On June 6, Psymposia reported 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 r...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 13 min
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 https://chemrxiv.org/engage/chemrxiv/article-details/64358de9736114c96352ed...
May 09, 2023•37 min
In this episode, the Psymposia team speaks with writer Travis Kitchens about his recent piece " A Channel for Magic: Ralph Hood’s Mysticism Scale and the Occult Roots of the Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Research Program " Watch: https://youtu.be/Ued8NNIraFs Support the show: ☼Patreon: http://patreon.com/psymposia ☼Donate: https://www.psymposia.com/donate/ Follow: ☼Twitter: https://twitter.com/psymposia ☼Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psymposia/ ☼Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psymposia ☼T...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 18 min
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 https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/04/mark-meadows-trump-chief-of-...
Nov 24, 2022•28 min
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: https://youtu.be/ckxKJQedx1c If you're not terminally online, here's a bit more context: Psymposia's Twitter rundown Dr. Brian Pace's Twitter rundown Wonderland Miami Expo...
Nov 23, 2022•2 hr 4 min
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 A Channel for Magic: Ralph Hood’s Mysticism Scale and the Occult Root...
Nov 02, 2022•49 min
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...
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr 46 min
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 ...
Jun 02, 2022•1 hr 4 min
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 ...
May 26, 2022•1 hr 11 min
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 ...
May 19, 2022•1 hr 1 min
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: P...
Apr 04, 2022•1 hr 14 min
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 Cover Story: Power Trip, Episode 8: Who Am I Fooling? Watch: https://youtu.be/3HDov...
Mar 20, 2022•1 hr 20 min
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 Cover Story: Pow...
Mar 13, 2022•1 hr 8 min
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: http://patreon.com/psymposia ☼Donate: https://www.psymposia.com/donate/ For full episodes, transcripts, suppo...
Mar 06, 2022•1 hr 1 min
We talk drugs and anti-capitalism with anthropology PhD candidate, Hilary Agro . 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: http://patreon.com/psymposia ☼Donate: https://www.psymposia.com/donate/ Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters: Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen...
Feb 07, 2022•1 hr 31 min
We continue our discussion about 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 psychedelic...
Jan 18, 2022•1 hr 16 min
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 poli...
Jan 10, 2022•46 min
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 encourag...
Jan 02, 2022•1 hr 34 min
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 Patreon or making a one-time donation . All donations made by December 31st at midnight are tax-deductible. Thanks for your support! (...
Dec 29, 2021•47 sec
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 parlaye...
Dec 26, 2021•1 hr 18 min
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 Power Tr...
Dec 19, 2021•58 min
Power Tripping is Psymposia's weekly deep-dive into New York Magazine's Cover Story: Power Trip 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 i...
Dec 12, 2021•1 hr 17 min
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: https://psymposia.com/powertrip Supp...
Dec 05, 2021•42 min
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 support us on Patreon or make a t...
Sep 08, 2021•1 hr 19 min
In part one of our conversation with Villanova visiting professor of philosophy Emma Stamm, we discuss Mark Fisher’s Acid Communism , leftist thought in psychedelia, Jacques Derrida’s hauntology, and Byung-Chul Han’s Psychopolitics : Neoliberalism and New Technologies of Power. Co-hosts: Neşe Devenot, Brian Normand, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne Watch: https://youtu.be/-68rSz1BePE Support: If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation . **Tha...
Aug 12, 2021•1 hr 28 min
In Part Two, the crew continues their break down of Atai Life Sciences' founder and COMPASS Pathways investor Christian Angermayer's recent appearance 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: https://youtu.be/Rts3vgy_zkU Support: If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation . **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and ...
Aug 05, 2021•1 hr 21 min
In Part One, the crew breaks down Atai Life Sciences' founder and COMPASS Pathways investor Christian Angermayer's recent appearance 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: https://youtu.be/Rts3vgy_zkU Support: If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation . **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: ...
Jul 29, 2021•1 hr 20 min
The crew reviews Michael Pollan’s recent New York Times Op-Ed " How Should We Do Drugs Now? ” Co-hosts: Neşe Devenot, Brian Normand, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne Additional links: Michael Pollan: Not So Fast on Psychedelic Mushrooms | New York Times #1 - We Hope Michael Pollan Changes His Mind | Plus Three podcast Michael Pollan worries we don't know enough to legalise psychedelic drugs | The Guardian Support: If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deduc...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr 29 min
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 role on Rwandan president Paul Kagame's Advisory Council. According to Human Rights Watch , journalist Michela Wrong , Archbishop Desmond Tutu , various governments , an...
Jul 20, 2021•1 hr 6 min
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 report 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 link...
Jul 15, 2021•1 hr 2 min
