Psychedelics Today

In this insightful discussion, Glauber Assis, Ph.D., a pioneer in psychedelic parenting and a leader in plant medicine practices from Brazil, shares his transformative journey with ayahuasca. He reflects on how decolonizing experiences shaped his identity and family relations. Assis advocates for cultural understanding and celebrates the revival of traditions through global ayahuasca practices. He emphasizes the vital role of community, live music in ceremonies, and the intricate links between psychedelics and authentic parenting, grounding his reflections in personal anecdotes and a heartfelt musical performance.

Norman Ohler, an award-winning novelist and journalist, delves into the surprising connections between Nazi Germany's drug experiments and the CIA's MKUltra program. He shares insights on how the Nazis' initial interest in methamphetamines shifted to LSD, revealing its potential as a truth serum. Ohler discusses his mother's experience with microdosing, the ethical concerns of historical drug use, and his belief in the imminent legalization of psychedelics in the U.S. He also reflects on his journey as a 'gonzo historian' and the evolving societal perceptions of these substances.

Lana Pribic, a certified life coach and founder of Kanna Wellness, reflects on her journey from rave culture to embracing joy in everyday life. She discusses the pitfalls of the 'healing trap' and the importance of integration after psychedelic experiences, urging listeners to find acceptance in the mundane. Lana highlights her unique '7 levels of energy' framework, explores the complexities of personal growth, and introduces Kanna, a new wellness extract, emphasizing its potential for upliftment and connection.

Ingmar Gorman, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and co-founder of a psychedelic education company, shares insights on the FDA's controversial rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. He explains the intricacies surrounding the accusations faced by the therapy and the challenges in studying adverse experiences. Gorman also critiques the impact of public scrutiny and emphasizes the need for balanced media narratives. He calls for deeper journalist research to move beyond sensationalism and highlights the importance of acknowledging the human stories in psychedelic therapy.

In this episode, Kyle interviews Beth Weinstein: spiritual business coach, host of the "Medicine For These Times" podcast, and founder of the Psychedelics, Sacred Medicines, Soul's Purpose & Business summit. She talks about a pattern she noticed of people working with psychedelics and seeing progress on what they set out to heal, but with a short-lived afterglow, as they remained in unfulfilling jobs without making any changes. She wondered: What if they applied the lessons they learned during their experience to their careers? What small steps could they start taking to either improve their current job, or find their true soul's purpose and carve out a new path? Weinstein's path has led her to combine practical business action plans with more spiritual and traditionally psychedelic modalities to help people grow in their careers and become their most authentic selves – especially if they're trying to enter into the psychedelic space. She discusses: The importance of making time to talk things out with a coach, integration circle, or friends – especially in a culture that only gets more distracting and chaotic every day The challenge of differentiating between guidance: Is it your soul's true purpose, or a trick of your ego? The weirdly taboo topic of money in psychedelics, and the delicate balance of aligning with charitable values while making a living The mystical aspects to how life can change with new energy: Maybe that layoff happened at the perfect time? The power of positivity and small steps toward change, and how working on something outside of work can transform how you show up at work and more! Weinstein's newest course begins early next year: The True Path Entrepreneur Group Business Coaching Mastermind Program, which is a 12-month live coaching course designed to reprogram limiting patterns and beliefs and help move people into alignment with their true path. Click here for more info and to apply. For links, head to the show notes page.

Daniel Shankin, a psychedelic integration coach and founder of Tam Integration, discusses the vital role of integration circles in personal healing and community building. He shares insights on creating these circles simply and effectively. The intriguing 'fractal inquiry' method highlights the power of asking the right questions to unlock personal wisdom. Shankin explores the necessity of embracing individuality and the weirdness often found in the psychonaut community, while emphasizing mindfulness practices, like breath focus, during challenging experiences.

Joanna Kempner, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Rutgers University and the author of 'Psychedelic Outlaws.' She delves into the groundbreaking work of ClusterBusters, a nonprofit exploring psychedelics' potential to alleviate cluster headaches. The conversation highlights the lack of funding for these urgent medical needs and the vital role of patient advocacy. Kempner also discusses the innovative use of internet communities for sharing knowledge and the community's strength in finding hope and healing amidst chronic pain challenges, all while navigating ethical dilemmas in research.

In this episode, Kyle interviews Mustapha Khan: Emmy Award-winning director with over 100 film and television credits, who has worked with clients such as Coca-Cola and Honda, and celebrities ranging from Maya Angelou to Snoop Dogg. Khan is finalizing a film about Lenny and Elizabeth Gibson and their ongoing work at Dreamshadow – the people and community responsible for Joe and Kyle meeting and the creation of Psychedelics Today. He talks about meeting the Gibsons, being welcomed into their community (instead of his proposed "fly on the wall" role), how centered and happy he felt after his first breathwork session, and what he has learned through the process: that breathwork can be an incredibly healing modality, but the magic he has found has been more in the community surrounding it, and the responsibility (and honor) of being a sitter for someone else. He discusses: The first time his breathwork went psychedelic, and speaking with his recently deceased Mothe How he got into filmmaking and why he wants to tell stories about people like the Gibson The beauty of breathwork not having a dogma or doctrine attached to it The power in holding space for someone else, even if it's just being presen The importance of taking action that aligns with psychedelic ethos: What can you do to contribute to your community? and more! Khan is hoping to release the documentary, "Life and Breath," in October. In addition to a screening at Dreamshadow, PT will likely do a virtual one as well, so stay tuned for updates! For links, head to the show notes page.

In this episode, Joe interviews Danielle Nova: founder of Psychedelic Recovery, founding team member of Decriminalize Nature Oakland, and Executive Director of the San Francisco Psychedelic Society. As a recovering addict, Nova discusses how working with psychedelics helped her find her way to recovery, and how she's spreading that knowledge to others through her Psychedelic Recovery program, which focuses more on 'targeted abstinence,' instead of the total abstinence model of Psychedelics In Recovery (which works alongside AA's 12-step program). She believes that it's extremely important to reframe addiction as a life process or temporary state of consciousness (rather than a life sentence you can't escape), and that beating addiction is not about constantly being afraid of a relapse, but about evolving to a state of empowerment: that you can overcome it, and that actually, a horrific addiction may have saved you and brought you to where you're supposed to be. She discusses: The complications of Western medicine and the impact of conflicting medications that are nearly impossible to stop taking How self-regulation of tough emotions with outside stimuli (be it drugs, pornography, or even video games) trains people to rely on external forces rather than themselves How addicts end up programing themselves with 'addict consciousness,' and the power of changing one's mind state to view suffering as the fuel for a new purpose How, over time, we will likely start viewing microdosing as a regular dose, and the large doses we're used to will be seen as overdosing How being part of her ayahuasca experience (and having one himself) completely changed her father's perspective on drugs and addiction and more! She has co-created Microdosing Facilitator Training with Adam Bramlage of Flow State Micro: a first-of-its-kind 4-month program teaching clinicians, facilitators, and coaches about microdosing and how to safely guide others through the practice. The next cohort launches in January 2025. For links, head to the show notes page.

In this episode of Vital Psychedelic Conversations, David interviews Deanna Rogers: Registered Clinical Counselor and Vital instructor. She discusses how trauma grows in our bodies, and the importance of practitioners and facilitators becoming trauma-informed before working with clients. She stresses the need to create the right conditions for clients to be able to work with trauma – to bring compassion to the different parts of their self and build a relationship with the uncomfortable ones, to interrupt negative narratives, and to learn how to exist in a place where they can embrace their window of tolerance and explore discomfort in a safe way. What is the specific container and pace each client needs? How flexible is their nervous system to be able to work with these states? What can be done to bring out the empathetic witness in themselves? And most importantly, how can their sense of agency be improved so that they feel like they're fully in control of how deep things go? She discusses: Her early ayahuasca experiences, and her path toward working with others, including working with Gabor Maté and Peter Levine How psychedelics allow us to access our irrational, animal parts, and how this work is often a combination of sacred and messy The need for facilitators to have a basic understanding of the nervous system and fight or flight reactions Moving away from the idea of: "There's something wrong with me." What do these chronic narratives do to our bodies? Working with clients to build out the capacity of their nervous system first, before working with any trauma and more! Rogers is one of our Vital instructors, featured in one of Vital 4's new Specializations: Somatics & Trauma. This cohort begins on September 17, and the application deadline is next week, September 3, so apply today before it's too late! For links, head to the show notes page.