Psychedelics Today

Elliot Marseille, founding director of UC Berkeley’s Collaborative for the Economics of Psychedelics, discusses the economics behind emerging psychedelic therapies. Topics include the societal cost of not making psychedelic therapy accessible, his work with the SABA Foundation studying HIV/AIDS treatments, issues with recent ICER report on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, and the need for long-term studies tracking healthcare utilization post-therapy.

In this episode, Joe interviews two members of The Daschle Group: Founder and CEO, Senator Tom Daschle; and Public Policy Advisor, Charlie Panfil. As Senator Daschle served in the House of Representatives for eight years (starting in 1978) and the Senate for 21, he was deep in the War on Drugs at its peak, and thankfully, as seen with so many of his constituents in recent years, the data and personal stories of so many healed people has broken through the propaganda and made him a strong advocate for psychedelic-assisted therapy. While minds are changing and progress is happening before our eyes (the majority of substances the FDA is currently researching for psychiatric indications contain some form of psychedelic ingredient), government bureaucracy, a severe lack of communication between the FDA and DEA, and decades of lies are still massive roadblocks. How do we address all of this while advancing research? They discuss: The need to develop a partnership between the public and private sectors, mostly for the cost of treatments The DEA’s place in all of this: If they’re essentially a law enforcement agency, why are they involved in the safety and efficacy of medical treatments? The STATES Act, the Breakthrough Therapies Act, and how they can affect research Why we need to move past relying on opioids, and instead, embrace a science-based drug policy and more! For links, head to the show notes page. 

In this episode, Kyle interviews Simon Yugler: psychedelic-assisted therapist, educator, and author of the book, Psychedelics & the Soul: A Mythic Guide to Psychedelic Healing, Depth Psychology, and Cultural Repair, which comes out this fall. He digs into depth psychology and why it’s a beneficial framework for navigating non-ordinary experiences – a practice he believes will be the next focus in psychedelic education and understanding, alongside more analysis into the archetypes and myths that reside within (and all around) us. In an age of hyper-individualism and isolation, the stories and archetypal energies we share (which can be brought more to the forefront with psychedelics) can be incredibly healing and connecting. He discusses: The challenges of reintegrating to reality after the classic Hero’s Journey, and how some people don’t want to The time he ate 7 grams of strong mushrooms and nothing happened, confirming to him the omnipresence of trickster energies Jung’s theory on individuation, and how true individuation actually creates deeper engagement with the world How myths offer windows into deeper realms, and a breakdown of his Mythopoetic Integration Method How psychedelics show us our souls, and how so much of the chaos in the world can be related to a denial of the soul and more! For links, head to the show notes page. 

In this episode, David interviews Sami Awad: Palestinian peace and nonviolent activist and founder of Holy Land Trust in Bethlehem; and Leor Roseman, Ph.D.: Israeli neuroscientist, researcher, and senior lecturer at the University of Exeter.   They talk about Roseman's 2021 paper, "Relational Processes in Ayahuasca Groups of Palestinians and Israelis," which looked at what happened when people with fiercely different opinions moved beyond fear, anger, and othering, and sat together in a safe container and drank ayahuasca with the purpose of healing collective trauma. When the focus of the participants moved toward understanding each other, Roseman and Awad saw a unity that gave them a lot of hope, leading to the creation of their nonprofit, RIPPLES, which is focused on using psychedelics for peacebuilding – first in the Middle East, and hopefully soon, everywhere. As Awad says, "If it can happen here, it can happen almost anywhere." They discuss:  The efficacy of psychedelics as a tool for nonviolent activism, building peace, and recognizing – and healing – collective trauma The balance between the idealistic and the practical, or 'the irony of harmony' – if you focus too much on the connectivity of psychedelics, do you actually exclude voices? The concept of "my liberation depends on your healing and your liberation depends on mine" The challenge in doing something with the hope and enthusiasm that comes after a powerful experience: How do you make sure that wave of hope continues rippling through choppy waters?  Click here to head to the show notes page.

Allison Wilson and Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley discuss The Hope Project merging with Heroic Hearts Project to support spouses of veterans. They explore secondary PTSD, family dynamics post-healing retreats, involving family in the healing process, and the need for more research on PTSD and psychedelics effects on women. They highlight the importance of addressing issues beyond just veterans and the transformative impact of psychedelic therapy on families.

In this episode, Joe and Kyle interview William Richards, STM, Ph.D.: senior advisor at Sunstone Therapies, psychologist at the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, contributor to Vital, and author of Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics & Religious Experiences. He talks about the first time he experienced psilocybin in a research study in 1963, his early studies on the psychology of religion, working with Abraham Maslow, how he became one of the early psychedelic therapists, and what it was like for all of that to disappear when Nixon came into office and shut everything down. He discusses his move into psychedelics and end-of-life care after seeing patients’ fear of death completely disappear, and contemplates whether psychedelics could help people prepare for death – how would we live if we no longer feared death? He also discusses: How the integration of psychedelics into palliative care should be a huge step in cultural acceptance How psychedelics could be used for education and boosting creativity, problem solving, and even new perspectives on history and classic works The study of comparative religion and the potential for psychedelics to find the connections and commonality between seemingly disparate religions The impact of psychedelic experiences on the perception of the sacred How fascinating it is that the same substance, dose, and set and setting can create such incredibly different experiences and more! For links, head to the show notes page. 

Shahar Amit, psytrance musician, discusses creating a modular album for psychedelic exploration. Topics include music for non-ordinary states, 'choose your own adventure' framework, DMT trials, flow of the album, music as a catalyst, and exploration of consciousness. He also talks about the impact of music on enhancing the psychedelic journey, festival experiences, and genre diversity. Amit challenges Big Bang theory, discusses consciousness as reality's foundation, and explores music's emotional impact on perceptions.

Former Navy Seal Tommy Aceto discusses the toll of military programming on chronic pain, depression, and addiction. Vets finding healing through psychedelics to rewire their brains and process pain. The similarities between soldiers and high performers in dealing with chronic pain. The importance of sharing healing stories for veterans. Exploring challenges in alternative treatment research and advocacy for psychedelic science in healing veterans.

Psychedelic educators Kyle and Johanna share insights on the importance of education in the field, the need for interdisciplinary knowledge, and finding your unique contribution. They discuss the value of personal experiences, the evolving landscape of psychedelic education, and advice for those entering the field. The conversation highlights the transformational power of psychedelics and the upcoming training programs available.

Philip Wolf, a cannabis industry figure, discusses decolonization in psychedelics. He highlights the importance of difficult conversations, asking questions, and changing consumer mindsets. Wolf also touches on merging spirituality and science, engaging with Indigenous tribes, and challenging the current regulatory focus on profit.