The Psymposia Podcast

Both underground and above-ground therapists and practitioners present their psychedelic services in service to "healing." Why, then, is it so hard to get them to acknowledge the harms taking place in their communities? Why do institutions seem more concerned with preserving their reputations than addressing the numerous harmful dynamics that have persisted for years? If the psychedelic movement intends to heal trauma, it must begin at home.

This episode is Psymposia's reaction to Cover Story: Power Trip, Episode 9: The Complainers Group

Cover Story is an investigative podcast from New York Magazine. The first season, Power Trip, uncovers the secrets and exposes the darkest corners of the psychedelic renaissance through a twisted, deeply personal tale at the intersection of mind, body, and control. Power Trip is a co-production of New York Magazine and Psymposia.

Support:

☼Patreon: http://patreon.com/psymposia

☼Donate: https://www.psymposia.com/donate/

For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: https://psymposia.com/powertrip

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When it comes to psychedelics, there's a lot we don't know. The same is true of the practitioners, institutions, and communities that have sprung up around psychedelic therapy and guiding. We explore the intersecting professional and social relationships of a few different guides and institutions. We also discuss Michael Pollan's impact on the current psychedelic landscape.

This episode is Psymposia's reaction to Cover Story: Power Trip, Episode 8: Who Am I Fooling?

Watch:

https://youtu.be/3HDoveb1jls

Cover Story is a new investigative podcast from New York Magazine. The first season, Power Trip, uncovers the secrets and exposes the darkest corners of the psychedelic renaissance through a twisted, deeply personal tale at the intersection of mind, body, and control. Power Trip is a co-production of New York Magazine and Psymposia.

Support:

☼Patreon: http://patreon.com/psymposia

☼Donate: https://www.psymposia.com/donate/

For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: https://psymposia.com/powertrip

Follow:

☼Twitter: https://twitter.com/psymposia

☼Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psymposia/

☼Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psymposia

☼Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/psymposia

☼Website: https://www.psymposia.com

☼Podcast: https://www.psymposia.com/plusthree

☼Newsletter: https://www.psymposia.com/subscribe/

Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters:

Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Myster Psoul, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochella Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis, Kanani Wolf

What's going on with the MAPS narratives? How is it possible that Mel, Leah, and Meaghan's experiences have been so at odds with the "standard story" we've heard about psychedelic clinical trials? Why can't we seem to get straight answers to simple questions? The Psymposia team drills down into the questions raised by the revelations in "Political Science" in an attempt to highlight some of the dynamics at the heart of psychedelic science.

This episode is Psymposia's reaction to Cover Story: Power Trip, Episode 7: Political Science

Watch:

https://youtu.be/3HDoveb1jls

Cover Story is a new investigative podcast from New York Magazine. The first season, Power Trip, uncovers the secrets and exposes the darkest corners of the psychedelic renaissance through a twisted, deeply personal tale at the intersection of mind, body, and control. Power Trip is a co-production of New York Magazine and Psymposia.

Support:

☼Patreon: http://patreon.com/psymposia

☼Donate: https://www.psymposia.com/donate/

For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: https://psymposia.com/powertrip

Follow:

☼Twitter: https://twitter.com/psymposia

☼Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psymposia/

☼Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psymposia

☼Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/psymposia

☼Website: https://www.psymposia.com

☼Podcast: https://www.psymposia.com/plusthree

☼Newsletter: https://www.psymposia.com/subscribe/

Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters:

Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Myster Psoul, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochella Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis, Kanani Wolf

The Psymposia team discusses the reticence of psychedelic advocates to consider cases of unequivocal abuse and neglect of participants in MAPS clinical trials. We provide background on the gap between the public image of MAPS and the experiences shared by Meaghan, Mel, and Leah in New York Magazine's Cover Story Season 1, Power Trip.

Watch:

https://youtu.be/EQRttVF7Dy8

Support:

☼Patreon: http://patreon.com/psymposia

☼Donate: https://www.psymposia.com/donate/

For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: https://psymposia.com/powertrip

Follow:

☼Twitter: https://twitter.com/psymposia

☼Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psymposia/

☼Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psymposia

☼Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/psymposia

☼Website: https://www.psymposia.com

☼Podcast: https://www.psymposia.com/plusthree

☼Newsletter: https://www.psymposia.com/subscribe/

Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters:

Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Myster Psoul, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochella Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis

We talk drugs and anti-capitalism with anthropology PhD candidate, Hilary Agro. Ranging from prohibition to psychedelic clinical trials and beyond, we explore the overlaps and differences in our analyses of the current psychedelic (and broader drug policy) landscape.

Watch:

https://youtu.be/s6Puq_8lBnM

Support:

☼Patreon: http://patreon.com/psymposia

☼Donate: https://www.psymposia.com/donate/

Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters:

Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, Myster Psoul, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochelle Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis, Alexandra Adams, Daniel S, Joss Edwards

We continue our discussion about Brian Pace and Neşe Devenot's recently published paper: "Right-Wing Psychedelia: Case Studies in Cultural Plasticity and Political Pluripotency"

Abstract: Recent media advocacy for the nascent psychedelic medicine industry has emphasized the potential for psychedelics to improve society, pointing to research studies that have linked psychedelics to increased environmental concern and liberal politics. However, research supporting the hypothesis that psychedelics induce a shift in political beliefs must address the many historical and contemporary cases of psychedelic users who remained authoritarian in their views after taking psychedelics or became radicalized after extensive experience with them.

We propose that the common anecdotal accounts of psychedelics precipitating radical shifts in political or religious beliefs result from the contextual factors of set and setting, and have no particular directional basis on the axes of conservatism-liberalism or authoritarianism-egalitarianism. Instead, we argue that any experience which challenges a person's fundamental worldview—including a psychedelic experience—can precipitate shifts in any direction of political belief.

We suggest that the historical record supports the concept of psychedelics as "politically pluripotent," non-specific amplifiers of the political set and setting. Contrary to recent assertions, we show that conservative, hierarchy-based ideologies are able to assimilate psychedelic experiences of interconnection, as expressed by thought leaders like Jordan Peterson, corporadelic actors, and members of several neo-Nazi organizations.

Support:

☼Patreon: http://patreon.com/psymposia

☼Donate: https://www.psymposia.com/donate/

Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters:

Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, Myster Psoul, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochelle Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis, Alexandra Adams, Daniel S

We discuss Brian Pace and Neşe Devenot's recently published paper: "Right-Wing Psychedelia: Case Studies in Cultural Plasticity and Political Pluripotency"

Abstract: Recent media advocacy for the nascent psychedelic medicine industry has emphasized the potential for psychedelics to improve society, pointing to research studies that have linked psychedelics to increased environmental concern and liberal politics. However, research supporting the hypothesis that psychedelics induce a shift in political beliefs must address the many historical and contemporary cases of psychedelic users who remained authoritarian in their views after taking psychedelics or became radicalized after extensive experience with them.

We propose that the common anecdotal accounts of psychedelics precipitating radical shifts in political or religious beliefs result from the contextual factors of set and setting, and have no particular directional basis on the axes of conservatism-liberalism or authoritarianism-egalitarianism. Instead, we argue that any experience which challenges a person's fundamental worldview—including a psychedelic experience—can precipitate shifts in any direction of political belief.

We suggest that the historical record supports the concept of psychedelics as "politically pluripotent," non-specific amplifiers of the political set and setting. Contrary to recent assertions, we show that conservative, hierarchy-based ideologies are able to assimilate psychedelic experiences of interconnection, as expressed by thought leaders like Jordan Peterson, corporadelic actors, and members of several neo-Nazi organizations.

Read it here: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.733185/full

Support:

☼Patreon: http://patreon.com/psymposia

☼Donate: https://www.psymposia.com/donate/

Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters:

Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Myster Psoul, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, Myster Psoul, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochella Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis, Alexandra Adams

What the hell is going on in this house full of shit? And where do we go from here? We don't have answers, but we have ideas and plenty of questions to unfold. Power Trip 5 was a montage of stories that illustrate a bigger picture. This episode of Power Tripping offers a complementary platter of ideas. From the structural features of the psychedelic therapy marketplace, to the cognitive biases that encourage conformity and groupthink, we explore how the status quo of psychedelic therapy encourages bad behavior and complicity. What if shit's not a bug, but a feature?

Support:

☼Patreon: http://patreon.com/psymposia

☼Donate: https://www.psymposia.com/donate/

For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: https://psymposia.com/powertrip

Follow:

☼Twitter: https://twitter.com/psymposia

☼Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psymposia/

☼Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psymposia

☼Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/psymposia

☼Website: https://www.psymposia.com

☼Podcast: https://www.psymposia.com/plusthree

☼Newsletter: https://www.psymposia.com/subscribe/

Thank you to our Patreon podcast supporters:

Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, John Hanna, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Myster Psoul, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Maryann Kehoe, Daniel McQueen, Annick McIntosh, Aaron Williams, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Dustin T, Leon Boroditsky, John Bannon, Atticus Kelbley, Daniel, Jason Gross, Clifford Hudson, Miller Hooks, Scott Martin, Sandra Dreisbach, zeph Tam, Rochella Martin, Gurpreet Saini, Jason Seidel, Will Petersen, Jeff Davis

Dear Plus Three listeners,

Thanks so much for your continued support throughout the year. We couldn't do it without y'all. Psymposia is a small 501(c)(3) non-profit entirely funded by people who believe in our work. We're a volunteer organization and 100% of the funds we raise go into operating costs, which add up quickly. Please consider supporting us monthly on Patreon or making a one-time donation. All donations made by December 31st at midnight are tax-deductible.

Thanks for your support! (Read Psymposia's full 2021 Year in Review with selected stories here)

2021 was a watershed year for psychedelics, marked by both mainstream excitement about their potential benefits alongside warning signs about the risks of harm—to both individuals and society—caused by the people who wield them.

What a wild ride it's been. Local organizers have continued to decriminalize psychedelics throughout the United States, new research centers have been announced almost monthly, and long-overdue conversations about ethics are gaining prominence.

Despite these positive developments, there is cause for alarm. From a self-described "shaman" storming the Capitol to revelations about psychedelic therapist abuse, 2021 witnessed multiple bellwether events for psychedelic authoritarianism, which highlight the need for ongoing ideological harm reduction to protect against abuses of power.

At the same time, special interests and corporations backed by right-wing funders are trying to grab the reins and control the psychedelic narrative. We're determined to even the playing field.

Through it all, Psymposia has provided unmatched reporting and analysis to challenge the polished pitches and press releases that have been disseminated by psychedelic pharma and the mainstream medicalization movements.

Our mission is not to simply deconstruct the logic of prohibition, but to democratize access to the information we need to build a post-prohibition world that works for all of us. While psychedelic decriminalization is a positive first step, Psymposia continues to advocate for complete drug decriminalization.

Psymposia exists as a result of the relentless work that our volunteer staff pours into our projects—projects that have garnered national and international attention for our groundbreaking research and journalism. Now, more than ever, we believe in the necessity of our work, which is unfettered by the corporate payoffs, conflicts of interest, and sponsored content that have become commonplace in the field.

Psymposia is a 100% independent non-profit media and research organization that is dedicated to challenging the narratives of the powerful and of the power-seeking on behalf of the public.

Through articles, podcasts, videos, and peer-reviewed research published in top academic journals, our team continues to impact the conversation about psychedelics and drug policy—despite repeated industry efforts to silence us and marginalize our work.

But in order to do our work as a watchdog, your financial support is vital.Unlike other media outlets covering psychedelics and drug policy, we refuse to compromise our mission or create conflicts of interest by accepting funding from the corporations we are tasked with covering.

While other psychedelics organizations have blacklisted us and threatened to doxx our sources, we are unapologetic about our work and stand by our mission.

We are sustained by people and communities who believe in the work we do. You can support us monthly on Patreon or make a one-time donation (and, until Friday at midnight, donations are still tax-deductible for 2021).

If you're unable to donate, you can support us in other ways, like sharing an article with a friend, leaving our podcasts a rating and review, or simply sending us a message. We appreciate the non-monetary support and solidarity we've received this year. It means a lot to us.

Thank you for your continued support.

In solidarity, The Psymposia team

Subscribe to the Psymposia email list here.

Many people are familiar with MK-ULTRA, the CIA's illegal human experimentation program, which involved psychedelics and resulted in torture techniques that have since been used at CIA black sites around the world. What if someone tried to tell you these techniques were, in fact, a novel therapy that could revolutionize mental healthcare and transform dissidents into better citizens? In this episode, we discuss Dr. Salvador Roquet, a man who tortured people for the Mexican state and also parlayed those techniques to become an influential pioneer of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. What does it mean that Roquet's trainings and ideologies have influenced an untold number of present-day psychedelic practitioners?

Support:

☼Patreon: http://patreon.com/psymposia

☼Donate: https://www.psymposia.com/donate/

For full episodes, transcripts, supporting documents, and more, visit: https://psymposia.com/powertrip

Additional reading:

Power Tripping supporting docs

"Bad TRIPS" may be the BEST TRIPS by Walter Houston Clark

Psychology and Destruction of the Psyche: the Professional use of Psychological Knowledge for Torture of Political Prisoners by David Pavón-Cuéllar

Undiscovering the Pueblo Mágico: Lessons from Huautla for the Psychedelic Renaissance by Ben Feinberg

What I Got Wrong in More Than Two: The Dark Night of the Soul by Eve Rickert

Mundo enfermo y tarado

The Unified Field Theory of Psychedelic Integration and Portugal Style Decriminalization by David Bronner

Sounding the Alarm on Compass's Interference with Oregon's Psilocybin Therapy Program by David Bronner

Additional Podcasts / Videos

#32 – It's All Red Flags: 5-MeO-DMT with Dr. Martin Ball

Jim Lehrman Covert Journeys, Visionary Summit, September 3 2016, Paonia, CO

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☼Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/psymposia

☼Website: https://www.psymposia.com

☼Podcast: https://www.psymposia.com/plusthree

☼Newsletter: https://www.psymposia.com/subscribe/

Thank you to our podcast and video tier Patreon supporters:

Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach, Will Petersen, Jason Seidel, Gurpreet Saini