Jon S. - NYU’s Double-Blind Trial of Psilocybin-Assisted Treatment of Alcohol Dependence

In this episode, Joe interviews Jon S. on his experience in the psilocybin-assisted trials for alcohol dependency at NYU. In the show, they dive into Jon’s background and how psilocybin assisted therapy helped him out of his alcohol dependence and into a new life. 3 Key Points: Jon participated in the NYU Double-Blind Trial of Psilocybin-Assisted Treatment of Alcohol Dependence. The study was double-blind. In each session, he didn't know if he was going to receive psilocybin or Benadryl.  The sessions helped him so much with this dependence on alcohol, he believes he is a better father, husband, and human overall. He hasn't had a drink in 5 months (or a desire to).  Support the show Patreon Leave us a review on iTunes Share us with your friends – favorite podcast, etc Join our Facebook group - Psychedelics Today group – Find the others and create community. Navigating Psychedelics Show Notes About Jon He is based in New York Jon is the father of 2 kids He spent a lot of his life DJing, so he has spent a lot of time around alcohol He found out about a psychedelic therapy study at NYU from someone at a Holotropic Breathwork Retreat The study took place in New York City He had always wanted to explore the psychedelic side of things He read Michael Pollan’s book and it said in the book that the Holotropic Breathwork community would be a great group to help find a guide The Trial In his assessment, he found out truly how much he was drinking He would crack a beer before even playing with his kids He was into craft beer and at 8% a beer, his 3 beers were more like 5 He was asked to not have his sessions recorded so he could be as open as he could be The session was very focused on curbing drinking His wife knew he was going down the path of psychedelic healing “I'm not doing this to have a good time, I'm doing this to be a better person” - Jon His trial was double-blind He was never told when he was receiving the psilocybin at each session He was told that he was either going to get 1 or 3 doses in the trial The First Session The first session with the eye shades on (on psilocybin), was very visual In that first session he kept seeing this pirate ship underwater His sons would say “come on daddy, lets play on the pirate ship” He would go to the pirate ship with his sons and then say “I need to go back down and do some work”, and he would swim back into the depths He came home that day, and his youngest son greeted him at the door, and said let's play power rangers, I'll be the red power ranger and you be the pirate It hit him in a float tank session, the message of that session was to play with his sons more He had a moment in his first session of rebirth Integration There is a 2 hour integration session the very next day He didn't think it was going to be as important as it turned out to be He had the choice to keep it at the same dose or up it He upped the dose to 40mg instead of 25mg He was told his second session wouldn't be anything like his first The medicine was so intense the second time, he couldn't even remember the music In his second session, he saw a body being chopped up (realizing it was his body) He realized that he was one with the universe, love is the only thing that matters He wanted to be a part of everything He was compensated about $100 per session "When the university gives you financial compensation, you buy everyone in the ice cream shop ice cream" - Jon Jon says he has a new baseline for anxiety He never thought he had anxiety, but after his sessions, he found that he is way less anxious than he was, even though he really wasn't He didn't have a desire to drink, he hasn't had a drink in 5 months He has never felt better or happier He's a much better dad, and husband Life After the Experience He is re-reading Aldous Huxley and is finding a whole new meaning to it all He is spending more time with his family and being present with the He spends a ton of time with his kids now Stuff that used to worry him, doesn't worry him anymore His experience was everything he hoped for and more He genuinely believes, that whatever he got out of a session, is what he needed Final Thoughts He is talking to the Decrim Nature in NY He appreciates the platform (Psychedelics Today) for the space to talk about his experience He appreciates everyone at NYU for the work they are doing  Use code PSYTODAY at Onnit for a discount on all products except fitness equipment Get a 30 day free audible trial at audibletrial.com/psychedelicstoday