High On Healthy

Samantha Harte, a physical therapist and author, discussed her journey to sobriety and the publication of her memoir, "Breaking the Circuit." She shared her experience of losing her sister to a drug overdose and how it inspired her to write a prescriptive book on resilience and emotional freedom.

Samantha emphasized the importance of integrating mind and body approaches in therapy, drawing from her 15 years of sobriety and the 12-step program. She also highlighted her upcoming webinar on maintaining physical and spiritual health during the holidays. Samantha's practice focuses on helping women overcome inner critics and trauma, leveraging her personal experiences to guide others.

Christian Rasmussen, owner of Minnesota Nice Ethnobotanicals, the largest Amanita muscaria retailer, wholesaler and importer, discussed the potential benefits and challenges of Amanita muscaria.

Christian highlighted its therapeutic and medicinal properties, particularly its effectiveness as a topical for nerve pain and its potential uses for mental issues such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and ADHD. Rasmussen also addressed challenges faced in the Amanita muscaria industry, including sales and distribution hurdles, difficulties in sourcing and testing, and concerns about product contamination.

He emphasized the need for further research and data to fully understand the compound's effects, and mentioned ongoing talks with universities to potentially conduct comprehensive studies.

Chris Terzakos shares his inspiring story of transitioning from the construction industry to wellness advocacy, motivated by personal losses and a quest for self-belonging. He highlights the significance of a positive mindset, self-care, and distancing oneself from negativity. Chris also provides insights into his methods for naturally boosting testosterone, including a diet focused on organic foods, vitamin D, and avoiding sugar. With his diverse background as an entrepreneur, investor, marketing agency co-owner, coach, and author of three books, Chris is a testament to the power of transformation and self-discovery.

Holly Teegarden, Owner of MoodRXtreats, The Moodment, Moodporium and Cannamood Apparel shares her transformative journey from marketing maven to cannabis connoisseur, driven by a passion for plant medicine and self-care. She curates cannabis-centric retreats that cater to women over 40, providing a supportive space to explore therapeutic applications, alleviate anxiety, and rediscover inner peace.

With a focus on chakra-based healing and personalized wellness experiences, these retreats offer a unique blend of education, relaxation, and community building. By incorporating cannabis into a holistic approach, Moodrx Treats empowers women to reclaim their well-being and cultivate a deeper connection with themselves and others.

Toni, a registered nurse and advocate for cannabis wellness, discussed her involvement in the industry. Running two businesses promoting holistic wellness and working on her first book, she aims to eliminate the stigma around cannabis use. Set to speak at the upcoming Black Cannabis Expo in Chicago, Toni will address the role of cannabis in wellness. Introduced as a "cannabis nurse, wellness advisor, and educator," Toni's contributions to the field were highly appreciated.

Toni emphasized the need to redefine the stigma surrounding cannabis, promoting it as a wellness tool beyond medical use. Concerned about the lack of education and sustainable resources, she highlighted the potential for increased research following cannabis rescheduling. Toni stressed maintaining a focus on wellness alongside medical applications, expressing hope for future research.

Toni discussed the importance of prioritizing wellness in cannabis research. She highlighted the potential for cannabis to aid conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia, and cancer, sharing her experience using cannabis for eczema and anxiety. Toni's story underscored the benefits of topical cannabis applications.

Toni shared her struggles with eczema, anxiety, and medication addiction, finding relief in cannabis. Recalling how secondhand smoke from her grandfather calmed her as a child, she emphasized cannabis's impact on her anxiety and skin conditions as an adult. Toni advocates for wellness and preventative care over prescription medication, stressing the need for education and proper support in the cannabis industry.

Toni discussed the importance of the endocannabinoid system in achieving bodily balance and harmony. She encouraged exploring cannabis for wellness, drawing on her experiences working in a dermatologist's office. Emphasizing education and personal health decisions, she highlighted the need for less invasive and toxic wellness approaches.

Toni advocated for removing the stigma surrounding cannabis and suggested collaboration between farmers and dispensary owners for better education. She emphasized the distinction between medical and adult use markets, highlighting the industry's shift towards cannabis wellness. Toni is working on a book about her experiences and the potential of cannabis in the wellness industry, believing that collaboration can enhance user education and information.

Ricard Zwicky welcomes Steve Rio, Owner and Facilitator at Enfold. Steve, an expert in technology and software, joined the team and shared his background with the group. He discussed his experience with building software, managing data for large non-profits and foundations, and working with many notable organizations such as the Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation. The team also learned that Steve was working on a project related to mental health, and he was joined by Richard, who focuses on mental health and is developing a technology platform in this field. The team was ready to begin their discussions, with Richard inviting Steve to share more about his work.

Steve described their psycho-spiritual model for healing and personal growth, which involves the use of psychedelic medicines, coaching, semantic work, and community connection. He highlighted that they have been working with 5-MeO-DMT for over five years and consider it to be their primary focus due to its unique experience and effectiveness. Steve explained that 5-MeO-DMT is similar to other tryptamines like LSD and DMT, but its experience is intense and semantic, and it's significantly shorter in duration depending on the route of administration. Richard acknowledged the distinctiveness of Steve's approach and the importance of their work in the field.

Richard and Steve discussed the use of 5-MeO-DMT in therapy, focusing on its ability to rewire attachment styles and provide a profound shift in perspective. Steve explained the three levels of their work: the nervous system, personality, and spiritual system. He emphasized the importance of contextualizing these insights and helping clients apply them to their lives. Richard raised questions about the benefits of the therapy for those who may not fully understand their issues. Steve clarified that the medicine is most effective for those who are ready to face hard truths and are not seeking it as a first step in their personal or spiritual development.

Steve and Richard discussed the pursuit of wealth and its impact on one's sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. Steve argued that sacrificing one's personal life for the sake of earning money can be a trap, as it doesn't necessarily bring true happiness or satisfaction. Richard agreed and emphasized the importance of finding meaning beyond monetary gain, such as giving back to the community or making a positive impact on the people one works with. They also touched on the potential of psychedelics in helping individuals become more aware of their lives and values, and the importance of mindfulness in aligning one's thoughts and actions with their true values. Finally, they recognized the significant influence of these factors on personal relationships as well.

Richard Zwicky interviews Chris DeVol, founder of MM411, about her journey into the medical cannabis industry. Inspired by personal experiences and the need for better cannabis education and prescribing guidelines, Chris co-founded MM411 in 2009 after witnessing cannabis relieve Greg’s grandmother’s suffering. Their science-based approach, supported by research and patient stories, attracted a global audience, leading to significant growth, including over a million Facebook followers by 2014. Chris and her husband moved to Washington to benefit from new certification requirements for budtenders and medically endorsed dispensaries, addressing the gap in physician training.

Chris and Richard discussed the lack of education on the endocannabinoid system in medical schools, which hinders healthcare professionals from recommending cannabis. Chris highlighted a partnership with Dr. Ethan Russo and Credo Science to preserve and share Russo’s research. They addressed the challenges of rescheduling cannabis, emphasizing the need for accessible, credible information.

Chris outlined MM411’s expansion plans, focusing on education and certification, with successful ventures in international markets like Japan and upcoming partnerships in Europe and Latin America. She emphasized the importance of building a community around medical categories and the company’s history of self-funding and dedication. Richard agreed, underscoring the necessity of education and certification in the medical sector.

The conversation touched on the limitations and considerations of cannabis as a medical tool, emphasizing proper dosing and doctor education. They explored telehealth’s potential and the challenge of integrating cannabis education into medical school curriculums. Chris shared insights from discussions with Dr. Russo.

Richard and Chris discussed the pharmaceutical industry’s challenges, particularly in the US, highlighting the need for pharmaceutical-grade standards and preparation for regulatory changes. They agreed that companies adapting to these changes through education and compliance will thrive.

Both advocated for standardized education and certification in the cannabis industry to ensure safe, high-quality medical products. They stressed the importance of data for evidence-based outcomes and revealed MM411’s involvement in drafting global standards through their ASTM membership. They called for further standardization, physician education, and patient awareness, especially concerning psychedelics.

Will Johnson with The Institute for Embodiment Learning discusses embodiment training, discussing formal practice, meditation, and letting go of cultural biases. Topics included the role of cannabis in spirituality, gender roles, relationships, and personal power through embodiment. Concepts of feminine empowerment, mind-body unity, and overcoming somatophobia were explored, along with practices like Rumi-inspired gazing exercises and eye contact speed dating for genuine connections. Recommendations for further exploration were provided through resources like embodiment.net and embodimentmatters.com for holistic well-being. 

Richard Zwicky welcomes Shivani Gupta, with Shivani Gupta, PhD, CEO, Founder of Fusionary Formulas. Shivani shared insights on fusionary medicine, emphasizing holistic healing through Ayurveda principles. 

Shivani and Richard also discussed the benefits of turmeric and other plants from India for managing chronic pain and inflammation, emphasizing the interconnectedness of physical and mental health. They highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to address these interrelated challenges, including nutrition, supplements, and addressing underlying trauma and abuse.

Richard Zwicky speaks with Ed Burke and Brad Sisbarro from the Warriors of Consciousness about the organization's mental health efforts. Ed shares his journey into ketamine treatments for PTSD. They both emphasized addressing trauma in law enforcement and military, advocating for support and alternative treatments like ketamine therapy.