How could you safely use psychedelics to break out of patterns that keep you stuck?

With the help of my friend Dr. Rick Barnett, we discuss the benefits and stigma that surrounds the use of psychedelic therapy to overcome depression, disordered eating and various addictions.

We also cover the potentially powerful role psychedelics can play as effective pattern interrupters of human behavior and what treatments are currently legal in the United States.

Rick is a licensed clinical psychologist and drug and alcohol counselor practicing in Vermont. In long-term recovery himself, he is also a pioneer in the medical use of psychedelics, co-founding the Psychedelic Society of Vermont in 2021.

From Tommy Rosen's concept of the "frequency of addiction" to powerful insights from Eckhart Tolle, Judson Brewer and Alcoholics Anonymous co-Founder Bill W, this podcast covers a lot of territory that will be useful to anyone interested in overcoming obstacles and personal transformation.

So let's get into it!

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SHOW NOTES

01:30 Introduction

02:22 Rick's origin story

03:35 Early experiences with LSD - "Seeing the world through different eyes"

04:40 Sober at age 20

05:10 Credits sobriety and career to psychedelic use

06:30 Co-Founder of Alcoholics Anonymous Bill W's "white light" moment

07:30 Bill W's later experimentation with LSD

09:30 Spiritual experience of psychedelics can complement 12-Step work

11:00 Tommy Rosen's concept of "the frequency of addiction"

11:45 Compulsive thinking as a disease of addiction

12:15 Underlying principles of the 12 Steps

14:30 Judson Brewer's writings on addiction

16:00 "The Pollan Effect" - How to Change Your Mind published in 2018

17:00 True meaning of "Drop the Weight" podcast relates to "frequency of addiction"

18:00 Value of talk therapy

20:25 Psychedelics "by definition" change your consciousness

21:30 Impact of Michael Pollan's book

22:30 Destigmatizing psychedelics among healthcare practitioners

23:15 Ketamine as the only legal psychedelic treatment in the U.S.

25:00 Integrating psychedelics with other therapies

27:40 Instead of saying "I'm sorry," say "Thank you"

29:25 Who should avoid psychedelic therapy?

30:55 People with a history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder should use caution

33:30 September 2023 Equinox psychedelic event

35:00 New research about 5-Meo-DMT therapy in Mexico

36:50 Psychedelics as pattern interrupters with "transdiagnostic" applications

37:00 Treating depression, anxiety, addiction and overeating as well

40:05 Legal and non-legal pathways for psychedelic therapy

41:00 Ketamine, Ayahuasca, Ibogaine

44:20 Ongoing stigma surrounding psychedelic therapy as "recreational"

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You can learn more about Dr. Rick Barnett, his practice and the Psychedelic Society of Vermont here:

Rick's Website: https://drrickbarnett.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/drrickbarnett

Psychedelic Society of Vermont Website: https://vermontpsychedelic.org/