Adventures Through The Mind

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Exploring Our Relationship To Psychedelic Healing | Mel Cassidy ~ ATTMind 115 Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

Mel Cassidy is a relationship coach and sex-positive nerd who guides social misfits and cultural rebels to experiences of joyful, embodied, authentic open relationships. Mel has also been engaging in a relationship with psychedelics since they helped Mel heal after multiple miscarriages earlier in life.

Mel joins us on Adventures Through The Mind to explore how their models of understanding and engaging human relationships apply to understand and engaging our relationship to psychedelics, psychedelic healing, and psychedelic communities.

--LINKS-- For links to Mel's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to https://bit.ly/ATTMind115 ***Full Topics Breakdown Below --- SUPPORT THIS PODCAST — Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Donations: https://www.paypal.me/JWJesso Merchandise: https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support/ Newsletter: https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Thomas & Melanie H, Clea S, Steven B, James R, Dean H, Joe A, Andy D, Stephen B, Ian C, David W, Don J, Yvette FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, & Chuck W

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Episode Breakdown

How psychedelics helped Mel heal through multiple miscarriages
Building a relationship to psychedelic medicine
Are psychedelics agents or tools?
Value difference in how different cultures view non-human elements of life
Two sides of me-centered relationships with psychedelics: materialism and spiritual bypassing
The risk of losing our deep cultural to psychedelics in favor of the capitalist and medical agendas of psychedelic legislation
How Canadian cannabis legalization screwed over generational cannabis farmers
The 4 layers of relations and their associated fears
Why we rush into intimacy before receiving safety and the consequences on our nervous system
The dangers of using psychedelics as merely objects to get our needs met
How dysfunctional relating behaviors may express themselves in psychedelic communities
The vital importance of layers of safety and knowledge of boundaries before journeying with psychedelics
Being "traditional trained shaman" doesn't necessarily mean they are a safe provider
The risks/benefits of surrendering our control to a shaman or healer
Treating our psychedelic experiences the same way we treat our sexuality
Sexuality cautions and considerations as a model for engaging in psychedelic experiences
Four things to ask/discuss before sex or a medicine journey
- look at your fears;
- talk about your hopes/desires
- talk about your boundaries
- aftercare
Our aftercare processes for both sexual and psychedelic experience
The failures of group-shunning
Exploring the presence of and complexities of sexual abuse in psychedelic communities
Steve Bearman's interchange was a cult
The dangers of supremacy stretch whiten psychedelic communities.
Dyadic relationships do not exist in isolation
"open window check-in"
Both supremacy and trauma create similar problems
Supremecy structures within shamanic communities
The deep healing needed for our relationships

Destigmatizing Psychedelics Through #thankyouplantmedicine | Jonathan Glazer & David Grillot ~ ATTMind 114 Jan 31, 2020

Show notes

David Grillot and Jonathan Glazer are the founders of #ThankYouPlantMedicine, a global wave of gratitude for happening on February 20, 2020.

They are on the show to both talk about the movement itself and respond to some of my criticisms. We speak about the possible risks of "coming out of the psychedelic closet", the potentially adverse outcomes of destigmatizing psychedelics too quickly, the importance of actualizing our psychedelic learning, and the problems of politicizing the psychedelic movement.

--LINKS-- For links to #thankyouplantmedicine, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to Https://bit.ly/ATTMind114 ***Full Topics Breakdown Below --- SUPPORT THIS PODCAST — Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Donations: https://www.paypal.me/JWJesso Merchandise: https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support/ Newsletter: https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter

*** Big thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Thomas & Melanie H, Clea S, Steven B, James R, Dean H, Joe A, Andy D, Stephen B, Ian C, David W, Don J, Yvett FC, Ann-Madeleine, Chuck W & Dima B

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Episode Breakdown

what is #thankyouplantmedicine?
stigma against psychedelics hurts your integration
the value of speaking your truth
there will be risk for many people, is it worth it?
the value of sharing your stories
coming out of the psychedelic closet
the complexities of using the language of the gay movement in the psychedelic movement
the deep healing value of re-connection
the ideal outcome of #thankyouplantmedicine
how this movement might go wrong, personally and socially
stigmas and taboos exist with a purpose
why it takes more than psychedelics to better your life or the world, but they may help
how to not talk about psychedelics
the value of transcending political divides
the risk of politicizing the psychedelic movement
is #thankyouplantmedicine informed by psychedelic exceptionalism?

Building Best Practices In The Underground Subculture Of 5-MeO-DMT | Chad Charles ~ ATTMind 113 Dec 20, 2019

Show notes

Chad Charles is a Conscious Connected Breathwork practitioner, intimacy/eros educator, and substance(5-MeO-DMT)-assisted body-based therapist. He has been very active in helping co-create projects that bring 5-MeO-DMT/bufo practitioners together in hopes that the worldwide standards of facilitation may rise to the best possible practice.

--LINKS-- For links to Chad's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to Https://bit.ly/ATTMind113 ***Full Topics Breakdown Below --- SUPPORT THIS PODCAST — Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Donations: https://www.paypal.me/JWJesso Merchandise: https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support/ Sponsor: FORMULA Nootropics https://www.jameswjesso.com/formula Use promo code "jesso" to get 20% off your first order. Newsletter: https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter *** Big thanks to my patrons on Pateron for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Thomas & Melanie H, Clea S, Steven B, James R, Dean H, Joe A, Andy D, Stephen B, Ian C, David W, Don J, Yvett FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, Jim Y, & Cornelius Phlegmbottom

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Episode Breakdown

why 5-MeO-DMT is called "The God Molecule"
what is 5-MeO-DMT and what does it do, subjectively
Chad's history of involvement and role in the 5-MeO-DMT scene
the difference between 5-MeO-DMT and "Bufo"
what is the 5-MeO-DMT Conclave and
the importance of psychedelic communities
Bufo Smoking is modern, there is no ancient tradition
The 5-MeO-DMT conclave best practices and code of ethics
creating a structure for conflict resolution between 5-MeO-DMT facilitator
BIG egos in the 5-MeO-DMT scene
the spiritual bypassing enabled by 5-MeO-DMT
protecting each other from prohibitionist law enforcement
the calling out of Octavio and Dr. Gerry
the importance of restorative justice circles in place of #cancelled
5-MeO-DMT flashbacks aka "reactivations"
finding 5-MeO-DMT facilitators for dealing with trauma
5-MeO-DMT facilitator burnout and how it affects their clients
The dangers of repeated use, how to assess those dangers, and how to protect your loved ones

Researching Psilocybin's Effect on Depression | Dr. Rosalind Watts ~ ATTMind 112 Dec 06, 2019

Show notes

Dr. Rosalind Watts joins us on the show to help breakdown and better understand the nuances of the psilocybin for depression trials she leads at Imperial College London. We also talk about what her team's research helped her understand about the nature of depression, the value of feeling into our emotional pain, and what makes the difference between those who's lives turn out for the best and those who fall back into depression. --LINKS-- For links to Bruce's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to Https://bit.ly/ATTMind112 **Full Topics Breakdown Below --- SUPPORT THIS PODCAST — Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Donations: https://www.paypal.me/JWJesso Merchandise: https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support/ Sponsor: FORMULA Nootropics https://www.jameswjesso.com/formula Use promo code "jesso" to get 20% off your first order. Newsletter: https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter -- EPISODE BREAKDOWN --

the current state of psilocybin for depression research at Imperial College London
exploring the results of their previous study of treating depression with psilocybin
when do the results fade?
why do some people have no effects when the take psilocybin
- how that relates to safety and polyvagal theory
the visualization metaphor they use to help people prepare for their psilocybin session
how society pushes us to dissociate or emotions and the value of feeling our uncomfortable feelings
the value of safety during psychedelic therapy
"this is not just a brain reset; this is a journey."
the positive potentials and problematic pitfalls of microdosing psilocybin
why the depression comes back after psilocybin treatment
it takes so much courage to do this thing
the value of grief and sorrow to heal your life
depression and self-forgiveness
how directive is psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy during the psilocybin session?
how psilocybin helps people heal depression
does psilocybin hold an innate healing intelligence?
the Accept, Connect, Embody (ACE) model for finding meaning through emotional journeying
how Watts' team using the ACE model in their psilocybin for the treatment of depression study
experiential avoidance and its role in depression
meaning, what is it? is it found or made or both?

Cannabis Nutrigenomics: How Your Genes Affect Your High | David Krantz ~ ATTMind 111 Nov 22, 2019

Show notes

David Krantz and I talk about how genetics affect the metabolism of cannabis (nutrigenomics) and the resulting impact of cannabis use on our epigenetic health. Furthermore, we reach into a discussion on how the same framework of understanding applies to our metabolism of psychedelics and the potential future of a genome-specific screening program for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

--LINKS-- For links to David's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to Https://bit.ly/ATTMind111 **Full Topics Breakdown Below --- SUPPORT THIS PODCAST — Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Donations: https://www.paypal.me/JWJesso Merchandise: https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support/ Sponsor: FORMULA Nootropics https://www.jameswjesso.com/formula Use promo code "jesso" to get 20% off your first order. Newsletter: https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter ------------- Episode Breakdown

a general rundown of nutritional genomics and its application in understanding biology
the profound health issues David faced that brought him into nutritional genomics
(special note about the value of understanding polyvagal theory)
the failure of the pre-packed dietary approach, be it veganism, paleo, or low-carb
the endocannabinoid system
the genetic differences of cannabis metabolism between different people
why some people can "smoke weed every day" and make millions, and others can't get off the couch
how cannabis effects working memory differently in different genetic predispositions in each people based on baseline dopamine levels
how our brain hides from itself
the phenomena of "used to smoke all the time without issues then all of a sudden cannabis creates anxiety and paranoia"
epigenetics and how cannabis changes how our genes express
the genetic variant that increases the chances of developing cannabis-induced psychosis
genetic profiling as a screening platform to understand what medical intervention would be most helpful for specific people
the institutional complications that might prevent the introduction of genetic-specific medical care into the medical infrastructure
how these ideas fit inside the modern context of the climate crisis
how do genetic profiles influence dose-response differences with psychedelics
speculating on the long term epigenetic impact of psilocybin use
speculating on the long term epigenetic impact of therapeutic/healing work

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*** Big thanks to my patrons on Pateron for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Thomas & Melanie H, Clea S, Steven B, James R, Dean H, Joe A, Andy D, Stephen B, Ian C, David W, Don J, Yvett FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, Chuck W & Cornelius Phlegmbottom

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Ayahuasca Shamanism In The Modern World | Hamilton Souther ~ ATTMind 110 Nov 08, 2019

Show notes

Hamilton Souther joins us on the podcast to talks about what it takes to become a true shaman, the medicine of the plants, and what the new age culture gets wrong about ayahuasca. --LINKS-- For links to Bruce's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to Https://bit.ly/ATTMind110 --- SUPPORT THIS PODCAST — Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Donations: https://www.paypal.me/JWJesso Merchandise: https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support/

Sponsor: FORMULA Nootropics https://www.jameswjesso.com/formula Use promo code "jesso" to get 20% off your first order.

********** --- TOPICS BREAKDOWN ---

-- what it takes to become a recognized shaman -- what it takes to prove your capacity as a shaman -- what western ayahuasca cultures gets wrong about plant healing -- sound healing and the art of the icaro -- why do some people enter psychotic delusion when trying to become shamans -- how to protect westerners from the psychological dangers of ayahuasca retreats -- what is a psychotic break from the shamanic perspective and how to heal them -- why talk therapy isn't included in ayahuasca healing at blue morpho -- stepping beyond person trauma in order to heal and regain personal agency -- what about malevolent forces, demons, or dark entities and how to navigate our encounters with them -- the danger of fear -- shadow work, personal responsibility, and the suffering in the context of universal love within which Hamilton Souther works -- the fallacy of psycho-magical thinking in western/new age ayahuasca culture -- the climate crisis, governmental denialism, and what we need to do about it

********** --- SUPPORT THIS PODCAST —

Cannabis Science; Cannabis Life | Amanda Siebert ~ ATTMind 109 Oct 25, 2019

Show notes

This episode features Amanda Seibert, a freelance cannabis writer, author award-winning journalist, photographer, videographer, and the author of The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life.

We sit down to talk about what the science says about the pharmacology of the plant's various components as well as the anecdotal uses of cannabis for bettering different areas of our lives, from sex to death. Of course, we also talk about the negatives, from cannabis addiction to cannabis hyperemesis syndrome.

---------------- **Full Episode Breakdown Below --LINKS-- For links to Bruce's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to Https://bit.ly/ATTMindEp109 --- SUPPORT THIS PODCAST — Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Donations: https://www.paypal.me/JWJesso Merchandise: https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support/ --- EPISODE BREAKDOWN ---

the chemical composition of cannabis
how different cannabinoids affect us differently
all about CBD
the pros and cons of concentrates
all about terpenes and the entourage effect
can terpenes alone get you high?
can black pepper stop THC-induced anxiety?
is the difference between indica, sativa. and hybrid a meaningful way of assessing psychoactivity?
how do CB1 and CB2 activation in the brain affect neurochemistry
how cannabis can better your sex life
cannabis for palliative care
deconstructing and exploring the "lazy pothead" stereotype
cannabis addiction and trauma
cannabis hypermedia syndrome
is Dab culture damaging cannabis culture?
the flaws of Canadian legalization of cannabis

A User Friendly Guide to Psychedelic Drug Assisted Psychotherapy | R. Coleman ~ ATTMind 108 Oct 11, 2019

Show notes

In this interview, R. Coleman takes us through the wealth of knowledge he has earned over his 30 years of healing trauma with psychedelic psychotherapy. We discuss trauma in general, the value of psychedelic to heal it, and the nuances of working with different psychedelics, for different people, at different times, for different issues.

**full episode breakdown below**

--LINKS-- For more psychedelic content like this and/or to access this interview on youtube, head to https://bit.ly/ATTMindEpisode108

BUY Coleman's Book, Psychedelic Psychotherapy: A User Friendly Guide to Psychedelic Drug Assisted Psychotherapy

*** Big thanks to my patrons on Pateron for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Thomas & Melanie H, Clea S, Steven B, James R, Dean H, Joe A, Andy D, Stephen B, Angela & James J, Ian C, David W, Don J, Yvett FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, &Cornelius Phlegmbottom

the nuances of where trauma comes from
how psychedelic therapy heals trauma
developmental/attachment traumas are more insidious
regression and re-parenting during psychedelic experiences
the importance of having a sitter to do the deep healing work
psychedelics may or may not completely heal people from trauma
expansion; contraction
the importance of doing the shadow work outside of the psychedelic experiences as well
why and when to provide different psychedelics in therapy
- MDMA therapy
  - contraindications to MDMA
  - dangers of constipation before MDMA?
- LSD Therapy
- Psilocybin Therapy
- Cannabis as a psychedelic and an agent of therapy
- combining MDMA and Psilocybin
- combining MDMA and LSD
- combining LSD and Psilocybin
what does the therapy look like before and after the journey
a list of who should NOT work with psychedelic therapy and why
a case for the value of pharmaceutical antidepressants
the complexities (and prevalence) of trauma from satanic ritual abuse
encounters with demonic forces during psychedelic therapy
the most important piece of advice for being a psychedelic sitter

Important Update Regarding Future Of Podcast - Oct 2019 Oct 06, 2019

Show notes

Hey Y'all 3 things need to be shared as they may/do effect the future of the podcast.

The potential of being delisted from iTunes (and what you can do about it to prevent losing access to the show)
Issues around YouTube algorithms and secret ratings that are blocking the podcast's growth
The inclusion of a sponsor for the podcast, FORMULA and what it means for the future of the show

Each of these issues are explained in this 10min update (in a soft, early morning radio voice).

Regardless of whether or not you listen, the most important take away is to please sign up for my newsletter to ensure that you won't be negatively affected by the (unwanted) potential delisting/deletion of the podcast in the future. Sign Up For The Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/w0f8s4 ***I release newsletters about once a month or less. So don't worry about it filling up your inbox ;) THANK YOU!!!

Breaking Convention | Multiple Guests ~ ATTMind 107 Sep 27, 2019

Show notes

"Breaking Convention is a biennial multidisciplinary conference on psychedelic consciousness, featuring more than 200 presenters from around the world." It takes place in London, England and is one of the largest psychedelic conferences in the world.

I was quasi-invited to speak (I was invited by a program curator, but wasn't an officially invited speaker) there this year. I decided I would try and harvest the opportunity to be amongst so many luminaries in the psychedelic field by catching as many short interviews as I could in my time there. I got 11. (also, my talk was recorded and they will eventually release it. Also, I do have a transcript that will also be released soon-ish)

Similar to what I did at OZORA Festival for ATTMind 100, I asked them all the same 4 questions:

Who are you and what do you do?
What is the most relevant consideration you are holding at this conference?
What role do you see yourself playing in the psychedelic renaissance?
What role, if any, do you see psychedelics playing in helping humanity respond to any of the many crises we are facing?

There are some nuances to each of these questions that are presented in the (quite long intro). If you would like to breeze through the intro, relevant bits are between 4:25 and 10:110, with the actual interviews starting at 11:55. Of course, please make an effort to watch/listen to the full intro if you are open to it (especially watch it cause I made something special in the intro just for this episode 😉 )

Featured guests listed below.ENJOY!

Want to join me at the spirit plant medicine conference, Vancouver nov 2-4? Click here to learn more and buy tickets via my affiliate link

Or, you can find more details about my october 2019 tour in australia here.

Today's guests, in order of appearance

For links to each of their work and/or to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind107

Rita Kočárová - Psychedelics researcher
John Anderson - Psychedelics researcher
Akua Ofosuhene - Co-founder of Hub and Culture
Tobias Erny - Iboga & Ibogaine therapist, researcher, and activist
Chiara Baldini - Independent Researcher, Liminal Village Curator for BOOM! Festival
Martijn Schirp - Founder of SYNTHESIS, legal psilocybin retreat in The Netherlands
Maria Papaspyrou - Psychotherapist [see her previous interview on the podcast]
Tom Hatsis - Psychedelic Historian [see his previous interview on the podcast]
Sanae Orchi - Broadcaster, public speaker
Leor Roseman - Neuropsychopharmacologist
Sam Gandy - Ecologist

ALSO! big thank to The Tin Box for the use of their song Blue Moonlight for the outro music! Get that track or whole album here!

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