind, by Michael Pollan (48:45) Get out of the way of the medicine(51:50) The Yale Manual for Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy of Depression (using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Therapeutic Frame)(52:05) Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice(52:53) Hakomi therapy (54:00) Marcela Ot'alora on how to become a psychedelic therapist(58:15) Countertransference, co-regulation, and psychedelic therapy (1:02:50) Summary of therapies that might pair well with psychedelics Learn more about our podcast at https://www.psychedelictherapyfrontiers.com/Learn more about Novamind at https://www.novamind.ca/Learn more about our podcast at https://numinusnetwork.com/learn/podcast/Learn more about psychedelic therapy training opportunities at https://numinusnetwork.com/training/Learn more about our clinical trials at https://www.numinusnetwork.com/researchLearn more about Numinus at https://numinusnetwork.com/Email us at ptfpodcast@numinus.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstevethayer/https://www.instagram.com/innerspacedoctor/https://www.instagram.com/numinushealth/