Psychedelics Today

Download It is the week of the 4th of July. That means the United States is celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, breaking free from the British Empire, and becoming an independent nation.  With the holiday underway, it seems like a great time to reflect on the concept of freedom (including cognitive liberty) and what it means to each and every one of us. In honor of Independence Day and the Declaration of Independence, here is a quote by Terence McKenna: [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="660"] Photo from: http://www.cannalawblog.com/they-said-it-on-marijuana-quotable-saturday-part-cxxvi/[/caption] In this episode, Joe and Kyle reflect on the concept of personal freedom, cognitive liberty, and the impact that the War on Drugs has on the American people. It seems to be the consensus that the War on Drugs is failing. The policy has huge negative consequences on people across the globe, and significantly marginalizes minority groups and people of color. Cognitive Liberty As psyched

Download Shane LeMaster joins us again to talk about his work with veterans, enhancing human performance and traditional use of peyote. If you haven't listened to part one, check that out first here. Show Topics Warriorship and Shambhala Micro-dosing as it would apply to sports performance research Flow states Eckhart Tolle Microdosing at JuJitsu competitions High or standard dose psychedelic use at NASA The difference between microdosing and normal dosages Shane's own practice JuJitsu for healing trauma Vets only JuJitsu class Where is trauma stored Insights on Peyote Integration Show Links Shane's Site - Mind OPS Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior On Combat, The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment The Intention Experiment: Using Your Thoughts to Change Your Life and the World About Shane LeMaster, B.A., M.A.,  LAC, CC-AASP Bio from Mind-OPS

Download Shane LeMaster joins us to talk about his work with veterans, enhancing human performance and traditional use of peyote. Show Topics Psychedelics and martial arts. Martial arts / JuJitsu for Veterans. Exposure therapy Flow states and psychedelics. Psychedelic Integration and groups. Opinions on MDMA being a psychedelic drug or not. Doing work with veterans and gaining their trust for therapeutic relationships. Traditional approaches to ayahuasca. First hand accounts of what the Peyote world is like. Shifting away from the predominant Newtonian Cartesian paradigm after psychedelic use and understanding that we know very little about what is really happening here in the world. Sustainability in the Peyote habitat. Show Links JuJitsu and Depression Flow States Researcher - Sports Psychology Guru  Shane's Site - Mind OPS Native American Church About Shane LeMaster, B.A., M.A.,  LAC, CC-AASP Bio from Mind-OPS Shane earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Colorad

Download In this episode, Kyle talks with Leia Friedman, co-founder of the Boston Entheogenic Network (BEN) and also known as "The Psychedologist." Kyle recently was invited to facilitate an "Introduction to Transpersonal Breathwork" workshop for BEN. Joe also was in town for the weekend and presented a talk about "Breathwork, Psychedelics, and Ecological Collapse." It was a great psychedelic weekend in Massachusetts. After the workshop, Kyle had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Leia about her interests in the psychedelic field, feminism and eco-feminism, and how she got involved with starting a psychedelic group in Boston. She provides some helpful tips and advice for creating/starting your own local group. Tips for starting your own psychedelic group: First, what is the point of the group? What is the purpose or mission? Learn about your local laws and the legal risks Do not condone or facilitate illegal activity Go slow Find the others to help you out Check in with yourself and the other members

Download In this episode, Kyle talks with Allison Pelissier, of The Traveling Light Machine, about the Lucia N°03 Hypnagogic Light Machine. It turns out it is very powerful and induces powerful visions in some. During Kyle's recent trip to Vermont, he met a fellow fan of the podcast, Grant, at the recent Dreamshadow Holotropic Breathwork retreat. While meeting Grant felt like a synchronicity, it led Kyle to experience the Lucia N°03 with Allison. Kyle shares his experience with the hypnagogic light machine in this episode while Allison discusses the background and development of this this fascinating piece of technology. Be sure to continue below to learn more about the Lucia N°03, get show notes/links, and to find out more about Allison's work. Consider leaving us a comment to let us know what you think about the episode. About The Lucia N°03 Hypnagogic Light Machine The Lucia N°03 was developed in Austria by clinical psychologist Dr. EngelbertWinkler and medical neurologist Dr. Dirk Proeckl. It is impo

Download The MAPS Psychedelic Science 2017 conference was the largest psychedelic conference in history to date. It is an exciting time to be part of the movement and to get involved in the field. There is a push to legalize psychedelics for therapy and to recognize these substances as medicine. While the field needs the science and research to legitimize psychedelics as medicines to treat various disorders, but the change in status does not mean access for everyone. This is not to discourage the research or science, we acknowledge that it is important, but rather it is to help educate the public that the change in status does not mean psychedelics will be legal for recreational use. There may be a misconception floating around that once MDMA or psilocybin becomes medicine there will be greater access. This is not entirely true according to Jag Davies. The criminalization of psychedelic substances will continue despite the health and clinical applications. Jag and the DPA strive to help move drug policy aw

Download In this episode, Kyle and Joe talk with Julie Megler from Entheogenic Research, Integration, and Education (ERIE) about psychedelics and integration. We learn about the work and mission of ERIE, and how Julie got involved/interested in psychedelics. Integration is a growing concern in the psychedelic world.  We continue the conversation by having Julie on the show to learn more about her work.  Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think! About Erie ERIE is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the sharing of entheogenic and transpersonal knowledge in a non-hierarchical, community based format, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. We offer a platform for entheogenic research, integration and education. ERIE is not only a hub of integration information for entheogenic and transpersonal experiences, we also host peer integration circles to facilitate meaning-making and community building. We host monthly educational events including symposiums, forums, and conferences on varied topi

As psychedelics and plant medicines continue to gain mainstream attention, more and more people are becoming interested in having their own experience. While many people travel outside their home country to experience ayahuasca legally in a retreat setting, many people are participating in ceremonies in the "underground" all over the world. Attending a festival, large or small, is also a very common place for people to experiment with psychedelic substances. This new wave of psychedelic use is almost like a new rites of passage for many. Two parts of any rites of passage is the preparation and integration of the experience. Sherree Malcolm Godasi can and does help. Download We talk with Sherree Malcolm Godasi about her work with psychedelic preparation and integration. As she mentions on her site, Psychedelic Integration Coach: Preparation for ceremony and ongoing, post-ceremony integration of the lessons shown by Ayahuasca are all about developing the physiological and psychological flexibility that would

Download David Stetson - Oka Center Ibogaine - Ibogaine Therapy IBOGAINE and  AYAHUASCA in the MAYAN YUCATÁN Kyle and Joe discuss iboga and ibogaine with David Stetson who runs Oka Ibogaine Center in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. David was a wonderful guest on the show and we had a lovely talk that was very broad. We discussed the ecological issues surrounding iboga and ibogaine therapy, as well as the differences between the more traditional model and the clinical model of administering these medicines. Oka has recently started offering ayahuasca retreats as well. We also get to talk about the idea of psychedelic aftercare facilities and they are substantial importance for people requiring serious psychedelic work to heal. When healing, going back to your old life is often not the best decision. The inpatient rehab model is something that we should really look at. The Holistic House in the Las Vegas area is one successful model and we are very excited about it. We hope you enjoy the episode and reach o

Download Psychedelic Science 17 in Review We discuss our recent trip to MAPS's Psychedelic Science 2017. It was incredibly fun and we loved being able to connect with so many with this shared interest. Many attendees are actively working to progress the case of psychedelic substances. This was the largest psychedelic conference ever in recorded history attended by over 3000 people from 42 countries. There were discussions around ayahuasca, peyote, DMT, salvia, MDMA and many other substances. Some of the most interesting discussions were around ibogaine treating people with addiction. Turns out there are far more things that can be treated with ibogaine than simply opiate addiction. I was very excited to discuss drug testing and harm reduction with the people from DanceSafe. We were also able to check out some really interesting technology - lights and music - that triggered some of the most intense visuals of my life.  Illuminated SF put that demonstration together. It is highly recommend. The experience o

Download Peter is a psychedelic philosopher focusing on panpsychism, psychedelics, Whitehead, Nietzsche and some other heavy weights. We discuss Peter's psychedelic philosophy and influences from psychedelic liberty cap mushrooms found in a field in England, his influence on the famous comic author Warren Ellis, his essay Neo-Nihilism, transhumanism and much more. We really look forward to having Peter on the show again in the future! Show Notes/links Peter's website Neo-Nihilism:  The Philosophy of Power (essay) Kindle Audiobook - Audible Ragnar Redbeard - Might is Right or Survival of the Fittest (1889) Beyond Good and Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future - Friedrich Nietzsche The Road to Eleusis: Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries - Gordon Wasson, Albert Hofmann The Psychedelic Influence on Philosophy - Higher Existence Patrick Lundborg Open University Warren Ellis Karnak Transmetropolitan Transhumanism Modafinil \ Provigil Whitehead Quotes ‘The terms morality, logic, religion, art

Download Kyle and Joe recently chatted with a second therapist who works underground. Trained as a traditional therapist, this therapist integrates MDMA work into her practice with selective clients. She has been mentored by a teacher who has done this work for a very long period of time. She has a community of therapists around her providing support. MDMA is not a typical psychedelic drug but it is the focus of most of MAPS's efforts in the Psychedelic Psychotherapy world. Psychedelic therapy is THE frontier of psychology. Therapists like Selina are on the vanguard of these therapies. By working underground they have great risks (legal) and advantages (huge amounts of healing for their patients). Why are we waiting? We are in a mental health crisis, far too many people are suffering and committing suicide. If one compares this to any recent "outbreak" the numbers certainly make sense to fast track MDMA as a viable therapy for PTSD and other disorders. We want to keep interviewing people doing underground

Download Kevin is a science writer, graduate student researcher and aspiring clinician, harm reduction educator and substance use recovery advocate. Kyle and Joe talk to him about loads of topics including early Iboga therapies, an early Boston Ibogaine Conference, his approach to journalism and his future aspirations to do future clinical work and research. Kevin's website Kevin's writing Public Seminar (2016, The New School blog) - Trump Calls Killing Addicts, "Right Approach" SSDP Blog (2016) - Recovery and Reform: An Alum's Journey Back The Fix (2016)  I Take Psychedelic Drugs and I’m in Recovery VICE (2016, 2015)  Inside a Music Festival in a Country Where All Drugs Are Decriminalized  Meet the Only Doctor in the World Legally Allowed to Use LSD to Treat Patients New Scientist (2016, 2014, 2013) Magic Mushroom drug helps people with cancer face death Putting healthcare first can save festival drug users from harm  LSD’s ability to make minds malleable revisited  Mind-altering drug could offer lif

Download Psymposia's MC and Host, Lex Pelger, joins us again on Psychedelics Today to talk about Psymposia's upcoming Blue Dot Tour. Lex also talks about his graphic novel about cannabis, the endocannabinoid system, and the War on Weed. What is the Blue Dot Tour? (From Psymposia.com) The Blue-Dot Tour is our two-month open-mic Psychedelic Stories road trip across the continent starting on the way to the Psymposia Stage Psychedelic Science 2017 in Oakland. Our goal is to hit blue cities in red states that serve as such pressure cookers of activism, education, and art. But also blue cities in blue states, red towns in red states, purple villages in green states, and anywhere we can find a host from Mexico to Canada. We’ll also be screening Robert Barnhart's excellent film 'A New Understanding - the Science of Psilocybin.' Blue Dot Tour Dates (Subject to Change) For the most up-to-date schedule check out the schedule at Psymposia.com  4/06  Boston, MA 4/07 Philadelphia, PA 4/08 Lancaster, PA 4/09 Baltimo

Download In this episode, Joe and Kyle chat with Ed Liu of the podcast, Psychedelic Milk. It has been great to connect with other folks that host podcasts, and are doing whatever they can to spread the message about psychedelics and the psychedelic movement. We really enjoyed talking with Ed and appreciated his honesty as well as the conversations he is bringing to the field. Show Notes Ed's Article, "Destigmatizing Marijuana & Psychedelics in Hong Kong" Hong Kong's policy on drugs and psychedelics Cultural differences and similarities What is integration? Integration advice Stances and views on the election and Donald Trump The Trickster archetype The story of Coyote stealing fire by Lewis Mehl-Madrona  The power of listening Beyond 1492: Encounters in Colonial America  Legalization of marijuana Who is profiting? Issues that might arise PsychedelicMilk.com is an independent media collective that takes a deeper look into the world of psychedelics through interviews and discussions. Our missio

Download Kyle and Joe speak with, Paul Austin, psychedelic educator, founder of The Third Wave and Psychedelia. Paul is a super fun guy to talk to. He tours both in the US and internationally to speak about microdosing. Microdosing is becoming incredibly popular and seems to be making psychedelics more popular in the mainstream. Microdosing can help with creativity, therapy and many other things without any of the burden of a "full" dose. What is the psychedelic Third Wave? Paul describes it as: A new era of psychedelic use. It is an era of psychedelic use defined by practical, measured use for specific purposes. It is an era, not for ‘dropping-out’ of society, but for integrating psychedelics into the mainstream. It is an era, not to fear psychedelics for their possible negative repercussions, but to embrace psychedelics for their tremendous upside. Some insight from DR. JAMES FADIMAN “For some people, it is helpful to identify your goals. Your goals may be spiritual: to have direct experience with aspec

Download Joe talks about his recent experience at the Psychedelic Shine event in Boulder CO that featured Dennis McKenna. Super fun time and was very thankful to connect with the Colorado Psychedelic community.   Here are some links to some folks I ran into at the event. Dennis's book Links Antlife Psychedelic Club The Rooster - Reilly Caps Trichome Institute  (Max) Kimba Arem Knew Revolution  

Download Joe and Kyle talk at length about the recently produced documentary titled "The Sunshine Makers" created by Cosmo Feilding-Mellen and starring both Nick Sand and Tim Scully. Let us know what you think about this and if it was interesting to you at all. Please rent or purchase the documentary through our amazon link here to support Psychedelics Today. The Movie Amazon - rent or buy IMDB Links  Tim Scully Nick Sand Orange Sunshine Brotherhood of Eternal Love   Video of Kyle and Joe recording this discussion   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsB08007K9c&feature=youtu.be  

View in iTunes Download Kyle and Joe talk to an anonymous MDMA therapist and relationship coach. He has been working with people while they use MDMA beginning in the early days while it was still legal and continues to facilitate work with people while it is prohibited. For his safety, his identity is kept anonymous. The insights here are wonderful and worth learning. Hopefully you will learn something here and it can be applied to future therapies once we hit the 2021 MAPS target date. Some interesting thoughts from the interview: Transcending the parent-child relationship. We are human beings that can be in good relationship with one another. Do I feel safe? What does it mean to feel safe? Appropriate dosages. Intuitive approaches for engaging with the client \ patient. Possible applications for group therapy. Enjoy!!

Download The future of psychedelic research is endless. There seems to be thousands of ways to get involved, and thousands of ways to approach the topic. In this talk, Kyle and Joe talk with Thomas Roberts Ph.D. -- author of the book, The Psychedelic Future of the Mind: How Entheogens Are Enhancing Cognition, Boosting Intelligence, and Raising Values. Tom shares his story with us about how he got involved in the field of psychedelic research and education. Starting in 1981, Dr. Roberts taught one of the world's first university-cataloged psychedelic course, "Foundations of Psychedelics Studies." We get into a great conversation with Tom about his early days at Esalen to talking about mindapps, mindbody states, and different ways to approach psychedelic research. Topics of Discussion: Esalen Institute -- Stanislav Grof, Holotropic Breathwork, and Maslow Psychedelics in humanities and religion Joseph Campbell How the, The Hero with a Thousand Faces relates to the new archetype of the conscious explorer The