Kat Murti, the executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy and advocate for evidence-based drug reforms, delves into the complexities of the War on Drugs. She highlights how current policies impact marginalized communities and the importance of harm reduction. Murti discusses successes like fentanyl strip training and the urgency of addressing drug-related stigma, particularly regarding women's rights and health. She also critiques the DEA's scheduling proposals on psychedelics, stressing the need for accessible treatment options over punitive measures.

Howard Kornfeld, a renowned pain medicine expert and addiction specialist, discusses the promise of buprenorphine as a treatment for both addiction and chronic pain, comparing it to MDMA. He shares insights on the historical context and potential of ketamine, while also warning about its risks. Kornfeld provocatively connects psychedelics to nuclear disarmament, citing their ability to change minds and promote peace. The conversation emphasizes the need for innovative research and responsible use of psychedelics in addressing global challenges.

Veronica Lightning Horse Perez is a passionate therapist, author, and activist advocating for the Natural Medicine Health Act of 2022. Sean McAllister is an attorney specializing in the legal complexities of psychedelics and a co-author of the act. Together, they discuss the intricacies of Prop 122, its impact on indigenous rights, and the need for public education. They delve into the balance between regulation and decriminalization while emphasizing the importance of community engagement. The conversation also highlights the spiritual significance of both natural and synthetic plant medicines in new legislative landscapes.

Jesse Gould, Founder of the Heroic Hearts Project, and Allison Wilson, its Director of Development, share insightful perspectives on veteran healing through psychedelics. They discuss the essential role of family in this journey, illustrating how healing impacts future generations. The duo highlights the recent merger with The Hope Project, aimed at supporting veterans' families, and announces a gala event to foster community connections. They also delve into the evolution of psychedelic therapy in veteran recovery and the launch of their new workbook tailored for this purpose.

Max Montrose, Founder of the Trichome Institute, dives deep into cannabis' psychedelic potential, especially focusing on indole, an aromatic compound. He introduces 'interpening,' a method to understand cannabis effects through aroma perception. Montrose emphasizes the significance of intention in enhancing cannabis experiences and discusses the importance of skillset in creating personal settings for deeper journeys. He also critiques the legal cannabis industry on strain accuracy and the lack of funding for crucial cannabis research, urging a better understanding of this complex plant.

Pierre Bouchard, a licensed professional counselor and former vinyl DJ, shares his expertise in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. He introduces his innovative 3-axis framework for integration, emphasizing personal and transpersonal growth. Bouchard highlights the balance needed in ego dissolution and the importance of building a foundation for healing. He discusses the nuances of discerning experiences in psychedelics, the significance of curiosity in healing journeys, and the essential harmony among the three axes for effective therapeutic integration.

Bria Tavakoli, a therapist specializing in relational and sex therapy, shares her transformative journey with psychedelics, highlighting how they can facilitate healing deep trauma and enhance intimacy. She discusses the connection between psychedelic experiences and sexual exploration as gateways to self-discovery. Bria addresses the cultural shame around sexuality, emphasizing a wellness-based view. With practical advice on combining sex and psychedelics, she underscores the importance of creating safe spaces and the role of humor in therapy.

In this episode, Kyle interviews Juan Pablo Cappello: co-founder and former CEO of Nue Life Health, whose assets were subsequently acquired by Beckley Waves. Cappello discusses the current challenges and controversies facing a ketamine industry that has moved much faster than anyone anticipated, and stresses the need to create industry-wide standards – especially for at-home ketamine – before the government imposes its own standards on us. Citing the Matthew Perry case and other bad behavior from providers, he talks about the risks of overpromising and underdelivering, the lack of integration in the majority of at-home ketamine frameworks, and how profit-driven, subscription model motives have overshadowed patient care and ethical practices. He also discusses: The complications from personal perspectives and passions shifting after a psychedelic experience, and how that can change over time The FDA’s recent rejection of MDMA: What would have happened to MDMA if it had been approved? Hope for more Native American churches, and what they can learn from the DEA’s denial of Soul Quest The story of a bump of cocaine ruining the hope for cannabis to be decriminalized under the Carter administration Our current Wild West of gas station CBD, Delta-8, and barely-regulated vapes and more!  For links, head to the show notes page. 

In this episode, Kyle interviews Geoff Bathje, Ph.D.: licensed psychologist, researcher, former Full Professor, and co-founder of Sana Healing Collective, a Chicago-based non-profit focusing on ketamine-assisted therapy and psychedelic integration. He talks about what he feels is one of the largest factors in our mental health crisis: the individualistic and neoliberal lens Western culture has placed on mental health and how it neglects the massive systemic and relational factors that are affecting us all. He digs into how we got so alienated and how psychedelics and non-ordinary states of consciousness can not only help us think critically and solve problems, but also move us out of this individualistic framework of healing and more into a collective one. How do we use psychedelics to fix our relationships and find our community? He discusses: The challenge of knowing when to work for relationships and when to just end them, especially in the afterglow of a big experience Group ketamine experience vs. individual, how groups can help facilitators find patterns, and how ketamine works with somatic therapy His paper, “Psychedelic integration: An analysis of the concept and its practice” and his visual model of integration showing the different domains of our personal experience What he thinks will happen next in drug development: Will therapy be left out after Lykos’ failure with MDMA? The importance of moving beyond aggressive criticism and moving into world building and more!  For links, head to the show notes page. 

Thomas Feegel, co-founder of Beond Ibogaine, shares insights on the complexities of ibogaine therapy at his facility in Cancun. He addresses safety concerns following a tragic incident in 2022, stressing the importance of thorough patient evaluations and data collection. Feegel critiques conventional addiction treatments and advocates for innovative approaches amidst rising overdose rates. He discusses creating a holistic healing environment and the evolving role of psychedelics in mental health, emphasizing the need for ethical standards in therapy.