Rick Doblin - HEALING THROUGH PSYCHEDELICS

Rick Doblin is a a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist and the visionary behind MAPS—the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), a non-profit dedicated to “delivering global healing through psychedelic research.” 

His research proves how psychedelics heal trauma. 

Rick started studying the power of psychedelics as medicine just one year before the US government scheduled an emergency ban on psychedelics—and he has continued to work on the frontlines of advocacy for the return of this medicine ever since. 

In this episode, you’ll hear us talk about the need for deep healing in a society that’s running on fumes. His words on PTSD and what’s possible for even the most complicated of cases brings a depth of hope that anyone with trauma (big t or little) can drop shoulders after listening. 

The long term effects measured by his clinical trials are there. The safety is there. The need is there. The only thing missing is the regulatory approval and the adaptation for certain psychedelics to move from Schedule I (the highest of offense) to Schedule II, which allows medical use. 

We also cover the extremes, like balancing a sober life with the use of this medicine— because that’s all it is, medicine—and combining it with therapy.  

And we catch beautiful quotes like this one:

“A lot of the people who are involved in substance abuse problems feel isolated and alone. Part of the antidote to that is to feel that you are connected to this magnificent adventure of billions of years that’s produced life on earth, and to feel that there’s this web of love that’s underneath everything.”

TRIGGER WARNING: 
This episode discusses suicide and suicidal ideation, and some people might find it disturbing. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please, contact your physician, go to your local ER, or call the suicide prevention hotline in your country. 

For the United States, the numbers are as follows:
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255), or message the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Both programs provide free, confidential support 24/7.

For Cananda, the numbers are as follows:
Call the Canada Suicie Prevention Service 1.833.456.4566, available 24/7/365 or Text the Crisis Text Line at 45645, available 4pm - midnight

 

WORKS:

- founder and executive director of MAPs—the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, which has “dedicated the last 36 years to changing the way people think of, talk about, and consume psychedelics through research, education, and advocacy.”

- TED: The Future of Psychedelic-Assisted Research

TOOLS:

- Research that sheds light on the true safety psychedelics can provide in healing trauma

- Profound insights and data that open us up to what’s happening when our minds are on psychedelics 

- Reminders of the power therapy has and why I always always recommend it

- Insight into the studies MAPS is conducting to better understand the profound effects this medicine creates

- Discussions around the equity and accessibility of these tools and what changes have to happen

 

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

BETTER is recorded on the unceded and ancestral territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and has been stewarded by them since time immemorial.
 

BETTER with Mark Brand is produced by Pamela Rothenberg of I HEAR YOU STUDIOS and Adam Karch with Orbyt Media