Psychedelics Today

Mareesa Stertz and Tania Abdul, the visionaries behind the ambitious Sphinx Gate project for Burning Man 2025, delve into how art and play can fuel personal and collective transformation. They share insights on the mythical inspiration from The NeverEnding Story and the evolving experience of self-discovery through immersive installations. The duo discusses the importance of community co-creation, emotional exploration, and envisioning future traveling art that fosters joy and integration, making the Sphinx Gate a transformative journey for all.

Chad Charles, an educator and practitioner with nearly a decade of experience in 5-MeO-DMT therapy, shares his expertise on integrating this powerful substance into therapeutic settings. He emphasizes the need for thorough practitioner training and the importance of personalized therapeutic alliances. Chad discusses the ethical complexities around dosing, informed consent, and the significance of a trauma-informed approach. Additionally, he introduces his upcoming research project analyzing over 500 sessions to uncover best practices and enhance harm reduction in the psychedelic space.

In a deep dive into psychedelic research, Alan Davis, an Associate Professor at Ohio State University, discusses the evolving potential of Ibogaine, focusing on its therapeutic benefits for substance use disorders. He highlights the groundbreaking Iboga Patient Survey, emphasizing the necessity of rigorous, real-world safety data. Alan also tackles the challenges of clinical trials, the interplay between ethical practices and corporate interests, and the specific needs of veterans facing trauma. Their conversation is both informative and thought-provoking, shedding light on the future of psychedelic medicine.

In this enlightening discussion, attorney Karina Bashir shares her journey from human rights advocacy to the field of psychedelic law. She explores the intersection of psychedelics and Islam, including insights from her presentation at Harvard. Karina discusses the potential of psychedelics to enhance mental health within marginalized communities and the legal challenges faced in this evolving space. She highlights Sufism's spiritual depth and the need for ethical frameworks while advocating for access to psychedelic medicine for Muslim communities, bridging tradition and modern healing.

Kristen Nash, founder of the Coalition for Psychedelic Safety and Education, shares her tragic journey after losing her son in a psychedelic-related incident. Erica Siegel, founder of Nest Harm Reduction, emphasizes trauma-informed, peer-based support in psychedelic therapy. They discuss the critical importance of risk reduction, the dangers of glorifying psychedelics without context, and the need for comprehensive education, especially for Gen Z users. Together, they advocate for ethical practices, community collaboration, and a focus on psychological safety in psychedelic use.

Erica Rex, an award-winning science journalist and author of the forthcoming book 'Seeing What Is There', discusses her experiences in psychedelic research, particularly her participation in a landmark psilocybin study. She dives into the goals and ethical challenges of the Religious Leader Study, exploring how psilocybin impacts religious figures. The conversation critiques the methodology and rigor in psychedelic science, emphasizing the disconnect between spiritual experiences and academic research. Rex advocates for a more inclusive approach to understanding consciousness.

In this expansive episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore sits down with author and cultural theorist Daniel Pinchbeck to explore the evolving—and increasingly contested—role of psychedelics in society. From the hopeful spirit of transformation that animated earlier psychedelic movements to the sobering reality of biotech, branding, and political entanglement, Daniel offers a candid diagnosis of where we are—and where we might be headed. Reflecting on Psychedelic Science 2025, Daniel discusses the event’s stark shift toward commercialization and industry influence. He contrasts this with his earlier work on Evolver, a movement that sought to integrate psychedelics with permaculture, alternative economics, and cultural awakening. Together, Joe and Daniel examine how the field’s idealistic origins have been increasingly subjected to capitalist co-option. They also dive into deeper philosophical terrain—discussing monistic idealism, Rudolf Steiner, and the suppression of mystical and paranormal dimensions in the push to medicalize and sanitize psychedelics for mainstream acceptance. Daniel warns of the dangers of ignoring the shadow, including psychic fragmentation and what he calls "entity attachment" from ungrounded use. The conversation ranges from tech billionaires on ketamine to the geopolitical threat of authoritarianism, the weaponization of AI, and the quiet complicity of many in the psychedelic space who avoid political engagement. Daniel shares his current projects, including his Substack newsletter and a new seminar, Breaking the AI Barrier. This is a timely, unflinching exploration of psychedelics as both medicine and mirror—revealing the best and worst of our collective intentions. Can we reclaim the visionary potential of these tools from the grip of capital and control?

Mattha Busby, a Vancouver journalist for outlets like The Guardian and VICE, shares a critical perspective on the evolving psychedelic landscape. He discusses the shift from hype to introspection in the movement following Psychedelic Science 2025. Key topics include the fallout of ketamine dependence, the complexities of gender fluidity in psychedelic experiences, and the divide between underground practitioners and biotech startups. Mattha also highlights the need for ethical considerations and the potential of psychedelics for peacebuilding, all while injecting humor and honest critique into the conversation.

Dylan Beynon, CEO and Founder of Mindbloom, shares his journey into psychedelic medicine sparked by personal loss. He discusses the transformative impact of at-home ketamine therapy, emphasizing its accessibility and success in aiding over 654,000 people. The conversation critiques the influence of Big Pharma, showcases innovative treatment approaches, and highlights Mindbloom's integration of technology for improved client experiences. Beynon also explores the future potential of MDMA therapy and the ongoing challenges in making these treatments widely accepted.

In this episode, we sit down with Victoria Litman, M.Div., J.D., LL.M., to discuss why the future of psychedelic access in the United States is being shaped not by federal agencies, but by the bold actions of individual states. As a legal scholar and writer focusing on drug policy, Victoria breaks down the significance of the FDA’s 2024 rejection of psychedelic-assisted therapy, and why that decision might be less of a setback than it seems. We explore how state-level initiatives like Oregon’s Psilocybin Services Act and Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act are setting the stage for a new model of access—one rooted in harm reduction, personal liberty, and existing regulatory infrastructure. Victoria discusses the importance of the Tenth Amendment and the Anti-Commandeering Doctrine, which allow states to move forward regardless of federal inaction. Rather than waiting for slow-moving federal institutions, Victoria argues that states can build safe, scalable systems now—especially by leveraging cannabis infrastructure for psychedelic regulation. She also touches on the ethical and cultural implications of this transition, including protections for spiritual and religious use. If you’re wondering what psychedelic policy will look like in the years ahead, this episode offers an insightful and hopeful roadmap. Link to CATO article