Psychedelic Spotlight Podcast

Matthew Dunehoo and David delve into an enlightening discussion about the hurdles, victories, and breakthroughs propelling PSYC ahead. They explore how Psychedelic Spotlight is adapting to changes and what these developments signify for stakeholders and the broader community, reaffirming their dedication to advancing psychedelic medicine.

 Host David Flores welcomes Dr. Steven L. Mandel, President and Founder of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles, to shed light on the misconceptions and stigmas associated with ketamine therapy. They tackle the widespread misinterpretations of Perry’s autopsy report and its unintended consequences on the public's understanding of ketamine's role in treating mood disorders. Dr. Mandel elucidates the stark...

Host, David Flores, is joined by Joseph Caltabiano, the newly appointed Chairman and CEO of The Healing Realty Trust ("The HRT"), and Cody Shandraw, President and Founder of The HRT for an enlightening discussion on the critical role real estate is expected to play in helping to establish the clinical infrastructure necessary to support the effective rollout of psychedelic-assisted therapy in the...

Riley and David chat about "Peace of Mind," the ESPN documentary that premiered this spring highlighting the role psychedelic therapy has played in the healing journeys of retired professional athletes like Riley who spent several years participating in physically violent sports like hockey, football, and boxing. They also take a deep dive into the debated, and at times, controversial, topic relat...

Kevin Colley, a former professional hockey player with over a decade of experience, including a stint with the NHL's New York Islanders, embarked on a profound journey earlier this year. Invited by fellow retired NHL player Riley Cote, Kevin participated in a transformative psychedelic-focused retreat as a patient of WAKE's clinical program in Jamaica. This experience allowed him to shed years of...

Hadas provides insights into her role at APPA and the organization's mission to seamlessly integrate psychedelic medicine into the U.S. healthcare system. We also dive into the significance of the first-ever professional practice guidelines for psychedelic-assisted therapy co-published by APPA and BrainFutures. These guidelines are shaping the future of psychedelic therapy and ensuring its safety...

This revolutionary service is designed to cater to individuals who find themselves in the midst of a psychedelic experience or in need of vital integration support. The Fireside Project is a shining beacon in the expanding landscape of psychedelic research and advocacy. It stands as a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of providing compassionate and informed assistance to those...

Reason for Hope is a national non-profit organization with a focus on advocating for policy and legal reforms to make safe, ethical, and affordable access to psychedelic-assisted therapy a reality. Brett Waters shares his personal motivation behind founding Reason for Hope after the tragic loss of his mother to suicide in 2018. He discusses his role in drafting psychedelic legislation in multiple...

Charles Lazarus, Chief Cultivation and Production Officer, and Kevin Bourke, Chief Marketing and Branding Officer, share insights with us into Rose Hill's three channels of business units: Rose Hill : The historic Rose Hill Estate has transformed into a hub for cultivating organic produce and functional and psychedelic mushrooms, showcasing sustainable practices and research collaborations. PATOO...

Most of us have probably heard some version of the saying “a happy and healthy employee is a productive employee”. But requesting a meeting with your company’s HR representative or CEO to discuss ketamine assisted therapy might feel like something that could get you fired from your job given the long-standing and ill-advised stigma that remains tied to many psychedelic and dissociative medicines l...

Mushrooms Inc. is the first company trading on the US stock market focused on the industrial side of mushrooms under the ticker MSRM ( OTC: MSRM). They are part of a worldwide expansion into regenerative agriculture focused on the mushroom industry.  Their Research and Development is focused on bringing the science of mycology to the forefront of manufacturing by replacing toxic plastics, packagin...

Stephanie discusses her mission to assist people in discovering inner peace and emotional wellness through Kanna, as well as her inspiring journey and motivations. She shares her own struggle with depression and how using the plant helped her experience transformative results. According to Stephanie, consuming one KA! chew per day can help minimize stress levels and enhance intimacy with your part...

Paul has decades of experience in the world of psychedelics. In the 1960’s he was a member of the early psychedelic communities in New York and California, which included such luminaries as Timothy Leary and Ram Dass. Paul co-founded Thompson’s Ranch, one of the first alternative communities in Joshua Tree, CA.  Matthew and Paul discuss The Psychedelic Institute’s aspirations with the newest itera...

Brayden shares his thoughts on how The BC Bud Co is carving out a unique identity for the company in an increasingly competitive marketplace by leaning fully into a business model that does not include farming and producing their own product – a true rarity for a cannabis focused company.  He also explains how the company’s decision to adopt and fully embrace a marathon versus sprint model has hel...

Conference season for the psychedelics sector is beginning to ramp up and today we have the pleasure of spotlighting the PhilaDelic Conference 2023 which will take place at the University of Pennsylvania on July 13th – 15th.  Joining us to share details surrounding PhilaDelic is Victor Acero. Victor is a University of Pennsylvania PHD Candidate, Chair of Graduate Advisory Board for Penn Psychedeli...

John Wood is the founder of Rageheart, an online program that teaches people how to navigate and integrate their psychedelic journeys without traditional tools like meditation, breathwork, or $49 Moleskin journals. He developed a practice that couples perfectly with the use of psychedelics and moves stored trauma out of the body by  teaching people how to get out of their head and into their body....

Matthew Weintrub is a healer, psychedelic activist, scholar, entrepreneur, and author of the book "The Psychedelic Origin of Religion," an exploration of the common heritage of psychedelics and shamanism in all world religions. Drawing on extensive research and personal experience, Matthew details how the use of psychedelics in spiritual rituals can be traced back to the earliest human societies. ...

Dr. Sam Zand and Derek Du Chesne are Co-Founders of Better U, a ketamine therapy clinic that has built a robust psychedelic ecosystem focused on helping people elevate their mental health. From their work with high-performance professional athletes and corporate executives looking for an edge, to their relationships within the entertainment industry, Better U is helping to bring a new level of awa...

The concept of a five-star retreat center is certainly anything new or groundbreaking. But what about the concept of a five-star retreat center that incorporates psychedelics and other plant-based healing modalities into it in a setting that is every bit welcoming, luxurious, safe and responsible? Enter Dimensions Retreats, a psychedelic retreat center that is aiming to taking retreats to a whole...

Manesh Girn is a psychedelic neuroscientist firmly rooted in both academia and industry. He joins us on the Psychedelic Spotlight podcast today to speak about his research into neuroimaging of the brain while subjected to psychedelic states, as well as to speak about the nuances of biotech companies seeking to monopolize certain compounds. We discuss the merit of whether or not psychedelic researc...

Dr. Jonathan Field brings a wealth of functional medicine knowledge as a board certified herbalist into the psychedelic space, and joins us on the podcast today to discuss his ongoing petitioning of the DEA as well as his perspectives on the emergent psychedelics industry.   

This episode dives into what people are saying about inHarmony’s meditation cushion and how involuntary elevated states of consciousness are achieved through the power of vibrations!  We talk about how the tech is created and the effects it has on the body's nervous system. Craig also explains why vibroacoustic technology is finding its way into the psychedelic space through ketamine clinics to im...

Acacia Lewis is an entheogenic researcher and educator based in Oakland, California. She is active in supporting the plant and fungi medicine communities in a variety of capacities in multiple countries. She is the founder of The Divine Master Alchemy school for Entheogenic Cultural Literacy and Ethnobotanical Naturopathy. You can stay in touch with Acacea on Instagram at @acacea_lewis.

Shawn Wells has written a free psychedelic guide: The Supplement Guide To Psychedelic Use and Recovery. We get into the pitfalls of modern medicine when it comes to treating mental health and how it was psychedelics, not biohacking, that saved Shawn’s life! We dive into some of his work creating stacks to potentiate outcomes and to support recovery and integration. What you won’t find in the guide...

Ash Ritter is a west coast born, desert-dwelling ethnobotanist, educator, writer, mutli-disciplinary animist, and poet in disguise as herbalist. For 20 years and counting, she continues to reverently devote her life to fungal & botanical studies, encompassing traditional, academic, clinical, and directly relational terrains. She counsels and creates in her private practice, Black Sage Botanicals,...