The Psymposia Podcast

In this episode, we discuss a prominent participant in the bumbling coup attempt of January 6: "QAnon Shaman" Jake Angeli. Along with a coalition of Donald Trump supporters and assorted right wing ideologues, Angeli stormed the Capitol following a speech by Trump. Featuring a dissection of an "Ascension Masterclass" that was hosted on Angeli's now-deleted Star Seed Academy Facebook page, we (once again) wade into the disturbing world of psychedelic authoritarianism.

Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.

Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne

*Patrons*

Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, 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 ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon

This episode explores the rise of self-styled "thought leaders" within the psychedelic community, using Anand Giridharadas' book "Winners Take All" as a jumping off point. Although people have been on the conference circuit for years, the recent explosion of capital investments means that there's an unprecedented potential for money, celebrity, and status in the space. The thought leader proposes quick fixes that are palatable to the people who are in positions of power, who then seek to privatize those "solutions" while enriching themselves along the way. While they talk about leading the way to meaningful change, they're really just focusing on the symptoms—and getting paid while they're doing that. Corporate consulting firms like McKinsey & Co typify this dynamic as they propose "solutions" that do little more than enrich themselves and their corporate paymasters. While psychedelic "thought leaders" offer up their ideas as solutions to the world's problems, we take a look at how the "thought leader" cozies up to power under capitalism in a way that perpetuates the status quo.

Support the show on Patreon. Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace, Russell Hausfeld. Editor: Matt Payne

Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.

*Patrons*

Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Yono ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander

We kicked off the start of our ongoing livestreams with the announcement of Psymposia's 501(c)(3) non-profit status, discussions of corporadelic dynamics, fond memories of helping people learn how to extract psychedelic drugs during an Ivy League University's psychedelic conference, and a whole bunch of back and forth with the audience about the current state (and future) of psychedelia.

Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace, Russell Hausfeld. Editor: Matt Payne

Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.

*Patrons*

Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Yono ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander

In this episode we explore the myriad of problems that result from media outlets treating corporate press releases as though they're legitimate news sources, rather than advertisements.

We examine "science by press release" cases ranging from psychedelic pharmaceutical firms who claim their barely-studied compounds are superior to (and safer than) psilocybin (one of the safest psychoactive compounds in the human pharmacopoeia), to students who claimed Oreos were as addictive as cocaine, to pineal DMT, cold fusion, and more.

Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, Brian Pace, David Nickles, Russell Hausfeld.

Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.

*Patrons*

Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Yono ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander

*Links*

Psychedelic Media Should Stop Parroting Corporate Press Releases

Mindset Pharma Reports Positive Results of Synthetic Psilocybin-Inspired Compounds

No, Oreos Aren't as Addictive as Cocaine

Microdosing psychedelics: More questions than answers? An overview and suggestions for future research

Pineal Gland DMT – What the Science Says

Hyped-up science erodes trust. Here's how researchers can fight back.

Recorded live at the Capital Psychedelic Summit, hosted virtually in Washington D.C., Russell Hausfeld joins Brian Normand and David Nickles to discuss the infiltration of the psychedelic pharmaceutical industry by companies, investors, and executives from extractive industry.

This episode explores the destructive nature of extractive industry and the effects of introducing those dynamics into psychedelia. If the same people destroying Indigenous lands told you they believed in "sacred reciprocity," would you believe them?

Co-hosts: Brian Normand, David Nickles, Russell Hausfeld.

Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.

*Patrons*

Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Yono ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander

- To drill deeper into these issues, check out the 5-part series: From Mining to Mushrooms

Pt 1: As Psychedelics Enter the Mainstream, Mining Companies Look to Dig Up Profits

Pt 2: Will Extractive Industry Bring Its Disregard for Indigenous People Into The Psychedelic Industry?

Pt 3: Why are so many extractive industry executives speculating on psychedelics?

Pt 4: The Big & Dandy List of Psychedelic-Mining-Extractive-Industry Ties

Pt 5: Thea Riofrancos on the Implications of Global Energy Transition and the Impacts of Lithium Extraction

*Related Links*

DMT E09 - Dimitri Mugianis and David Nickels - Authority Is Not Self-Justifying

Mines and Money London: "Copper demand is going to be psychedelic!"

Recorded live (online) for the Capital Psychedelic Summit in Washington D.C., the Plus Three crew picks up the threads of a recent panel discussion about the effects of corporations and capitalism on the emerging psychedelic landscape.

Examining the logic of capitalism, the realities of medicalization, and the need for radical social transformations, we explore philosophies underlying the "Grow, Gather, Give" model, which the Capital Psychedelic Summit organizers explicitly centered for this event.

Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace.

Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.

*Patrons*

Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Yono ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander

Terence McKenna once mused, "Conspiracy theory is a kind of epistemological cartoon about reality." Looking around at the world, things appear awfully cartoonish at the moment.

We're joined by Psymposia Senior Writer, Russell Hausfeld, to discuss the propagation of coronavirus conspiracies, recent revelations about QAnon, and the likelihood that some "conspiracy" claims are simply warped articulations of systemic critique. 5G won't give you COVID-19, but it sure will help you download this episode faster.

Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace, Russell Hausfeld. Editor: Matt Payne.

Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.

*Patrons*

Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Yono ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander

*Episode links*

Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories in Psychedelia by Russell Hausfeld

Terence McKenna on conspiracy theory

The YouTuber Accused of Using Coronavirus to Scam His Followers

Reply All: Country of Liars - QAnon

Brian Rose Reconnects Thanks To Plant Medicine

Dr. Ido Hartoghson joins the show to talk about the ideas in his new book, American Trip: Set, Setting, and the Psychedelic Experience in the Twentieth Century. Acknowledging psychedelics as non-specific amplifiers of consciousness, we discuss different historical (and present) paradigms of use in order to interrogate the role of psychedelics within our culture. As we find ourselves staring down a number of existential questions, we must ask ourselves, "What do we hope to achieve through our personal and cultural exposure to psychedelics?"

Co-hosts: David Nickles, Brian Normand, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne.

Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.

*Patrons*

Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Yono ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander

*Episode links*

American Trip: Set, Setting, and the Psychedelic Experience in the Twentieth Century

Flipping Out - Israel's Drug Generation

How Set and Setting Shape Psychedelic Cultures

The Psychedelic Video Museum

Psychedelic Video Museum Celebrates Virtual Launch

In response to the unexpected early release of William Leonard Pickard from prison, we discuss some of the characters and stories surrounding the case.

Having served twenty years of a double life sentence for conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and dispense LSD— charges which he disputes— Pickard has never spoken publicly about the specifics of his case, and some of the drug-media coverage of this story has evidenced glaring omissions.

Using court documents, lesser-known first-person accounts, and excerpts from Pickard's book, The Rose of Paracelsus: On Secrets & Sacraments, we call attention to some of the murkier aspects of this story in an attempt to paint a fuller picture of what is, perhaps, the most notorious psychedelic story of the 21st century.

Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne.

Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.

*Patrons*

Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Yono ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander

*Episode links*

LSD Chemist William Leonard Pickard Has Been Released From Prison

Acid Chemist Pickard RELEASED from double life sentence (Video)

Order For Release (Highlighted)

Timeline of Gordon Todd Skinner

State of Oklahoma Department of Correction - Pre-Sentence Investigation Report: Krystle Cole

Subterranean Psychonaut

Sea of Radiance: An Interview with William Leonard Pickard

Halpergate

Halperngate (Video)

Underground LSD Palace (Video)

In this episode, we explore the implications of MAPS' main political strategy: demonstrating affinity for and utility to the police, the military, the far right, and individuals who have repeatedly upheld violent white supremacism.

Unpacking a recent article by David Nickles, we examine the "ends justifies the means" logic that has become pervasive in psychedelic research.

As uprisings against the police rage on from Portland to Chicago, we—as as part of a drug-using, criminalized subculture—must acknowledge and challenge the white supremacist and classist institutions of policing, in all forms.

Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne.

Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.

*Patrons*

Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Yono ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander

*Episode links*

We Need to Talk About MAPS Supporting The Police, The Military, and Violent White Supremacism by David Nickles

Considerations for MAPS, a thread

Statement of Solidarity: MAPS Stands Against Systemic Racism and for Justice and Healing

Harvard's headache cure: LSD? (via Dose Nation - read the Halperngate comments)

Halperngate by Jon Hanna

The Bad Shaman Meets the Wayward Doc by Erik Davis

The Future of Psychedelic Discourse by Erik Davis

Halperngate Video: Mark McCloud confronts John Halpern and Rick Doblin at the LSD Symposium in Basel, Switzerland. January 2006

Halperngate Extended

AXIOS on HBO: Palantir CEO Alex Karp on work for ICE

Drug Positive #20: Lucy in the Sky with Nazis with Brian Pace