In this episode, Alex Belser, PhD joins us to discuss how psychedelics can help LGBTQIA+ people heal from bigotry and embracing their identity. After seeing him speak on stage at the Denver Psychedelic Science Convention on the topic of Queering Psychedelics, I knew we needed to have him on Open Deeply along with his co-presenter, Justin Natoli, who was our guest on episode 44. So much was discussed in this episode including how psychedelics can potentially help with the coming out process. And we didn’t shy away from the dark history of psychedelics. For instance, did you know that psychedelics have been used unethically in tandem with conversion therapy in attempt to rewire sexual orientation? Horrible, but true. And finally, we discussed what the kink and psychedelic communities can learn from one another. All this and more as once again we dare to Open Deeply.

Bio: Alex Belser, PhD is a clinical scientist, author, and licensed psychologist with a focus on psychedelic research. At Yale University, he's a Co-Investigator for a study investigating psilocybin treatment for people with OCD. He has explored the potential of novel therapies using psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, and DMT to help alleviate human suffering and treat specific indications, including depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD. His most recent book: EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression: A New Approach for the Whole Person, co-authored with Dr. Bill Brennan, will be published later this year by Oxford University Press. Dr. Belser has co-founded a number of leading psychedelic organizations, including the NYU Psychedelic Research Group in 2006; Nautilus Sanctuary, the first non-profit on the East Coast dedicated to psychedelic medicine; and Adelia Therapeutics, where he served as Chief Clinical Officer (CCO). He also served as CCO at Cybin, where he chaired the Scientific Advisory Board. His other main area of interest is mental health for LGBTQIA+ people—his last book is Queering Psychedelics: From Oppression to Liberation in Psychedelic Medicine. His work has been featured in the media, with coverage in the New York Times, the Atlantic, the New Yorker, The Guardian, Forbes, Rolling Stone Magazine, and in Michael Pollan's book, "How to Change Your Mind." Dr. Belser is a hatha and kundalini yoga teacher. He studied at Georgetown, Cambridge, Columbia, NYU, and Yale University. To learn more, you can check out his website at http://alexbelser.com or his practice website, https://www.centerforbreakthroughs.com/

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