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Altered States of ContextEpisode 45: Nate interviews the Perspectives CrewA bit of an ASOC origin story! In this Episode Nate interviews the Perspectives Retreats crew, which include our very own Brian Pilecki, Jenna LeJeune, Miranda Morris and Temple Morris. The idea for Perspectives Retreats originated in the same place as Altered States of Context- at a psilocybin retreat in Jamaica 6 years ago. Since then the Perspectives crew have worked to develop the most thorough and clinically informed retreat model in the business- and they are here to tell us about it. 2025-01-031h 01Altered States of ContextEpisode 44: EMBARK and the Role of Therapy in Psychedelics with Alex BelserDr. Alex Belser joins us to further discuss EMBARK and how his passion for training psychedelic therapists led to the development of a broadly applicable model that includes all aspects of psychedelic experiences. With the recent rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy by the FDA, we discuss the future role of psychotherapy, in contrast to more minimal psychological support, in future psychedelic medicine. We also discuss how you might get involved in psychedelic-assisted therapy (spoiler alert: there are no clear paths).2024-11-111h 25Altered States of ContextStorytelling and Biograffs with Jennifer BemanHumans are natural storytellers, for better or worse. How can we become more aware of the stories that embed our lives? How do psychedelics help us see the stories that we live inside and help us have more agency about being an author to our stories? Our guest Jennifer Beman is a documentary film editor who has created a method for visual story-telling called BioGraffs. Hear her describe how BioGraffs can be used to get underneath language and serve as a tool for a range of applications including therapy, talking about sex, resolving conflict within couples, and psychedelic integration. 2024-09-2551 minAltered States of ContextDr. William Brennan discusses EMBARKDr. William Brennan describes EMBARK, a transdiagnostic flexible model of psychedelic facilitation that builds on existing approaches in clinical research of psychedelic-assisted therapy. He describes the six clinical domains and four care cornerstones, and how they can be flexibly applied to a range of conditions and settings. We discuss some of the pros and cons of a unifying model of change in psychedelics, as well as the tension between individualism in psychotherapy with a systemic, contextual understanding of mental health problems. 2024-07-241h 23Altered States of ContextGABBY LEHIGH, Music and PsychedelicsGabby Lehigh recently earned her PhD from the Department of Anthropology at the University of South Florida (USF). She holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in anthropology from USF. Her dissertation research focused on transformative psychedelic experiences at music events to understand how psychedelic use in everyday contexts creates meaningful and impactful experiences. She recently accepted a position as a research coordinator at Moffitt Cancer Center, developing novel interventions for smoking cessation among underserved populations. She is passionate about developing and supporting diverse clinical, spiritual, and recreational models of psychedelic (and...2024-07-241h 10Altered States of ContextSEASON INFINITYNew EPISODESAfter a bit of a break, we are back with three new episodes and a new format. Instead of biweekly episodes during a season, we are simply going to release episodes whenever we feel like it! We are hoping that this intermittent schedule of reinforcement works well for all of our loyal listeners, as it makes it much easier for us to keep recording these interesting and in-depth conversations and putting them out, without feeling bound to a schedule. We're excited to keep bringing you thought provoking conversations with leaders in the field...2024-07-2455 minAltered States of ContextAndy Mitchell, Author of "Ten Trips"Andy Mitchell, author of “Ten Trips,” describes his experience having ten different psychedelic experiences in very different types of contexts ranging from academic settings to indigenous communities. Andy provides a fresh take on psychedelics with a unique perspective of sampling several sub-communities within the larger psychedelic community, including therapists and scientists, psychonauts and inner travelers, and spiritual or religious practitioners. Andy describes how he has come to see how much psychedelics have become a construct that can become what we want them to be based upon our own beliefs and worldviews, and how their trickster qualities tend to obstruct them...2024-01-1553 minAltered States of ContextDOWN ON THE FARMIn this episode we take a slight detour from our main topic to discuss Nate’s experiences with farming in central Illinois. Hear Nate describe how he got into farming and how his experiences with animals have shaped the way he thinks about everything from diet to psychotherapy. You’ll hear Nate defend why he is virulently "pro-savanna" and discuss how living in a sustainable ecosystem allows for regular experiences of abundance, as well as staying close to the cycle of life and death. And yes, we do discuss how sustainable farming does fit neatly within the psychedelic experience.2023-12-051h 08Altered States of ContextEpisode 37: The Towering Franklin KingJoin us for a conversation with Franklin King, is a psychiatrist with expertise in neuroscience and psychedelics. Hear him discuss his history of working in a psych ER and his perspectives on how public health interventions can help people attain greater wellness. Dr. King’s unique experience in mental health care and research on psychedelic-assisted therapy leads to an engaging discussion about how psychedelic medicine is evolving in our current health care system. Dr. King is a psychiatrist at Mass General Hospital in Boston, was trained in residency and fellowship in Consult-Liaison Psychiatry and a research fellowship wit...2023-11-131h 21Altered States of ContextEpisode 36: Holotropic Breathwork Christine CalvertHolotropic breathwork, developed by Stan and Christina Grof, [BP1] was developed as a method to induce altered states of consciousness after LSD was made illegal and therefore no longer available. Christine Calvert is a certified Holotropic Breathwork facilitator who discusses the history and development of holotropic breathwork and how it is related to psychedelic-assisted therapy. With decades of experience, Christine highlights the importance of supporting the inner wisdom of clients and being non-intrusive as a facilitator. We also discuss the importance of doing one’s own work before taking on the role of facilitating altered sta...2023-09-251h 31Altered States of ContextVictor CabralIn this compelling episode, Nate and Brian are joined by Victor Cabral, a licensed social worker and therapist, who currently serves as the Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at Fluence Training. Victor has a passion for equity and justice in relation to drug policies and hopes to emphasize community views, oppression, and harm that has been done in relation to psychedelics and drug policy. Previous to this role, he had worked in the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Advocacy and Reform; notably, creating the first Racial Day of Healing for Pennsylvania. With his experience in government policy, social wo...2023-08-211h 07Altered States of ContextEpisode 34: The indefatigable Max WolffOSMINDOsmind is the premier platform for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy practices. The all-in-one platform includes purpose-built charting for ketamine, SPRAVATO, psychotherapy and more; as well as patient tools for the therapeutic alliance that include 40+ validated rating scales and a patient app for journaling and secure messaging too. Visit Osmind using our link below:osmind.org/asocEpisode Description:In this episode, we interview Max Wolff. Max Wolff is a psychologist and psychotherapist, and serves as the Head of Psychotherapy Training and Research at the MIND Foundation. We discuss the EPIsoDE psilocybin trial that Max i...2023-07-311h 21Altered States of ContextEpisode 33: An interview with practitioner Denise RueShow Description: In this fascinating episode, Brian is joined by Denise Rue, who is a hypnotherapist, social worker, and experienced psilocybin retreat facilitator. Brian and Denise dive deep into the nature of psychedelic therapy and the retreat experience, from preparation through integration. Denise shares her perspective on the role of a psychedelic therapist and what it takes to successfully facilitate psychedelic experiences for clients with a wide range of goals and backgrounds. The particular utility of group work with psychedelics is explored, as are topics of dealing with challenging psychedelic experiences, “deprogramming” beliefs about psychedelics and mental heal...2023-07-181h 13Altered States of ContextEp. 32: PSYCHEDELIC SCIENCE: The big MAPS carnivalOSMINDOsmind is the premier platform for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy practices. The all-in-one platform includes purpose-built charting for ketamine, SPRAVATO, psychotherapy and more; as well as patient tools for the therapeutic alliance that include 40+ validated rating scales and a patient app for journaling and secure messaging too. Visit Osmind using our link below:osmind.org/asocDid you miss out on Psychedelic Science 2023? Or did you go and want to spend time revisiting some of the highlights? In this episode Brian shares some of his experiences at the conference including learning about the latest science on p...2023-07-0355 minAltered States of ContextEp. 31: Season 3 kickoff! An interview with Jon DennisThis Episode's SponsorOSMINDOsmind is the premier platform for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy practices. The all-in-one platform includes purpose-built charting for ketamine, SPRAVATO, psychotherapy and more; as well as patient tools for the therapeutic alliance that include 40+ validated rating scales and a patient app for journaling and secure messaging too. Visit Osmind using our link below: osmind.org/asocIn this episode, we speak with Jon Dennis. Jon is a lawyer by training, and has played an integral role in the development of Measure 109 in Oregon. He also serves as the E...2023-06-191h 17Altered States of ContextEp. 30: Season 2 WRAP UPBrian and I wrap things up for season two and lay the groundwork for season 3.2022-10-2447 minAltered States of ContextEp. 29: Dr Rosalind WattsDr. Rosalind Watts discusses her work in applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to psychedelic-assisted therapy. Dr. Watts shares about how her own challenging psychedelic experiences have provided her with valuable insight and perspective in working with depressed clients, as well as the value in opening up to our pain in helping us become more engaged in our lives. Dr. Watts emphasizes the importance of integration and describes it as a lifelong process of growth. She also shares about her new project, ACER integration, which is a 12-month program that combines her work in ACT with an explicit focus on...2022-10-241h 05Altered States of ContextEp. 28: Zach HaigneyZach Haigney is the author of the Trip Report, a weekly newsletter that synthesizes psychedelic news in the areas of medicine, science, and policy. Looking at the big picture, we discuss where the field is at and where it is going. We review the hype cycle and identify why psychedelics tend to be aggrandized, and Zach discusses his view of how the psychedelic space is an ecosystem filled with checks and balances that is incredibly complex and unique in our culture. We talk about why the DEA doesn’t seem to want to mess with entheogenic churches, and what th...2022-09-141h 06Altered States of ContextEp. 27: Psychedelic training, conceptual solvents, and the Czech Republic: An interview with Ingmar GormanDr. Ingmar Gorman discusses the current state of psychedelic training programs and how Fluence, the organization that he helped co-found, is attempting to meet the training needs of mental health professionals. He also discusses the little known history of psychedelics in the Czech Republic and Europe, and describes what it was like for psychedelics to flourish in a conservative region of the world decades ago. We also discuss various metaphors for psychedelic-assisted therapy, including emphasizing the disrupting effect of psychedelics that, for better or worse, can lead to dramatic change. Dr. Gorman brings his expertise in developing therapy portions...2022-08-171h 22Altered States of ContextEp. 26: Would you Believe it? Psychedelics and Transformed WorldviewsPsychedelics are known for their ability to shake up one’s existing belief system and provoke new ways of seeing the world. Several studies show that people often become more spiritual or religious after a powerful psychedelic experience. There is a trend in moving away from physical or materialistic worldviews into non-physical, fatalistic, or nondual worldviews. In this episode we discussion the function of a worldview in providing a sense of predictability in the world and bring a skeptic’s eye to explaining the increase in spiritual beliefs- is this just human’s proclivity to engage in pattern recognition and me...2022-08-021h 22Altered States of ContextEp. 25: Rachel Harris, Ayahuasca and Women in PsychedelicsDr. Rachel Harris shares her work in investigating the ceremonial use of ayahuasca and how understanding indigenous cultures can help inform the Westernized medical framework of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Dr. Harris also discusses her upcoming book about the work of female underground guides and elders, and why the voices of women have been largely underrepresented in the modern history of psychedelics. She highlights the role of different options for interfacing with psychedelics, and shares her personal journey of being called into medicine work.Book: Listening to AyahuascaReferenced YouTube Video2022-07-201h 29Altered States of ContextEp. 24: A Little Fun won't Hurt!Much of the current discussion around psychedelic drugs center on their therapeutic effects. Clinical conversations, promotion, hype, controversy- who controls them, who are they good for, how can they be used for maximum benefit, who's getting paid...A little something has gotten a bit lost in the mix- FUN.Psychedelics can be a real, real good time. In this Episode, Brian and Nate discuss why conversations so often steers towards the perhaps socially acceptable terrain of the therapeutic and away from good old-fashioned fun- and how there is a great deal of value to be...2022-07-0445 minAltered States of ContextEp. 23 : Group Administration of Psychedelics: An Interview with Chris StaufferDr. Chris Stauffer talks about his research investigating the use of group-administered psilocybin and MDMA. The advantages of group administration are discussed, including the opportunity to increase social connection and deepen capacities to be vulnerable with others. Dr. Stauffer also highlights how group psychedelic-assisted therapy needs to be adapted to the identities of the participants, sharing about his experiences in working with the veteran population and a study with transgender and gender non-conforming participants. Chris also discusses his work on oxytocin and how that influences the way the thinks about increased social connection as a process of change involved...2022-06-231h 05Altered States of ContextEp. 22: STEVEN C HAYESIn this edition of ASOC, we had the opportunity for a long, in-depth conversation with the one and only Dr. Steven C. Hayes.In this fun and wide-ranging conversation, Steve talks about how his personal experiences with psychedelics contributed to the development of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and his understanding of the role of language in human suffering. He shares about his involvement in the psychedelic movement of the 60’s and how he is excited about the potential for the modern psychedelic renaissance. We discuss the role of the psychological flexibility model in understanding the psychedelic experience an...2022-06-061h 34Altered States of ContextEp. 21: Should Therapists Trip? Duh! But wait…Should psychedelic therapists have their own experiences with psychedelics? While the answer to this question may at first seem obvious, this episode explores some of the nuances in this issue. For example, if personal experience is necessary, who gets to decide how much and under what conditions? Furthermore, we explore how personal experiences may inform one’s work as a psychedelic therapist and discuss precedence in the field for requiring therapists to have personal experience in therapy. Article: The influence of therapists’ first-hand experience with psychedelics on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy research and therapist training2022-05-2351 minAltered States of ContextEp. 20: Diversity & Quitting Smoking with Dr. Albert Garcia RomeuIn this episode, Nate interviews Dr. Albert Garcia Romeu of Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research.First, we discuss the state of diversity within psychedelic research, both in terms of the research subjects and the researchers themselves. We pointed out how this may be particularly problematic in psychedelic science, as it tests many deep assumptions about culture and context that a homogenous group (such as monocultural White, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic- WEIRD- researchers) might not take broad enough perspectives on. Additionally we discuss the cool study on psilocybin that has led to a...2022-05-091h 11Altered States of ContextEp. 19: Taking Apart Bad TripsWhat are bad trips and why do they happen? What are the different ways that things can go wrong? In this episode we explore various sub-types of psychedelic experiences and debate the differences between challenging trips and bad trips, and how difficult experiences can often lead to healing and growth with the right support. We dismantle the idea that “there is no such thing as a bad trip” and talk about ways to mitigate difficult experiences when taking psychedelics. Nate also opens up about a difficult psychedelic experience that he had and what he learned from it, including the impor...2022-04-2549 minAltered States of ContextEp. 18: ACT and Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy with Dr. Jordan SloshowerACT has already been used to inform the psychotherapy portions of psilocybin-assisted therapy in several clinical trials. Dr. Jordan Sloshower shares about his experiences working on a clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression. He discusses why his team chose ACT from among several potential therapy models, as well as his views on ACT’s strengths and weaknesses in preparation, dosing, and integration sessions involved in psilocybin-assisted therapy. We discuss how the development of psychedelic-assisted therapy challenges current paradigms in mental health treatment and may lead us to a more holistic model of understanding and treating mental health problems.2022-04-101h 10Altered States of ContextEp. 17: Season 2- Navigating TurbulenceSeason two begins with a summary of recent news in psychedelics, including developments in decriminalization efforts by several states, an update on Oregon’s measure 109 and psilocybin services, and the recent dissolving of Mindcure and what that means for big money players in the psychedelic space. Nate and Brian also speculate on various potential models of psychedelic-assisted therapy and the potential future of novel psychedelic substances currently being researched.2022-03-2852 min
ACT in Perspective - A prosocial podcast using behavioral science to address human suffering#14: Season 2, Ep 3: The Therapeutic Value of Psychedelics and Altered States with Nathan Gates, MS, LPC and Brian Pilecki, Ph.DNathan Gates, MS, LPC, and Brian Pilecki, Ph.D, discuss the benefits of psychedelics in the therapeutic process, particularly with the psychological flexibility of ACT and other process-based therapy models. We discuss the history of psychedelics, the major key players, the fears which led to government control in the late 60s and beyond, the underground psychedelic culture, and the recent resurgence of legitimate research of the past 20 years. We discuss the exponentially growing peer reviewed research that's leading the way to treat depression, social anxiety, PTSD, the fears of those with terminal illnesses. We are just scratching the surface of...2022-02-281h 16Altered States of ContextEp. 16: Legalize It! An intermission session.We're Back!Well, not quite. We are releasing this FULL EPISODE now because it's timely, and because we ARE coming back, and soon! New episodes will be coming back at you every other week starting at the end of March. We've been hard at work and have numerous interviews recorded and queued up for the editing bay. We're very excited to share them with you. This interview is with the fantastic Jean Lacy, founder of World Tree Sanctuary, the Illinois Psychedelic Society and all-around go getter. She's also a farmer and fellow (to...2022-02-251h 08Altered States of ContextEp. 15: The Dam Has BrokenWrapping up the year, we highlight some of the major developments in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy and identify current trends in the psychedelic zeitgeist. While we discuss encouraging and positive news, we also identify some potential pitfalls and dangers in the future of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Additionally we share news regarding the future of Altered States of Context. We’d like to thank our audience and encourage you to contact us with feedback or ideas for future episodes. pilecki@gmail.com nathan@spoonrivercounseling.com)Also check out Nate's newsletter, and SUBSCRIBE tr...2021-12-2044 minAltered States of ContextEp. 14: Where is the Love? Psychedelics and Love with Dr. Adele LafranceLove is a word that is often left out in traditional psychotherapy, though love remains perhaps the most central aspect of being human. Dr. Adele Lafrance discusses reasons why the concept of love is such a controversial topic and emphasizes the need to reincorporate love into psychotherapy. She discusses how experiences of love and our obstacles to feeling love are such as an important part of the healing process in psychedelic-assisted therapy. We discuss different types of love including love between people, love for ourselves, and the idea of being love. Additionally, we talk about self-care, working...2021-12-061h 17Altered States of ContextEp. 13: Stigma in PsychedelicsStigma about psychedelics remains a problem and can cause harm when psychedelic users encounter judgment or other negative consequences in social contexts. Rooted in decades of misinformation and the failed war on drugs, there is a need for greater public education about the actual risks and benefits of psychedelics. In this episode we discuss a recent study that surveyed psychologists’ attitudes about the use of psychedelics and discuss findings that demonstrate evidence of stigma. We discuss our personal experiences of stigma and how cultural and other identities can impact one’s readiness to be assertive when encountering stig...2021-11-2254 min
Transcripts225. Psychedelics with Brian Pilecki and Nathan GatesA psychology podcast about the use of psychedelic drugs in psychotherapy.2021-11-1700 min
Psychologists Off the Clock225. Psychedelics with Brian Pilecki and Nathan GatesA psychology podcast about the use of psychedelic drugs in psychotherapy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.2021-11-1754 minPsychologists Off the Clock225. Psychedelics with Brian Pilecki and Nathan GatesA psychology podcast about the use of psychedelic drugs in psychotherapy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.2021-11-1754 minAltered States of ContextEp. 12: Psychedelic Integration: An Interview with Ryan WestrumWe can't talk enough about integration on this show. To help broaden this conversation, Ryan Westrum, author of the “Psychedelic Integration Handbook”, joins us to talk about psychedelic integration and the importance of embodied action following psychedelic experiences. Ryan brings his expertise as a psychologist working in the areas of sexuality, addiction, and psychedelic integration. We discuss common pitfalls in psychedelic integration such as not being an active participant in change and the danger of unrealistic expectations. We also discuss the importance of being mindful about sharing psychedelic experiences with others due to the potential for stigma and j...2021-11-081h 15Altered States of ContextEp. 11: Ain't all Roses: Risks of Psychedelic PsychotherapyDuring psychedelic experiences people are vulnerable and more at risk to abuses of power in relationships. In this episode we discuss the prevalence of power imbalances in mental health care in general, how the are traditionally dealt with, and the need for greater awareness around the potential for emotional or sexual abuse by therapists in psychedelic-assisted therapy. We highlight a recent study that interviewed underground guides and summarized challenges in working with clients during psychedelic sessions such as increased emotional intensity and attunement to therapist behaviors. We discuss the role of touch in psychedelic-assisted therapy and emphasize the importance...2021-10-2552 minAltered States of ContextEp. 10: Psychedelic ACT: theory into practice with Henry WhitfieldIn this show we interview Henry Whitfield, an ACBS peer reviewed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy trainer who has also conducted legal psychedelic retreats in the Netherlands. We have the opportunity here to discuss applying ACT, not only in preparation and integration sessions, but in the course of a psychedelic journey itself. We talk about many of the useful aspects of an ACT-oriented perspective when making sense of and integrating the psychedelic space and talk about the ins and outs of actually running a psychedelic retreat. 2021-10-1159 minAltered States of ContextEp. 9: Alternative Contexts: Retreats, Religion and more with Eric OsborneIn this episode Brian and Nate interview Eric Osborne. Eric is a Kentucky native and cofounder of Psanctuary, a 508(c)(1)(A) faith-based organization, which is a constitutionally protected church utilizing psilocybin containing mushrooms as a sacrament. Additionally, he is the founder of Mycomeditations, a group based psychedelic retreat center in Jamaica. Eric has a unique and very interesting perspective, as one with a front row seat for the developing "psychedelic renaissance" while also remaining outside the dominant therapeutic/medical/research institutions.In this conversation we cover a range of topics, from the importance of group...2021-09-271h 36Altered States of ContextEp. 8: IntegrationIntegration is a concept getting plenty of love in conversations about psychedelic assisted psychotherapy. It seems to be universally regarded as important, but what does it mean? In this episode, Brian and Nate offer a definition of integration, discuss its importance within psychedelic assisted psychotherapy, and talk briefly about what might be useful to aid in integration.2021-09-131h 10Altered States of ContextEp. 7: A Very Condensed History of PsychedelicsHow long have psychedelics been around? How were they used by older cultures? What lessons from the past can we apply to the present? In this episode Nate and Brian zoom through thousands of years of history in about an hour, covering a range of historical facts, oddities, and tidbits. With a focus on the last century, we discuss how psychedelics have mostly existed outside of mainstream culture and are currently in transition to become more sanctioned by Western medicine. From the Eleusinian Mysteries to St. Anthony’s Fire, we cover some of the most interesting case examples of ho...2021-08-301h 04Altered States of ContextEp. 6: Dr. Gregory Wells InterviewIn this episode we share our interview with Dr. Gregory Wells, a clinician and researcher with Ketamine and MDMA based in San Francisco. We talk about clinical research, being in the room with a client on MDMA, and making sense of psychedelic medicine.Gregory Wells (he/him/queer) is a licensed psychologist based in San Francisco. He is a clinician and researcher in the field of psychedelic medicine and a supporter of cognitive liberty and decriminalization. He obtained his doctorate degree from UT-Austin and also holds a post-doctoral degree in clinical psychopharmacology. He currently works as a principa...2021-08-161h 24Altered States of ContextEp. 5: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Psychedelics (ACT): Part IIACT is an ideal psychotherapy model that is useful in understanding the psychedelic experience. ACT is a transdiagnostic model of human suffering that includes six core processes relevant to the manifestation of mental health issues. ACT aims to promote psychological flexibility and living a values-based life. In this episode, we review the ACT model and discuss the processes of values and committed action.2021-08-0234 minAltered States of ContextEp. 4: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Psychedelics (ACT): Part IACT is an ideal psychotherapy model that is useful in understanding the psychedelic experience. ACT is a transdiagnostic model of human suffering that includes six core processes relevant to the manifestation of mental health issues. ACT aims to promote psychological flexibility and living a values-based life. In this episode, we review the ACT model and discuss the processes of contact with the present moment, self-as-context, acceptance, and cognitive defusion. We discuss how psychedelics are helpful in reducing rigidity around these processes and increasing psychological flexibility. 2021-07-1947 minAltered States of ContextEp. 1: Initial Psychedelic OfferingPsychedelics, psychotherapy, and science: a podcast about new frontiers in mental health with an abundance of heart and a dash of weirdness. Meet hosts Nathan Gates and Brian Pilecki as they describe their own personal journeys and share their passion for the use of psychedelics and psychedelic assisted therapy in healing and transformation. This introductory episode will outline the purpose of this podcast including exploring the synergy between psychotherapy and psychedelics, taking a critical approach to the ongoing developments and news in psychedelic medicine, and the need to include more of a multicultural perspective in a field that is...2021-07-0537 minAltered States of ContextEp. 2: Describing the Indescribable: Contextual Behavioral Science and the Psychedelic ExperienceWhat use are language and theory in making sense of psychedelic experiences? The role of Contextual Behavioral Science is discussed in preparation, dosing, and integration aspects of psychedelics. We highlight why this theory of language and human suffering is such a compatible framework for working with psychedelic spaces. We discuss how psychedelics can break down language in both helpful and harmful ways, and how psychotherapy can provide a container for maximizing the benefits of this potential.2021-07-0550 minAltered States of ContextEp. 3: Clinical Research on Psychedelics with Jason LuomaResearch on psychedelics has proliferated over the last ten years confirming that psychedelic-assisted therapy is an effective treatment for certain mental health conditions. In this episode we interview Jason Luoma and provide an overview of the most rigorous recent studies, as well as touch on some of the history of psychedelic research and common issues in studying the psychedelic experience. 2021-07-051h 09Altered States of ContextAltered States of Context TrailerA short teaser for the upcoming Altered States of Context podcast with Brian Pilecki and Nathan Gates2021-06-3002 min