Plus Three
Plus Three dives deep into the world of drugs, from local decriminalization and emerging psychedelic corporations to leftist politics and mass incarceration. Each week the team and guests attempt to make sense of the complex connections between drugs, science, capitalism, policy, and culture. The podcast is co-hosted by Psymposia co-founder Brian Normand, psychedelics research and bio-ethicist Nese Devenot, evolutionary ecologist Brian Pace, and underground researcher David Nickles.
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#58: MAPS Psychedelic Science Contract Muzzles Speakers
06/21/2023
#58: MAPS Psychedelic Science Contract Muzzles Speakers
On June 6, Psymposia on the presenter contract for MAPS' Psychedelic Science 2023. The contract includes clauses that limit when and where presenters can speak, and a "MAPS Reputation" clause that warns speakers to not "tarnish" the organization's "reputation and goodwill." After our reporting, MAPS announced that all presenters would be released from the radius clause of the contract. Concerns with the “MAPS reputation” clause were not acknowledged. We also discuss Russell Hausfeld's on Kentucky's recent decision to use opioid settlement money on ibogaine research. Read more: by Russell Hausfeld by Russell Hausfeld by Psychedelic Alpha by Psymposia Support the show: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter:
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#57: Greg Lake: The Church of Psilomethoxin interview
05/09/2023
#57: Greg Lake: The Church of Psilomethoxin interview
In this episode, Psymposia Senior Writer Russell Hausfeld interviews Church of Psilomethoxin co-founder Greg Lake. Hausfeld and Lake discuss recent chemical analysis of the Church’s sacrament which indicates that it is not the drug the Church has claimed. Footnotes: Fungi Fiction: Analytical Investigation into the Church Of Psilomethoxin's Alleged Novel Compound Using UPLC-HRMS by Samuel Williamson and Alexander Sherwood Psychedelic Capitalism, Scientific Integrity, and a Wider Look Into Current Events; Response to USONA Article by The Church of Psilomethoxin Church of Psilomethoxin, Part 1: Sacramental Skepticism. Is the Church in Denial? by David Nickles The Church of Psilomethoxin Part 2: Unraveling the Sacred Chemistry Support the show: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter:
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#56 - Travis Kitchens: The M-Scale and the Occult Roots of the JHU Psychedelic Research Program
01/19/2023
#56 - Travis Kitchens: The M-Scale and the Occult Roots of the JHU Psychedelic Research Program
In this episode, the Psymposia team speaks with writer Travis Kitchens about his recent piece "" Watch: Support the show: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter:
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#55 - Sasha Sisko: On the Ground at Wonderland Miami
11/24/2022
#55 - Sasha Sisko: On the Ground at Wonderland Miami
In this episode, Psymposia senior writer Russell Hausfeld interviews independent reporter Sasha Sisko about being kicked out of Wonderland Miami 2022. Sisko discusses their history with conference organizer Microdose Psychedelic Insights, appearing on stage at Wonderland Miami 2021, and being removed from Wonderland Miami 2022. Footnotes: Rick Perry Texts: https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/25/politics/rick-perry-mark-meadows-text Sasha Sisko’s thread about being removed from Wonderland 2022: Support the show: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter:
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#54 - #Wonderbanned
11/23/2022
#54 - #Wonderbanned
On November 3rd, the "Wonderland Miami" psychedelic conference banned the entire Psymposia team from the event. Compass Pathways consultant Hamilton Morris then took to the stage to distort and misrepresent our research. This podcast was edited for clarity from a YouTube livestream recorded on November 15, 2022. Watch it here: If you're not terminally online, here's a bit more context: , by James Kent Support the show: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter:
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#53 - We’re back! News Recap and Updates from the Team
11/02/2022
#53 - We’re back! News Recap and Updates from the Team
We’re back…mostly. In this episode we ramble about the Psychedemia conference, the serpent handler researcher who helped legitimize Johns Hopkins’ psychedelic research, Steve Jobs’ guru “Toxic Bob”, hot psilocybin patent garbage, Mind Medicine Australia’s utterly cringe appearance on ABC’s Four Corners documentary “Psyched Up”, popping psychedelic hype bubbles, and Dave’s new studio that’s covered in fractal horses. References Psychologist Ralph Hood’s study of serpent handling and mysticism helped legitimize the study of psychedelics. So why doesn’t he want them approved for medical use? Throughout his lifetime, Robert Friedland has evolved from Steve Jobs' psychedelic guru to mining guru, leaving a trail of environmental destruction in his wake. On Drugs Substack: How to invalidate a psychedelic patent in 30 minutes on a Sunday afternoon. On Drugs Substack: ABC Four Corners: In Australia and overseas there's a push to make psychedelic drugs part of mainstream medicine for the treatment of trauma and other mental health conditions. Results from clinical trials are promising for PTSD sufferers where conventional treatments have failed. Reporter Elise Worthington also investigates the dark side of this form of therapy where disturbing cases of abuse and malpractice are emerging in both clinical trials and the underground. There's now pressure in the industry to downplay the negative stories by those who stand to profit from the business of psychedelics. Support the show: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter:
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#52 - Right-Wing Psychedelia at University of Madison-Wisconsin
06/27/2022
#52 - Right-Wing Psychedelia at University of Madison-Wisconsin
This talk was presented live by Dr. Brian Pace and Dr. Neşe Devenot at the UW–Madison Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances. This talk was presented on April 28 as part of the "Psychedelic Humanities" speaker series, organized by Dr. Lucas Richert. Public discourse concerning psychedelics and the emerging industry in psychedelic-assisted therapy has extended beyond the potential benefits of novel treatments for specific mental health disorders to claims that widespread psychedelic use may tilt social relations towards more egalitarian norms. Researchers and media outlets have pointed to several recent studies which present data asserting that classical psychedelics can reduce authoritarianism, increase liberal views, and deepen nature-relatedness. Taken together, these studies are cited to promote a vision of drug-assisted social progress. Yet counter examples abound of psychedelic-experienced individuals expressing views explicitly opposed to egalitarianism and liberal politics. Moreover, acceptance of psychedelics by institutions and aspirational business and celebrity figures has only increased right-wing psychedelic interest in recent years. This presentation highlights the numerous contemporary and historical cases where the use of psychedelics failed to reduce authoritarian tendencies in users, or even facilitated adoption of authoritarian views. We demonstrate that psychedelics can catalyze change in political or religious belief, but not in a consistent direction. Instead, we propose that many transformative experiences—including those induced by psychedelics—can challenge and radically shift a person’s worldview, and that extra-pharmacological factors influence the character of change in ideology or political belief. Watch: Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter:
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#51 - Part Three: Jordan Peterson's Psychedelic Hierarchy, ft. Thought Slime
06/02/2022
#51 - Part Three: Jordan Peterson's Psychedelic Hierarchy, ft. Thought Slime
In part two of this deep dive, Psymposia and Thought Slime analyze Jordan Peterson's fascination with psychedelics as an example of the reactionary, right-wing ideologies that have been developing within psychedelia in recent decades. Reacting to a 2021 podcast of Peterson's, we discuss the significance of Peterson's popularity among some prominent psychedelic researchers. As figures like Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro continue to advocate for harmful "conversion therapies" for minority sexual orientations and gender identities, we discuss the dangers of reactionary interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies, given that psychedelics are already associated with increased suggestibility and shifts in identity. Considering the fact that many scientists and CEOs in the psychedelic renaissance are lobbying right-wing donors and politicians, we highlight the risks inherent to reactionary forces developing frameworks for accessing psychedelics. Watch: Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter:
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#50 - Part Two: Jordan Peterson's Psychedelic Hierarchy, ft. Thought Slime
05/26/2022
#50 - Part Two: Jordan Peterson's Psychedelic Hierarchy, ft. Thought Slime
In part two of this deep dive, Psymposia and Thought Slime analyze Jordan Peterson's fascination with psychedelics as an example of the reactionary, right-wing ideologies that have been developing within psychedelia in recent decades. Reacting to a 2021 podcast of Peterson's, we discuss the significance of Peterson's popularity among some prominent psychedelic researchers. As figures like Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro continue to advocate for harmful "conversion therapies" for minority sexual orientations and gender identities, we discuss the dangers of reactionary interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies, given that psychedelics are already associated with increased suggestibility and shifts in identity. Considering the fact that many scientists and CEOs in the psychedelic renaissance are lobbying right-wing donors and politicians, we highlight the risks inherent to reactionary forces developing frameworks for accessing psychedelics. Watch: Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter:
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#49 - Part One: Jordan Peterson's Psychedelic Hierarchy, ft. Thought Slime
05/19/2022
#49 - Part One: Jordan Peterson's Psychedelic Hierarchy, ft. Thought Slime
In part one of this deep dive, Psymposia and Thought Slime analyze Jordan Peterson's fascination with psychedelics as an example of the reactionary, right-wing ideologies that have been developing within psychedelia in recent decades. Reacting to a 2021 podcast of Peterson's, we discuss the significance of Peterson's popularity among some prominent psychedelic researchers. As figures like Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro continue to advocate for harmful "conversion therapies" for minority sexual orientations and gender identities, we discuss the dangers of reactionary interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies, given that psychedelics are already associated with increased suggestibility and shifts in identity. Considering the fact that many scientists and CEOs in the psychedelic renaissance are lobbying right-wing donors and politicians, we highlight the risks inherent to reactionary forces developing frameworks for accessing psychedelics. Watch: Read: He revolutionized the way we view MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. But what does the research actually show? Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter:
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Power Tripping #9: The Complainers Group
04/04/2022
Power Tripping #9: The Complainers Group
Both underground and above-ground therapists and practitioners present their psychedelic services in service to "healing." Why, then, is it so hard to get them to acknowledge the harms taking place in their communities? Why do institutions seem more concerned with preserving their reputations than addressing the numerous harmful dynamics that have persisted for years? If the psychedelic movement intends to heal trauma, it must begin at home. This episode is Psymposia's reaction to Cover Story is an investigative podcast from New York Magazine. The first season, Power Trip, uncovers the secrets and exposes the darkest corners of the psychedelic renaissance through a twisted, deeply personal tale at the intersection of mind, body, and control. Power Trip is a co-production of New York Magazine and Psymposia. Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter:
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Power Tripping #8: Who Am I Fooling?
03/20/2022
Power Tripping #8: Who Am I Fooling?
When it comes to psychedelics, there's a lot we don't know. The same is true of the practitioners, institutions, and communities that have sprung up around psychedelic therapy and guiding. We explore the intersecting professional and social relationships of a few different guides and institutions. We also discuss Michael Pollan's impact on the current psychedelic landscape. This episode is Psymposia's reaction to Watch: https://youtu.be/3HDoveb1jls Cover Story is a new investigative podcast from New York Magazine. The first season, Power Trip, uncovers the secrets and exposes the darkest corners of the psychedelic renaissance through a twisted, deeply personal tale at the intersection of mind, body, and control. Power Trip is a co-production of New York Magazine and Psymposia. Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter: Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters: Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Myster Psoul, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochella Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis, Kanani Wolf
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Power Tripping #7: Political Science
03/13/2022
Power Tripping #7: Political Science
What's going on with the MAPS narratives? How is it possible that Mel, Leah, and Meaghan's experiences have been so at odds with the "standard story" we've heard about psychedelic clinical trials? Why can't we seem to get straight answers to simple questions? The Psymposia team drills down into the questions raised by the revelations in "Political Science" in an attempt to highlight some of the dynamics at the heart of psychedelic science. This episode is Psymposia's reaction to Watch: https://youtu.be/3HDoveb1jls Cover Story is a new investigative podcast from New York Magazine. The first season, Power Trip, uncovers the secrets and exposes the darkest corners of the psychedelic renaissance through a twisted, deeply personal tale at the intersection of mind, body, and control. Power Trip is a co-production of New York Magazine and Psymposia. Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter: Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters: Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Myster Psoul, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochella Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis, Kanani Wolf
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Power Tripping #6: Open Heart Surgery
03/06/2022
Power Tripping #6: Open Heart Surgery
The Psymposia team discusses the reticence of psychedelic advocates to consider cases of unequivocal abuse and neglect of participants in MAPS clinical trials. We provide background on the gap between the public image of MAPS and the experiences shared by Meaghan, Mel, and Leah in New York Magazine's Cover Story Season 1, Power Trip. Watch: https://youtu.be/EQRttVF7Dy8 Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter: Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters: Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Myster Psoul, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochella Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis
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#48 - Drugs and Anti-Capitalism with Hilary Agro
02/07/2022
#48 - Drugs and Anti-Capitalism with Hilary Agro
We talk drugs and anti-capitalism with anthropology PhD candidate, . Ranging from prohibition to psychedelic clinical trials and beyond, we explore the overlaps and differences in our analyses of the current psychedelic (and broader drug policy) landscape. Watch: https://youtu.be/s6Puq_8lBnM Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters: Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, Myster Psoul, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochelle Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis, Alexandra Adams, Daniel S, Joss Edwards
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#47 - Part Two: Right-Wing Psychedelia
01/18/2022
#47 - Part Two: Right-Wing Psychedelia
We continue our discussion about Brian Pace and Neşe Devenot's recently published paper: "" Abstract: Recent media advocacy for the nascent psychedelic medicine industry has emphasized the potential for psychedelics to improve society, pointing to research studies that have linked psychedelics to increased environmental concern and liberal politics. However, research supporting the hypothesis that psychedelics induce a shift in political beliefs must address the many historical and contemporary cases of psychedelic users who remained authoritarian in their views after taking psychedelics or became radicalized after extensive experience with them. We propose that the common anecdotal accounts of psychedelics precipitating radical shifts in political or religious beliefs result from the contextual factors of set and setting, and have no particular directional basis on the axes of conservatism-liberalism or authoritarianism-egalitarianism. Instead, we argue that any experience which challenges a person's fundamental worldview—including a psychedelic experience—can precipitate shifts in any direction of political belief. We suggest that the historical record supports the concept of psychedelics as “politically pluripotent,” non-specific amplifiers of the political set and setting. Contrary to recent assertions, we show that conservative, hierarchy-based ideologies are able to assimilate psychedelic experiences of interconnection, as expressed by thought leaders like Jordan Peterson, corporadelic actors, and members of several neo-Nazi organizations. Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters: Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, Myster Psoul, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochelle Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis, Alexandra Adams, Daniel S
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#46 - Part One: Right-Wing Psychedelia
01/10/2022
#46 - Part One: Right-Wing Psychedelia
We discuss Brian Pace and Neşe Devenot's recently published paper: "Right-Wing Psychedelia: Case Studies in Cultural Plasticity and Political Pluripotency" Abstract: Recent media advocacy for the nascent psychedelic medicine industry has emphasized the potential for psychedelics to improve society, pointing to research studies that have linked psychedelics to increased environmental concern and liberal politics. However, research supporting the hypothesis that psychedelics induce a shift in political beliefs must address the many historical and contemporary cases of psychedelic users who remained authoritarian in their views after taking psychedelics or became radicalized after extensive experience with them. We propose that the common anecdotal accounts of psychedelics precipitating radical shifts in political or religious beliefs result from the contextual factors of set and setting, and have no particular directional basis on the axes of conservatism-liberalism or authoritarianism-egalitarianism. Instead, we argue that any experience which challenges a person's fundamental worldview—including a psychedelic experience—can precipitate shifts in any direction of political belief. We suggest that the historical record supports the concept of psychedelics as “politically pluripotent,” non-specific amplifiers of the political set and setting. Contrary to recent assertions, we show that conservative, hierarchy-based ideologies are able to assimilate psychedelic experiences of interconnection, as expressed by thought leaders like Jordan Peterson, corporadelic actors, and members of several neo-Nazi organizations. Read it here: Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters: Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Myster Psoul, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, Myster Psoul, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochella Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis, Alexandra Adams
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Power Tripping #5: House Full of Sh*t
01/02/2022
Power Tripping #5: House Full of Sh*t
What the hell is going on in this house full of shit? And where do we go from here? We don’t have answers, but we have ideas and plenty of questions to unfold. Power Trip 5 was a montage of stories that illustrate a bigger picture. This episode of Power Tripping offers a complementary platter of ideas. From the structural features of the psychedelic therapy marketplace, to the cognitive biases that encourage conformity and groupthink, we explore how the status quo of psychedelic therapy encourages bad behavior and complicity. What if shit’s not a bug, but a feature? Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter: Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters: Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Myster Psoul, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochella Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis
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What's a year of Psymposia worth to you?
12/29/2021
What's a year of Psymposia worth to you?
Dear Plus Three listeners, Thanks so much for your continued support throughout the year. We couldn't do it without y'all. Psymposia is a small 501(c)(3) non-profit entirely funded by people who believe in our work. We're a volunteer organization and 100% of the funds we raise go into operating costs, which add up quickly. Please consider supporting us monthly on or making a . All donations made by December 31st at midnight are tax-deductible. Thanks for your support! (Read Psymposia's full 2021 Year in Review with selected stories ) 2021 was a watershed year for psychedelics, marked by both mainstream excitement about their potential benefits alongside warning signs about the risks of harm—to both individuals and society—caused by the people who wield them. What a wild ride it’s been. Local organizers have continued to decriminalize psychedelics throughout the United States, new research centers have been announced almost monthly, and long-overdue conversations about ethics are gaining prominence. Despite these positive developments, there is cause for alarm. From a self-described “shaman” to revelations about , 2021 witnessed multiple bellwether events for psychedelic authoritarianism, which highlight the need for ongoing ideological harm reduction to protect against abuses of power. At the same time, special interests and corporations backed by right-wing funders are trying to grab the reins and control the psychedelic narrative. We’re determined to even the playing field. Through it all, Psymposia has provided unmatched reporting and analysis to challenge the polished pitches and that have been disseminated by psychedelic pharma and the mainstream medicalization movements. Our mission is not to simply deconstruct the logic of prohibition, but to democratize access to the information we need to build a post-prohibition world that works for all of us. While psychedelic decriminalization is a positive first step, Psymposia continues to advocate for complete drug decriminalization. Psymposia exists as a result of the relentless work that our volunteer staff pours into our projects—projects that have garnered national and international attention for our groundbreaking and . Now, more than ever, we believe in the necessity of our work, which is unfettered by the , , and that have become commonplace in the field. Psymposia is a 100% independent non-profit media and research organization that is dedicated to challenging the narratives of the powerful and of the power-seeking on behalf of the public. Through articles, podcasts, videos, and peer-reviewed research published in top academic journals, our team continues to impact the conversation about psychedelics and drug policy—despite repeated industry efforts to silence us and marginalize our work. But in order to do our work as a watchdog, Unlike other media outlets covering psychedelics and drug policy, we refuse to compromise our mission or create conflicts of interest by accepting funding from the corporations we are tasked with covering. While other psychedelics organizations have blacklisted us and , we are unapologetic about our work and stand by our mission. We are sustained by people and communities who believe in the work we do. You can support us or make a (and, until Friday at midnight, donations are still tax-deductible for 2021). If you’re unable to donate, you can support us in other ways, like sharing an article with a friend, leaving our podcasts a rating and review, or simply sending us a message. We appreciate the non-monetary support and solidarity we've received this year. It means a lot to us. Thank you for your continued support. In solidarity, The Psymposia team Subscribe to the Psymposia email list .
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Power Tripping #4: Bad Hug
12/26/2021
Power Tripping #4: Bad Hug
Many people are familiar with MK-ULTRA, the CIA's illegal human experimentation program, which involved psychedelics and resulted in torture techniques that have since been used at CIA black sites around the world. What if someone tried to tell you these techniques were, in fact, a novel therapy that could revolutionize mental healthcare and transform dissidents into better citizens? In this episode, we discuss Dr. Salvador Roquet, a man who tortured people for the Mexican state and also parlayed those techniques to become an influential pioneer of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. What does it mean that Roquet's trainings and ideologies have influenced an untold number of present-day psychedelic practitioners? Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: Additional reading: by Walter Houston Clark by David Pavón-Cuéllar by Ben Feinberg by Eve Rickert by David Bronner by David Bronner Additional Podcasts / Videos Jim Lehrman Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter: Thank you to our podcast and video tier Patreon supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach, Will Petersen, Jason Seidel, Gurpreet Saini
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Power Tripping #3: I Am the Wolf
12/19/2021
Power Tripping #3: I Am the Wolf
Michael Pollan, Tim Ferriss, Gabor Maté, and a number of other "thought leaders" have offered glowing endorsements of Françoise Bourzat and her approach to training psychedelic guides. However, amidst the wave of allegations and revelations about Bourzat, her husband Aharon Grossbard, and their training program, many of these individuals have refrained from weighing in on these events, or even retracting their endorsements. In light of "Susan's" experiences, detailed in episode three of , what does it mean to have such visible figures endorsing such questionable methodologies? The Psymposia team, discusses how the "Psychedelic Community" responded to T's abuse of Lily in the Ecuadorian Amazon and her attempts to call attention to the wider issues around her experience. We recall our own experiences of Lily's efforts dating back to 2012, and consider a number of individuals and institutions we've experienced as insulating harmful people in psychedelic communities. It takes a village to enable and cover up ongoing harm; how many people in psychedelic communities are complicit? For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: Psychedemia 2022 Conference: Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter: Thank you to our podcast and video tier Patreon supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach, Will Petersen, Jason Seidel, Gurpreet Saini
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Power Tripping #2: That's an Old Story
12/12/2021
Power Tripping #2: That's an Old Story
Power Tripping is Psymposia's weekly deep-dive into New York Magazine's Cover Story: podcast, co-produced with Psymposia. The Psymposia team, discusses how the "Psychedelic Community" responded to T's abuse of Lily in the Ecuadorian Amazon and her attempts to call attention to the wider issues around her experience. We recall our own experiences of Lily's efforts dating back to 2012, and consider a number of individuals and institutions we've experienced as insulating harmful people in psychedelic communities. It takes a village to enable and cover up ongoing harm; how many people in psychedelic communities are complicit? For full episodes, transcripts, , and more, visit: Psychedemia 2022 Conference: Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter: Thank you to our podcast and video tier Patreon supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach, Will Petersen, Jason Seidel
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Power Tripping #1: I See a Sh*tshow
12/05/2021
Power Tripping #1: I See a Sh*tshow
Power Tripping is Psymposia's weekly deep-dive into New York Magazine's Cover Story: Power Trip podcast, co-produced with Psymposia. This week, Lily Kay Ross introduces the Psymposia team, all of whom have been working on a variety of projects in addition to supporting the research and release of Power Trip. The team tries to avoid spoilers and give a brief sense of who we are, what we do. For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: Support: ☼Patreon: ☼Donate: References/links: Coming Out Of The Psychedelic Closet: Right-Wing Psychedelia: Case Studies in Cultural Plasticity and Political Pluripotency: Psychedemia 2022 Conference: The Psychedelic Diversity Conversation: From Mining to Mushrooms: COMPASS Pathways: Corporadelic writing: Follow: ☼Twitter: ☼Instagram: ☼Facebook: ☼Twitch: ☼Website: ☼Podcast: ☼Newsletter: Thank you to our podcast and video tier Patreon supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.
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#45 - Part Two: Digital Capitalism on Psychedelics with Emma Stamm
09/08/2021
#45 - Part Two: Digital Capitalism on Psychedelics with Emma Stamm
In part two of our conversation with Villanova visiting professor of philosophy Emma Stamm, we discuss the "psychedelic industry's" increasing fixation on digital capitalism. Looking at apps like MyDelica and hardware like Kernel's brain-scanning helmet, we discuss how the social implications of this technology extend well beyond psychedelia. Co-hosts: Neşe Devenot, Brian Normand, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne Support: If you like the show please or make a . **Thank you to our $10+ Patreon podcast and video supporters: Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Annick McIntosh, Dustin T, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, John Bannon, Miller, Hooks, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach, Zeph Tam
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#44 - Part One: Talking Acid Communism with Emma Stamm
08/12/2021
#44 - Part One: Talking Acid Communism with Emma Stamm
In part one of our conversation with Villanova visiting professor of philosophy Emma Stamm, we discuss Mark Fisher’s , leftist thought in psychedelia, Jacques Derrida’s hauntology, and Byung-Chul Han’s : Neoliberalism and New Technologies of Power. Co-hosts: Neşe Devenot, Brian Normand, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne Watch: Support: If you like the show please or make a . **Thank you to our $10+ Patreon podcast and video supporters: Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Annick McIntosh, Dustin T, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, John Bannon, Miller, Hooks, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach, Zeph Tam
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#43 - Part Two: Dave Rubin Courts Right-Wing Psychedelic Billionaire Christian Angermayer
08/05/2021
#43 - Part Two: Dave Rubin Courts Right-Wing Psychedelic Billionaire Christian Angermayer
In Part Two, the crew continues their break down of Atai Life Sciences' founder and COMPASS Pathways investor Christian Angermayer's on right-wing YouTuber Dave Rubin's "The Rubin Report." Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace, Russell Hausfeld, Sarvesh Ramprakash. Editor: Matt Payne Watch: Support: If you like the show please or make a . **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.
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#42 - Part One: Dave Rubin Courts Right-Wing Psychedelic Billionaire Christian Angermayer
07/29/2021
#42 - Part One: Dave Rubin Courts Right-Wing Psychedelic Billionaire Christian Angermayer
In Part One, the crew breaks down Atai Life Sciences' founder and COMPASS Pathways investor Christian Angermayer's on right-wing YouTuber Dave Rubin's "The Rubin Report." Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace, Russell Hausfeld, Sarvesh Ramprakash. Editor: Matt Payne Watch: Support: If you like the show please or make a . **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.
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#41 - We (Still) Hope Michael Pollan Changes His Mind
07/22/2021
#41 - We (Still) Hope Michael Pollan Changes His Mind
The crew reviews Michael Pollan’s recent New York Times Op-Ed "” Co-hosts: Neşe Devenot, Brian Normand, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne Additional links: | New York Times | Plus Three podcast | The Guardian Support: If you like the show please or make a . **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.
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#40 - Part Two: Has Atai Taken the Psychedelic Throne from MAPS? (The Murderous Dictator Episode)
07/20/2021
#40 - Part Two: Has Atai Taken the Psychedelic Throne from MAPS? (The Murderous Dictator Episode)
In Part Two Normie, Dave, Russell, and Sarvesh continue their conversation about Atai Life Sciences and how the introduction of for-profit psychedelic pharmaceutical corporations have shifted capital away from non-profits. This episode gets extra wacky and dark as they dive into Atai Founder & Chairman Christian Angermayer's on Rwandan president Paul Kagame's Advisory Council. According to , , , , and other outlets, Kagame is a who has , , and numerous , , , and . Co-hosts: Brian Normand, David Nickles, Russell Hausfeld, Sarvesh Ramprakash. Editor: Matt Payne Additional links: by Christian Angermayer Support: If you like the show please or make a . **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.
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#39 - Part One: Has Atai Life Sciences Taken the Psychedelic Throne From MAPS?
07/15/2021
#39 - Part One: Has Atai Life Sciences Taken the Psychedelic Throne From MAPS?
Brian Normand, David Nickles, and Russell Hausfeld are joined by new team member, Sarvesh Ramprakash, to discuss Atai Life Sciences' recent IPO on Nasdaq. They also discuss and provide updates on Russell's previous 2020 exploring how the introduction of for-profit psychedelic pharmaceutical corporations has shifted capital away from non-profits. Watch: https://youtu.be/zijXN5GCgsk Co-hosts: Brian Normand, David Nickles, Russell Hausfeld, Sarvesh Ramprakash. Editor: Matt Payne Episode links: Support: If you like the show please or make a . **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.
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