Psychedelics Today cover image

Psychedelics Today

Latest episodes

undefined
Sep 19, 2023 • 1h 14min

PT443 – Rachel Harris, Ph.D. – Swimming in the Sacred: The Wisdom of Underground Female Elders

In this episode, Kyle interviews Rachel Harris, Ph.D.: Psychologist in private practice for over 40 years, researcher who has published more than 40 peer-reviewed studies, and author of the new book, Swimming in the Sacred: Wisdom from the Psychedelic Underground. She talks about graduating college and going straight to Esalen, where she had little concern over therapy or integration, and how, after 20 years of ayahuasca experiences, she learned to see psychedelic-assisted therapy and ceremonial, transformational experiences as very different things. She discusses her ayahuasca journeys; a surprising MDMA experience; what having an ongoing relationship with the spirit of ayahuasca means; Ann Shulgin’s concerns over going through death’s door while in a journey; what true integration is; how psychedelics can help prepare for death, and more. And she talks about her new book, Swimming in the Sacred, which collects the stories, unique perspectives, and wisdom of 15 female elders who have been working in the underground for at least 15 years each, and how their experience has led to a somatic-based intuition and ‘know it in their bones’ feeling that so many new practitioners and facilitators need – and can only come with time.  Click here to head to the show notes page. 
undefined
Sep 15, 2023 • 1h 5min

PT442 – Joe Moore – Burning Questions About Burning Man: Mud, Ebola, and the Big Krab Car

Joe Moore discusses his experience at Burning Man, including the challenges of preparing for the event, the media's interpretation of the rain and mud, and the debate over the environmental impact. He also talks about the joys of Burning Man, the importance of patience, and his experience DJing on the Big Krab Car. The podcast also explores topics such as theft at Burning Man, open dialogue in psychedelic practices, and the escape of Diplo and Chris Rock from the event.
undefined
Sep 12, 2023 • 43min

PT441 – General Stephen Xenakis – The American Psychedelic Practitioners Association and the Mission to Integrate Psychedelics into U.S. Healthcare

In this episode, Kyle interviews General Stephen Xenakis, MD: an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist who retired from the U.S. Army in 1998 at the rank of Brigadier General and began a career starting up medical technology companies and clinical practice to support human rights and new methodologies of healthcare.  In June, he became the new Executive Director of the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association (APPA), whose mission is to bring practitioners together as a community; develop the best training programs and practices; shift to a more patient-centered, integrated model of care; eventually accredit practitioners to practice with legal substances; and overall, help to make these new modalities more mainstream.  He discusses their path to success, which began with their publishing of the first professional practice guidelines for psychedelic-assisted therapy practitioners, and will continue on with ethical guidelines and clinical practice guidelines in the future. And he talks about the idea of a safety net for people who have adverse effects from psychedelic journeys; what clinicians need to know about psychedelics; concerns over accessibility; and the importance of identifying the correct treatments for the correct patients, as each person’s path to healing will likely be drastically different. Click here to head to the show notes page. 
undefined
Sep 8, 2023 • 1h 23min

PT440 – Dr. JoQueta Handy, Ph.D., IMD – Coming Back to Stillness, Microdosing and Adaptogens, and What We Can Learn From Autism

In this episode, David interviews Dr. JoQueta Handy, Ph.D., IMD: speaker, author, educator, Natural Integrative Health Practitioner, and CEO and Chief Visionary of Brilliant Learning, Handy Wellness Center, and Brilliant Blends. She shares childhood memories of growing up on her Grandparents’ farm, where she developed a deep appreciation for nature, staring at the stars, and the beauty in stillness, and how coming back to that stillness has been key in her life and psychedelic journeys. The conversation then shifts to all that she’s learned through her work with children on the autism spectrum: the problems of putting people into boxes; how autism affects everyone; the different ways people learn; the connection between autism and the gut microbiome; and how she has learned more from some of these children than any book could teach her – culminating in a story of discovering that a very challenged child people were ready to give up on could actually read and comprehend everything he was hearing. She discusses her favorite adaptogens; the art of stacking adaptogens and different modalities; her multi-day coaching sessions; Internal Family Systems; quantum biofeedback; the use of supplements in microdosing; and Brilliant Blends, which sells blends of supplements designed to provide benefits as close to what psilocybin can provide (but legally) – inspired by the unique needs of autistic individuals. PT listeners can receive 10% off all purchases with code: PT10. Click here to head to the show notes page. 
undefined
Sep 6, 2023 • 1h 20min

PT439 – Introducing Hyphae Leaks: Not Your Average Psychedelic Podcast

Joe Moore, Mary, and Reggie launch Hyphae Leaks, a podcast aiming to cover provocative topics in the psychedelic world. They discuss conservation, indigeneity, and cannabis legalization on reservations. The episode also explores the media's discrediting of investigative journalism on the drug war, the importance of legalizing psychedelics, and conspiracy theories. The speakers are excited to create valuable content for their audience.
undefined
Sep 5, 2023 • 1h 16min

PT438 – Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD – The Psychedelic Medicine Association and Managing Medical Risk in Patients Seeking Psilocybin Therapy

In this episode, David interviews the President of the Psychedelic Medicine Association, host of the Psychedelic Medicine Podcast, and Psychedelics Today advisory board member and Vital contributor: Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD. She shares her journey with psychedelics and how they enabled her to leave a toxic job and pursue her passion for advocacy with vitality, and how important it is to focus your energy where it's best used. She talks about where we find ourselves in the psychedelic space based on Psychedelic Science 2023, as well as her recent TV appearances and the responsibility of preaching to the non-choir. And she discusses the idea of perfectionism in today's age; the need for psychedelic people to be involved in non-psychedelic conferences; the complications behind requiring physicians to experience psychedelics; the concept of it being malpractice for a physician to not mention psychedelic options; and the Psychedelic Medicine Association's upcoming virtual conference: Sana Symposium 2023, which happens October 26-27.  Morski talks a lot about the importance of educating healthcare professionals about psychedelics, debunking myths, and the need for standards in training therapists and primary care providers. She highlights how there is still no nationally-recognized certification for even ketamine providers, so how can people make informed decisions on who to trust? The Psychedelic Medicine Association is taking steps to improve this paradigm, offering a new course called "Managing Medical Risk in Patients Seeking Psilocybin Therapy," which will work to help clinicians make risk assessments for patients seeking psilocybin therapy – something that is not really being done today.  Click here to head to the show notes page.   
undefined
Sep 1, 2023 • 1h 8min

PT437 – Chase Hudson – Exploring Psychedelic Therapies: Iboga, CBD, and Cannabis Paired With Ketamine

Chase Hudson discusses CBD, iboga, and ketamine therapy benefits, Lamar Odom's recovery journey, cannabis as a gateway to healing, need for insurance in psychedelic therapy, and the evolving landscape of psychedelics in Utah. Personal stories of ibogaine treatment and ketamine sessions highlight the power of education to combat drug war propaganda.
undefined
Aug 29, 2023 • 1h 19min

PT436 – East Forest – The Power of Sound: The Magic in Live Performances, Imperfections, and Music Curated Specifically for Journeys

In this episode, David interviews East Forest: Portland, OR-based producer, podcaster, ceremony guide, and musician, specializing in ambient, electronic, contemporary classical, and indie pop music largely to guide listeners through deep journeys.   Forest discusses his live performances and influences; how his music pairs with journeys and specific psychedelics; the difference in the connection and vibe from a live performance vs. a recording; the difference between single-artist music created specifically for sessions vs. Spotify playlists; the inhumanity of generative music; his Journey Space online music and journey platform; and the challenges of making money in a time when music is more prevalent than ever, but also more in-the-background and diluted.  He talks a lot about sound itself: the role of rhythm and sound in communication and personal transformation; how richer overtones and increased layers of sound increase effects; research into very low pulsating tones, and how more synthesized sound and the growth of AI has created a yearning for more authentic, imperfect sounds.   His newest album was just released August 18: “Music For The Deck of The Titanic,” an homage to the musicians who spent their last few hours playing songs for passengers amidst the chaos and tragedy – an album Forest sees as an offering to the chaotic moment we’re all in. Click here to head to the show notes page.
undefined
Aug 25, 2023 • 1h 17min

PT435 – Satya Thallam – The Federal Right to Try Act, The Farm Bill, and the Constant Balance Between Risk and Regulation

In this episode, Joe interviews Satya Thallam: Policy Advisor at the international law firm, Arnold & Porter; and longtime policy expert based in Washington, D.C. who previously served in senior roles at both the White House and the U.S. Senate. Thallam was the lead author and negotiator of the Federal Right to Try Act, which grants terminally ill patients access to experimental therapies and substances that have completed Phase I testing but have not yet been approved by the FDA. He discusses its intricacies and benefits, how psychedelics were not a focus but were always obvious, whether or not it allows people to grow their own mushrooms, and more. He talks abut the implementation of the first Federal legalization of hemp under the Farm Bill in 2018, breaking down the history and detail of how it came to be, and why a difference of .3% in weight truly matters when establishing law. He discusses the changing landscape of politicians and psychedelics; how local action creates a culture of inspiring Washington; the internal fight between different agencies and the endless lobbying it takes to get things done; how one needs to cater their argument by who is listening; risk assessment and judgment-proof operations; the concern over whether or not we got everything wrong with cannabis; and why we will likely begin seeing a lot of coalitions popping up in the psychedelic space. Click here to head to the show notes page. 
undefined
18 snips
Aug 22, 2023 • 60min

PT434 – Lisa Wessing – Kiyumí Retreats, Building Somatic Literacy, and Navigating Group Facilitation Challenges

Lisa Wessing, Clinical Psychologist at Kiyumí retreats in Netherlands, discusses their holistic healing approach with psilocybin, somatic movement, and art. She explores challenges of somatic psychology in group facilitation, integration as a continuous process, and the importance of checking in much later with participants. The podcast covers the significance of somatic literacy, embodiment, and art in exploring traumatic experiences and fostering a safe and expressive environment.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode