#11 - Rebecca Lester: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Reseach

In this groundbreaking episode of Life Beyond Loss, host Kelly Chandler sits down with Dr. Rebecca Lester, an anthropologist and licensed clinical social worker at Washington University's Healthy Mind Lab and CHIRP (Center for Holistic and Interdisciplinary Research in Psychedelics). Drawing from her personal experience with eating disorders and her academic expertise in culture and mental health, Dr. Lester is pioneering research into psychedelic-assisted therapy as a revolutionary approach to treating mental distress. She discusses her journey from patient to researcher, the rigorous training required to become a psychedelic facilitator, and how these powerful substances can help people address the deep existential issues underlying conditions like eating disorders, addiction, and trauma—moving beyond symptom management to tackle root causes.

This episode is essential listening for mental health professionals, individuals struggling with treatment-resistant conditions, and anyone curious about the future of psychiatric care. Listeners will gain insight into how psychedelic therapy works at a neurological level to create new neural pathways, understand the critical importance of guided experiences versus unsupervised use, and learn why this approach represents a fundamental shift from traditional Western medicine's focus on behavioral fixes. By the end, you'll have a clearer understanding of how psychedelics are being studied as legitimate medical interventions, the safety protocols involved, and why this research could transform how we think about healing—not just for mental health, but for medicine as a whole.