Learn what’s to come in psychedelic therapy research including risk mitigation, contraindications, and treatment purposes as Andrew Penn explores this important subject.

Episode Summary

In this conversation, Andrew Penn, co-founder of the Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses (OPENurses), discusses the use of psychedelics in therapy and the challenges and concerns surrounding this emerging field. He addresses psychedelic misconceptions and hype, emphasizing the need for more research and caution. He also explores the potential benefits and risks of psychedelic retreats as well as the importance of psychedelic harm reduction. 

Penn highlights the specific considerations for using psychedelics in individuals with bipolar disorder and the need for further study in this area. Additionally, he discusses the potential impact of hormonal factors on psychedelic therapy and the recent approval of a treatment for postpartum depression. This conversation explores the manifestation of depression, contraindications for psychedelic use, serotonin syndrome, and the future of psychedelics.

Discussed in this episode: 

• The need for psychedelic therapy research to separate the hype from the reality
• Harm reduction strategies, such as safe spaces and support, in the use of psychedelics
• Risks of bipolar disorder and psychedelics and the careful considerations to understand
• Interactions between psychedelics and hormones and the need for more research
• The recent approval of a treatment for postpartum depression in mental health care
• Contraindications for psychedelic use, including a history of psychosis, cardiovascular disorders, and certain medications
• The dangers of serotonin syndrome that can occur from the over-use of psychedelics 
• The use of psychedelics in clinical vs. non-clinical settings 

"One myth to unpack is this idea that [psychedelic use] is ‘one and done’ and ‘curative.’ And frankly, I was part of that hype at the beginning, too, because in our very early studies, that's what we were starting to see." - Andrew Penn

Related to this episode:

• Resources and episodes on Mental Health

• Listen to the series on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
• Learn more about the Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses
• Stay in touch with Andrew Penn on his website and LinkedIn.
• Check out Unseen Women in Psychedelic History by Maria Mangini

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Guest Bio

Andrew Penn, MS, PMHNP is a psychiatric nurse practitioner, clinical professor at the UC San Francisco School of Nursing, and a researcher on psychedelic therapies at the UCSF Translational Psychedelic Research Program (TrPR). He has been an investigator in studies examining MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, on psilocybin-assisted therapy for people with Parkinson’s disease and depression, and was a co-PI on the phase 2 study of psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depression, recently published in JAMA. 

An internationally invited speaker, he has taught at SXSW, TEDx, Aspen Institute, and the Singapore Ministry of Health. Additionally, he has published widely on psychedelic therapies and their intersections with nursing and is the co-founder of the Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses. He can be found at AndrewPennNP.com.

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**

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