#60 Brave New World- The Psychedelic Renaissance is a Social Engineering Project. Travis Kitchens

Travis Kitchens was a psychedelic research subject in the Johns Hopkins study in 2014. Travis and Ryan explore the history of the current psychedelic movement, focusing on the Johns Hopkins studies, the Council on Spiritual Practices, and the implications of psychedelics in social engineering. Travis critiques the psychedelic movement, highlighting the influence of key figures and the commercialization of psychedelics, while questioning the narrative that psychedelics universally improve individuals and society. Travis and Ryan delve into the complexities surrounding psychedelics, discussing their potential benefits and the authoritarian elements that often accompany their use. They explore the dangers of addiction and escapism, the importance of cultural context, and the need for critical examination of psychedelic literature. The dialogue emphasizes the mystery of existence and the limits of knowledge, advocating for a humble approach to understanding consciousness and the human experience.

 

 

 

Chapters

 

00:00 Introduction to Psychedelics and Personal Journey

09:58 The Johns Hopkins Study and Its Impact

19:57 The Council on Spiritual Practices and the Psychedelic Renaissance

30:05 Social Engineering and the Role of Psychedelics

32:26 Narrowing Down the Focus

34:01 The Psychedelic Renaissance and Its Critics

36:31 Journalism and the Psychedelic Movement

38:55 Transhumanism and Psychedelics

42:18 Rick Doblin and the MAPS Controversy

49:19 Whistleblowers and Hidden Research

55:35 The Oversimplification of Psychedelic Benefits

01:02:32 Psychedelics and the Military

01:06:47 The Future of Psychedelics in Medicine

01:11:56 Cultural Context and Individual Healing

01:17:34 The Dangers of Escapism and Addiction

01:24:38 Integration and the Mystical Experience

01:35:45 The Mystery Cult of Psychedelics

01:37:36 The Role of Subtlety in Psychedelic Experiences

01:38:06 Exploring Richard Noll's Controversial Work on Jung

01:40:38 Understanding Jung's Influence on the Psychedelic Renaissance

01:42:05 Debunking the Cult of Personality in Psychedelia

01:44:32 The Importance of Questioning Authority

01:47:30 Psychedelics as a Tool for Humility

01:49:49 The Need for Critical Examination in Psychedelic Literature

01:52:43 The Dangers of Suggestibility in the Psychedelic Movement

01:55:40 The Artistic Value of Controversial Figures

02:01:36 Final Thoughts on Mystery and Skepticism

 

 

Travis Kitchens Substack-  https://substack.com/@targetpractice

 

https://reason.com/2025/02/09/the-most-controversial-paper-in-the-history-of-psychedelic-research-may-never-see-the-light-of-day/

 

Music for every episode 

Intro and exit music used: Strange the dreamer by Savfk - www.youtube.com/@savfkmusic

 

Connect with Ryan Anderson

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iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-wondejunkie/id1739838765

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1CcQXpxfV9P89IrKmtV2hS?si=6519a88aef444ba0

A bit about Ryan Anderson-  https://open.spotify.com/episode/7bsR23J