Mind Body Health & Politics

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgSusanne Seiler, Swiss psychedelic therapist and activist, explores how Switzerland maintained psychedelic therapy through the ban, highlights forgotten women leaders, and fosters community through interdisciplinary salons, sharing insights on unity, love, and believing in human goodness.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgElisabeth Sheff, a renowned expert in polyamorous relationships, chronicles the intricacies of non-monogamy and its effects on families. She delves into the emotional complexities, societal stigma, and advantages of polyamory, while discussing related topics like fluid bonding and coming out to family members.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgMike Marinacci, author and historian, chronicles the little-known history of fringe churches and cults who pioneered psychedelic sacraments despite jail time while examining their influences on religious freedom today.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgAmy McGuire, director of the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine, chronicles the mental health crisis while exploring psilocybin and MDMA research into depression, PTSD, and anxiety. She traces the nuances of psychedelic legalization and medicalization.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgSean Lawlor, psychedelic therapist and author, chronicles the concerning trend of "psychedelic bypassing" - avoiding discussion of adverse effects and unethical behavior in the name of protecting psychedelics' public image. He examines egregious examples like facilitators justifying abuse, backlash against constructive criticism, and "guru syndrome." Lawlor and Dr. Richard Miller explore the vital need for transparency regarding psychedelic risks to uphold ethics amid today's open access.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgToday's guest Dr. Rachel Harris joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to discuss her latest book, Swimming in the Sacred: Reclaiming the Mystical Essence of Psychedelic Therapy. They explore Rachel's interviews with elder underground psychedelic guides who have been serving plant medicines for decades.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgClinical psychologist Heath Scheckinger examines polyamory and consensual non-monogamy, chronicling the practical realities and ethical dilemmas in these alternative relationship styles while exploring cultural biases and the pull towards normalcy in relating.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgDr. Nick Cozzi, acclaimed psychopharmacologist, chronicles the overlooked physiological and psychological dangers of psychedelics like LSD, DMT, and psilocybin while exploring proper precautions for safe use.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgPsychiatrist Dr. Michael Mithoefer, a pioneering psychedelic therapy researcher, chronicles the dramatic effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD while examining the need for careful precautions to minimize adverse effects and risks. He explores integrating psychedelic medicine into mainstream practice, managing overwhelming emotions that may surface, avoiding unrealistic expectations, and fostering proper set, setting and integration.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgPsychiatrist Dr. Michael Mithoefer, a pioneering psychedelic therapy researcher, chronicles the dramatic effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD while examining the need for careful precautions to minimize adverse effects and risks. He explores integrating psychedelic medicine into mainstream practice, managing overwhelming emotions that may surface, avoiding unrealistic expectations, and fostering proper set, setting and integration.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgAndrés Gómez Emilsson of Qualia Research Institute joins us to discuss innovating at the frontiers of psychedelic science. We explore Andrés' work mathematically mapping DMT experiences and collaborating with physicists to interpret objects in psychedelic realms. Andrés also shares his research developing technology to induce therapeutic psychedelic states through sound, light and vibration. Additional topics include using meditation to cultivate well-being, engineering benevolent machine consciousness, and prescribing psychedelics to eradicate cluster headaches.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgListener John Ivey shares his wisdom facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, and how psychedelics unveil insight even at life’s end. With poise and courage, John discusses embracing impermanence consciously with plant medicines’ aid, not numbing his final days. He reflects on healing our planet and ourselves, our shared karma, and psychedelics as a catalyst for creativity amid declining health. John inspires by exemplifying responsibility for spiritual unfolding in living and dying, not relinquishing control. His moving story offers hope that psychedelics can provide a lucid, gracious passage.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgIn this episode, Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Marian Goodell, CEO of Burning Man, about the history and principles of the iconic cultural event. Goodell discusses the origins of Burning Man as a solstice bonfire ritual on a San Francisco beach, and how it has evolved into a global movement centered around radical inclusion, gifting, and communal effort. She also talks about the challenges of maintaining Burning Man's ethos in the face of commercialization and political polarization, and how the organization aims to inspire positive social and cultural change through its principles. This episode offers a fascinating insight into the philosophy and culture of one of the world's most unique and influential events.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgIn this episode, Dr. Richard Louis Miller speaks with returning guest Dennis McKenna, an ethnobotanist who is working to digitize and preserve indigenous plant knowledge from the Amazon. They have an in-depth conversation about the potential adverse effects of psychedelics - emotional, physiological, and relating to boundaries/ethics. Topics include how set, setting, preparation, and integration influence the psychedelic experience and minimize risks. Other themes include reality-checking insights, persisting perceptual effects, appropriate therapist boundaries, assessing risks versus benefits, and societal views on trauma and sexuality.Overall the episode covers how psychedelics can catalyze change and growth, but also the importance of safe, structured use and integration. Dennis shares insights from decades of research to paint a full picture of psychedelics.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org"Nature will be just fine. This is about saving us and our relationship with nature." - Tony LaiHow Tony Lai came to discover Gross National Happiness and the rights of nature movements.The importance of shaping laws to promote values that will enable nature to thrive and flourish.The stages of legibility in the legal system and what giving agency means.Recognizing that nature will be just fine, and that saving nature is about saving us and our relationship with it.The revolution in value and the potential for regenerative finance, law, and governance.The importance of participatory processes and building intentional communities.Tony Lai's experience living in the Embassy Network and experimenting with different governance systems.The potential of AI and large language learning models to foster greater understanding among peoples.

"Nature will be just fine. This is about saving us and our relationship with nature." - Tony LaiHow Tony Lai came to discover Gross National Happiness and the rights of nature movements.The importance of shaping laws to promote values that will enable nature to thrive and flourish.The stages of legibility in the legal system and what giving agency means.Recognizing that nature will be just fine, and that saving nature is about saving us and our relationship with it.The revolution in value and the potential for regenerative finance, law, and governance.The importance of participatory processes and building intentional communities.Tony Lai's experience living in the Embassy Network and experimenting with different governance systems.The potential of AI and large language learning models to foster greater understanding among peoples. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgDear listeners,This week, I am attending the historic MAPS psychedelic science conference in Denver—along with my guest, UCLA psychiatrist and psychedelic researcher Charles Grob. Thanks to the research of pioneers like Grob, we are winning hearts and minds in the mainstream. Nixon’s failed War on Drugs appears ending. On Thursday, June 22, at 12 pm MT, I will take to the Rick Doblin stage to announce a nationwide campaign to decriminalize psychedelics locally. I believe that these medicines have the potential to boost morale in depressed areas like my own home town of Ft. Bragg, which is why I have begun my efforts there. We appear to be succeeding, based on the positive response by city officials and local media.But the fight continues on several new fronts. First, new industries emerging where psychedelics are legal see unethical actors—unqualified “therapists” and profit-driven pharmaceutical companies. As Dr. Gro

As a clinical psychologist for over 50 years, I’ve heard and witnessed many stories of transformation. Few are as remarkable as that of Hunt Priest, an Episcopal priest I interviewed for my series on psychedelic-assisted therapy for end of life distress.“My mother’s maiden name was Bishop,” Priest told me with a wry smile.Between that and his last name, it seems God may have been trying to tell him something about his vocation.However, Priest found his priestly calling relatively late, entering seminary in his late 30s. It was not until his 50s that he experienced a radical transformation of mind, body, and spirit through psychedelics.In 2016, at age 52, Priest volunteered for a Johns Hopkins study exploring the effects of psilocybin on religious professionals.“I was psychedelically naive,” he admitted, noting that he had been scared of LSD as a youth. “The 60s passed me by.”Lying on a couch, staring at an egg-shell colored ceiling, Priest felt first discomfort, then a familiar “electrical current” in his thi

Dear listeners,For decades, psychedelics were taboo—demonized and pushed into the shadows by misguided policies. Though I began hosting radio programs on psychedelic science as early as 2005, at the time I felt largely alone in my advocacy.Just before one of my shows, as my guest—medical anthropologist Marcia Rosenbaum—and I prepared to discuss harm reduction on-air, my producer looked up at me and said that the White House was on the line.The White House? What could they want?It turned out the Drug Czar himself wanted to argue against our stance. It was too late to include him as a panelist on the show, but he called in nonetheless. His interruption illustrated how desperately the government has clung to control of the narrative, monitoring even small forums, like my local public radio broadcast, for dissent.Almost 20 years later, their grip is slipping. Prominent voices are coming out of the "psychedelic closet," recognizing these substances as tools for expanding human potential rather than threats.The Glo

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.orgShow Notes:* Dr. George Greer talks about the most interesting and important thing happening in the psychedelic world right now: the Bipartisan Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus. This caucus aims to pass legislation for a carve-out from the NIH budget to support psychedelic research. (03:46)* Dr. Greer shares his pioneering research on MDMA-assisted couples therapy, which yielded insights and strengthened relationships with minimal side-effects. (07:00)* Dr. Greer emphasizes the importance of mindset, setting, and therapy in achieving positive outcomes from psychedelic experiences. (12:30)* Dr. Greer explains the difference between psychedelic and psycholytic therapy. (12:30)* Dr. Greer talks about the risks and benefits of using psychedelics as a catalyst for growth and healing. (12:30)* Dr. Greer stresses the importance of responsible use of psychedelics, including screening, preparation, a