Maps Podcast

Episode 35 of the MAPS Podcast features the mastermind and founder of MAPS, Rick Doblin. Rick joins Zach Leary for an extensive 2018 year in review of everything that's happened in the MAPS universe. The interview quickly moves passed the last year and morphs into an oral history of MAPS by weaving together Rick's inspiration that led him to it's 1986 creation. This podcast is a must for all psychedelic enthusiasts, explorers, researchers and cultural historians. Rick's tireless campaign to position MAPS as the leading crusader of legitimate psychedelic research has not only come to fruition but has also transcended those confines by making him one of the most influential figures in championing cognitive liberty. Rick Doblin Rick Doblin, Ph.D., is the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). He received his doctorate in Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, where he wrote his dissertation on the regulation of the medical uses of p

Episode 34 of the MAPS Podcast is an all new interview with Tricia Eastman, a pioneer in the psychedelic renaissance. Our conversation takes a look at the inquisitive psychedelic work she does in the deep corners of what's left of the worlds indigenous cultures. Because her work covers the globe I especially wanted to see what wisdom she brings back is applicable to the American experience. Her tales of mind expanding explorations in these cultures is a beautiful juxtaposition against the life we take for granted. Tricia is a fresh yet wise voice in the psychedelic community. I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as I did. Intro topics: End of the year podcast with Rick Doblin, advertising on the MAPS podcast and psychedelic therapy career tracts. Tricia Eastman is a pioneer in the psychedelic renaissance. Eastman’s holistic approach incorporates eastern philosophy, bio-hacking, soul retrieval, archetypal mapping, meditation, somatic therapy, shamanism. As a medicine woman, she curates retreats in countries w

Episode 33 of the MAPS Podcast digs deep into the archives, all the way back to Psychedelic Science 2013! Matthew Baggott discussed research on how MDMA and related drugs alter emotions and social functioning in people. Because the Phase 3 clinical trials moving full speed ahead it seemed appropriate to re-visit some of the core subject matter behind MDMA and why this research is so important. Matthew Baggott, PhD, is a neuroscientist who has been studying the perceptual and emotional effects of drugs like MDMA in healthy human volunteers for over 13 years. He was part of the first team to receive federal funding to administer MDMA to healthy people and he co-authored the first successful application to administer MDMA to people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He earned his PhD in neuroscience from the University of California, Berkeley and is currently a postdoctoral fellow at University of Chicago.

Episode 32 - Dr. Cole Marta and Shannon Clare Carlin A live panel moderated by Zach Leary - The State of the Psychedelic Union This episode of the MAPS Podcast was recorded live at the PsyFire festival in L.A. and is moderated by Zach Leary featuring Dr. Cole Marta and Shannon Clare Carlin. The discussion covers the current state of psychedelic research as it relates to the MDMA Phase 3 clinical trials and what those exactly look like, anti-depressant treatments with Ketamine, the Zendo Project and cognitive liberty for all of us. Listen and get informed by these two brilliant minds who are the front lines of psychedelic research on a day to day level by making it their lifes work and purpose. Shannon Clare Carlin Shannon is dedicated to working with people through addiction, trauma, relationship, and the body. She received her Master’s Degree in Integral Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2014, including a practicum working with youth on moderation management for drug

The MAPS Podcast is back!! Episode 31 of the show trips the light fantastic with the brilliant, hilarious and insightful comedian - Shane Mauss. Shane discusses his new film Psychonautics - A Comedians Exploration of Psychedelics. Due out in March, the film explores Shane's first hand experiences with psychedelic use and their results on his life and work. Shane is a brave, honest and hilarious story teller who isn't afraid to be raw and transparent by sharing his personal ups and downs found within life's sometimes difficult but always hilarious journey. Sit back and settle into his brilliant mind and findings from the front row of psychonautics. Be sure to check out Shane's current stand up tour called Stand Up Science. Click here for dates and tickets.  

Episode 30 - LIVE from LAPSS: Transcending the Medical Frontiers, Exploring the Future of Psychedelic Drug Research Making up the panel is David Jay Brown, Daniel Pinchbeck, James Oroc, Ben Stewart and was moderated by Zach Leary. Taped live at the first ever Los Angeles based psychedelic symposium (LAPSS) the hour long conversation is a lively exploration into what lies beyond the medical applications of psychedelic drugs. Based on an article written by David Jay Brown the panel itself took on many of the core concepts originally presented in the piece. The science of pleasure, increased creativity, increased problem solving ability, ESP and psychic phenomena are just some of the potential psychedelia applications touched on by these incredible minds. Tune in to hear this engaging, funny and inspiring conversation that opens up the myriad of possibilities on the psychedelic horizon.

Episode 29 with Michael Pollan as he discusses his new book 'How to Change Your Mind - What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression and Transcendence'   Michael beams into the MAPS Podcast for an all new episode of the show. His iconic books on the nature and ethics of food have become staples within the zeitgeist of the modern diet and sustainable agriculture. Now, as evidenced in his new book and this podcast, he's taken on the world of psychedelic science and research with as much insight and objectivity as you would expect from him. Zach Leary's conversation with Michael dives into the importance of the research he studied while writing the book, the origins of his interest on the topic and his own personal experiences with psychedelic medicines. Michael Pollan - For more than thirty years, Michael Pollan has been writing books and articles about the places where nature and culture intersect: on our plates, in our farms and gardens, and in our minds. He

Episode 28 - Lex Pelger The inner workings of a drug writer as he shares his perspective, spirit and mind. Lex Pelger - the blazingly prolific writer, podcaster, traveling salon MC and psychedelic love warrior beams in for a candid interview recorded exclusively for the MAPS Podcast. As host of the Psychedelic Salon 2.0 podcast & the Greener Grass podcast, archivist of the Psychedelic History Project and organizer of the Blue-Dot psychedelic storytelling tour Lex has amassed a world view unlike anyone else. The podcast roams the various corners of Lex's well equipped mind as he shares his opinions and experiences on the state of psychedelic research, the current cannabis legal climate, the culture of psychonauts and tales from his own life as a professional "drug writer." Lex is a truly wonderful thinker, hilarious provocateur and gifted writer. Keep up on all his work at www.lexpelger.com

Episode 27 - Dieter Hagenbach, Albert Hofmann and His LSD April 2018 marks the 75th anniversary of the first experiences with LSD that Dr. Hofmann embarked on in Basel, Switzerland. It's the perfect occasion to revisit this talk by Dieter which relies heavily on this fantastic book, "Mystic Chemist: The life of AlbertHofmann and His LSD". Taken from the 2013 Psychedelic Science conference, Dieter Hagenbach gives an oral account of the life of AlbertHofmann and his discovery of LSD. The impact that LSD movement had on Western culture is so vast and wide that it marks its place in history as one of the most influential movements that mankind has ever experienced. If you don't know much about the history of Dr. Hofmann and the early days of LSD this podcast will present a wonderful tapestry of that. Additionally, head on over to maps.org to take part in the "Discovering LSD: 75 Years of LSD Experiences" web portal. You'll be glad you did!

Episode 26 - Duncan Trussell, The Psychedelic Evolution of a Comedian Mystic An all new original episode of the MAPS podcast! This one features the great, wise, funny and truly unique Duncan Trussell. Zach sat down with Duncan to discuss the world through the psychedelic lens as only Duncan can see it. We covered how better to integrate our experiences in a complex world, the future of psychedelic research and Duncan's own evolution as a psychonaut growing up in America. Breathe and Enjoy. Duncan Trussell is a comedian and host of The Duncan Trussell Family Hour podcast    

Roland Griffiths and the Johns Hopkins Psilocybin Project - Implications for Spirituality & Therapeutics Live from Psychedelic Science 2017 Roland Griffiths, Ph.D gives the definitive talk about the psilocybin project that's underway at Johns Hopkins. The implications for spirituality and therapeutics is presented from the early sets of data obtained from the study. The program at Johns Hopkins investigates the effects of the classic hallucinogen psilocybin that includes studies of psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experiences in healthy volunteers, psilocybin-facilitated treatment of psychological distress in cancer patients, psilocybin-facilitated treatment of cigarette smoking cessation, psilocybin effects in beginning and long-term meditators, and psilocybin effects in religious leaders.  Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., is Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His principal research focus in both clinical and preclinical laboratorie

This episode of the MAPS podcast takes us on a journey way back into the archives of psychedelic lore by pulling some classic audio from a historic event in 1990. Tucked in the cozy enclave of Maryland many of the worlds great psychedelic luminaries gathered to reflect on the state of psychedelic research, culture and policy. Rick Doblin moderates a panel from this gathering entitled "Psychedelics and The Future" that features on one stage; Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Terence McKenna, Ralph Metzner, Andy Weil, Emerson Jackson and Robert Zanger. Rick sets the tone by putting forth the question "Where do you see us in the year 2000? What will psychedelics look like in the 90's and where will it take us?" Listen for yourself to hear what these legendary thinkers had to say. Look out for a part two from this gathering because it's OH so good!

Episode 23: Ketamine’s Therapeutic Potential: Practical Considerations for Clinical Use John Hartberg, B.Sc., M.D. Candidate Ketamine is quickly gaining popularity for it's therapeutic value for it's use in treatment-resistant depression and PTSD therapy. This clinical interest has been accompanied by an impressive array of biological and behavioral studies corroborating its antidepressant properties. The first part of this presentation will look at the use of oral ketamine in an outpatient clinical practice in Brisbane, Australia, where a retrospective chart review was conducted on a cohort of patients who had been treated for diagnosed psychiatric conditions. In the second part of the presentation, we’ll examine the latest research on ketamine’s role in psychiatric treatment.  John Hartberg, B.S., is a medical student at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, where he is conducting research at a psychiatric practice using oral ketamine for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. He holds a B.

This episode of the MAPS Podcast is taken from the Psychedelic Science 2017 conference in Oakland, CA. The talk is by the legendary and luminous Kathleen Harrison, M.A. and is entitled "Cannabis and Spirituality - Exploring the Plant Human Spirit Relationship". Kat's decades of work as an ethnobotanist focussed largely on the deeply inter-connected history and relationship between human beings and cannabis. A relationship existing not just in a cultural setting but also a spiritual one. This talk explores the nuances of the relationship, cultural appropriation in respect to psychedelic mysticsm and a holistic blueprint for how one might approach spirituality with cannabis as a guide.  Kathleen (Kat) Harrison, M.A. is an ethnobotanist who loves to explore the relationship between plants, mushrooms and human beings—particularly in the realms that are often hidden: cultural beliefs, personification of species, rituals of healing and initiation, vision-seeking modalities, and artistic creations that illustrate th

Episode 21 with Amanda Reiman, PhD The Use of Cannabis as a Substitute for Opiate and Non-Opiate Pain Medication  This episode of the MAPS Podcast presents an alternative treatment method and all around discussion in respect to the opioid crisis facing America. Currently, there are over 20,000 overdose deaths each year as a result of prescribed opiate pain medication. It's a major epidemic that has many opinions and a myriad of possible remedies. Amanda Reiman has done extensive research into using cannabis as a substitute in the treatment of this affliction. This talk is from Psychedelic Science 2017 and includes a brief audience question and answer at the end. Enjoy. Intro: 5 essential psychedelic book recommendations for your library. Amanda Reiman is the California policy manager for the Drug Policy Alliance. Based in San Francisco, Reiman leads DPA’s marijuana reform work in California. Reiman has conducted numerous studies on medical marijuana dispensaries, patients and the use of marijuana as a treatme

Episode 20 of the MAPS Podcast brings you Dr. William Richards and his talk "Psychedelic Psychotherapy: Insights from 25 Years of Research". From Psychedelic Science 2013 this talk reflects on his past involvement in clinical research with psychedelic substances at the University of Göttingen and the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, and in the current investigations at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Dr. Richards will discuss the discrete alternative states of consciousness that appear to facilitate psychotherapeutic progress, and the factors of set, setting, and dosage that increase the probability of their occurrence. William A. Richards, PhD, is a psychologist in the Psychiatry Department of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Bayview Medical Center, currently pursuing research with entheogens, and also a clinician in private practice in Baltimore. From 1977-1981, he was a member of the psychology faculty of Antioch University in Maryland. His publications began in 1966 with "Implic

This episode of The MAPS Podcast dives into the rich tapestry of the foreign yet wise world of South American plant medicine culture as experienced through the lens of an American medical doctors eyes. Joe's new book "The Fellowship of The River - A Medical Doctor's Exploration into Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicines" is a beautifully written and passionately researched account into Joe's time exploring how traditional plant medicines, with their ability to alter consciousness and open channels of communication to our emotions, offer so much promise in the treatment of many conditions that Western medicine does not seem to have much success with.  Joe and I also danced around his own evolution from traditional medical doctor to plant medicine mystic, the roots of Western medicine's own systematic limitations, various ailments and how we tend to treat them and a couple of case studies that illustrate the effectiveness of Joe's research.  I highly recommend his book (and this podcast) if you're at all curiou

The State of Psychedelic Therapy, Culture and Policy in the UK and Beyond with Dr. Ben Sessa Ben beams in via cyberspace for an original episode of The MAPS Podcast. Ben's talk with Zach weaved in and out of topics including the psychedelic dance in the UK, his own experiences with various methods, how to integrate results with traditional therapy and the culture wars that we're still fighting. Ben's experience, candor and passion is not to be missed. He's a force on the front lines of the psychedelic movement.  Intro: An excerpt was read from "Why I'm microdosing LSD" By Erica Avey. The entire piece can be read here From DrSessa.com -  I am a medical doctor providing private psychiatric consultation through Mandala Therapy Limited  I am a published medical and fiction author I carry out psychopharmacology research with psychedelic medicines I am researching MDMA Therapy for mental disorders I publish in the academic and medical press I present regularly in multi-media platforms I carry out medico-Legal fami

Have you wondered what happens on a neuro-scientific and physiological level when phsychedelics enter your body? That question has been at the root of the psychedelic experience for generations if not centuries. Ancient mystics had the understnading that these sacred plant medicines contained tribal DNA which was necessary to keep cultures and history alive. However, now that we have more data and research available we can augment that thinking with actual stuides that illustrate how the brain is effected when these agents enter our system.  Highlighting the results of two fMRI studies and one MEG study with psilocybin and an fMRI study with MDMA, Carhart-Harris will report the effects of both drugs on regional brain activity and brain network organization. Additionally, he will report the effects of both drugs on brain and subjective responses to personal autobiographical memory cues. Dr Robin Carhart-Harris talks about his scientific research into the effects and potential therapeutic uses of psychedeli

Microdosing: The Phenomenon, Research Results, and Startling Surprises From Psychedelic Science 2017 Yes, Dr. Fadiman is back on the show! I know it seems disproportionate and it is. But after you listen to this episode you'll see why! Microdosing is by far one of the most popular revolutions happening within the psychedelic community today. The wide ranging applications for use in increased cognitive capacity based experiences is fast becoming a legitimate psychedelic method for use within the general population. James Fadiman and Sophia Korb at the center of cyclone with their ongoing research of over 1500 active participants.  From their site,  These are the three most frequently asked questions: How much is a microdose? Most people start at 1/20 to 1/10 of a recreational dose of whatever substance they are trying and adjust based on their experience. If you are experiencing visual effects, you have taken too much. How often are microdoses taken? Most participants dose every three days. Is microdosing rig