Psychedelic Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski

Today’s episode discusses the history and legality of ketamine. Being so widely available and legal in many places, including the United States, ketamine’s story is different from many other medicines discussed in this show. With that being the case, we’ll also hear the experience of one more patient who has made use of ketamine therapy. When many people hear of ketamine they think of a horse tranquilizer, party-drug, or battlefield medicine. This diversity of uses reflects the varied history of this drug. Ketamine was patented for human and animal use in 1966 and approved by the FDA in 1970. It soon after found widespread use as a field anesthetic in Vietnam. It wasn’t long before the medical and non-medical uses of ketamine expanded worldwide. In the 1990s, researches found that ketamine has many effects in the treatment of depression and chronic pain.  In the United States, ketamine is a Schedule 3 drug, meaning that it is widely available as long as a patient has a prescription from their physician. However, in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, ketamine remains illegal. Many other countries restrict the drug to veterinary use only. The second part of this episode is a discussion with Jennifer about how she approached her physician about using ketamine and her journey with this medicine. While searching for relief from her chronic depression and anxiety, Jennifer came across ketamine treatments. While she initially faced pushback from her psychologist, Jennifer went ahead with her treatment. She discusses how ketamine was able to treat her depression as well as migraines in a way that the other drugs she had taken had not.    In this episode: A brief history of the legality of ketamine in the United States What early studies into the various medical uses of ketamine uncovered Where ketamine is legal and in what forms The challenge of finding a doctor who agrees with a patient’s interest in alternative therapies The small but meaningful changes that one patient felt after starting ketamine therapy   Quotes: “The fact that there are so many different ways that people have heard of ketamine is a testament to how many things it can do.” [5:11] “If you are considering ketamine, it is a matter of finding a physician or a center that offers it intravenously or intramuscularly. Or work with a psychologist or psychotherapist who offers it, often in the lozenge or nasal form.” [7:56] “So many little things. It felt like I could take deep breaths. I wasn’t always on edge with stress and anger and being defeated. When that little bit starts to lift -- that’s a lot!” - Jennifer [14:20]   Links: Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’ Ketamine.com The Third Wave   Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui

In this bonus ketamine practitioner episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Ben Kaplan-Singer about the application of intramuscular ketamine. Dr. Kaplan-Singer practices integrative and functional medicine and has developed a “whole person” approach to helping his patients address a number of conditions. With a specialty in intramuscular applications of ketamine, Dr. Kaplan-Singer explains how this method is administered and how someone best prepares for it. As with many transformational experiences, intention setting is crucial. Dr. Kaplan-Singer shares his advice when it comes to setting intentions and explains how it helps with the process overall. Dr. Kaplan-Singer goes on to describe what someone going through an IM treatment of ketamine can expect. From the initial meetings with the doctor to the treatment itself to processing the experience afterward, Dr. Kaplan-Singer explains how he manages it all as a highly curated and supported process.   In this episode: How ketamine works at both the biochemical and metaphysical levels The importance of intention setting when preparing for a transformational experience Relative contraindications and side-effects of ketamine to be aware of A walk-through of the process and experience of IM treatment from beginning to end The effects of ketamine on the central-nervous-system as well as the body Techniques and methods for processing the post-ketamine experience   Quotes: “Ketamine is being rediscovered as one of the most potent and fastest acting anti-depressants that we know in the pharmaceutical world.” [4:37] “When used this way, we’re actually helping people get novel insights into who they are, what they are, why they’re alive, what their purpose is for being on this planet, what their relationship is to others, and what their relationship is to the cosmos.” [6:52] “I encourage people to embrace a view where whatever comes up is not necessarily looked at as a side-effect but rather as a portal for potential healing.”  [15:36] “Ketamine doesn’t just seem to work on the mind. It also seems to work on the body.” [23:14] “When you have a big transformation, it’s not enough to just have a peak experience. It really matters how you apply those insights into daily living.” [26:17]   Links: Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’ Find Dr. Ben Kaplan-Singer online Enzo Center Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui

This week’s episode delves into the science behind ketamine therapy with Dr. Jason Wallach. Dr. Wallach has a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology and is an instructor at the University of the Sciences. His research focuses on the analytical and pharmacological characterizations of psychoactive drugs with a focus on dissociatives and the serotonergic classical hallucinogens. Dr. Wallach explains what the research says about the biochemistry of ketamine and how it actually works in the body. There’s still some debate about how ketamine’s various biochemical effects are involved in its therapeutic effects. Dr. Wallach shares what his research has discovered and the questions that he is still trying to answer. Specifically when it comes to examining the potential uses of ketamine to treat depression, Dr. Wallach sees a lot of promise for the drug. He explains some of what the research has shown with ketamine’s use as an anti-depressant and how its effects differ from other treatments. There has also been a lot of research into the difference between racemic mixtures of ketamine versus left-handed or s-ketamine. While racemic, which contains both the right and left-handed molecules, is what’s most widely used in the United States, new information is coming out regularly about the more targeted approach of s-ketamine.   In this episode: What the current research says concerning ketamine’s biochemical effects in the body The connection between ketamine and glutamate receptors and what this could mean for its anti-depressant effects Studies into ketamine’s use as an anti-depressant and what this suggests about its efficacy Ketamine as a treatment for various chronic pain conditions The difference between racemic ketamine and s-ketamine The future of ketamine trials   Quotes: “What ketamine does is it blocks the NMDA receptor preventing that flux of information from outside the cell to inside the cell.” [5:46] “Most existing anti-depressants have a delay in their onset. They take several weeks before you see any effect. Whereas with ketamine they can be observed within 40 minutes and peak within a day or so.” [10:45] “I suspect that maybe for a subset of people with depression, maybe even PTSD, chronic pain, or OCD, those experiences might have additional efficacy above and beyond what is occurring with the sub-hallucinogenic doses of ketamine that are currently being used.” [24:41]   Links: Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’    Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui

In today’s ketamine practitioner episode, Dr. Steven Mandel describes some of the modern applications of ketamine. Dr. Mandel is the founder and president of Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles and a founding member of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians. As an internationally recognized pioneer in the use of ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression, suicidality, PTSD, and chronic pain, Dr. Mandel has made numerous media appearances and has personally administered thousands of ketamine infusions. In this episode, Dr. Mandel recounts some of the history behind ketamine’s use in treating conditions such as PTSD and depression. While its use originated on the battlefield, an increasing number of physicians, including Dr. Mandel, soon discovered its other uses for anesthesia and psychological treatments. Dr. Mandel describes what goes on in his clinic and the common conditions that he uses ketamine infusions to treat. This ranges from depression to PTSD and even chronic pain. Dr. Mandel goes into what the research is saying concerning ketamine’s effects on these conditions and how he uses it to treat his patients.   In this episode: The history behind ketamine’s use as a treatment for PTSD and depression The other therapies that should go alongside ketamine use in order to achieve lasting effects Common psychological conditions that ketamine may help to address Ketamine’s use in treating chronic pain The importance of priming a patient’s mindset in preparation for and during therapy Some of Dr. Mandel’s favorite success stories   Quotes: “Ketamine very quickly became the darling of the battlefield medical community because ketamine in sub-anesthetic doses could very rapidly make a wounded soldier numb enough to participate in his own evacuation despite his wounds.” [8:35] “Ketamine is not a cure at all. It’s a treatment. It doesn’t fix anybody permanently.” [12:30] “You can go to very dark places with ketamine. Ketamine is a fuel. It’s a great enhancer of resilience but particularly the first experience with it can be offputting.” [28:04] “Ketamine can help you to become more open, more resilient. Your sense of worthlessness and helplessness goes away. Your ability to give yourself permission to experience pleasure gets much better.” [34:43]   Links: Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’ Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles American Society of Ketamine Physicians   Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui

Today’s episode explores the patient’s experience of using ketamine in a clinical setting. As a very health-conscious person, Michael was curious about how ketamine, applied at a clinic through an IV drip, could address issues with his overall health. In this episode, Michael describes what these experiences have meant to him.  Michael shares his reasoning behind his decision to try ketamine and how he prepared mentally and physically for the experience. He walks us through the experience at the clinic getting his infusions and what it’s like from the patient’s perspective. These ketamine treatments have had a number of effects for Michael. He describes how they helped him gain clarity on a number of topics ranging from his business to the grieving of a friend’s death. These six treatments were very impactful for Michael, and he describes how he processed them immediately afterward and how he continues to think about them.   In this episode What led to Michael’s decision to use ketamine What was involved in preparing for his initial treatment How ketamine compares to other psychedelics in Michael’s experience Common protocols around ketamine infusion treatments   Quotes “You can cover a lot of ground. It’s really up to the person how much they’re willing to investigate in themselves.” [10:25] “I closed my eyes and it was a really easy experience to let go into because it’s a tranquilizer, you know.” [14:29] “They made it sound like I was going to be able to work the same day [as the treatments]. Definitely not the case! Really give yourself some space for the rest of that day.” [34:24]   Links Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’ Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui

Distinguished Professor of Law Michael Vitiello is a nationally-recognized expert on criminal law, sentencing policy, and cannabis law. His work on California's three-strikes law has been cited by the United States Supreme Court and the California Supreme Court. This year, Prof. Vitiello along with two co-authors from the University of Michigan published cases and material regarding cannabis law.  Today’s episode is an examination of the history and legality of cannabis in the United States. Prof. Vitiello starts off with a brief history of how people have grown and consumed cannabis throughout the ages. In fact, a couple of centuries ago, there were few regulations around cannabis and it was widely used for many purposes, including as medicine. Prof. Vitiello explains how that all changed towards the end of the 19th Century when regulations began limiting access to cannabis. He describes how attitudes about the plant have shifted and changed over the last one hundred years and how this is and isn’t reflected in the law.  We then examine the shifts in regulations and attitudes of recent years that have allowed some states to decriminalize or even legalize marijuana for medical and recreational use. This has led to a divergence between federal law and many states’ law, something which further clouds the issue. To help make sense of this, Prof. Vitiello describes how we can navigate a situation in which state laws and federal laws diverge over the legal status of cannabis.    In this episode The fascinating yet little understood history of marijuana in America The factors that initially led to the criminalization of marijuana  How cannabis played a role in the culture wars throughout the 20th Century The legal rollercoaster that marijuana has gone through over time Recent developments that have led to states changing their laws concerning marijuana How to make sense of conflicting laws concerning the legality of cannabis   Quotes “During the Civil War, there were more regulations of tea than there were on marijuana.” [4:12] “Marijuana got into Schedule 1 because of a political compromise. The government’s original position was that it couldn’t accept the petition to reschedule because it didn’t have the power to do that. It was an asinine position.” [25:19] “When we talk about legalization, we’re only saying that some states have decided not to make it a violation of state law.” [30:44] “The possibility of the federal government prosecuting you just based on you purchasing and using in-state is almost is almost certainly not going to happen.” [48:23]   Links Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’ Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui

Dr. Adam Abodeely is the founder and CEO of Reserve:MD as well as a double board-certified surgeon specializing in gastrointestinal diseases and cancer. He is the chairman of the Dispensary Review Committee for the Association of Cannabis Specialists and is the author of A Surgeon’s Perspective on the Science & Truth of Cannabis. Dr. Abodeely recommends cannabis-based therapy for over one hundred different conditions. His journey with medical cannabis began when his patients started telling him about how they were benefiting more from cannabis than they were from the pharmaceuticals he prescribed for them. Since then, Dr. Abodeely has been conducting exhaustive research into the medical uses of cannabis. In this interview, Dr. Abodeely describes what he takes into consideration when deciding if a patient is a good candidate for medical cannabis. We examine some of the many medical conditions in which Dr. Abodeely has found cannabis, and specifically THC, to be helpful.  As a GI specialist, Dr. Abodeely takes us on a deep dive of how THC and other cannabinoids specifically affect people with various gut issues. He describes the various ways in which THC can be administered and the benefits and drawbacks of different methods. We examine how cannabis can best be delivered and how to determine proper dosage. In this episode: Guidance to give patients when certifying them for medical cannabis Some of the conditions that Dr. Abodeely has found are treated well with medical cannabis How the various properties of cannabis can impact people with certain GI diseases If depression can be considered a form of chronic pain and be treated with cannabis Why different people respond differently to THC Whether or not cannabis can react negatively with other medications Quotes “What I realized is that patients were actually really benefiting from it. They were coming to me to receive care and my care was providing them with sub-optimal outcomes. But they were receiving great benefits from cannabis.” [5:50] “My goals are to at least minimize or reduce the opioid consumption or get rid of it all together [13:33] “Cannabis medicine is a very personal experience. Our bodies are all genetically different. We all have our unique cannabinoid receptors and genetic polymorphisms which means there’s differences in how my cannabinoid receptors may be compared to yours and how you’re going to respond.” [21:31] “Doses that are too low or too high tend to be non-therapeutic. There’s a sweet spot.” [29:57] Links Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’ Reserve:MD Adirondack Gastrointestinal & Surgical Group Association of Cannabis Specialists A Surgeon’s Perspective on the Science & Truth of Cannabis by Dr. Adam Abodeely   Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui

Dr. Karyemaitre Aliffe is a multi-lingual physician and scientist who brings life to science and vitality to our concepts of medicine. He has over 35 years of experience as a researcher in natural products. His work has taken him across the globe from the biotech hub of Silicon Valley to some of the remotest corners of the Amazon, Australia, and Africa. Today’s episode explores some of the latest scientific research into medical THC. When it comes to examining the medical uses of cannabis, there is a lot more anecdotal evidence than clinical evidence available. Dr. Aliffe explains the value he sees in this anecdotal evidence and why it should not be overlooked in terms of scientific value. Dr. Aliffe explains what he knows about how THC actually interacts with the human body. There is still much to be discovered about this, but he describes what is known about the biochemical response that happens when THC and other cannabinoids are introduced into the body. Dr. Aliffe talks about a number of recent discoveries covering topics ranging from THC’s role in athletic training to managing stress factors. Since the endocannabinoid system helps modulate the emotional reaction to various circumstances, it has a number of implications in high-stress situations.  With the many variations in cannabis products and individual physiology, it is very difficult, if not impossible, for studies to determine what is optimal for each person. Dr. Aliffe explains what he believes the role of an individual, as well as their physician, could be in this matter.   In this episode: The important distinction between pharmaceuticals and botanical medicines The value of examining anecdotal evidence What is known about how THC actually interacts with the human body The impact of cannabis on the human response to high-stress situations The challenges of determining optimal dosing with THC The potential role of cannabis in treating aspects of PTSD, anxiety, and depression The implications of cannabis’ anti-inflammatory properties   Quotes: “For me, anecdotal evidence is useful because medical practice is all anecdotal; it’s not a controlled trial.” [8:27] “There’s ample evidence that shows that when you have a person who’s relaxed but present and very centered, that’s when they have their optimal mind-body performance and cognitive athletic function.” [20:24] “The challenge is for people to feel comfortable to know how to proceed with a well-produced and well-documented product that actually does have the amount of THC and CBD and other components that it says on the label.” [34:54] “There’s all this conflicting physiology going on and the endocannabinoid system is trying to find that sweet spot of homeostasis in there where everything goes well in life.” [45:13]   Links: Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’    Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui

When Leanna was finishing up college she began experiencing severe nerve pain in her back. To help her deal with the pain and sleep through it better, Leanna turned to using medical cannabis.  In today’s THC patient experience episode, I talk with Leanna about how she used THC to help her cope with this recurrent back pain. She even shares how her grandmother used it help with all sorts of pains and to get her more active than she had been in years.  Not wanting to take potentially addictive opioids, Leanna started asking questions about cannabis as a possibly safer alternative. She soon found that THC was helping her feel better than she otherwise thought she could. Leanna and I talk about how she, as well as her grandmother, found their preferred forms of administering THC and why it’s different for everyone. She explains why using cannabis at different times of day helped her get out of bed in the morning and sleep better at night. In this episode: Coming to the decision to use cannabis to treat chronic pain How to deciding which form of THC to take Determining one’s ideal way of taking THC to maximize the results and minimize the side-effects Discussing the use of medical cannabis with family members How patients can talk with medical practitioners about their use of THC products Quotes “At the time I was just looking for other ways that I would feel safer than taking [opioids] long-term.” [6:08] “I had struggles with anxiety in the past and [cannabis] was something that always helped me with it a little bit too. Whereas I have friends who say it gives them even more anxiety.” [14:03] “So my grandma was someone who was able to handle THC better than a lot of people my own age.” [18:40] Links Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’

Today’s episode covers the history and legality of CBD. While this should not be construed as legal advice, you will learn about some of the background of CBD and where it fits into the current legal landscape. In order to understand the legality of CBD, it’s important to know the difference between hemp and cannabis. Hemp contains less than 0.3 percent THC content, while cannabis has more. Although CBD can be extracted from either of these plants, the majority of CBD on the market comes from hemp. The production of hemp in the United States has been greatly affected by various laws over the last one hundred years. In fact, it wasn’t until the Farm Bill of 2018 that hemp was removed from the Controlled Substances Act, allowing for the harvesting of CBD seen today. CBD has been known to have potential medical applications for decades, however recent changes in both state and federal laws have led to its new proliferation around the country. Since laws vary from state to state and not all CBD comes from legal sources, it’s important to know where each particular state stands. In this episode: The difference between hemp and cannabis and why this distinction matters A brief history of the word marijuana and why many people are avoiding its use A history of hemp production and how anti-drug laws have affected it The discovery and study of CBD as a compound with potential medical uses What to look out for when determining the legality of a CBD product in a particular state Quotes “CBD can be extracted from both marijuana and hemp as both of them have cannabidiol, or CBD, in them among other cannabinoids.” [4:34] “It is a rapidly developing area and the FDA is still working to develop a regulatory path for hemp-derived CBD.”[10:43] “In states where cannabis is not legal, then CBD from cannabis is also not legal.” [12:29] Links Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’