Chris Timmermann, PhD, is a researcher at Imperial College, where he conducted the first neuroimaging studies of DMT in healthy volunteers and its potential for mental health interventions. He is also conducting research concerning the effects that psychedelics have on belief systems and the ethical implications associated with the mainstreaming of these substances. In this episode, Chris Timmerman discusses what happens neurologically when DMT is administered. He talks about his research into neuroimaging and how the brainwaves change during DMT experiences, and how those changes can help elucidate some of the mechanisms of psychedelic states. He also breaks down the concept of cortical activation and how DMT experiences lead to a pattern of cortical activation that mimics that of visual stimulation. Dr. Timmerman also discusses how DMT experiences are often compared to what happens to the body when it has a near-death experience. He explains some of the difficulties of studying these effects and how to ethically study the phenomenon of near-death experiences. In addition to his work on DMT, Dr. Timmerman also shares some of his research on the impact of music in psychedelic therapy, and how it can help comfort people facing trauma.   In this episode: How DMT interacts with our physiology Current scientific research on DMT The correlation between DMT and near-death experiences How alpha, delta and theta brain waves are affected by DMT Why people think DMT use can lead to tolerance The role of music in psychedelic therapy What psychedelic apprenticeships are and how they can help with healing Quotes: "DMT is incredibly unique because it is able to generate simulations of sorts. The level of immersion is radical, complete. People with their eyes closed, they feel kind of detached from their environment, but they are experiencing a world of experience." [5:52] "We developed a map of this DMT story for each participant. We found three main components: one there was a visual component in the experience, we found a bodily component [a somatic effect], and an emotional effect. And we found that these different parts of the DMT story - the visual, the bodily, and the emotional - had different brain signatures." [18:55] "There have been some animal studies, or very promising ones, in which not only DMT but also LSD and ketamine has been shown to have important properties associated with neurogenesis." [35:09] "The use of psychedelics by western populations is fairly new. We don't have that know-how or that expertise like some indigenous cultures, has for generations." [46:49]   Links: Get 20% off everything at Octagon Biolabs (octagonbiolabs.com) with coupon code 'plantmedicine' Follow Dr. Timmerman on Twitter Follow Dr. Timmerman (and check out his music) on InstagramFollow Chris on Instagram and listen to his music Center for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College Porangui

Adam Meredith is an entrepreneur, podcasting consultant, speaker, photographer, health and movement coach, martial artist, and retired pro fighter based in St. Louis, MO. In addition to hosting Outside Perspective, Adam is also the founder and CEO of Imposed Will, a lifestyle brand dedicated to empowering others to impose their will on life, through mental strength and healthy habits. In this week's episode, Adam goes into detail about what he experienced during multiple DMT journeys. He talks about how intense his first experience was and what he felt in the DMT space. He also compares how different his later experiences were.  Initially, Adam avoided setting expectations for his DMT experiences. However, he shares how it has helped him develop his spirituality and realize that he was more than just his physical body.   In this episode: What a DMT journey can be like and what Adam experienced How DMT can vary between experiences. The benefits of having a guide for a first time experience. How DMT can help promote religious experiences   Quotes:    “I feel like expectations are the quickest way to disappointment. So it's like, I just wanted to be open to the experience and see what I actually get from it.” [7:25] "I look on the walls and I'm seeing the geometric patterns and all of a sudden I'm just yanked away from this physical space." [10:12] “This is a place that you can go to, and we are a part of that thing, whatever that is. Whether you call it the universe, you can call it God, you can call it energy, it's like, there is a whole lot more going on than we really understand, and maybe we will never be able to explain it with science, but it's there." [25:12]   Links: Get 20% off everything at Octagon Biolabs (octagonbiolabs.com) with coupon code 'plantmedicine' Outside Perspective Podcast Follow Adam on Instagram Follow Outside Perspective Podcast on Instagram DMT: The Spiritual Molecule Porangui

Michael "Zappy" Zapolin and Warren Gumpel co-founded The Ketamine Fund, a 501(c)(3), that provides free ketamine treatments to veterans suffering from PTSD or having suicidal ideations, with the mission of lowering suicide rates by 75 percent. The Ketamine Fund has donated more than 400 free treatments to veterans suffering from PTSD. In this week’s episode, Zappy and Warren share their stories, and what led them to advocate for ketamine treatments. Noticing how expensive this therapy can be, Zappy and Warren wanted to help veterans who would benefit the most by subsidizing this treatment. Zappy and Warren also discuss some additional projects they work on to increase awareness of ketamine treatments, such as their upcoming documentary about Lamar Odom and their work with the Mind Army Movement. They also talk about why a proper ketamine facilitator is so important and how certain ketamine treatments are not as effective due to underdosing.    In this episode: How Zappy and Warren became involved in advocating for ketamine. Their upcoming documentary about Lamar Odom and how ketamine helped him in his recovery. How ketamine addresses trauma and how it’s helping soldiers with PTSD. How the Ketamine Fund is supporting soldiers through partnerships with treatment centers in the US.   Quotes: “After my ketamine treatments, my depression and anxiety were gone. Nothing had ever happened so quickly and so miraculously.” [7:29] "Probably the most beautiful thing about ketamine is it needs the least integration of what I've seen because some of the plant medicine takes a long time." [18:50] “It became very apparent to us that one of the most underserved communities in this country that deserves it [ketamine treatment] is the veteran community.” [25:38] "We think if we can fund that [the Ketamine Fund] properly, and then anybody in the country who says that they're having suicidal ideation; we can get them into a clinic, in our network, within 24 hours in a clinic and get a free treatment." [40:10]   Links: Ketamine Fund Odom Reborn The Reality of Truth Considering Taking Psychedelics During the Quarantine?  Porangui

Mike Jay is an author who has written widely on the history of science and medicine. His books include High Society: Mind-Altering Drugs in History and Culture and his latest, Mescaline: A Global History of the First Psychedelic. In this episode, Mike discusses his research into mescaline and its extended history. Mike shares the cultural significance of huachuma and peyote for indigenous tribes in Mexico and Peru dating back over 3000 years. He also talks about western research into mescaline starting in the 19th century, and even mentions how peyote was almost incorporated into the Mormon Church! Mescaline is considered a class A drug by many countries, and Mike discusses some of the legal "blurry areas" based on different types of cacti containing it.  He also covers the environmental impact of improperly harvesting peyote, how industrial mining is destroying peyote’s environment, and what native tribes in Mexico are doing to protect this endangered plant. In this episode: The origins of mescaline-related terms including san pedro, huachuma, and peyote.  The traditional uses of huachuma and peyote. How mescaline was discovered and what led to its criminalization. The differences between peyote and huachuma. Why peyote is endangered and what is being done to protect it. Quotes: “All those kind of great early accounts of peyote from the 1890s are all very full-on, first-person (what we would call trip reports), written by people who are often doctors, but who are also often poets and writers. People who are very, very good at medical description. So these are kind of beautiful pieces of psychedelic literature.” [6:14] "There are reports from the 17th/18th century of villages where everybody would get together, usually around a fire, usually at night. peyote would be passed around and people would sing and dance through the night." [21:04] “Your average cactus supplier, or sometimes even your cactus garden center will have huachuma. So the legal status of the cactus is kind of blurry.” [25:38] "We kind of go, 'Oh Psychedelics! That story started in the '60s or '50s.' If you look at mescaline it's like, no. I mean there are western stories starting way back in the 19th century." [36:50]   Links: Get 20% off everything at Octagon Biolabs (octagonbiolabs.com) with coupon code 'plantmedicine' Mike Jay’s Website Follow Mike Jay on Twitter Fundraiser for Peyote Conservation and Cultivation Mescaline: A Global History of the First Psychedelic Huicholes: The Last Peyote Guardians Porangui

Tah Whitty spent 25 years as a nurse in emergency medicine, and Kole Whitty has spent 17 years educating professionals about life’s addictions. Together, they have 17 years of combined experience in various shamanic traditions, guiding performance-driven entrepreneurs.  In this week’s episode, Tah and Kole discuss how their paths led to facilitating huachuma (San Pedro) ceremonies. While they both were initially resistant to using plant medicine, they discovered how impactful huachuma ceremonies can be to resolve pent up trauma.  Tah and Cole describe huachuma as more gentle compared to other plant medicines, though the effects of the medicine can often be present for 10-12 hours. They also discuss the pre-journey intake process, the preparation and support that goes into a participant’s experience, and the post-care support to help integrate the experience into their healing journey.  In addition to explaining the huachuma ceremony, Tah and Cole talk about trauma and healing. They emphasize the importance of avoiding the Transformation TRAPP (Tirelessly Repeating A Painful Process) which can be harmful to an individual’s growth, and the importance of being in a state of relaxation to optimize healing.   In this episode: What drew both Tah and Kole to working with huachuma ceremonies  The origin of the terms huachuma and San Pedro. Some common experiences during a huachuma ceremony. The preparation and support facilitators provide before and during a huachuma ceremony, and the necessity of follow up support. The importance of relaxation and the use of TRE(Tension and Trauma Release Exercise) to help the body relax at the beginning of their ceremonies. How modern treatments promote “Transformation TRAPP.” and prevent true healing. Quotes: "When your nervous system is relaxed, you can actually get to the deeper space that you need to get to, and that's where healing takes place the most." [5:03] "You are not controlling the [Mescaline]experience. You are co-creating the experience." [13:03] “The trauma response, physiologically, is your response to an activity. Trauma is not what happens to you, it is how your body and your organism responds.” [27:56] “What does it feel like to be free of the conditioning, of the expectations, of the trauma, and drama? It doesn't mean you stop feeling, it means it stops being so much weight on your wings.” [42:06] "We have had countless people come to us and to work with us, and they're like 'I've got trauma that is holding me back!’ No, what is holding them back is that they are not allowing themselves to have fun." [43:16]   Links: Get 20% off everything at Octagon Biolabs (octagonbiolabs.com) with coupon code 'plantmedicine' Tah and Kole's website Mentor in the Mirror Podcast Take the Get Help Quiz Subscribe to Tah and Kohle’s Texting List by texting ‘Optimize’ to 22999 Follow Tah and Kole on Instagram Find Tah and Kole on Facebook Porangui  

Joe earned his BA in philosophy in New Hampshire. After stumbling upon the work of pioneering psychedelic psychiatrist Dr. Stanislav Grof in 2001, Joe began participating in Holotropic Breathwork workshops in Vermont in 2003 and he later began helping facilitate Holotropic and Transpersonal Breathwork workshops.    In this week’s episode, Joe discusses how he and his co-founder, Kyle Buller started Psychedelics Today, and how their podcast led to them developing a number of online courses. Their upcoming course is Navigating Psychedelics for Clinicians and Therapists. This 8 week course is good for both those wanting to learn how to better understand a client’s needs as a physician or a therapist and for those looking to get a taste of what the psychedelic therapy world is like before embarking on official training.  Joe also talks about how mystical and spiritual experiences can play a role in psychology. While often overlooked in the current psychiatric system, Joe believes these spiritual and mystical experiences may help to heal patients in certain situations.   In this episode: How Psychedelics Today started, and what led to offering courses. What information Joe found lacking in the psychedelic community. What to expect in the Navigating Psychedelics course and who it is for. How psychological theories incorporate into the work of facilitation  Spiritual Emergence and its potential benefit to the current psychiatric system Quotes: “We just thought the psychedelic world is really interesting, but it is really lacking regular discussion of Dr. Stan Groff and Holotropic Breathwork. So really it [The Psychedelics Today podcast] was a way that we could contribute and bring voices that we thought were important back to the foreground" [5:13]  "I don't want to be the Tony Robbins telling you how, you know, this is exactly how you should be charging at your problems. It's like no - you need to take an individualized approach." [13:03] "If more people had a lot more support like we could see people self resolve things [trauma and psychological issues] instead of going into the psychiatric system for decades." [26:13] "You don't get educated and then you're done. This is a lifelong process." [36:53]   Links: Get 20% off everything at Octagon Biolabs (octagonbiolabs.com) with coupon code 'plantmedicine' psychedelicstoday.com psychedeliceducationcenter.com Navigating Psychedelics: For Clinicians and Therapists Follow Psychedelics Today on Instagram Follow Psychedelics Today on Twitter Porangui

Ian-Michael Hebert is committed to healing the relationship between humanity and the Earth. His formal training has been in eco-resort design and he holds a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology and community mental health. He is the founder of Holos Global, a network of holistic healing centers. Ian-Michael has catalyzed many teams in creating enduring structures and institutions that will benefit generations to come. In this week’s episode, Ian-Michael describes his very personal journey as he experienced mescaline while hiking through the Grand Canyon. This Mescaline experience helped Ian-Michael work through his negative internalizations, reconnect spiritually to nature, and even helped him strengthen his relationship with his father. He also discusses how this experience led him to his current work with Holos Global and the services they provide.    In this Episode: What a mescaline experience can be like and what Ian-Michael experienced The importance of reconnecting with nature How to reintegrate after a psychedelic experience The purpose of Holos Global   Quotes: “What I find with this particular ally or this particular plant medicine, is that it deeply amplifies our feeling states.” [8:17] “That particular experience was less like an actual visual experience and more of a felt sense.” [18:47] “The overall journey of being on the Grand Canyon and that bigger context was very much a reset of my life, and I came out very inspired." [26:55] "The integration arc is as important as the journey. If you really want to mine the gems, if you want to, like, get the benefits of the medicine you really have the opportunity to reflect on it and to practice it." [28:33]   Links: Get 20% off everything at Octagon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine' Holos Global  Follow Holos Global on Instagram Wild Vessel The Body Keeps the Score Plant Medicine Podcast Episode with Eamon Armstrong Episode Music by Porangui

Dr. Joseph Peter Barsuglia is a clinical psychologist focused on bridging ancestral medicines and wisdom with best clinical practices, in order to catalyze personal healing and spiritual awakening. He has worked as Research Director of a psychedelic treatment center which utilized 5-MeO-DMT and ibogaine for the treatment of addiction, as a psychotherapist in the MAPS-sponsored trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, and is an initiate of the African tradition called Bwiti which uses iboga as its sacrament. In this episode, Dr. Barsuglia discusses what happens to the body when 5-MEO-DMT is consumed. He also discusses the origins and history of 5-MEO-DMT, as well as some of the scientific research being conducted on the molecule. He also shares some research on how he observed the mystical effects 5-MEO-DMT had on patients and some of the consistent experiences patients described.  The increasing popularity of this psychedelic often brings up a discussion on the environmental impact of harvesting Sonoran Desert toads. Dr. Barsuglia uses this to discuss differences between synthetic vs naturally occurring 5-MEO-DMT, and how synthetic developments can help protect the environment and preserve tribal tradition.    In this episode: The sources of 5-MEO-DMT and how it is used The historical, cultural, and environmental significance of 5-MEO-DMT The effects of 5-MEO-DMT on the body and common experiences from participants Current scientific research on this plant medicine The differences between natural and synthetic 5-MEO-DMT   Quotes: “This is one of the oldest psychedelics found in archeology.” [8:30] “Some kind of basic science studies on cell lines that showed that 5-MEO-DMT does in fact stimulate brain cell growth, antidepressant properties, and might boost the immune system.” [13:24] “In many psychedelics, you are getting formed visuals, you can kind of interact with what’s happening. This medicine kind of takes you beyond your biography, beyond your memory, beyond form into a very energetic experience.” [16:07] "80 percent, I think, of people that had this experience said it was profoundly sacred or holy." [28:48] “I also think that people don't need to be demonized that are using this medicine.” [51:31]   Links: Find Dr. Barsuglia Online MAPS Scientific Journals relating to this episode: Angel of human health: current research updates in toad medicine  The Development of Toad Toxins as Potential Therapeutic Agents New Therapeutic Aspects of Steroidal Cardiac Glycosides Pilot Study of Huachansu in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, or Pancreatic Cancer The Development of a Pharmacological Approach for Rabies Treatment Bufotenine is able to block rabies virus infection in BHK-21 cells Porangui

Atira Tan is currently a PhD candidate in Expressive Arts Research at the European Graduate School in Switzerland. She possesses an MA in Art Therapy, has a background in Transpersonal Art Therapy and Holistic Counseling, and is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner with decades of training in various somatic trauma-informed approaches. Atira worked as a trauma-informed integration specialist in retreat centers such as the Temple of the Way of Light, and she is currently the head of Ayahuasca integration at AYA Healing Retreats. In this episode, Atira discusses the concept of trauma-informed therapy, and how facilitators can respect and support participants in healing circles. As everyone experiences traumas in their lives differently, Atira discusses how trauma can impact an individual’s experience in healing circles. She also establishes the importance of communication between the facilitator and participants. Atira’s upcoming workshop covers several important topics to help teach facilitators how to integrate trauma-informed principles into their ceremonies. There will be a large focus on the core of the essentials of trauma and how to intervene. Some other topics that will be discussed include boundaries, safety, and consent during ceremonies, how trauma shows up in the body, identifying trauma and trauma recovery, and the cross overs of shamanism and mental health.    In this episode: Explaining the definition and principles of trauma-informed therapy The importance of a facilitator to prepare and have a medical intake in healing circles. What may trigger people in a plant circle and how to support them  Tips on how we can soften the collective trauma of Covid-19   Quotes Trauma happens when there is a boundary violation. [10:07] As part of the trauma-informed lens, facilitators need to kind of think about what's important to be communicated first. [19:59] Part of giving people's choice and agency is really about consent. [22:10]   Links: Aya Healing Retreats Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine Facilitation Workshop Porangui

Tricia Eastman is a medicine woman, author, and pioneer in the psychedelic movement. Eastman offers highly curated retreats in countries where use is legal, working with iboga, psilocybin mushrooms, and 5-MeO-DMT. She has been initiated into Bwiti Fang traditions and the Ngonde Missoko tradition, and she facilitated the psychospiritual iboga program for Crossroads Treatment Center in Mexico. She supports projects related to the preservation of the sacred medicines and sacred sites for future generations and working with the ancient wisdom traditions with respect and reverence.  In this episode, Tricia discusses the start of her journey into becoming a healer working with psychedelics. At a 5-MeO-DMT retreat, she learned how to love herself, and decided she wanted to lead others on this healing experience. Since 2016 she founded Psychedelic Journeys, which offers guided retreats with a number of medicines.  Tricia shares the many ways 5-MeO-DMT can be administered, and how facilitators can support participants during this ceremony. While she does discuss the positive experiences many people have, she speaks frankly about how 5-MeO-DMT can greatly affect others based on their previous experience, both with psychedelics and past trauma.  One of Tricia’s passions is promoting sacred and ethical use of 5-MeO-DMT. She discusses how encroaching farming practices and unethical harvesting has impacted the source of 5-MeO-DMT, the Sonoran Desert Toad, and some practices for minimizing harm   In this episode: How Tricia got started facilitating 5-Meo-DMT. Some methods facilitators use during a 5-MeO-DMT ceremony. What people may experience during a 5-MeO-DMT ceremony. How 5-MeO-DMT is contraindicated The ethical and environmental impact of 5-MeO-DMT extraction.   Quotes: 12:00 "You are in a space of timelessness where your perception of where you are could feel like eons even though it has been seconds." 14:59 "I try not to be a character in the movie. I don't want it to ever be about me, or doing anything, because they are there to do their own healing work.  19:43 "We don't want to set you up in a way that you are going to get in your own experience, and not actually receive whatever the medicine wants to show you." 37:48 "For me, I really feel that it's important that everything is done in a sacred way. That they are done in an ethical thing." 41:14 Everything I do is a very deeply intuitive process of really following and listening, and that's just how you learn when you work in the shamanic traditions.   Links: Third Eye Meditation Lounge- Third Eye Cacao- Use code PLANTMEDICINE to get 15% of orders over $50, and a free class at the meditation lounge. 3rd Eye Mushroom Immune Elixior Find Tricia Eastman online Follow Tricia on Instagram Ancestral Heart Terra Incognita Foundation World Bufo Alvarius Congress 5-MeO-DMT Patient Experience Music by Porangui