How could you safely use psychedelics to break out of patterns that keep you stuck?
With the help of my friend Dr. Rick Barnett, we discuss the benefits and stigma that surrounds the use of psychedelic therapy to overcome depression, disordered eating and various addictions.
We also cover the potentially powerful role psychedelics can play as effective pattern interrupters of human behavior and what treatments are currently legal in the United States.
Rick is a licensed clinical psychologist and drug and alcohol counselor practicing in Vermont. In long-term recovery himself, he is also a pioneer in the medical use of psychedelics, co-founding the Psychedelic Society of Vermont in 2021.
From Tommy Rosen's concept of the "frequency of addiction" to powerful insights from Eckhart Tolle, Judson Brewer and Alcoholics Anonymous co-Founder Bill W, this podcast covers a lot of territory that will be useful to anyone interested in overcoming obstacles and personal transformation.
So let's get into it!
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SHOW NOTES
01:30 Introduction
02:22 Rick's origin story
03:35 Early experiences with LSD - "Seeing the world through different eyes"
04:40 Sober at age 20
05:10 Credits sobriety and career to psychedelic use
06:30 Co-Founder of Alcoholics Anonymous Bill W's "white light" moment
07:30 Bill W's later experimentation with LSD
09:30 Spiritual experience of psychedelics can complement 12-Step work
11:00 Tommy Rosen's concept of "the frequency of addiction"
11:45 Compulsive thinking as a disease of addiction
12:15 Underlying principles of the 12 Steps
14:30 Judson Brewer's writings on addiction
16:00 "The Pollan Effect" - How to Change Your Mind published in 2018
17:00 True meaning of "Drop the Weight" podcast relates to "frequency of addiction"
18:00 Value of talk therapy
20:25 Psychedelics "by definition" change your consciousness
21:30 Impact of Michael Pollan's book
22:30 Destigmatizing psychedelics among healthcare practitioners
23:15 Ketamine as the only legal psychedelic treatment in the U.S.
25:00 Integrating psychedelics with other therapies
27:40 Instead of saying "I'm sorry," say "Thank you"
29:25 Who should avoid psychedelic therapy?
30:55 People with a history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder should use caution
33:30 September 2023 Equinox psychedelic event
35:00 New research about 5-Meo-DMT therapy in Mexico
36:50 Psychedelics as pattern interrupters with "transdiagnostic" applications
37:00 Treating depression, anxiety, addiction and overeating as well
40:05 Legal and non-legal pathways for psychedelic therapy
41:00 Ketamine, Ayahuasca, Ibogaine
44:20 Ongoing stigma surrounding psychedelic therapy as "recreational"
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You can learn more about Dr. Rick Barnett, his practice and the Psychedelic Society of Vermont here:
Rick's Website: https://drrickbarnett.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drrickbarnett
Psychedelic Society of Vermont Website: https://vermontpsychedelic.org/
