Joe Moore interviews Dee Dee Goldpaugh, LCSW about their new book Embrace Pleasure: How Psychedelics Can Heal Our Sexuality. The discussion covers the book’s reception, critiques of over-medicalization, personal healing experiences, definitions of erotic energy and pleasure, historical repression of substances, and contemporary ethical concerns.

Key topics

Conversion therapy: historical use of psychedelics in conversion practices, risks today, and need for professional consensus to ban psychedelic-assisted conversion therapy.

Motivation: reaction to dominance of the clinical/medical model in psychedelics.

Author background: clinical social worker, ketamine-assisted therapy provider, sexual abuse survivor, early psychedelic integration work.

Personal healing: ayahuasca and San Pedro (Wachuma) experiences leading to embodied healing and pleasure.

Concepts defined: erotic energy as life force; distinction between healing pleasure and leisure.

Political framing: pleasure as anti-capitalist resistance; sustaining community and activism.

Links

https://www.deedeegoldpaugh.com

Embrace Pleasure: How Psychedelics Can Heal Our Sexuality

From the Rave Scene to Psychedelic Therapy

In this episode, Kyle Buller speaks with Matt Xavier, DJ, therapist, and author. The conversation took place live at Psychedelic Science.

Matt recalls his early years in the rave culture of 1990s New York. He ran record labels, hosted psychedelic trance events, and lived through the intensity of that scene.

Why Music Is Medicine

Matt believes music should be treated as medicine. He explains how playlists can align with the stages of a psychedelic journey—onset, climb, peak, and descent. He encourages people to listen with intention and to categorize tracks by emotion, energy, and therapeutic impact.

Psychedelic Soundtracking

Instead of relying only on fixed playlists, Matt performs live mixing during sessions. This method keeps him fully engaged and responsive. He calls the approach “psychedelic soundtracking.” In his view, the guide becomes a tuning fork, adjusting the soundscape to match the client’s process.

Key Themes in the Conversation

• The evolution from rave DJ to therapist and author
• How music amplifies psychedelics, and why it matters
• Matching music with each stage of a journey
• Differences between psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine work
• The value of silence, long-form tracks, and harmonic mixing
• Why buying music supports artists and protects creativity from AI
• Practical tips for building playlists and rediscovering a love of listening

Supporting Artists and Building Community

Matt highlights the artists who inspire his work, from ambient pioneers to contemporary sound designers. He urges practitioners to support independent musicians by purchasing their music. In his words, keeping human creativity alive is essential for meaningful psychedelic work.

Writing, Mixing, and the Future

Matt also discusses his new book and the curated four-hour DJ protocol mix he designed for therapy sessions. He explains how this project grew into a collaborative effort and why writing became a spiritual journey for him. Looking ahead, he hopes to create a training program for others interested in weaving music into psychedelic practice.

🎶 Whether you are a therapist, a DJ, or simply a music lover, this episode shows how sound can transform the psychedelic experience.

In this episode, Joe Moore sits down with Dr. Case Newsom, an emergency room physician in Denver and Medical Director for both Zendo Project and Stadium Medical. They explore how psychedelic harm reduction is merging with event medicine at concerts, festivals, and large-scale gatherings.

Dr. Newsom shares his path from osteopathic medical training to bridging emergency medicine with psychedelic peer support. He explains how the Zendo Project has expanded beyond Burning Man, and why collaboration with medical teams matters. The discussion highlights new triage protocols, cultural shifts in Colorado, and the legal challenges that still stand in the way of safer events.

Topics Covered

• The role of the Zendo Project: Peer support, harm reduction, and creating grounded spaces in chaotic environments.
• Stadium Medical’s model: Covering Denver’s biggest venues and connecting emergency care with psychedelic peer support.
• Developing medical triage protocols: A simple system that reduces unnecessary ER transports while ensuring sitter and guest safety.
• Colorado as a hub: Why Denver and Red Rocks are central to psychedelic culture and harm reduction innovation.
• Legal and regulatory challenges: The impact of the RAVE Act and limits on drug checking services.
• Research and data collection: Building stronger studies to show venues and first responders the value of harm reduction.
• Future concerns: Ibogaine’s cardiotoxic risks, the rise of AI-designed drugs, and why medical involvement is urgent.
• Ketamine in the ER: How ketamine provides pain relief and can create meaningful patient experiences when used with care.

In this episode, Joe Moore is joined by Kat Murti, Executive Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), the largest youth-led network working to end the war on drugs. SSDP organizes at the campus, local, state, federal, and international levels, with more than 100 chapters across the U.S. and sister organizations worldwide.

Kat shares her personal journey into drug policy reform, from witnessing DEA raids on AIDS patients in the 1990s to fighting for civil liberties as a student at UC Berkeley. She explains how SSDP empowers young people to challenge outdated laws and promote policies rooted in compassion, scientific evidence, and human rights.

Topics Discussed

• The War on Drugs as a War on Us: Kat’s early realizations about the drug war’s racism, injustice, and destruction of civil liberties.

• Her Path to SSDP: From working on California’s Prop 19 cannabis campaign to serving on SSDP’s board and eventually becoming Executive Director.

• Meta Censorship Campaign: Why Meta’s restrictions on drug education and harm reduction content harm communities, and how SSDP is organizing public pressure to protect freedom of information online.

• Forced Institutionalization & Executive Orders: Kat critiques recent federal moves to expand forced treatment, cuts to naloxone training programs, and the misguided use of tariffs as “solutions” to the overdose crisis.

• The Fight Against DEA Scheduling of DOI & DOC: Why these research chemicals are vital to neuroscience and medicine, how SSDP challenged the DEA in court, and what’s at stake for future research.

• Illogical Drug Policy & Careerism: How prohibition persists due to political incentives, propaganda, and entrenched bureaucratic interests.

• Building a Better Future: Realigning incentive structures, embracing harm reduction, and supporting community-based solutions to drug use.

Key Takeaways

• The war on drugs is deeply racist, anti-science, and erodes civil liberties.

• Meta’s censorship of harm reduction information actively endangers lives.

• Forced treatment doesn’t work—addressing social conditions and providing safe housing does.

• DOI and DOC, rarely if ever used recreationally, are critical to medical research, and scheduling them would halt decades of progress.

• Real reform means both ending prohibition and creating environments where people feel supported, connected, and empowered.

Links & Resources

• Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP): ssdp.org

• Kat Murti on Twitter/X: @KatMurti

• Kat Murti on Instagram: @KittyRevolution

• SSDP Petition against Meta Censorship: ssdp.org

In this episode, Joe Moore is joined by Mareesa Stertz and Tania Abdul, the visionaries behind Sphinx Gate, one of Burning Man 2025’s most ambitious and mythic art installations. Inspired by The NeverEnding Story, Sphinx Gate features two towering 34-foot sphinxes and a fully immersive, transformative art experience designed to help participants gain a deeper understanding of themselves.

The trio explores how art and play can catalyze personal and collective transformation—without the need for psychedelics—by helping people reframe inner challenges as quests for growth. They discuss the project's mythic inspiration, how it has evolved into a “transmersive” self-discovery journey, and how community co-creation has made this dream real. With rituals, interactive stations, laser-eyed sphinxes, and an oracle offering personalized missions, Sphinx Gate blends storytelling, inner work, and spectacle.

They also touch on the deeper intention: shifting culture by normalizing integration, peer support, and emotional exploration—through joy. From honoring Indigenous land stewards to designing future traveling versions and permanent “Museums of Self-Exploration,” this project is just the beginning.

Topics Covered:

• What Sphinx Gate is and how it works

• The archetypal and cultural roots of sphinxes

• How The NeverEnding Story inspired the vision

• Designing integration spaces without psychedelics

• Co-creation, community magic, and scaling big dreams

• The emotional and mystical potential of participatory art

• Fantasia Fridays, Black Rock Philharmonic, and more playa programming

• Vision for life beyond Burning Man

Support Sphinx Gate: Help bring this mythic experience to life and fund its future by donating at TheSphinxGate.com

Follow: IG: @thesphinxgate www.thesphinxgate.com

In this episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore sits down with Chad Charles — educator, mentor, and practitioner specializing in 5-MeO-DMT therapy.

Chad shares his decade-long journey working with 5-MeO-DMT, emphasizing the importance of:

• Practitioner training and mentorship

• Personalized, therapeutic alliances

• The nuanced understanding of dissociative states

• Ethics in standardized clinical dosing

• A trauma-informed approach to psychedelic care

He also introduces his upcoming research project, analyzing 500+ one-on-one sessions to illuminate best practices and ethical frameworks in the 5-MeO-DMT space. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about harm reduction, responsible facilitation, and the future of psychedelic therapy.

🕒 Episode Breakdown

• 00:00 – Introduction and Guest Welcome

• 00:41 – Chad Charles' Background and Work

• 02:18 – Defining 5-MeO-DMT

• 05:28 – Breathwork and Therapy

• 09:22 – First Experiences with 5-MeO-DMT

• 18:00 – Training and Ethical Considerations

• 30:41 – Conscious Surrender vs. Submission Experience

• 31:18 – Ethical Considerations in Psychedelic Research

• 32:02 – Understanding Dissociative Doses

• 33:26 – Empowering Individuals Through Therapeutic Alliance

• 34:26 – Challenges in Contemporary Science

• 38:02 – Good Practice vs. Malpractice in Psychedelic Therapy

• 41:51 – Personal Experience and Practitioner Responsibility

• 46:52 – Addressing Malpractice and Corrective Experiences

• 01:00:11 – Physical Health Considerations in Psychedelic Therapy

• 01:02:21 – Future Directions and Research in Psychedelic Therapy

• 01:05:43 – Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore sits down with Alan Davis, Associate Professor at Ohio State University, to explore the evolving landscape of Ibogaine research and its therapeutic potential.

Alan offers a deep dive into the Iboga Patient Survey, a groundbreaking initiative collecting real-world data on the safety and efficacy of Ibogaine—particularly for those struggling with substance use disorders and mental health challenges. The conversation sheds light on the need for rigorous, community-informed research that could pave the way toward FDA approval and increased access for patients, including veterans dealing with trauma.

They also discuss the complexities of clinical trials, the tension between state and federal regulations, and the growing influence of corporate interests in psychedelic research. Alan emphasizes the importance of ethical transparency, community collaboration, and maintaining scientific integrity as the field grows.

If you're curious about the intersection of psychedelic medicine, clinical research, and patient safety, this is a must-listen episode.

Topics Covered

• 00:00 – Introduction and Guest Welcome

• 00:53 – Reflecting on COVID-19's Psychological Impact

• 01:29 – Introducing the Iboga Patient Survey

• 01:46 – History and Goals of Ibogaine Research

• 02:41 – Challenges in Conducting Clinical Trials

• 03:14 – Importance of Real-World Safety Data

• 06:55 – Personal Interest in Ibogaine

• 08:56 – Veterans and Trauma: A Personal Connection

• 10:53 – Reintegration and Emotional Processing

• 15:29 – Survey Participation and Accessibility

• 18:25 – Building Partnerships and Overcoming Challenges

• 21:06 – Ensuring Safety and Transparency

• 31:49 – Community and Academic Collaboration

• 33:06 – Survey Design and Future Research Directions

• 36:50 – Momentum in Psychedelic Research

• 37:48 – State vs. Federal Regulation

• 39:23 – Challenges in Psychedelic Treatment

• 43:01 – Corporate Interests and Scientific Objectivity

• 47:20 – Ketamine and Collaborative Research

• 51:56 – Ibogaine Patient Survey

• 57:55 – Psychedelics and Pain Research

• 01:07:22 – Conclusion and Future Directions

In this engaging episode of the Psychedelics Today podcast, host Joe Moore sits down with Karina Bashir, an attorney working at the intersection of law, business ethics, and psychedelics.

Karina, of counsel with Antithesis Law and an active member of the psychedelic community, shares her unique journey from human rights advocacy into the evolving field of psychedelic law. The conversation explores her presentation at Harvard on psychedelics and monotheistic religions, and her efforts to bridge the gap between Islamic communities and psychedelic-assisted healing.

She discusses the legal frameworks she navigates to support clients in the psychedelic ecosystem, the spiritual depth of Sufism, and the expansive tradition of Islamic philosophy and mysticism.

If you’re intrigued by the intersections of religion, law, and psychedelic healing, this episode offers deep insights and hopeful perspectives.

📌 Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:19 – Meeting at the Psychedelic Safety Institute 01:04 – Karina's Legal Work and Background 04:03 – Human Rights and Migration Work 07:30 – Psychedelics as a Human Rights Issue 18:01 – Legal Challenges in the Psychedelic Space 23:03 – Islam and Psychedelics 28:15 – The Fatwa Process and Islamic Scholars 28:57 – Building Momentum in the Muslim Community 29:08 – Islamic Law and Psychedelics 29:30 – Engaging Muslim Scholars and Community 33:45 – Sufism and Islamic Mysticism 35:09 – Access to Psychedelic Medicine for Muslims 36:49 – Positive Responses and Growing Interest 39:17 – Sufism's Rich Traditions and Practices 40:51 – Intersection of Sufism and Psychedelics 44:14 – Islamic Cosmology and Psychedelic Experiences 51:26 – Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions Attorney, Ethics Advocate, and Program Director at North Star Project

Karina Bashir is an accomplished attorney and thought leader working at the intersection of law, ethics, and psychedelics to support a new paradigm of care and equity. She serves as Of Counsel with Antithesis Law, PC, advising clients on corporate formation, risk mitigation, compliance, and ethical best practices. As Program Director at the North Star Project, she advocates for values-driven growth in the psychedelic field through the development of dynamic ethical guidelines. Karina also sits on the Board of Directors of the Psychedelic Bar Association and serves as a steward of its Religious Use Committee.

Her work also bridges Islamic thought and psychedelic healing, exploring how spiritual traditions—particularly Sufism—can inform modern approaches to wellness and therapeutic care. She is passionate about increasing access and cultural understanding within Muslim communities engaging with psychedelics.

A Fulbright and Gates Cambridge Scholar, Karina holds a JD from UC Berkeley, an MPhil in International Relations from the University of Cambridge, and a BA from the University of Michigan.

In this deeply important episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore is joined by Kristen Nash, MPH, and returning guest Erica Siegel, LCSW, for a nuanced conversation about risk reduction, harm prevention, and ethical education in the psychedelic space.

Kristen shares the powerful and heartbreaking story of losing her 21-year-old son after a tragic psychedelic-related incident. Motivated by this loss and her background in public health, she founded the Coalition for Psychedelic Safety and Education and launched the Before You Trip campaign—an educational initiative piloting in Colorado aimed at helping Gen Z users assess their readiness and safety before engaging with psychedelics.

Erica contributes her extensive experience from Nest Harm Reduction and Shine Collective, emphasizing the need for peer-based support, non-abstinence frameworks, and trauma-informed approaches. She highlights common pitfalls such as untrained facilitators, predatory behavior, and the pervasive issue of gaslighting in psychedelic communities.

Together, they explore the gaps in current education efforts, the dangers of glorifying substances without context, and the moral injuries that can occur when people are harmed or dismissed by the very communities meant to support them. The conversation calls for broader public funding, lived-experience-informed leadership, and transparency around psychological and relational risks—not just physiological harm.

The episode also touches on poly-substance use, the limitations of existing drug harm scales, and the importance of setting, support, and intention. With a shared commitment to saving lives and empowering users, Kristen and Erica offer actionable insights and heartfelt reflections on making this space safer for everyone.

Listeners are encouraged to follow and support both Before You Trip and Shine Collective to help expand harm reduction education and survivor advocacy.

In this episode, Joe Moore speaks with award-winning science journalist Erica Rex about her personal experience participating in psychedelic research, her upcoming book Seeing What Is There: My Search for Sanity in the Psychedelic Era, and the complex story behind the recently published Religious Leader Psilocybin Study from Johns Hopkins and NYU.

They examine:

Erica's firsthand experience as a participant in the original 2012 study that helped launch Roland Griffiths’ prominence in psychedelic science.

The goals and outcomes of the Religious Leader Study, which sought to explore how psilocybin might impact religious leaders’ effectiveness and connection to their communities.

The methodological and ethical problems that plagued the study.

The influence of perennialist frameworks and the limitations of measures like the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ).

Broader concerns about the infiltration of religious ideology and lack of rigor in psychedelic science.

A deep critique of the institutional systems that allowed flawed research processes to go unchecked — and how these patterns risk repeating the mistakes of the 1960s psychedelic wave.

Joe and Erica also dive into how modern psychedelic science struggles to reconcile subjective experience, spirituality, and the reductionist standards of academic research. They discuss Matt Johnson’s paper critiquing “psychedelic consciousness” framing and explore whether our current scientific tools are capable of capturing the depth of psychedelic experience.

Erica’s forthcoming book, slated for release in January 2026, blends memoir, neuroscience, and social critique. It offers a critical insider’s view of the psychedelic renaissance—its promise, pitfalls, and the ways it mirrors broader systemic issues in science and culture.