Psychedelics Today

As the psychedelic renaissance continues to spread throughout the West, we learn more about these substances and experiences every day. But are we losing the important ancestral teachings and Indigenous knowledge that got us here? In this episode, Kyle interviews Alonso Del Río: author, musician, filmmaker, founder of the Center for Healing and Consciousness Studies (Ayahuasca Ayllu), and facilitator with 45 years of experience largely under the framework of the Shipibo tradition. Together with translator, Francisco Rivarola, they have developed a course called “Ancestral Teachings for the Psychedelic Renaissance,” which aims to be both an honoring of knowledge that has safeguarded these traditions, and a bridge between that wisdom and our Western frameworks, teaching ancestral traditions (largely Shipibo and Incan-Peruvian), the roles and function of dietas, the less talked-about dangers of brujeria (witchcraft), holistic frameworks for dealing with mystical experiences, and the connection between spirituality and responsibility towards nature. The course features 20 hours of Del Río’s teachings (with subtitles) and is the first time they’ve been made available to the general public. He talks about: The importance of following guidelines when working with ayahuasca, and how Westerners often don’t respect the rigor required to do it right The different types of healers in the Shipibo tradition, from good and bad to the “Ascended Master,” who transcends physical limits and is incapable of causing harm The potential for ayahuasca to be weaponized, how often this happens, and the risks for Westerners who aren’t aware How the consciousness level of a person can be related to the emotions that that person allows themselves to have How the expansion of consciousness is healing in itself and more! Ancestral Teachings for the Psychedelic Renaissance is a self-paced course that can be taken at any time, so if you’re interested, take advantage of early bird pricing and check it out in the Psychedelic Education Center now! For links, head to the show notes page.

In this engaging discussion, Kate Amy, a clinically-trained psychologist and 'The Kinki Buddhist', explores the intersection of psychedelics and Buddhism. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s motivations for psychedelic experiences and the necessity of integration afterward. Kate discusses shadow work and the continuous self-discovery it entails, urging a positive self-relationship before trips. She also shares insights on embracing life’s 'kinks', blending Buddhist philosophy with personal growth and sexuality in the therapeutic journey.

Dr. Jerry Rosenbaum, a founding director and author in psychedelic research, teams up with Sharmin Ghaznavi, MD, Ph.D., a psychiatric expert in cognitive neuroscience. They delve into the fascinating relationship between rumination and the default mode network. Discussing how psychedelics like psilocybin can help disrupt negative thought patterns, they highlight groundbreaking neuroimaging techniques, including hyperscanning, to strengthen the therapist-patient bond. Their insights explore the evolving therapeutic landscape and the potential of psychedelics in treating mental health challenges.

Tiffany Hurd, a microdosing coach and former corporate healthcare professional, shares her inspiring journey of transforming leadership through psychedelics. She discusses how microdosing psilocybin changed her life, enabling a shift from antidepressants to deeper personal fulfillment. Tiffany emphasizes the importance of mentorship in microdosing practices and the tangible benefits it brings to workplace dynamics and mental health. She also addresses the legal complexities of integrating psychedelics into corporate culture, advocating for a more heart-centered approach to leadership.

The path of the psychedelic renaissance has largely touched on the aspects of therapy, personal growth, and initiation rites, but now, the relationship between psychedelics and creativity is being studied more and more. Can psychedelics really increase intellect, novelty, and problem solving? In this episode, Joe interviews Dr. Bruce Damer: astrobiologist with a long history of work at NASA, and now the president and co-founder of the Center for MINDS, a new nonprofit researching the best ways to improve creativity and problem solving. He talks about how we’re losing our best creative minds to hyper-specialization, and while there is lots of research pointing to psychedelics as creativity-enhancers, we need to develop frameworks and protocols to be able to measure exactly how that works, and the best ways to encourage better results. The Center for MINDS is sponsoring research while running its own three year project studying creativity in a naturalistic setting, and aims to answer: How do we unlock more genius? What’s the main driver for novel thinking? He discusses: His path to psychedelics, including his time with ‘endo-tripping’: training his mind to trip without any external substances The importance of adding ‘set up’ to set and setting, representing one’s intentions and preparatory work up until that point The tale of his extraordinary ayahuasca experience where he journeyed together with Mama Ayahuasca all the way to the beginning of life on earth His theory on the real origin of life, and why the ‘survival of the fittest’ framework shouldn’t be our North Star The absolute necessity of mentorship from elders and more! The steps the Center for MINDS will take in studying psychedelics and creativity will largely be steered by people’s personal stories, so please share yours with them by filling out their survey. What has worked for you? What is your personal protocol? For links, head to the show notes page. 

Jungian psychology takes a fascinating look at the relationship between the conscious and unconscious parts of our minds. How is this framework brought more to the forefront through psychedelics and an understanding of our many parts? In this episode of Vital Psychedelic Conversations, Johanna interviews Jung experts and Vital instructors: Maria Papaspyrou, psychotherapist and co-founder and director of the Institute of Psychedelic Therapy (IPT); and Dr. Ido Cohen, clinical psychologist and founder of The Integration Circle. They talk about the experiences that helped them first understand the concept of multiple different parts making up their being, and dive into what it is about psychedelics that allows us to discover and work with these different parts: how the protector parts of our psyche work overtime to keep parts away from us, and how psychedelics can dissolve them, leading to a better understanding of ourselves. How much of our persona is based on who we feel we’re supposed to be? What shadow parts are stopping us from being our true selves? And what amazing parts of ourselves have yet to be discovered? They discuss: The idea of self as a unified entity: Does this concept make sense anymore? Risks in understanding how different parts work together, from justifying behaviors to inflating defensive structures The need to move away from solution-based to more process-focused frameworks, and the power in treating healing and growth as an ongoing process The rejection of the shadow and the archetypal (and impossible) wish to extinguish all suffering The large discrepancy between what people think being a psychedelic facilitator is vs. the reality and more! If you really want to dig into Jungian ideas, Jungian psychology is one of the new specialization tracks featured in the next cohort of Vital, beginning September 16. If you want to know more, send us an email or attend one of the next Vital Q+As. For links, head to the show notes page. 

Jasper Degenaars, a mycologist and educator at Fungi Academy, shares his fascinating journey into the world of mushrooms. He emphasizes the critical role fungi play in ecosystems and human experiences. Discussions include the importance of holistic understanding over reductionist views, and the impact of psilocybin on consciousness and evolution. Jasper also explores the blending of Indigenous practices with modern approaches in mushroom therapy and permaculture, highlighting the community's role in healing and sustainable living.

Psychedelics in palliative care has become an exciting new framework for people looking to ease anxiety and embrace spirituality, but the concept is not as simple as just providing a substance. In this episode, Joe interviews Livi Joy: Director of Health and Safety, Existential Palliative Ministry Lead Facilitator, and more at Sacred Garden Community (SGC). As she screens applicants for SGC (and Beckley Retreats), she talks a lot about the process and the safety measures that are absolutely necessary when using psychedelics in palliative care – especially under the framework of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Does the patient have at least one strong support person? Do they need to start or increase therapy? Does their home need to be rearranged due to possible fall risks? How will certain medications muffle their experience? Are they truly physically healthy enough to be able to handle a powerful journey? And also, is the sacrament always necessary? She discusses: How preparation questions for a journey are often in line with preparation for death Why it’s important to provide these experiences for people far from the dying process itself What Sacred Garden’s core tenant of faith that everyone can have a direct experience of the divine in this lifetime means to her Atheism and the complications that arise when discussing spirituality and consciousness: Who’s really in charge? How psychedelics can help with understanding and preparing for death, but our culture is too death-phobic too embrace it and more! For links, head to the show notes page: 

Award-winning journalist Erica Rex shares her harrowing experience with a high dose of Syrian rue in a clinical trial. Discusses: bad trip methods, skepticism on medical psychedelic therapy, complications of MDMA not widely known, pathologizing human emotions. Joe and Erica emphasize the lessons learned from challenging psychedelic experiences and the importance of supportive communities.

In this episode of Vital Psychedelic Conversations, Johanna interviews Monica Nieto: Vital graduate, psychedelic facilitator and integration coach, and founder of Holistic TherapeutiX, a retreat center offering cannabis and breathwork retreats; and Jordana Ma: past Vital instructor and psychological counselor who runs retreats in Peru following the Asháninkan tradition of traditional Amazonian medicine. They discuss their similar paths to psychedelics and healing, the power of plant dietas and fully immersing yourself into nature, and learning to hear your true teacher: the inner healer. They highlight how we’ve lost the connection to the ecological consciousness within our bodies, and how the plants – perhaps in a self-serving way – have become allies, trying to teach us to heal the web we’re a part of and reconnect to nature and ourselves. They discuss: The importance of combining traditional perspectives and Western psychotherapy into a spiritual practice The similarities between yoga and traditional Amazonian medicine Singing as a somatic (and breathwork) practice How things are meant to work in synergy, and the problem with science trying to extract compounds rather than respecting the power of the whole plant Their role models who have inspired them and informed their work and more! The Vital Early Bird discount ($2000 off!) ends on July 22, so make sure to apply today! For links, head to the show notes page.