Rob Heffernan - Psychedelic Liberty Summit: Religion and Plant Medicines
Release Date: 03/10/2020
Psychedelics Today
Dylan Beynon: At-Home Ketamine Therapy, Big Pharma Pushback, and the Future of Psychedelic Accessibility In this episode, Joe Moore welcomes Dylan Beynon, CEO and Founder of , one of the largest providers of legal, at-home ketamine therapy in the U.S. Dylan shares the deeply personal story that led him to psychedelic medicine—including the tragic loss of his mother and sister to addiction and mental illness—and how these experiences continue to fuel his mission to make psychedelic therapy affordable and accessible for all. Mindbloom has now facilitated over 654,000 sessions across 38...
info_outlinePsychedelics Today
In this episode, we sit down with ., to discuss why the future of psychedelic access in the United States is being shaped not by federal agencies, but by the bold actions of individual states. As a legal scholar and writer focusing on drug policy, Victoria breaks down the significance of the FDA’s 2024 rejection of psychedelic-assisted therapy, and why that decision might be less of a setback than it seems. We explore how state-level initiatives like Oregon’s Psilocybin Services Act and Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act are setting the stage for a new model of access—one rooted...
info_outlinePsychedelics Today
info_outlinePsychedelics Today
info_outlinePsychedelics Today
Joe Moore and Anne Philippi are hosts of the PS25 Morning Show! This one features Dee Dee Goldpaugh, LCSW and Tommaso Barba, PhDC! We talk about all things Sex and Psychedelics!
info_outlinePsychedelics Today
n this episode of Psychedelics Today, kicking of Psychedelic Science 2025 week in Denver, we sit down with Jonathan Dicksinson, Chief Executive Officer, and Trevor Millar, Chief Operations Officer of Ambio Life Sciences – one of the world’s leading ibogaine clinics – to explore the potential of ibogaine for addiction, neuroregeneration, and how ethics, honoring experience, and sustainability will be key to delivering ibogaine at scale. Trevor shares his early work supporting marginalized populations in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, which led to the founding of Liberty Root, one...
info_outlinePsychedelics Today
In this episode of Psychedelics Today, hosts sit down with Jeff Breau from Harvard Divinity School's Center for the Study of World Religions. Key themes include the intersection of psychedelics and religion, harm reduction practices, and the burgeoning psychedelic church movement. Jeff brings insights from his ethnographic research on psychedelic churches and discusses the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for advancing understanding in this field. He also delves into the role of music in psychedelic therapy, critiques of the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), and the...
info_outlinePsychedelics Today
In this episode, Joe Moore sits down with from to discuss a range of fascinating topics. They begin by discussing the Harvard Divinity School and the CSWR’s mission and history. The conversation delves into the work and legacy of , a pivotal figure in the 1960s psychedelic harm reduction movement. It explores her contributions to the field through her Psychedelic Information Center. They also touch on the Quaker traditions and their intersection with LSD use, showing how spirituality and psychedelics can coalesce. Paul also talks about upcoming psychedelic and chaplaincy workshops,...
info_outlinePsychedelics Today
In this episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore speaks with Dr. Simon Ruffell, a London-based psychiatrist, researcher, and curandero-in-training in the López Mahua lineage of the Shipibo tradition. Dr. Ruffell shares how his early fascination with psychiatry eventually led to a deep disillusionment with the limitations of conventional treatments—and a surprising pivot toward the Amazon. Now working at the intersection of Indigenous healing and clinical research, Ruffell describes his journey from medical school to shamanic apprenticeship. He offers insight into the Shipibo understanding...
info_outlinePsychedelics Today
Aspen Psychedelic Symposium 2024 – Hosted by Kevin Franciotti This powerful panel explores the healing potential and complex responsibilities that come with working with Ibogaine, a potent plant-based psychedelic. Moderator Kevin Franciotti guides a heartfelt and informative conversation with Talia Eisenberg, Tom Feegel, and Dr. Lola "Dr. O" Hoba, highlighting personal transformation, medical protocols, and the importance of honoring traditional knowledge. Personal Journeys with Ibogaine Talia Eisenberg shares her recovery from opioid addiction and the founding of BEOND Ibogaine, a medical...
info_outlineIn this episode, Kyle sits down with Rob Heffernan, an independent researcher and activist. In the show, they talk about churches, Ayahuasca, accessibility and the Psychedelic Liberty Summit by the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines. Rob is also part of Chacruna’s Council for the Protection of Sacred Plants.
The Council for the Protection of Sacred plants is "an initiative of the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines that endeavors to advocate for the legality of sacred plant medicines among indigenous peoples and non-indigenous communities, encourage legal harm reduction practices that protect those who use them, educate about conservation of plant species, document relevant legal and social issues, and consult on legal cases including possible litigation. "
3 Key Points:
- The Psychedelic Liberty Summit is a gathering on legal, cultural, and political issues around the emerging psychedelic renaissance.
- Accessibility is not just about whether or not people can afford psychedelic therapy, people cant even afford regular therapy, the whole healthcare model is an issue.
- A lot of churches get a bad name, but really most churches are built around community. Psychedelics can help revitalize churches.
Support the show
- Patreon
- Leave us a review on iTunes
- Share us with your friends – favorite podcast, etc
- Join our Facebook group - Psychedelics Today group – Find the others and create community.
Navigating Psychedelics
Show Notes
About Rob
- Rob is a member of the Chacruna Council for protection of sacred plants
- He is an integrative sound and music practitioner
- He is involved in the Santo Daime
- He has been drinking Ayahuasca for over 20 years
- He began to ponder and ask a lot of questions about involvement with medicine communities
Psychedelic Liberty Summit
- Rob will be hosting a talk on religious exemptions and more
- There will be speakers of all different initiatives, from decriminalization to indigenous relations
- There are a lot of investors interested in the psilocybin market
- The issue is complex because there is this ongoing cultural history of the US and other countries exploiting those cultures and removing resources (oil, medicines, etc)
Ayahuasca
- The first time Rob drank Ayahuasca was back in 2000, where there weren't Ayahuasca retreats going on then
- People who lived in the area were not familiar with Ayahuasca use
- People started coming from around the world to use Ayahuasca
- There are feedback loops between the cities and the forests
- People typically think integration is what happens afterwards, but really it is also the sacrifice from the start, the preparation, such as a dieta
- We need to honor what we have learned from the indigenous, and give back
- Traditional dietas don't involve actually drinking the Ayahuasca, the culture has come a long way
Accessibility
- While these medicines are relatively safe, you can get in trouble using these substances recreationally, there is a role for the therapeutic support
- It's not just about whether or not people can afford psychedelic therapy, people cant even afford regular therapy, the whole healthcare model is an issue
Santo Daime
- It was founded in the 1930’s in Brazil
- The reason that the Santo Daime looks more white in the USA is due to the segregation
- There are all sorts of ways that the Santo Daime may look
- When Rob first got involved in drinking Ayahuasca, he wasn't sure that he wanted to get involved in the Santo Daime, but he said the container was so strong
- There are hymns sung, and it's very structured
- It allows you to really go deep
- Sometimes it can look like drumming, dancing, and fire, but there is also a style of sitting in silence
- There is a profound ethical foundation which is really important
- All of the elements make for a really important container
- In the traditional form, you do not touch anyone, unless there is a certain circumstance, and a prior consensual agreement, and waivers signed, etc
- There have been issues of sexual abuse in the psychedelic realm, the Santo Daime takes many precautions against this
Churches
- There are legal churches in the US through the Daime and the UDV (União do Vegetal)
- The Daime has 5 churches that are explicitly legal
- The government has decided not to pursue or prosecute Ayahuasca for those other churches
- From Shock to Awe
- Someone tragically died at the Soul Quest Church, but it wasn't related to ayahuasca
- There are a lot of people that claim to be a part of a Native American church that are not
- A lot of people reach out to Chacruna on how to become a part of the Native American Church to hold ceremonies, and it's not easy, you almost have to already be a part of it, instead of just joining
- Some people don't like the word church, but it originates from the words ‘congregation’ and ‘assembly’
- “The problem is the controlled substances act, that these things are illegal in the first place” - Rob
- "The experience in all those settings is about community. The goal isn't to have spiritual experiences, its to have a spiritual life” - Rob
- Psychedelics and entheogens could be central to creating a new hub
- It is possible to create psychedelic churches outside of the Santo Daime
- The Ayahuasca tradition really uses the potential of group process
- “How individual is the psychedelic experience, where you need some one-on-one work?” - Kyle
Psychedelic Liberty Summit
- April 25-26 in San Francisco
- Discount Code: PsychedelicsToday for 10% off at checkout
Links
Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicine
About Rob Heffernan
Rob Heffernan has been involved in the Peruvian curandero tradition and the Santo Daime for the last 16 years. He was a member and chairman of the North American Santo Daime Legal Committee for a number of years. He has been engaged in independent research and active in ad hoc groups promoting legal clarity and ethical integrity in the Ayahuasca Community. He is also a certified Integrative Sound and Music Practitioner; Shamanic Breath Work Facilitator; and a long time student and practitioner of Buddhist Dhamma. He has a BA in Communications and Social Studies from Fordham University, and works in the AV/IT communication industry.
Get a 30 day free audible trial at audibletrial.com/psychedelicstoday