Tripsitter Podcast

In this episode, our host, Taylor Sterling sits down with Josie Kins — researcher and founder of several pioneering projects in the documentation of subjective, altered states of consciousness, including the Psychonaut Wiki . Josie is also affiliated with Mindstate Design Labs , a nonprofit dedicated to advancing research on altered states for therapeutic benefit. In this conversation, Taylor and...

Topics Discussed:  Ayahuasca, rites of passage, the journey from participant to healer, the wisdom of elders, commercialization of spiritual practices, accountability in plant medicine, integration, and more. Our host,  Mags Tanev , sits down with  Bobby Wade  to explore the deep healing potential of plant medicine — particularly ayahuasca — and the lessons learned from years of working in ceremon...

Join us as we dive into the hidden world of psychedelic fungi — uncovering the evolution of psilocybin, the science behind its effects, & the surprising discovery of gene sharing among fungi. Topics Discussed: Mushroom cultivation, evolution of psychedelic fungi, horizontal gene transfer, academic mycology programs, stoned ape hypothesis, the ecological role of psychedelic fungi, and more. Jus...

Topics Discussed: Challenging psychedelic experiences, derealization/depersonalization, ecstatic experiences, bad trips, acid flashbacks, HPPD, & the value of integrated support after taking psychedelics. Justin and James sit down with Jules Evans to discuss harm reduction and ethics in the field of psychedelics. Jules is the director of The Challenging Psychedelic Experiences Project and edit...

Topics Discussed:  Psychedelic bias scales, patents, ethical journalism, psychosomatic illnesses, and the implication of media on public perception. Justin ,  Ro , and  James  sit down with Shayla Love to discuss topics related to her work as a journalist focusing on mental health, science, and psychedelics. We explore the importance of integrity in reporting, the challenges of covering psychedeli...

Topics Discussed:  The importance of satire in helping to frame community values, the overcapitalization of psychedelics, puppeteering, self-important gurus, ethical media, the power of humor in social critique, and more. Justin ,  Ro , and  James  sit down with Dennis Walker — who many consider the "court jester of the psychedelic renaissance." He's the host of the Mycopreneur Podca...

Topics Discussed:  Ketamine therapy, AI hallucinations, depression, euphoric nothingness, ketamine in the party scene, therapeutic breakthroughs, psychedelic research, corporate hype, societal impacts, and more. Justin ,  Ro , and  James  sit down to discuss ketamine. We explore the history, science, and culture around this fascinating drug and break down the pros and cons of the current ketamine...

Topics covered: Mexican pharmaceuticals, Adderall, ADHD medication, Opioids, Tramadol, counterfeit medications, wild drug stories, investigative journalism, drug testing J Gordon Curtis , and Rowan Zeoli speak with Keri Blakinger about her year-long investigation with the LA Times into the counterfeit pharmaceutical industry in Mexico. We’ll bring you the details (spoiler alert: Adderall is illega...

Topics covered: Psychedelic-assisted therapy, psychedelic medicine work, traumatic healing, somatic therapy, psychedelic retreats, ketamine, GHB, DMT, political movements, hate groups, social change, superficial healing, spiritual bypassing Shannon Duncan stops by to talk about the difficult path using psychedelics to heal trauma with Justin Cooke , J Gordon Curtis , and Rowan Zeoli . We’ll break...

Topics covered: Alcohol pharmacology, alcohol-use disorder, Kava, cannabis, the NMDA receptors, ketamine, benzodiazepines, harm reduction, self-discovery, our personal journeys with drugs, and how we wound up doing the work we do now. Justin Cooke , J Gordon Curtis , and Rowan Zeoli sit down SANS GUEST to discuss alcohol. This fun chat walks through our personal journeys with America’s favorite dr...

Topics covered: Canna-bonsai (cannabis bonsai) and other psychedelic bonsai species, tips to avoid forcing the ego on our creative endeavors, and the role of bonsai cultivation as a journey of self-discovery and mindfulness. Plantsman and bonsai pro, Owen Reich, joins Justin Cooke , J Gordon Curtis , and Rowan Zeoli to discuss what he’s learned from his close relationship with nature. First discov...

Psychedelic researcher from the Netherlands, Zeus Tipado , joins Justin Cooke , J Gordon Curtis , and Rowan Zeoli to discuss his scientific journey. Born into a family of voodoo practitioners, Tipado found himself in search of a provable, undeniable truth as a teenager and clung to science. Along the way, he’s managed to take large doses of psychedelics on camera (for Snoop Dogg, by the way) at E3...

Join Justin Cooke , J Gordon Curtis , and Rowan Zeoli as we break down the importance of Miriam Field’s unsanctioned harm reduction work in Nashville, Tennessee. Read James’ recent article in Filter about her mission and don’t forget to check her out on Tik Tok and donate to Mainline’s Mission We’ll discuss the mainstream whitewashing of harm reduction and why the policies lauded for their progres...

Join Justin Cooke and Rowan Zeoli in a delightful chat with Mags Tanev — a Colombia-based freelance journalist dedicated to the study of indigenous plant medicines. You can also read her interview with a Colombian Taita and an intro to Mambe & Ambil . We’ll talk about what to look for in a psychedelic retreat center (along with what to avoid), what the process for becoming a facilitator might...

Justin Cooke , Rowan Zeoli , and J Gordon Curtis sit down with our good friend (and prolific psychedelic author), Sofie Mikhaylova . This Halloween bonus episode dives into the ancient folklore around witches and how their practices intertwine with the realm of psychedelics.  We discuss 5 infamous herbs and elixirs witches in middle-age Europe used in their alleged rituals and potions, debunk some...

Join Justin Cooke , Rowan Zeoli , and J Gordon Curtis and special guest Dr. Neşe Devenot to discuss groundbreaking new Study: TESCREAL hallucinations: Psychedelic and AI hype as inequality engines . We’ll break down the potential problems looming over our psychedelic future, what it says about our society as a whole, and whether there’s a better path forward.  Join us for this candid conversation...

Join Justin Cooke and J Gordon Curtis as we sit down with Katherine MacLean, Ph. D. , renowned neuroscientist and author of " Midnight Water: A Psychedelic Memoir ." Katherine offers a deeply personal look into the interplay of psychedelics, grief, and death, drawing from her own poignant experience after her sister's passing. As a seasoned neuroscientist, her insights on dealing wit...

Justin , Ro , and James sit down to talk about one of the most misunderstood plants of our era — tobacco . We explore its history, examine the differences between traditional and modern uses, and question its controversial reputation.  We also unpack the science of nicotine and touch on related plants like datura , mandrake , and boracherro .  Is tobacco inherently bad, or is it just a victim of c...

Justin, Ro, and James sit down with Zeus Tipado, a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Maastricht investigating the brain, VR, and something called “Cross-Reality Information Transmission" (Don't ask us) Zeus fills us in on some insider information about some fascinating research and blows all of our minds. Check out some of Zeus’ findings at his Linktree or head over to our interview w...

Justin and James sit down with Dr. Erika Dyck in this episode to explore the psychedelic history in Canada, the cultural shifts surrounding these substances, and their implications for the future. Dr. Dyck is a professor and the Canadian Research Chair for the History of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, and her knowledge is unbelievably vast and rich with insight — you're gonna wann...

Vincent Rado - a self-proclaimed Drug Epistemologist - joins us to talk about how a salt tax 4 thousand years ago in ancient China created a domino of effects culminating in our modern war on drugs. (Don't worry, he'll also explain what the hell a "drug epistemologist" is.) Vincent walks us delicately through 4000 years of drug policy to show how, at its core, it's all about...

Today, the booming psychedelic scene welcomes a new generation of psychedelic guides and coaches  —  ranging from qualified psychotherapists to underground “guides” in sketchy settings. In this rapidly changing space, there are often more questions than answers: Who is really benefiting from these certification programs? Do we really need them? What makes a guide underground? What makes a guide at...