Adventures Through The Mind

Adventures Through The Mind (ATTMind) is an interview-based podcast focusing on topics relevant and related to psychedelic cultures, psychedelic research, and psychedelic medicine. It focuses on supporting the personal and cultural integration of psychedelic experiences in a functional and healthy way; and always holding a curiosity towards immediate and valuable relevance to a person’s lived life "The psychedelic experience really shines when we find a way to integrate what we’ve learned from it into our daily lives. My desire to help that with that integration on a personal and cultural level is why I make Adventures Through The Mind" ATTMind is hosted by Canadian author and public educator, James W. Jesso. James W. Jesso is the author of Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom and The True Light Of Darkness, both about his experiences exploring the potentials of psychedelics.

MICRO:03 - Assessing and responding to psilocybin-induced psychosis, with Justin Townsend MycoMeditations 01/17/2025

The Conscious Intelligence Of Fungi | Nicholas P. Money ~ ATTMind 193 12/13/2024

The Conscious Intelligence Of Fungi | Nicholas P. Money ~ ATTMind 193 EPISODE DETAILS Nicholas P. Money is Professor of Biology and Western Program Director at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He is an international expert on fungal biology and author of popular science books that celebrate the microbial world including his most recent, Molds, Mushrooms, and Medicines: Our Lifelong Relationship with Fungi (2024) He joins us on the podcast to deep dive into the biology, ecology, and intelligence of fungi. We discuss the body and life cycle of mushrooming fungi; the shape and behaviour of mycelium; how fungi are more similar to humans than they are to plants; and even a critical take on the efficacy of so-called "functional mushrooms". We also explore the thesis he put forth in his 2021 paper, Hyphal and mycelial consciousness: the concept of the fungal mind. With that, we discuss fungi consciousness; the conscious intelligence of mycelium; how all organisms have consciousness; why science and society needs to NOT recognize the consciousness of non-human life; and whether our psilocybin experiences encounters with a fungal mind. We even get into debating the value of the human species on the other side of climate change. Enjoy! FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW ... SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: ▷ Sponsor: Use the promo code JESSO for 15% off your First order *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C Another special thanks to Dane and TimeTG for their generous one-time donation. ... Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening (03:13) Interview Begins (04:03) If you want to make your way through crisis, align yourself with the mushrooms (07:25) Debating the value of the human species (10:34) The value of humanity (12:09) Being able to experience happiness, even in the midst of ecological collapse (14:36) Humans as beauty sense organs for the earth (16:12) Is there such a thing as objective "good"? (19:20) The body and life cycle of mushrooming fungi (22:14) The many other forms of fungi (26:10) The shape of mycelium (29:56) The different between fungal hyphae and plant roots (34:34) One main difference between fungi and plants (36:26) How fungi are more similar to humans than they are to plants (40:37) Why fungal infections are so hard to treat without harming ourselves (41:38) A critical take on functional mushrooms (45:16) Defining "conscious" and "consciousness"; all organisms have consciousness (55:29) Patreon Thanks (58:30) Science and Society needs to NOT recognize the consciousness of non-human life (01:06:09) Fungal hyphae are conscious; here's how (01:10:20) Can an organism be conscious and lack the capacity of intent? (01:18:39) "Is a mycelium more than a sum of its parts? Can it be regarded as an integrated conscious entity?" (01:21:12) Our visual identification informs our empathy? Finding Religions through science (01:26:46) Our psilocybin experiences encounters with the mind of the fungi? (01:34:28) A short story about what Prof Money hasn't experienced psilocybin (01:36:57) Maybe psilocybin is evolutionarily meant for us in some way (01:45:06) Follow up links and info on Prof Money's new book (01:46:50) Outro ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – The True Light Of Darkness — /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/34415990

MICRO:02 - Kratom Side Effects, Does Kratom Damage Your Liver? with Dr. Oliver Grundmann 11/22/2024

Tripping into Post-Scarcity: AI, Psychedelics, and the Future of Filmmaking | Jeffery Lando 10/18/2024

Tripping into Post-Scarcity: AI, Psychedelics, and the Future of Filmmaking | Jeffery Lando This episode features an interview with Jeffery Lando, an experienced filmmaker who recently directed the psychedelic-themed movie "Lissa's Trip". Our discussion explores the intersection of psychedelics, artificial intelligence, and filmmaking. We discuss into how Lando used AI and other emerging technologies to create the visual effects for his film, producing some of the best LSD-like psychedelic visuals and audio that I have personally seen in a movie. We also discuss the potential impacts of AI on the film industry and creative processes more broadly. We explore ideas around personal growth, societal change, and envisioning post-scarcity futures as Lando shares his perspectives on the transformative potential of psychedelics, drawing from his own experiences and how they influenced the themes in his movie. Additionally, the conversation touches on some, let’s say, provocative topics related to economics, labour, and visions for reorganizing society. And, although I can't endorse any particular views, I believe you'll find it to be a thought-provoking dialogue about technology, consciousness, and human potential. Enjoy! FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW ... SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: ▷ Sponsor: Use the promo code JESSO for 15% off your First order *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A Another special thanks to Shamir for their generous one-time donation. ... Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening (02:40) Interview begins (04:03) Lissa’s Trip as an experiment of post-singularity/non-hierarchical film making (11:54) Producing psychedelic visuals by getting AI to hallucinate on an image (19:03) The difference between Google’s old Deep Dream and modern Ai art generation (25:57) A diverse ecosystem of AI models, will be our saving grace. (39:25) Debating the reality of money and its ties to the value of goods and labour (50:47) The difference between “art” and “content” is how it moves the person witnessing it, produced through AI or not. (59:36) Unrestrained info access vs. regulated content: freedom or control? (1:07:59) Patreon Thanks (1:09:45) Adding new tech on top of old systems rather than integrating new technology to creates better systems; mirrors the psychedelic mainstreaming (1:18:09) Facing the shadow is key; we need “poor people” to force us back to the factory. (1:21:01) Psychedelic disrupt our established models of reality, allowing us to face our shadow and create better models for realty (1:28:45) Lissa’s Trip was meant to disrupt filmmaking culture; AI’s only threat is to the status quo (1:34:16) AI’s only threat is to the status quo (1:35:25) What it means to live in a post-singularity world (more like burning man than the factory floor) (1:37:17) Lissa’s Trip is meant to take people on a trip; and a love letter to LSD (1:43:17) , plus follow-up social links for Jeffry Lando (1:45:14) Outro /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/33503132

Adventures Through The Mind Podcast | James W. Jesso 09/28/2024

MICRO:01 - The Greatest Risk Of Psychedelic Work Is Ego Inflation, Chris Bache PhD 09/20/2024

Empowering Our Joy For Life Through Honoring Our Pain for the World | John Seed ~ ATTMind 191 09/06/2024

Empowering Our Joy For Life Through Honoring Our Pain for the World | John Seed ~ ATTMind 191 In this episode of the podcast, we interview deep ecology teacher and rainforest activist John Seed. Together, we discuss the importance of altering our sense of self such that it includes the natural world, the role psychedelics can play in that process, and how, even if the world as we know it burns and collapses, life itself will thrive through it all as it always has. We also talk about the philosophy of deep ecology and healing ourselves from the illusion of anthropocentrism; falling into the apathy of the modern world; “honouring our pain for the world” and how, when expressed, despair becomes empowerment. As well as the dance between present ecological crisis and the thriving of life for billions of years; the Disney-fication of nature vs the brutality of life being itself; and where psychedelics fit into deep ecology and environmental activism. Far from being a downer episode, as one might expect with topics such as these, I found my conversation with John refreshing, empowering, and genuinely inspiring. To me, this is one of the small handful of interviews I have done that impacted me in a significantly positive way. I hope you experience something similar. Enjoy. ... For links to Seed's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A; Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening and Guest Bio (04:47) Interview Begins (06:20) The value and importance of activism; turning citizens into consumers (09:23) The dance between present crisis and the thriving of life for billions of years (14:25) Deep ecology and healing the illusion of anthropocentrism (27:13) Patreon Thanks (29:05) Grief and “honouring our pain for the world”; when expressed, despair becomes empowerment (36:08) Seeing the world with new eyes (39:38) Falling into the apathy of the modern world (44:56) The importance of community in facing our grief (47:43) A story of psychedelic cannabis and being healed by the forest (52:42) The Disney-fication of nature vs the brutality of life being itself (57:27) Exchanging stories of meaningful psychedelic visions (01:05:09) How psychedelics put John on his journey into environmentalism (01:08:27) Where psychedelics fit into deep ecology and environmental activism (01:11:31) What looks like chaos and destruction might be a greater intelligence at work (01:19:16) If we can cause less death and destruction, we should try (01:22:17) The drinking of psychedelic acacias in Australia; how acacia courtii saved John’s life (01:29:22) The challenge of facing one’s aging as one’s desire to give more to the world grows (01:33:23) Follow-up links and contact information (01:34:24) Outro /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/32879787

Laughing Through the Chaos: Psychedelics, Comedy and Society's Growing Pains | Nick Sun ~ ATTMind 190 08/02/2024

Laughing Through the Chaos: Psychedelics, Comedy and Society's Growing Pains | Nick Sun ~ ATTMind 190 In this episode of Adventures Through the Mind, we interview Nick Sun, stand up comedian, former psychedelic facilitator, and now the author of . We discuss Nick's personal experiences with psychedelics, including his high usage and how it led him to both become a facilitator and to stop facilitating; his criticisms of Western psychedelic culture; the concept of spiritual bypassing; and the challenges of integrating psychedelic experiences. We also touch on the potential of psychedelics for cultural change, the importance of responsible use and integration, and where comedy and humour fit into our navigation of the modern world and its many crises. Enjoy. ... For links to Nick Sun's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, & Joe A Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening (01:07) Guest bio and introduction (04:20) Interview begins; a book of initiations (10:28) Self-critiquing our self-obsession and saviour complex in the West world (15:34) Neoteny, “adult” as a verb, and the Hero’s journey as an initiation for children (21:10) Self-initiation through psychedelic excess, the potential harms and opportunities (28:11) Spiritual bypassing through high dose psychedelic experiences (30:37) Are we disrespecting the plants when we take too much, too often? (33:00) Clarifying the harms of such an excessive use of psychedelics (36:42) The value of undergoing a rite of passage and getting a teacher before we begin our psychedelic explorations (42:18) Patreon Thanks (44:12) The risks of becoming a facilitator inspired by psychedelics plants alone (52:30) Differentiating between messages from the plant and psychedelically-inflated egoic projections (55:53) “Tread carefully, my friend”; advice to new psychedelic facilitators (01:00:31) The risks of becoming a facilitator with a degree but no psychedelic experience (01:04:12) Can we use psychedelic to heal culture, or will psychedelics be used as bandaide for a failed system? (01:14:47) Comedy for personal and social healing; comedy for dissociation and bypassing (01:21:58) The role of comedy to help us stay in our heart while commentating on society (01:28:57) The role of humour to help us stay in our heart and not fall into pessimism (01:31:52) Follow-up links (01:33:40) Outro /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/32388292

cPTSD, The Climate Crisis, and Healing Trauma with Coral Reefs and Ayahuasca | Greg Wrenn (189) 06/27/2024

cPTSD, The Climate Crisis, and Healing Trauma with Coral Reefs and Ayahuasca | Greg Wrenn (189) We welcome Greg Wrenn to the show to share his experience of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) and how it was that his explorations of coral reefs and journeys with Ayahuasca turned the tide on his lifelong struggle with the condition. Additionally, as both his experience of and healing from cPTSD is intertwined with his journalism on climate science, we also explore how the ecological and psychological effects of the climate crisis weave into our personal and collective experiences and expressions of trauma. Enjoy ... For links to Wrenn's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A; Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening; Guest Bio (3:28) Our favourite Star Trek TNG characters and why (8:05) An explanation of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) (16:01) How cPTSD manifested in Greg’s life (22:43) The struggles faced when trying to heal cPTSD (30:02) The intersection of personal trauma and the climate crisis (43:19) Patreon Thanks (44:45) The damage and healing in our relationship with Nature (51:33) Neoliberalism and the fallacy of “self-care” in the context of the climate crisis (55:13) Being tricked to feel personally guilty for the climate crisis (1:00:45) How to find our personal way to do deeply meaningful good (1:05:47) The role of being in the living world in our wellbeing and sense of purpose (1:11:32) Where grief fits into navigating trauma and the climate crisis (1:19:19) Healing cPTSD with ayahuasca through healing our attachment wounds (1:27:27) Healing with ayahuasca requires an opportunity to apply your healing after the ceremony (1:30:05) The role psychedelics are playing in supporting our collective response to the climate crisis (1:37:23) Why it is important to ask ourselves: “What is it like to appreciate an ecosystem that will collapse in our lifetimes? To be moved by beauty that we’re pushing toward extinction?” (1:42:32) Follow-up links and contact details /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/31912797

Treating Traumatic Brain Injury with Ibogaine | Dr. Nolan Williams ~ ATTMind 188 06/01/2024

Treating Traumatic Brain Injury with Ibogaine | Dr. Nolan Williams ~ ATTMind 188 Nolan Williams, MD joins to talk about brain injury, ibogaine, and the incredible results of his study (conducted at ) on ibogaine for treatment of traumatic brain injury, "concussions" in particular. We also talk about ibogaine as an oneirogen; the cardiac risks of ibogaine; how ibogaine compares to other treatments methods for brain injury, including other psychedelics; microdosing ibogaine for traumatic brain injury; and that ibogaine can seemingly “de-age” the brain. Additionally, we talk about context vs pharmacology in the healing benefits of psychedelics; separating high-technology from time; and how and why using the vehicle of capitalism to fund psychedelic research may be a good thing. Enjoy ... For links to Dr. Williams' work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A; Episode Breakdown (00:00:00) Opening (00:01:04) Dr. Williams' Bio (00:04:15) Patreon Thanks (00:05:51) Interview begins (00:07:56) An explanation of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their different severity—mild, moderate, severe (00:13:49) The impact of TBI on the person and society (00:16:33) Restoring brain function through psychedelics (00:20:03) TBI is an “invisible injury” that can express a huge range of symptoms (00:23:30) The substantial (but presently unknown) prevalence of TBI in society (00:28:05) The Western history of medical ibogaine (00:30:11) The pharmacological and psychological effects of ibogaine (00:31:50) Is ibogaine an oneirogen? (splitters vs lumpers) (00:34:10) Reducing stigma against Ibogaine by avoiding the term “psychedelic” (00:37:32) It’s difficult to get approval for ibogaine research due to mortality risks (00:39:03) The cardiac risks of ibogaine; how and why ibogaine can stop your heart—Torsades (00:43:13) What inspired Dr. Williams to investigate ibogaine (00:46:11) The details of the treating traumatic brain injury with ibogaine study (00:50:55) The details of the treating traumatic brain injury with ibogaine study (00:52:54) Why their study focused on Veterans (00:56:50) Concussions are “mild TBI”; ibogaine treatment study was with people who had mTBI (01:00:13) The incredible results of this study: a significant reversal of their disability status (01:03:27) Context vs pharmacology in the healing benefits of psychedelics (01:14:19) The ibogaine life review seems to happened regardless of context (01:17:26) How ibogaine compares to other TBI treatments methods (01:20:34) Ibogaine vs other psychedelics in the treatment of traumatic brain injury (01:22:11) Are ibogaine’s effects a “random” result of evolution? (01:24:57) What it is about ibogaine pharmacologically that makes it so effective for brain injury (01:26:11) The key metaphor of ibogaine (01:27:48) Ibogaine can “de-age” the brain (01:32:51) Separating high-technology from time (01:33:53) Using the vehicle of capitalism to fund psychedelic research is a good thing (?) (01:38:19) Mircodosing ibogaine for traumatic brain injury (01:43:01) What’s Next for Dr. Williams (01:44:16) Follow-up links and Socials for Dr. Williams /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/31547977

The Legal and Cultural Landscape of Psilocybin Mushrooms in Mexico | Mijal Schmidt ~ 187 05/03/2024

The Legal and Cultural Landscape of Psilocybin Mushrooms in Mexico | Mijal Schmidt ~ 187 In this episode of the podcast, we explore the present day legal and political conundrum psilocybin mushrooms are facing as they sit on the verge of a significant change in their criminal status; the historical impact of mushroom tourism on the indigenous cultures that work with psilocybin; how that history is impacting those cultures today; and how all of this is influencing the complex political situation mushrooms now sit in the middle of. Our guest is Mijal Schmidt. ... For links to Mijal's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A; Episode Sponsor: MagicBag.Co MagicBag.co offers ready to inoculate bags for growing your favourite dung-loving mushrooms, helping to simplify the mushroom growing process. More Details at | Use code JESSO for 10% off your order! Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening (1:44) Episode Sponsor: (2:50) Patron Thanks (3:35) Guest Bio (4:44) Interview Begins (6:40) The present legal/political landscape of psilocybin mushrooms in Mexico (15:44) The involvement of indigenous peoples in the changing laws around mushrooms (24:39) The conflicts that mushroom tourism has created between indigenous people and its impact on changing legislation (37:39) What does it mean to be “poor” in a context of cultural richness (43:51) The Mushroom Velada (indigenous mushroom ceremony) (48:03) How the cultural context of mushroom use impacts what is offers the person taking them (51:44) The modern “shamanic” traditions using psilocybin mushrooms in Mexico and the impact of mushroom tourism on those traditions (58:53) The problems created by mushroom tourism in San Jose del Pacifico (1:04:32) The potential spiritual extractivism of psychedelic tourism (1:12:03) Doesn’t tourism—psychedelic and otherwise—offer economic benefits? (1:19:30) The hope and the fear of what will come of the psychedelic renaissance (1:30:28) The possibility of not knowing | asking ourselves what our healing is taking from others (1:33:41) The limitations of me-focused psychedelic healing learning to think relationally (1:37:47) Bringing play and joy back into life (and the conversation) (1:40:50) Learning to think relationally (1:43:55) What Mijal would like to see for the future of Psilocybin Mushrooms in Mexico (1:53:10) Outro /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/31090333

Deep Time, Extinct Cephalopods, and The Evolutionary Gift of Death | Sky Otter ~ ATTMind 186 04/05/2024

Deep Time, Extinct Cephalopods, and The Evolutionary Gift of Death | Sky Otter ~ ATTMind 186 Led by the inspiration of a cephalopod now extinct 66 million years, Sky Otter and I explore what is means to live our lives in alignment with life, creatively, and with heartbreak, grief, endings, and death as not only necessary parts of the process, but gifts that can deepen, enrich, and guide our limited days. Some of the topics we explore include ammonite as example of death and creative change in evolution; why life requires death and heartbreak is necessary; finding our way out of mass extinction through creativity in service to life; building heart-full community in relationship with Nature; deep Time and the ever-present is-ness of all things from all time; and why acting in alignment with life is a gift to all life, across all time. ... For links to Sky's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW ... Sky's previous features on ATTMind Podcast -▷ -▷ SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A, —— Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening (02:04) Guest Bio (03:43) Patreon Thanks (05:38) Interview beings (10:04) Ammonite as example of death and creative change in evolution (15:40) Aligning with life beyond the individual self (19:33) Finding our way out of mass extinction through creativity in service to life (25:33) Life requires death; heartbreak is necessary (29:45) Grief is natural, but easier said than done (35:50) Building heart-full community in relationship with Nature (38:49) The misappropriation of “trusting life” to bypass ecological responsibility (46:33) Creativity and trusting life vs nihilism and numbing out in the face of ecological crisis (50:11) The complexity, challenge, and benefits of living in alignment with life (1:06:39) Deep Time and the ever-present is-ness of all things from all time (1:12:39) Acting in alignment with life is a gift to all of life; why we DON’T feel connected with life (1:22:20) I am because we are… (1:24:54) Follow-up links and contact details (1:26:03) Outro /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/30686538

How Psychedelics Can Help Us Make Sense Of The Meta-Crisis | Alexander Beiner ~ ATTMind 185 03/08/2024

How Psychedelics Can Help Us Make Sense Of The Meta-Crisis | Alexander Beiner ~ ATTMind 185 Alexander Beiner joins us to explore how psychedelics can help us make sense of the meta-crisis. This includes topics like complexity tolerance and the overwhelming deluge of information in modern digital life; “How” and “why” we solve a problem is as important as the “what” of the solution itself; the mythological impact of sci-fi narratives on identity and perception; and whether AI will become a new god. Additionally, we speak on extended-state DMT (DMTx) and interacting with entities; overlaps in the perceptual impact of phenomena like DMT entities and UAPs; and emotionally managing the potential of our world slowly declining into a nightmare dystopian future. ... For links to Beiner's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, and Heather S —— Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:24) Guest bio (4:52) Patreon Thanks (5:41) Interview begins | the impact of sci-fi narratives on identity and perception (14:48) Technology for a friction-free life and the differing mythological impacts of Star Wars vs Star Trek (19:22) How psychedelics can help us make sense of the meta-crisis (25:28) Spheres of agency and how psychedelics have helped Beiner navigate crisis, personally (28:49) Complexity tolerance and the overwhelming deluge of information in modern digital life (32:38) Uncertainty tolerance, games, and prayer (39:31) The importance of certain conceptual knowledge to access the benefits of psychedelics (46:54) “How” and “why” we solve a problem is as important as the “what” of the solution itself (1:01:00) The potential cultural (and cult) impact of AI | will AI become a new god? (1:13:58) Extended-state DMT (DMTx) and interacting with entities | were they real? (1:20:12) The impact of DMT entities and UAPs on how we understand where our solutions might come from (1:31:17) How emotional resonance tricks us into believing thing that aren’t true (1:33:17) The potential of our world slowly declining into a nightmare dystopian future (1:39:39) Follow-up links for Beiner’s substack, book, and audiobook (1:41:32) Outro /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/30274483

Herbalism, Animism, and The Language Of The Body | Marie Zak & Travis Cartwright, Althaea Herbals ~ 184 02/09/2024

Herbalism, Animism, and The Language Of The Body | Marie Zak & Travis Cartwright, Althaea Herbals ~ 184 Travis Cartwright and Marie Zak are clinical herbalists from Althaea Herbals, an apothecary in Nelson, BC, Canada. They join us on the show today to talk about herbalism as a way of being in the world, as well as a clinical practice. We also explore why herbalism is not just a plant replacement for pharmaceuticals; how an animistic worldview can empower us to cultivate a direct and living relationship with plants and nature as a whole; how we can learn to communicate with plants through the direct experience of the body; some of Travis and Marie’s favourite herbs; where psychedelic plants and fungi fit in a practice of herbalism; and how herbalism can support us in our experiences with psychedelic plants. Enjoy ... For links to Travis and Marie's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to ... B E L O N G I N G -- A PATHWAY HOME (course) Marie and Travis are running a 7-week long online course to deepen your capacity to connect with plants and practice herbalism in your own life. Sundays, beginning on February 18th, for seven weeks. Registration closes Feb 17, 2024 More info here: Use the promo code JESSO for 15% off ... Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (2:31) BELONGING, Altheae’s upcoming course | (3:43) Patron Thanks (4:32) Interview begins (5:08) What herbalism is (and isn’t) | An explanation of vitalistic herbalism (11:51) Clinical herbalism to balance the vital energies of the body | not just a “green pill” approach (19:37) The limitations of herbal practices (23:40) When to seek a clinical herbalist | when to not seek and herbalist (30:29) Animism and being in direct relationship with plants (35:40) The personal and collective benefits of building a direct relationship with nature (43:59) Heart-centered communication, non-rational engagement, and co-attunement with plants (47:48) Learning from and through the plants, through the direct experience of the body | somatic experience (1:03:11) Where psychedelic plants and fungi fit in a practice of herbalism (1:14:35) Where synthetic chemicals like MDMA fits in herbalism (1:19:16) Travis and Marie’s personal favourite herbs, and why (1:22:36) Where to start with herbalism in your life (1:27:35) Belonging: A Pathway Home; their online course in building a personal practice of herbalism (1:33:23) Follow-up links and contact details: https://www.althaeaherbals.com/ (1:34:14) Outro ... SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, & Heather S. And a special thanks to Martin F. for the generous paypal donation. /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/29862968

Integrating Ayahuasca Experiences (And Psychedelics In General) | Mijal Schmidt ~ ATTMind 183 12/08/2023

Integrating Ayahuasca Experiences (And Psychedelics In General) | Mijal Schmidt ~ ATTMind 183 This episode is with Mijal Schmidt and presents a rather robust exploration of what psychedelic integration is and the specifics of what an ayahuasca integration requires. We talk about the importance of good preparation, and what that looks like; various integration practices and activities; the most common challenges in integrating ayahuasca experiences, including integrating HUGE experiences and difficult experiences; the integration of experiences of exogenous material, e.g. entities or absorbing other people’s processes; and how to know when we have successfully completed our integration. We also explore the difference between psychedelic integration and psychotherapy; learning to accept what is happening in our journeys, even when we don't like it or want it or think it's what we are supposed to be experiencing; as well as how to support someone in a post-psychedelic crisis, and when to intervene for their own safety. Enjoy! ... For links to Mijal's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A, Heather S, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:05) Introduction and Guest Bio (4:53) Patron Thanks (6:07) Interview Begins (7:13) Mijal’s integration history in private practice and through the ICEERS Support Center (16:40) Best practices in preparing for a psychedelic journey (22:36) Preparing for ayahuasca specifically (28:56) The term “intake” vs “ceremony” (29:57) What an ayahuasca experience is, and what we might find (37:22) Considering the integration of experiences of exogenous material, e.g. entities or absorbing other people’s processes (44:05) The importance of acknowledging Mystery (50:40) What, exactly, is psychedelic integration? (58:10) Various integration practices and activities (1:02:21) We need to be care about when, and who we talk to about our psychedelic experiences (1:12:13) Be careful acting on what ayahuasca tells you, unless it's getting you out of danger (1:14:52) How to know when you have successfully integrated your ayahuasca experience (1:18:53) The most common challenges in integrating ayahuasca experiences (1:24:20) Integrating HUGE ayahuasca experiences (1:30:09) Learning to accept what is happening in our journeys (1:34:49) The feelings you think are in the way, are the way (1:26:23) Supporting someone in post-psychedelic crisis (1:41:53) When to intervene in someone’s post-psychedelic crisis (1:48:57) Follow-up links and social handles (1:51:12) Outro /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/28959688

Kilindi Iyi and High Dose Psilocybin As A Form Of Martial Arts | Acacea Lewis ~ ATTMind 182 10/28/2023

Kilindi Iyi and High Dose Psilocybin As A Form Of Martial Arts | Acacea Lewis ~ ATTMind 182 Acacea Lewis is our guest for this episode of Adventures Through The Mind. Our interview explores a number of vignettes into her scholarly explorations of psychedelic mushrooms throughout human history, and especially in various African traditions. But the two main thematic arcs we travel in the interview are the work of the late Kilindi Iyi and the value and potential of high dose psilocybin experiences as a form of marital arts, primarily through the lens of Acacea’s personal experiences. ... For links to Acacea's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** EPISODE SPONSOR The Spirit Plant Medicine Conference 2023 Happening in-Person and Online, Nov 3-5 Head to and use the promo ADVENTURES to get a 30% off the price of your ticket. SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Heather S, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— ... Episode Breakdown (0:00) Episode sponsor (1:11) Opening and guest bio (4:32) Patron Thanks (6:48) Interview begins (8:09) Acacea’s journey into high doses of psilocybin (14:25) Acacea’s journey with Kilindi Iyi (18:57) We see what we are interested in (22:54) The African use of psychedelic mushrooms (Egypt and Maasai) (30:20) The history of African martial arts, and the role of psychedelic states in martial arts practice (33:25) Debunking pseudoscience can backfire (30:08) An outline of Acacea’s first banned talk (37:24) High dose psilocybin as a martial arts form (40:03) The value (and dangers) of taking high doses of psilocybin (43:44) Psilocybin mushrooms in the Aztec traditions (45:51) The value of high doses is exploration (of self and of reality) (56:05) Learning to be our authentic self through battle with the trained self (1:01:04) The importance of healthy community during high dose explorations (1:06:28) The challenges and opportunities of being stereotyped as a black woman in public advocacy of psychedelics (1:17:32) Considering the potential harms of “accidentally promoting” high doses | there will always be ignorance in the world (1:24:37) Psilocybin mushrooms can be harsh, just like mother nature can be harsh (1:26:12) A quick run down of the lectures Acacea will be giving at the Spirit Plant Medicine Conference. (1:27:05) Crystals as a technology for psychedelic experiences (1:32:23) Connecting with Acacea on social media, and her online school (1:35:20) Outro /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/28443851

The Schizophrenia Complex and The Turbulent Waters of The Unconscious Mind | Dr. Eve Maram ~ ATTMind 181 10/06/2023

The Schizophrenia Complex and The Turbulent Waters of The Unconscious Mind | Dr. Eve Maram ~ ATTMind 181 Dr. Eve Maram is a clinical and forensic psychologist and a certified Jungian Analyst in private practice in Orange, California. She joins us to share her perspective on schizophrenia, of it as a condition wherein the organizing function of the ego is overwhelmed by the turbulence waters of the unconscious (a statement that will be well flushed out in the interview); but we also go deep into her model of the schizophrenia complex, which is the bundle of “thoughts and feelings constellated by encounters with what we call schizophrenia, for those who experience symptoms, and for those others impacted by them” (another statement that will be fully flushed out throughout the interview). Throughout this interview we also explore what a complex is; the role schizophrenia played in the development of Jung’s theories; the vital important of relationship for those with schizophrenia; how schizophrenia attacks relatedness; the various ways the schizophrenia complex arises within us and why; pharmaceutical vs non-pharmaceutical treatments of schizophrenia; the changing cultural tides around how medicine perceives schizophrenia; and practical advice for relating with those who have schizophrenia and their symptoms, advice for practitioners, loved-ones, and even for people with the condition themselves. Enjoy. For links to Dr. Maram's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: Toss me a tip on PayPal: Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: Buy some merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telegram Channel: *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Heather S, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:47) Episode overture and guest bio (5:21) Patron thanks (7:38) Interview begins (8:23) How Dr. Maram came to study schizophrenia (15:03) A Jungian definition of “complex” (18:14) The Schizophrenia Complex (24:10) How schizophrenia was essential in the development of Jung’s ideas (26:37) We don’t really know what schizophrenia is, exactly. (28:36) Schizophrenia as the ego mind being flooded by the unconscious (36:01) The Schizophrenia Complex arises from our fear of total annihilation (44:44) That fear is justified, for many reasons, what matters is that we are conscious of it. (51:09) Relationship is essential in navigating schizophrenia; but schizophrenia attacks relatedness (54:21) The Schizophrenia Complex manifesting through fawning (trying to save them) (1:00:04) Treating schizophrenia: pharmaceutical vs non-pharmaceutical methods (1:07:56) Anosognosia (1:09:32) Exploring the changing cultural tides around how medicine perceives schizophrenia (1:13:32) Telling the difference between psychosis and spiritual crisis (1:16:22) Some practical advice for practitioners working with people with schizophrenia (1:20:18) Some practical advice for people with schizophrenia grappling with their diagnosis and condition (1:24:58) Some practical advice for people living with/caring for loved ones with schizophrenia (1:31:51) Follow-up links and information about Dr. Maram’s book, The Schizophrenia Complex (1:32:38) Closing /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/28244861

Psychedelics and the Healing Power of Love | Dr. Adele LaFrance 09/09/2023

Psychedelics and the Healing Power of Love | Dr. Adele LaFrance Dr. Adele Lafrance joins us to explore psychedelics and the healing power of Love. Our conversation begins with an exploration of emotional processing and how difficulties and deficiencies in emotional processing both our mental health, our relationships, and our general wellbeing. We then step into psychedelics and the role they play in supporting our emotional processing capacities. From there we turn towards Love, what it is and all the accidental ways we conflate it with things that can include love but aren’t love itself: romance, lust, infatuation, attachment, obsession, etc. We talk about the healing power of Love, both in our day-to-day lives and in various forms of healthcare, and why as a society we need to better learn how to wield and integrate that healing power of love. We then talk about encounters with Love as a transpersonal force during psychedelic experiences, the role of love in supporting people in their psychedelic experiences, and even the strange phenomenon of being harmed by too much Love on 5-MeO-DMT. Of course, although love itself is not sex, with any mention of love we evoke consideration of sexuality, sexual dynamics, and sex itself. Thus, we also talk about sexual healing, the complexity of sexual energy and behaviour in therapy, and even the risks, challenges, and opportunities of having sex while on psychedelics. ... STUDY SURVEY HERE: For links to Lafrance's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Tip Me on Ko-Fi: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! In particular my $23+ patrons: Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, James S, Heather S, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:35) Episode overture and guest bio (5:45) Patreon thanks (6:43) Interview begins (7:44) Emotional processing and the damaging impact of poor emotional processing (12:49) Culturally conditioned deficits in emotional processing (19:50) Learning to own triggers, rather than project them (22:14) The role of psychedelics in emotional processing (and vice versa) (28:02) Our emotions are the most reliably true aspect of our psychedelic experiences (31:18) Disambiguating “Love” (37:01) Love as a transpersonal force (40:01) Love in psychedelic experiences (44:08) Being harmed by too much love on 5-MeO-DMT (48:03) Our sociocultural context can negatively impact our psychedelic integration (50:05) The role of love in our healing journeys (51:48) The role of love in supporting people in psychedelic experiences (53:59) We need to acknowledge love is a transpersonal force (56:40) The complexity of sexual energy and behaviour in therapy (1:05:11) Psychedelics and sexual healing, and sex on psychedelics (1:15:57) The Love Project: what it is, how it came to be, and how you can get involved (1:23:33) Closing regards (1:24:25) Outro /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/27982839

UPDATE: Changes To The Podcast Release Schedule | July 2023 07/20/2023

Swimming In The Sacred: Wisdom From The Psychedelic Underground | Rachel Harris 06/30/2023

Swimming In The Sacred: Wisdom From The Psychedelic Underground | Rachel Harris Rachel Harris, PhD joins us to talk about her new book, Swimming In The Sacred Swimming in the Sacred offers a revelatory look into the past half-century of psychedelics use via in-depth interviews Harris conducted with women elders who have worked underground guiding sacred entheogenic journeys to cultivate insight, healing, and spiritual development. Specifically, we talk about working with unseen worlds and unseen others; thin veils, absorption, and being accidentally overdosed by psychedelics; the uncanny connection between guide and journeyer during ceremony; and how psychedelic guiding work is NOT therapy and how therapy and guiding are two different skill sets. Furthermore, we talk about the complexity of good dosing; the value of lower doses and the risks of putting larger doses on a pedestal; the strange emerging phenomenon of “competitive ego deathing”; and learning to work with life in a bigger way by learning to let our psychedelic insights work on us over time. We talk about the risks of harm and abuse in both under- and above-ground psychedelic therapy; the difference between certification and qualification; how we lose our capacity to properly skill psychedelic guides in our rush to certify as many as possible to meet a massive demand; how to assess if a provider is trustworthy and skilled; and why psychedelic therapists NEED to experience psychedelics themselves. ... For links to Rachel's work, full show notes and supportive materials, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**>>> Episode Art is a modified version of by the incredible SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Tip Me on Ko-Fi: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Nanci BF, Heather S, and Heartwood Mushrooms —— Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (4:08) Guest Bio (6:23 ) Patreon thanks | (7:55) Interview begins (10:08) The research behind Swimming In The Sacred (12:10) Focusing on the value of the wisdom of women guides, specifically (14:22) How women have been doubly silenced in psychedelic circles (21:11) These guides aren’t therapists; their work is not therapy (24:14) The capacity to work with unseen worlds is not necessarily available to all of us (29:21) Thin veils, absorption, and being accidentally overdosed by psychedelics (30:57) The complexity of good dosing | “Competitive Ego Deathing” (34:11) Therapists DO NOT need to dose with their client (34:44) Psychedelic therapists NEED to experience psychedelics | sitting and therapy are separate skills (41:47) The uncanny connection between guide and journeyer during ceremony (45:20) Modern psychedelic research is lacking collaboration with the wisdom of the underground (49:40) We lose capacity for skillfulness in psychedelic guidance when we rush to certify psychedelic therapists (53:18) The difference between certified and qualified (53:52) What to ask a psychedelic guide to determine if they are trustworthy (55:28) What is lost when psychedelics become a mainstream institution (56:14) Psychedelic guidance is not about symptom reductions (57:51) Addressing the risk of abuse in psychedelic therapy (1:07:27) Therapists, heal thyself | “Waking up” does not amount to “cleaning up” (1:08:51) Waking up, Cleaning up, Growing up, Looking around (1:11:13) Working with life in a bigger way (1:13:59) The value of lower doses and the risks of putting larger doses on a pedestal (1:24:29) The strange trend of overdosed microdosing supplements (1:25:40) Psychedelic insights work on you over time, if you support them in doing so (1:34:03) Be careful not to psychologize spiritual experiences (1:39:56) Discerning between a “message from the medicine” and ego projection (1:42:51) Psilocybin-assisted Therapy Vs Therapy-assisted Psilocybin (1:44:57) Advice for people who want to become psychedelic therapists (1:47:09) Advice for therapists who want to start providing psychedelic therapy (1:48:07) Ketamine Therapy is NOT Psychedelic Therapy (1:50:50) Advice for people who want to become underground guides (1:52:43) Advice for finding a psychedelic guide you can trust (1:54:27) Advice for people who want to develop a life practice with psychedelic plants (1:56:41) “Swimming In The Sacred” comes from Maria Sabina (1:57:58) Follow-up links (1:58:55) Closing Rachel's other interviews on Adventures Through The Mind /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/27315216

From Broken to Blessed on The Bipolar Spectrum | Sara Schley ~ ATTMind 178 06/16/2023

From Broken to Blessed on The Bipolar Spectrum | Sara Schley ~ ATTMind 178 Today’s episode is a bit of a lateral step from psychedelics specifically as we are going to talk about bipolar with Sara Schley, the author of the highly-acclaimed memoir BrainStorm: From Broken to Blessed on the Bipolar Spectrum. We talk about bipolar as a spectrum and the different variations of bipolar disorder; why it is that so many people with bipolar are misdiagnosed and the issues this presents to those individuals and their families; major triggers for bipolar episodes and why medication isn’t enough to keep people stable; the self-care system Schley has developed for living with a bipolar brain; and how to support your friends/family that are in a bipolar crisis. Enjoy. ... For links to Schley's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Tip Me on Ko-Fi: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Nanci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— and to Laurie A for their generous one-time donation. Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:52) Guest bio and episode summary (3:40) Patreon thanks | (5:45) Interview Begins (8:37) The story of Sara discovering that she has bipolar (12:34) The bipolar spectrum and the different variations of bipolar disorder (16:55) Traditional SSRIs do NOT work for bipolar (18:21) The epidemic of misdiagnosis of bipolar (21:52) How undiagnosed bipolar (and mental illness in general) can destroy your relationships and your life (27:17) Why there are so many mentally ill people in our society (30:25) The genetics, epigenetics, and neurology of bipolar (35:34) Does life context “activate” bipolar or is it inevitable regardless of context? (43:49) PECS self-care system (Physical, emotional, creative, spiritual) (49:56) Pharmaceutical vs non-pharmaceutical treatment for bipolar (1:00:39) Having a practical PECS moment (1:02:19) Keeping bipolar stable and major triggers (1:08:39) Why isn’t medication enough to keep stable? (1:14:16) James’ morning practice (1:16:07) How bipolar made Sara a better person (1:20:41) What Sara wants you to remember from this podcast (1:21:31) The emergency ally toolkit (how to support your friends/family that are in a bipolar crisis) (1:23:04) Follow up links for other content, social media, and Sara’s book Brainstorm (1:24:33) Closing, socials, and gratitude /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/27160773

Entactogens, MDMA, and Bringing New Love Drugs To Market | Matthew Baggott ~ ATTMind 177 06/02/2023

Entactogens, MDMA, and Bringing New Love Drugs To Market | Matthew Baggott ~ ATTMind 177 This episode features Matthew Baggott of Tactogen Inc. and will explore entactogens, which are drugs like MDMA, 2C-B, and Methalone. We start with setting a basic framework for what an entactogen is and a few example drugs, before exploring the complexities in their various effects, mechanisms of action, and both the legislative and technical process of the development of novel or new entactogenic drugs. ... For links to Baggott's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Nanci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (2:44) Guest Bio (4:06) Patreon thanks | Support The Show (5:42) Interview begins (6:31) What is an entactogen and what does it do? | The difference between entactogens and psychedelics (8:37) A short discussion about 2C-B (11:47) A list of different entactogens (15:30) r-MDMA vs s-MDMA (19:48) Methalone, aka bk-MDMA (21:52) 3-MMC and 4-MMC: patents, development, and legality (23:13) Why Schedule 1 makes drug development difficult (25:02) The qualities they are trying to design OUT of new entactogen drugs (pt1) (26:31) “The loss of magic” with MDMA (33:11) Serotin transporters and MDMA neuro-oxidization (36:27) Using NAC to bring back the MDMA magic | enhanced plasticity, antioxidants, and homeostasis (44:13) The qualities they are trying to design OUT of new entactogen drugs (pt2) (48:52) Why we need “take home” entactogenic drugs (53:20) Can a drug still be medicine if it’s fun, too? (58:13) The process of justifying off-label MDMA prescriptions (1:03:01) Will there be a moral backlash against the development of “good feel” drugs? (1:11:10) The negative social consequences of prohibitionist law enforcement (1:15:58) We can’t just give people psychedelics and expect society will get better (1:18:46) Problematic moves in the psychedelic biotech industry (1:25:01) Psychedelic Patent Trolling (1:32:15) How Tactogen is trying to give back to psychedelic users (1:44:16) Increasing access to health care, not just to psychedelic substances (1:49:40) Follow-up link and contact details (1:51:25) closing /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/27017211

Using Psychedelic Molecules to Explore Alternate Worlds | Andrew Gallimore, PhD ~ ATTMind 176 05/18/2023

Using Psychedelic Molecules to Explore Alternate Worlds | Andrew Gallimore, PhD ~ ATTMind 176 In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Andrew Gallimore to explore the content of his new book 'Reality Switch Technologies: Psychedelics as Tools for the Discovery and Exploration of New Worlds'. We discuss how the brain builds an experiential world model from patterns of information at the neural level; how all of those worlds are correlated with specific neural patterns; how we can disturb that neural pattern to encounter new worlds; essentially, using psychedelic molecules to explore alternate worlds. We explore how different classes of psychedelics affects the brain differently and thus switch us to different potential worlds, focusing specifically on the neural and world-switching effects of classical psychedelics, tropane alkaloids, and ketamine. We also explore why the brain doesn’t care if its models are true, only if their adaptive; how perception of reality flows from conceptual hypothesis down, not from sensory information upwards; the self-model and its disintegration (ego death); we talk about schizophrenia and hearing voices; and about how every experience is “real” but not all experience is accurately mapped to our environment. ... For links to Gallimore's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Nanci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening and introduction (3:10) Guest bio (4:38) Patreon Thanks | (6:14) Interview Begins (7:38) All experience is “real”; all experiences are of models made by the brain (10:45) DMT worlds are made of the same stuff as our normal waking world (13:15) The brain builds a world model from patterns of information at the neural level (18:31) The Interface Theory of Perception; not every experience is an adaptive model of the environment (22:07) The brain doesn’t care if its models are true, only if it's adaptive. (24:26) Perception of reality flows from conceptual hypothesis down, not from sensory information upwards; predictive coding (35:40) The world falls out of the brain; how the brain builds the rich complexity of an entire reality (40:50) The self-model and its disintegration (ego death) (45:08) Schizophrenia and hearing voices (52:21) How the brain builds the world space of consensus reality, and how we can explore new world spaces by changing our brains with psychedelics (59:59) The C-Switch: how classical psychedelics affect the structure and dynamics of our models for reality (1:07:32) How classical psychedelics offer us profound insights and increase creativity through their effect on our brain’s hypotheses about reality (1:11:39) Ego death is the result of classical psychedelics producing a loss of distinction between self and other (1:14:20) Increased wonder and insights resulting from classical psychedelics destabilizing the brain’s hypotheses (1:23:08) Considering the difference between 5-MeO-DMT and DMT in the context of classical psychedelic effect on “the world space” (1:27:34) The M-Switch: how tropane alkaloids (aka datura) affect the structure and dynamics of our models for reality through acetylcholine, the M1 receptor, and the management of error signals (1:36:38) Tropanes, attention, and coming in and out of reality and hallucinations (1:39:30) The N-Switch: how ketamine and PCP affect the structure and dynamics of our models for reality through the NDMA receptor, the push-pull dance between anesthesia and high-psychedelia (1:45:23) James musing on his high-dose ketamine experiences (1:46:45) Ketamine is an abstract state of consciousness (1:50:11) What about Cannabis, MDMA, and Amanita Muscaria? (1:54:51) Using psychedelic molecules (and designing new ones) to explore and map alternate worlds (2:02:47) Follow-up links and socials (2:05:21) Outro /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/26866335

The Visionary San Pedro Cactus: Healing, Sustainability, and Sacred Relationships with Huachuma | Laurel Sugden ~ ATTMind 175 05/05/2023

The Visionary San Pedro Cactus: Healing, Sustainability, and Sacred Relationships with Huachuma | Laurel Sugden ~ ATTMind 175 Today’s episode explores the mescaline-containing cactus known as San Pedro, otherwise known as Huachuma. Our guest is Laurel Anne Sugden. We discuss the objective side of the cactus; that is habitat, history, sustainability, poaching, pollination, propagation, fruits, flowers, and alkaloids. However, we also explore what we might, for lack of better language, call the subjective side of San Pedro; we explore “who is San Pedro”, the qualities of experience it catalyzes, and what it asks of us and offers us in perspective, healing, and relationship. We also explore the impact anthropocentrism has on our capacity to be in relationship with sacred plants, safe preparation methods of cactus powder, the subjectivity of ethics, why it takes more than breaking the ego to make us wise, and a deconstruction of the modern fascination of “hyperspace entities” and aliens, among a handful of other topics throughout the flow of the conversation. --LINKS-- Huachuma Collective Instagram: Huachuma Collective Seed Project: For further links to Sugden's work, full show notes, and to access a video stream of this episode, head to ***Full Topics Breakdown and Time Stamps Below*** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Nanci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (4:45) Patreon Thanks | (5:57) Introducing some cacti friends (8:20) Interview begins: what is Huachuma/San Pedro? (9:42) The different San Pedro cacti used for ceremonial purposes (16:03) San Pedro flowers, fruit, and propagation (21:01) Hybridization and cross-pollination (23:47) Reductionist science and anthropocentrism erase our connection to the spirit of the plant (29:22) The different alkaloids in San Pedro (beyond mescaline) (30:35) A brief history of Cacti and their worldwide distribution (33:57) Serious conservation concerns for san pedro | overharvesting and poaching of wild cactus for international cactus (39:41) Ignorance supporting ecological devastation | A failure of relationship (42:08) The subjectivity of ethics and learning to listen to the plants (44:29) Your store san pedro powder is likely illegally poached | How to safely prepare raw san pedro power (53:03) Reciprociy to indigenous San Pedro communities: The Huachuma Collective (54:56) Who is San Pedro? (57:07) How San Pedro helps us heal (1:01:45) It takes more than breaking the ego to make us wise (1:07:10) We learn from the plant, but the plant also learns from us (1:16:02) Deconstructing the modern fascination with “hyperspace entities” and aliens (1:22:07) What lesson San Pedro has to offer us in our present times (1:24:35) Follow-up links for Huachuma Collective and Laurel Sugden (1:26:02) Outro /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/26748918

The 6 Pitfalls: Safety and Best Practices for Ayahuasca Facilitators in Non-Traditional Contexts | Jeronimo M.M. ~ ATTMind 174 04/21/2023

The 6 Pitfalls: Safety and Best Practices for Ayahuasca Facilitators in Non-Traditional Contexts | Jeronimo M.M. ~ ATTMind 174 This episode features Jeronimo MM of ICEERS Foundation and explores the potential dangers and pitfalls present for ayahuasca/plant medicine facilitators in non-traditional contexts. Dangers specific to the facilitators, that Jeronimo refers to as The 6 Pitfalls: Sex, Money, Power, Intercultural Relationships, and Legal Situations. We also do a deep dive into what a “non-traditional context” is and two potential harms that might come up for participants, namely “when the experience is too much” and “Ayahuasca told me that…” To use Jeronimo’s words from the interview you are about to hear, this episode explores “How to avoid harming people who have put themselves under your care” We welcome Jeronimo back to Adventures Through The Mind for his fourth feature. His previous episodes were a dedicated interview on and the others were psychedelic cafes on , and . If you are a plant medicine facilitator of any kind or know facilitators, this episode is definitely for you. However, this episode will be relevant to anyone interested in participating in any kind of plant medicine ceremony. As the dangers presented, facilitators are also dangers present to participants under those facilitators’ care. Having a sense of what they are in advance empowers your capacity to better navigate the often murky world of underground facilitation. ... Importantly, this episode is a vignette into a portion of the 6-month course Jeronimo is putting on through ICEERS titled Increasing the Safety of Ayahuasca Sessions: A harm reduction course for facilitators in non-traditional contexts. The course begins on May 8 and the admission process ends on April 27. Meaning there is little time left to sign up, if you feel called to do so. More details (along with a video version of this interview) are available at Or you can jump right over to the course page by heading to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** ***Featured image is courtesy of and copyright iceers.academy 2023 SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Nanci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (7:01) (7:50) Patron thanks (9:11)) Interview Begins (10:21) A harm reduction course for Facilitators in non-traditional contexts. (14:31) Why non-traditonal use contexts for ayahuasca require additional protocols to protect participants and facilitators (20:03) Dangers for participants: when the experience is too much, flight-response, disassociation, psychosis (29:18) The fine line between when to let difficult experiences unfold naturally and when to intervene (38:21) How to protect an ayahuasca participant from falling into disassociation (42:18) The dangers of "Ayahuasca told me that..." (50:15) Discerning between internal and external truths as a part of psychedelic integration (54:57) The 3 confirmations rule for psychedelic realizations (57:01) The 6 pitfalls for ayahuasca/plat medicine facilitators | Sex, Money, Power, Isolation, Intercultural Relationships, Legal situations (59:34) How the social structure of being an ayahuasca faciliator can push them into these pitfalls (1:10:11) The Pitfall of Money | the importance of payment, but the manipulations that can occur through payment (1:12:42) “Ayahuasca told me…” sex, love, and relationships (1:21:37) Its nice to be celebrated, but eventually it becomes a poison (1:27:31) The pitfall of “Intercultural Relationships” | relationships between non-traditional facilitators and traditional cultures (1:38:54) “How to avoid harming people who have put themselves under your care” | freedom vs responsibility (1:43:47) Follow-up links for the ICEERS course. (1:44:54) Closing /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/26602419

Psychedelic Hope In The Treatment Of Cluster Headaches | Bob Wold of Clusterbusters Inc ~ ATTMind 173 04/07/2023

Psychedelic Hope In The Treatment Of Cluster Headaches | Bob Wold of Clusterbusters Inc ~ ATTMind 173 Bob Wold is from Clusterbusters Inc. He joins us on this episode of Adventures Through The Mind podcast to present cluster headaches, one of the most painful conditions known to humankind—their patterns, symptoms, and pathophysiology; as well as the treatments presently available, with a specific deep dive into psychedelic tryptamines as the most effective treatment discovered thus far and how those with clusters use those tryptamines. ... For links to Bob and Clusterbusters', full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A, Nanci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (3:13) Episode Overture (6:42) Patreon Thanks (7:58) Interview begins (8:44) What are Cluster Headaches: patterns, symptoms, and physiology (16:52) Cluster cycles | headaches returning every year at the same time (20:09) Physiological causes and triggers (24:40) The strain of clusters on family and relationships | The life-saving benefits of community (29:24) Suicidality amongst survivors of cluster headaches (33:24) Pathophysiology of clusters: trigeminal nerve and the hypothalamus (36:34) The treatment landscape | medications and high-flow oxygen (43:49) Lack of funding compromising research on cluster headaches (48:55) The treatment landscape: opiates(e.g. heroin), caffeine, and aerobic exercises (58:57) The history of psychedelic tryptamines for cluster headaches (1:05:33) Psychedelic tryptamines are the most effective treatment for cluster headaches (1:0911) Psychedelic tryptamines for clusters: dosage, efficacy, and protocol (1:16:24) Why psychedelic tryptamines help cluster headaches (1:19:10) LSA vs LSD vs Psilocybin for treatment efficacy (1:23:10) Growing your own psychedelic medicine is revolutionary (1:28:57) Advocation and education on psychedelic tryptamines for cluster survivors (1:32:39) Novel psychedelics tryptamines for cluster headaches (1:35:54) Conflicts between the DEA and research into new psychedelic treatments (1:42:36) Clusterbusters: who they are, what they do, and how you can connect with them (1:45:22) Outro ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – The True Light Of Darkness — /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/26468871

A Jungian Approach To Psychosis, Spiritual Crisis, and Healing Our Deepest Wounds | Dr Tim Read 02/24/2023

A Jungian Approach To Psychosis, Spiritual Crisis, and Healing Our Deepest Wounds | Dr Tim Read Dr. Tim Read is a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author based in London. He joins us on the show to discuss the deep unconscious, complexes, being triggered, and why we need a new way to treat mental illness. We talk about the difference between spiritual crisis and psychosis; how modern psychiatry is broken; and why psychiatrists should undergo psychedelic therapy. Additionally, we explore the difference between being in process and processing; how our triggers are an opportunity to step into our healing journey; the role of relationships in our healing; how to help shift culture and community to better support people in crisis; how to support people in psychotic delusion (without colluding in their delusions); and the point at which we should involve psychiatric intervention. Enjoy ... For links to Jordan's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Nanci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:51) Overture (5:31) Patron Thanks (6:46) Interview begins (8:28) The deep unconscious, COEX/complexes, and being triggered (12:45) Why we need a new way to treat mental illness (14:03) A bit more into COEX systems and processing being triggered (21:16) Being triggered distorts our perception of reality (22:40) Being triggered offers us an opportunity to heal (in process vs processing) (24:48) Getting stuck in a trigger (30:33) Triggers are an opportunity to step into our healing journey (33:30) How to process being triggered (36:30) The role of relationships in our healing process (40:40) How do we help shift culture and community to better support people in crisis (43:12) Why psychiatrists should undergo psychedelic therapy (44:35) Modern psychiatry is broken (48:10) A definition of Spiritual Emergency, Spiritual Crisis (51:34) The difference between spiritual crisis and psychosis (56:34) Mental illness is not biologically rooted (bipolar, psychosis, and schizophrenia) (1:00:07) Exploring the root of mental illness from a Jungian perspective (1:13:55) The deepest personal touches the transpersonal (1:15:36) The challenge of touching the transpersonal (1:17:40) The point at which we should involve psychiatric intervention (1:21:07) Psychiatric medication can be necessary at times | don’t let ideology get in the way of common sense (1:26:04) How to support people in psychotic delusion (without colluding in their delusions) (1:29:59) It’s all about love | Love is the key ingredient (1:32:07) Follow-up links (1:34:00) Outro ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – The True Light Of Darkness — /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/25941072

Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings: Qualities, Causes, and Consequences | Jessica Corneille ~ ATTMind 171 02/10/2023

Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings: Qualities, Causes, and Consequences | Jessica Corneille ~ ATTMind 171 Jessica Corneille, MSc is a Research Psychologist specializing in spontaneous spiritual awakening experiences. On this episode of the podcast we start by presenting a definition of a spontaneous spiritual awakening experience before going on to explore the after-effects of these experiences; how they seem to affect both atheists and strongly religious people; common preceding factors; the neurobiological and psychological factors correlated with spontaneous awakening experiences; as well as negative spiritual experiences, e.g spiritual crisis or spiritual emergencies. We also deconstruct the exclusive pathologizing of psychosis, bipolar, and schizophrenia and the delegitimization of the mystical states of other cultures as a kind of racism. And we end with a discussion on integrating spontaneous awakening experiences and how to support people in their integration of spontaneous mystical experiences. ... For links to Corneille's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Nanci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:13) Overture (8:02) Patreon Thanks (9:54) Interview begins (11:06) A definition of a spontaneous spiritual awakening (12:36) The qualities of a spontaneous spiritual awakening (18:52) Changes in visual and auditory perceptions during/after (21:00) Entity/demon encounters (24:20) Common preceding factors (28:07) The after-effects of spontaneous mystical experiences (30:01) How these experiences seem to affect both atheists and strongly religious people (35:07) Negative mystical experiences, spiritual crisis (41:38) The neurobiological and psychological factors correlated with spontaneous awakening experiences (43:52) Temporal lobe epilepsy and mystical experiences (47:29) Deconstructing the exclusive pathologizing of psychosis, bipolar, and schizophrenia (1:01:14) The delegitimization of the mystical states of other cultures as a kind of racism (1:13:48) Integrating spontaneous spiritual awakening experiences (1:25:06) How to support people in their integration of spontaneous awakening experiences (1:28:41) Links for supportive info for people integrating spontaneous awakening experiences (1:30:33) How to assess when it makes sense to consult a mental health professional (1:33:44) What’s next for Cornnn….. and socials (1:37:54) Outro ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – The True Light Of Darkness — /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/25885266

The Future of Visionary Art in an Era of Ai | Psychedelic Café 11 01/27/2023

The Future of Visionary Art in an Era of Ai | Psychedelic Café 11 Today we feature another addition to our Psychedelic Café series. This time exploring what art means and what the meaning of art might become in a growing era of ai generated art-like images flooding the mindspace of humanity through consumptive digital media channels. The cafe is a curated collection of participants who, through a structure series of rounds, explore together a single question. The question we are exploring is: What does the meaning of art look like in an era of increasingly-accessible AI art generators with increasingly powerful capacities for fidelity and complexity? And our guests are Autumn Skye, Simon Haiduk, Evan Bartholomew (aka Bluetech), Martina Hoffman, Chor Boogie, Dan De Santos, and Michael Phillip. ... For links to our guests' work, full bios and show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Michelle M, Joe A, Naci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (2:18) Overture (7:36) Patreon thanks (8:33) Participant Introductions (15:49) Introducing the question: (17:27) Ai art is inevitable (19:32) Ai as a bypass of the raw creative process (23:52) Ai art prompting as a kind of compulsion/binge (27:22) Ai isn’t art but something entirely new; the birth of a new god (29:32) The legal and ethical questions around ai use of artists’ work without consent (34:14) Ai meets our cultural compulsion to consume, rather than truly create (35:55) A spiritual way to work with Ai art as ceremony; image generation vs making art (40:39) A flood of ai art generators culturally downgrading the monetary value of actual art (43:00) The spiritual harm of ai art generation (46:04) If artists feel threatened by Ai, then they need to step up their game (51:33) Resisting the pull towards living a solely digital life by doubling down on the physical act of creation (1:01:34) Ai art generators as a new archetypal container for reality (1:02:50) How ai art generators work; the latent space (1:06:43) If art alters consciousness, what quality of consciousness is ai art cultivating in us? (1:11:55) “The ai does not copy anything from the image” (1:16:39) Losing our connection to nature and our humanity in favour of a transhumanist fallacy (1:21:49) A heated exchange on being “transparent” about artists using digital tools (1:31:15) Trending novel technologies as a platform for massive shadow projection (1:32:51) The danger of human creativity being atrophied due to the ease of access of digital content (1:36:26) The dishonesty of not claiming when art is made through digital means (1:40:59) Ai art generators as a means to satisfy our need to create, without having to leave the easy consumption of digital content (1:45:11) We need human creativity, even for ai art to be worthwhile (1:46:21) Artistic editing vs artistic creation (1:49:13) The dilution of the power of art by a deluge of ai content (1:52:53) Closing thoughts on this conversation (1:54:25) Ai art generators as an avenue for non-creative people to explore the creation of beautiful images (1:58:33) Learning faith through the process of artistic creation (and the journey of life) (2:02:59) Do we choose to surrender our souls to the matrix of digital novelty or stay in the light of a higher principle? (2:05:05) An expression of hope for us to remember our humanity in the face of ongoing technological novelty (2:10:26) Wondering about intentions, psychedelics, and resisting the pull to getting locked into an ai reality (2:13:42) The potential for ai is so incredible, but generating art seems like a dangerous waste of that potential (2:15:28) The debate around art generators reveals the meta-crisis we are all in. (2:18:30) Closing ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – The True Light Of Darkness — /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/25725564

The Business and Practice of Psilocybin Therapy in Jamaica | Justin Townsend ~ ATTMind 170 01/13/2023

The Business and Practice of Psilocybin Therapy in Jamaica | Justin Townsend ~ ATTMind 170 Justin Townsend is the CEO and Head Facilitator at the psilocybin therapy retreat centre MycoMeditations. He is on the show for this episode to explore two topic themes: The business side of running a successful psilocybin retreat centre in the economic context of the modern corporate world without losing your ethics in the process The therapeutic framework and philosophy that MycoMeditations holds for their retreats and their guests. Some of the things we cover on the first side of the conversation: Justin’s journey from the corporate world to running an psychedelic psilocybin therapy retreat centre; psychopathology and integrity in the corporate world, and how good people end up doing bad things; the nuances around running a financially successful psychedelic retreat centre without ethical sacrifices; what it means to be building what they call “gold-standard for group-facilitated psilocybin therapeutics in natural settings”; data propriety; and supporting peer-reviewed research. In the other half of the conversation we explore: why MycoMeditations holds an entity “non-shamanic” framework for their psilocybin work; how to support someone who has a beyond Western framework experience from a non-shamanic framework; helping to prevent post-psychedelic hypomania from evolving into psychosis; differentiating between psychosis and a “normal psychotomimetic response”; non-pharmacological interventions for psychosis and psychotomimetic responses; as well as The Golden Shadow and the dangers of golden-shadow projection in both psychedelic therapy and spiritual communities. Enjoy. ... For links to Justin's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Michelle M, Joe A, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:12) Overture and guest bio (5:18) Patron thanks (6:05) An important statement about endorsements (7:41) Interview begins (7:47) Justin’s journey from the corporate world to running an psychedelic psilocybin retreat centre (12:52) Exploring the toxic psychology/behaviours of the corporate world (20:26) Psychopathology in the corporate world, and how good people end doing bad things—multipolar traps (26:03) Merging his corporate experience and psychedelic work to build a high-quality company in the psychedelic retreat field (29:27) The importance of protecting a business ethos from financial takeover (32:39) Exploring nuances around running a financially successful psychedelic retreat centre without ethical sacrifices (39:06) MycoMediation’s mission to build the “gold-standard for group-facilitated psilocybin therapeutics in natural settings” — and how and why they are doing it (44:08) Why MycoMeditation will keep their “gold-standard” data proprietary, for now (54:46) Where/how MycoMediation is helping support peer-reviewed science. (57:21) Building a fully non-shamanic framework for psilocybin retreats, and why it matters for Western people. (1:04:41) How to support someone who has a beyond Western framework experience from a non-shamanic framework (1:17:16) Helping to prevent post-psychedelic hypomania from evolving into psychosis (1:21:09) Differentiating between psychosis and a “normal psychomemetic response” (1:31:16) Discussing non-pharmacological interventions for psychosis and psychomimetic response (1:39:04) The Golden Shadow and the dangers of golden-shadow projection in psychedelic therapy (1:45:51) A “tough pill to swallow” with respect to the issues of indigenous reciprocity and biopiracy as a psychedelic company (1:60:52) How MycoMeditations is helping to give back to the people of Jamaica (1:58:12) Pushing back on Townsend’s “tough pill to swallow” (2:01:50) Townsend’s concerns around what is happening with psilocybin in Oregon (2:06:58) Closing the interview, follow up links and socials (2:08:30) Outro ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: Paypal Donation: Merchandise: More Options: Newsletter: Telgram Channel: OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – The True Light Of Darkness — /episode/index/show/jameswjesso/id/25590144