Can we practice the art of surrender before the first dose?
Today on the show Robin Arnott and Dr. Sandeep Prakash explain how SoundSelf evolved from a VR curiosity into a clinically oriented tool that uses sound and light feedback to induce the unitary states therapists aim for in medicine sessions. We unpack the science of voice-activated biofeedback, ways to weave SoundSelf into preparation and integration protocols, and the larger promise of digital therapeutics for scalable, whole-person care.
SoundSelf is a voice-guided, audio-visual platform that primes the nervous system for psychedelic-level surrender and supports post-session integration. Robin Arnott is the former CEO of Andromeda Entertainment, and author of The Technodelic Manifesto. Dr. Sandeep Prakash is a leading Psychedelic Researcher trained at California Institute of Integral Studies. Together they aim to set a new gold standard for tech-enabled mental health.
Soundself is launching a new expansion: a tablet pre-configured with SoundSelf. Psychedelic Therapy Podcast listeners who order before May 9 2025 get this $600 upgrade free, plus a two-month evaluation window. Explore it for yourself at: www.soundself.com/ptp
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Imagine you’re in the middle of a psychedelic journey—things are getting intense, and you just need someone to talk to. That’s whereFireside Project comes in. As the world’s first psychedelic peer support line, Fireside is redefining how we care for each other in altered states, offering a space where anyone can find guidance, validation, and a steady voice in uncertain moments. But beyond the helpline, Fireside is also an incredible entry point for those looking to work in the field of psychedelic support. If you’re a practitioner, facilitator, or simply curious about holding space for others, this conversation is for you.
In this episode, Fireside Executive Director Joshua White breaks down the essential skills for psychedelic peer support, from understanding the differences between coaching, therapy, and crisis intervention to mastering theart of presence. We explore whyvalidation is often more powerful than de-escalation, the growing importance ofintegration coaching, and the pitfalls ofself-abandonment in the psychedelic industry. Plus, we dig into what it really means toheal the wounded healer—the emotional labor of this work and how to care for yourself while caring for others.
Joshua White is the Founder and Executive Director of Fireside Project, a nonprofit dedicated to making psychedelic support accessible and culturally attuned at scale. Through itsPsychedelic Support Line, Fireside provides real-time help for those navigating challenging experiences, while itsFireside-Certified Psychedelic Coaching Program offers deeper, long-term integration support. Before founding Fireside, Joshua was a Deputy City Attorney for San Francisco, where he fought against businesses exploiting vulnerable communities and co-taught a nationally recognized Yale Law School clinic. Now, he’s bringing his passion for advocacy, harm reduction, and healing to the psychedelic space—reshaping how we support one another on these journeys.
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A month ago, I had the privilege of visiting Beond in Cancun, Mexico to experience an ibogaine treatment for cognitive enhancement. Today, I’m joined by Beond CEO Tom Feegel to discuss how this remarkable medicine can support a better brain.
In this episode, we explore Tom’s personal journey with Ibogaine, its potential to revolutionize addiction treatment, and how it supports cognitive enhancement. We discuss key safety concerns, the importance of integrity in healing, and Tom’s reflections on this transformative medicine. Finally, we look ahead to the future of psychedelic access and its impact on mental health worldwide.
Tom Feegel is co-founder of Beond Ibogaine, an ibogaine-assisted treatment and research center in Mexico for trauma, PTSD, addiction, and health optimization. He was previously CEO of EO Products, and a founding executive at Brandless. A father of five, Tom lives in Mexico and continues to push boundaries in mental health and addiction recovery.
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06:25 Tom’s Personal Journey with Ibogaine 10:25 Ibogaine's Impact on Cognitive Enhancement 17:42 Safety Concerns and Proper Use of Ibogaine 27:53 Clinical Environment vs. Shamanic Experience 36:20 Cognitive Enhancement with Ibogaine: Latest Research 40:38 Who Should Consider Ibogaine Therapy? 50:25 The Importance of Integrated Healing 56:41 Access and Inequality in Psychedelic Therapy
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Today, I’m joined by Juan Pablo Capello, co-founder and former CEO of New Life Health, a telehealth ketamine therapy service launched in 2021. Juan Pablo has raised concerns about low standards of care in telehealth ketamine, making this a timely conversation about the opportunities and challenges in this growing industry.
In our discussion, Juan Pablo shares how his early experiences with Wachuma inspired his interest in psychedelics for mental health. We address key topics, including the potential for ketamine addiction, the impact of Matthew Perry’s death on the psychedelic community, and the surprising role of insurance companies in shaping telehealth standards. We also explore the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Juan Pablo’s work with the Eagle Condor Church, and how integration is best approached as a community effort.
Juan Pablo is a seasoned entrepreneur who co-founded a leading Latin American crowdfunding platform and a creative campus in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District. As the former CEO of New Life Health, now part of Beckley Waves, he continues to engage in work that bridges innovation, care, and community in the psychedelic space.
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Today, we’re exploring a critical issue facing the field of psychedelic medicine: the recent FDA rejection of MAPS’ clinical trials to reschedule MDMA for therapeutic use. This setback affects many of us committed to healing and transforming society through psychedelics.
To help us understand the impact and the path forward, I’m joined by Natalie Lila Ginsberg, a leading voice in the psychedelic field and MAPS’ Global Impact Officer.
In this episode, Natalie and I discuss the importance of psychedelic therapy and her personal passion for this work. We cover the history of MDMA’s criminalization, the complexities of the FDA’s decision, and the split between MAPS and its public benefit corporation, Lycos. Natalie sheds light on why the FDA remains cautious and how psychedelic therapy may or may not fit into the Western medical model. Finally, she offers guidance for aspiring psychedelic therapists on the most valuable trainings and credentials to pursue.
Natalie has led MAPS’ Policy and Advocacy Department, co-developed their Health Equity Program, and now champions the ethical integration of psychedelics into mainstream culture. Before MAPS, she was instrumental in legalizing medical cannabis in New York, and she co-founded the Jewish Psychedelic Summit.
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Today we’re doing something a little different. I’m re-releasing an episode from my personal podcast, Life is a Festival, because it remains one of my favorite interviews ever. This conversation, originally recorded a few years ago, is with Tricia Eastman and Joseph Barsuglia, two pioneers in the world of psychedelic medicine. We dive deep into Iboga, the Bwiti people of Gabon, and the powerful pharmacology of this unique plant medicine. I wanted to share it with you as it remains highly relevant and educational.
In this episode, we explore Iboga and its cultural and spiritual significance. We discuss the Bwiti people, their rituals and music, and how these elements interweave with Iboga's healing properties. Tricia and Joseph share their journeys as healers, their work with Iboga, and its connection to other psychedelics like 5-MeO-DMT. We also touch on the subject of microdosing Iboga and its suitability for this practice.
Joseph and Tricia both worked at Crossroads ibogaine treatment center in Mexico. Joseph has co-led psychedelic retreats around the world since 2015 and serves as an advisor to numerous psychedelic medicine companies. Tricia Eastman is a renowned speaker and healer, with her book Seeding Consciousness: Plant Medicine, Ancestral Wisdom, and Psychedelic Initiation launching November 12, 2024. Together, they bring a wealth of wisdom to today’s discussion.
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(08:00) - Who are the Bwiti
(17:00) - The Pharmacology of Iboga
(29:00) - The meaning of Bwiti music and rituals
(38:30) - Tricia and Joseph’s journeys to iboga
(46:30) - 5MeoDmt
(52:00) - Overcoming spiritual ego and supporting conservation
(1:04:30) - Microdosing iboga
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After the shocking decision of an advisory committee recommendation that the FDA reject MDMA as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, I wanted to speak to someone who understands the difference between clinical trials and private practice. Dr. Jennifer Tippett is a licensed clinical psychologist and Director of Psychotherapeutic Development at atai Life Sciences, where she creates therapeutic protocols and provides facilitator training for psychedelic clinical trials.
On the show, we start with Jennifer’s experience in forensic psychology. Then we discuss the difference between industry trials, academic trials, and private practice. We talk about making novel psychedelics, and if it is possible, or desired, to make a psychedelic that doesn’t have the trip. We also discussed equity and access, including both cultural and financial barriers to psychedelic healing. Jennifer has spent a lot of time considering how one might create a sustainable business model for psychedelic therapy, especially looking at what has been going on in Oregon. As an employee of atai Life Sciences, which is a publicly traded company, Jennifer responds to some criticisms of for-profit psychedelic companies. And finally, we end with her response to the recent FDA advisory finding against using MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Jennifer previously directed the Substance Use Disorder Specialty Program at the University of Denver, focusing on addiction and the neurobiology of trauma. Her early career involved working with incarcerated individuals and those with severe mental illness, inspiring her to explore innovative mental health care, including psychedelic medicine. Dr. Tippett studied psychedelics through shamanistic traditions and obtained certifications from Fluence, Polaris, MAPS, and the Integrated Psychiatry Institute. She is also a Level 1 Internal Family Systems provider, dedicated to integrating psychedelics with evidence-based therapies. In her private practice she supports clients with psychedelic integration.
The views and opinions expressed by Jennifer in this episode are her own and do not necessarily represent those of atai Life Sciences.
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A year and a half ago, I went on an antidepressant medication, Wellbutrin, which is a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. After 20 years of plant medicine, meditation, therapy, and other healing modalities, which I still use, I was still experiencing persistent challenges. With the support of my advisors and my doctor, I decided to an antidepressant while maintaining my alternative healing practices. Today on the show I discuss the intersection of psychopharmacology and psychedelics with a psychiatric pharmacist, Ben Malcolm.
On the show, we talk about how Ben became a psychedelic pharmacist and how he created his website, Spirit Pharmacist. We discuss the origins of mental health treatment, the use of psychedelics and psychotropics together, and important contraindications for LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, and ayahuasca. We cover the process of tapering off antidepressants, the reasons behind it, how it works, and the period needed for tapering. Ben also speaks directly to psychedelic practitioners. This is offered for informational purposes only, and I would direct you to Ben Malcolm's website for more specific answers.
Ben Malcolm is a psychopharmacologist and professor of pharmacy with experience in plant medicine and psychedelics. He helps people get off psychiatric meds for journeys and is available to help you or your clients if you are in the healing arts. Ben Malcolm is a board-certified psychiatric pharmacist with a passion for psychedelic drugs, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and alternative medicines. He offers psychopharmacology consulting, educational courses, and a membership program at his website Spirit Pharmacist.
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Welcome back to the Psychedelic Therapy Podcast. I'm your host, Eamon Armstrong. Today on the show, we're welcoming back Tony Moss. Tony is an artist, producer, and member of the Bird Tribe Music Collective. He is also an ayahuasca facilitator with 30 years of experience and has just released a new album, Joy.
In today's conversation, we discuss the magic and science of medicine music. We talk about the state of medicine work in 2024, why psychedelics change the way we hear music, and the difference between an Icaro, a medicine song, and other genres. We also explore the hymns of Santa Daime, Tony's gospel-inspired music, and his new album, Joy, which turns unexpected genres into medicine music.
Tony is a recording artist, producer, and creative director. Born into a musical family of R&B gospel singers, he was raised in California's psychedelic and spiritual cultures. Inspired by over 25 years of working with plant medicines, Tony combines science, shamanism, and multiple music genres to create music dubbed "Soulful Ceremonial."
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(05:00) - The state of medicine work in 2024
(10:30) - Why do psychedelics change how we hear music
(18:30) - The difference between an icaro and a medicine song
(29:00) - Some songs are medicine but not medicine music
(35:00) - The Hymns of Santo Daime and Tony’s own Gospel inspired song Grateful
(42:30) - Does speaking without song work?
(50:00) - Tony’s album Joy and making medicine music out of unexpected genres
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Welcome back to the Psychedelic Therapy Podcast. After a hiatus of a year and a half, we're excited to announce our return, thanks to our new sponsors, Hurricane Lotus (formerly Maya, the original sponsor of this show) and Holos Global, we are now back and releasing regular episodes.
On today's show, I’m speaking with Alexander Beiner, author of "The Bigger Picture: How Psychedelics Can Help Us Make Sense of the World." We discuss the roots of the mental health crisis, the role of psychedelics in healing, and what healing actually means according to Beiner. We also explore understanding existential risks and how this relates to psychedelic healing, as well as the ethical dilemmas in psychedelic healing. We conclude our conversation with Alexander's account of his extended state DMT experience at Imperial College London and his belief in the power of the teaching presence.
Alexander Beiner is a writer, cultural commentator, and podcaster. He's one of the founders of Rebel Wisdom, a media and events organization with a quarter of a million subscribers and a focus on making sense of culture and complexity. He's also an executive director of Breaking Convention, Europe's longest-running conference on psychedelic science and culture. He is a leading critical and countercultural voice in the "psychedelic renaissance" and has produced a number of films, articles, and events at the leading edge of the conversation about the potential of psychedelics.
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Today on the show we are discussing the state of psychedelic legislation in the wake of Colorado’s Proposition 22 passing in November. Sharing the most relevant implications for psychedelic therapists and healers we have the best person for the job, MAPS Director of Policy and Advocacy Ismail Lourido Ali.
On the show we discuss legalization vs decriminalization. We look at the different tracks for psychedelic legalization from medicalization to religious exception to regulated adult use. We discuss Oregon’s Bills 109 and 110 exploring “scope of practice,” residency laws, and training reciprocity. We look at Colorado’s Proposition 22 and the two big differences between that and what was passed in Oregon two years ago. We discuss equity initiatives. Ismail shares what legalization efforts look like on the federal level and to close our conversation, he speaks directly to psychedelic healers.
As MAPS’ Director of Policy and Advocacy, Ismail advocates to eliminate barriers to psychedelic therapy and research, develops and implements legal and policy strategy, and supports MAPS’ governance, non-profit, and ethics work. Ismail earned his J.D. at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2016, after receiving his bachelor’s in philosophy from California State University, Fresno. Ismail has previously worked for the ACLU of Northern California’s Criminal Justice & Drug Policy Project, and Berkeley Law’s International Human Rights Law Clinic. Ismail is licensed to practice law in the state of California, and is a founding board member of the Psychedelic Bar Association. Ismail is passionate about setting sustainable groundwork for a just, equitable, and generative post-prohibition world.
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Could enhancing creativity be the key to healing mental illness? Laura Dawn of Grow Medicine, makes a compelling case for the value of psychedelics for enhancing flow.
Our conversation begins with an exploration of eldership and indigenous concepts of reciprocity based on Laura Dawn’s recent trip to Columbia. Laura Dawn gives us practical tools for enhancing creativity and makes the case for psychedelic healing through optimizing flow states. We conclude with how to prevent burnout amongst healers, facilitators, and other leaders in the psychedelic space.
Laura Dawn hosts The Psychedelic Leadership Podcast and is the founder & director of Grow Medicine. She has a Masters in Science specializing in Creativity Studies & Change Leadership and is at the forefront of exploring the intersection between psychedelics and creative cognition for leadership development.
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Can sound help us disconnect from unhealthy habitual patterns? Today’s guest Alexandre Tannous, creator of the Sound Meditation protocol, shows how we can use harmonic frequencies to release trauma, enhance self-awareness and live happier, healthier lives.
Our conversation begins with Alexandre’s explanation of harmonic frequencies and the problem with the quantization of the 12-tone scale. We discuss the value of sound in the context of psychedelic experiences, as well as sound meditation protocols (set and setting). We conclude with issues that need to be addressed when working with these powerful tools.
Alexandre Tannous is an ethnomusicologist, sound therapist, and sound researcher. He is also the Principal Founder of ResonantMind Collective. For the past 22 years Alexandre has been researching the therapeutic and esoteric properties of sound from three different perspectives – Western scientific, Eastern philosophical, and shamanic societal beliefs – to gain a deeper understanding of how sound has been used to affect human consciousness. This search has led him to where art, science, philosophy, and spirituality intersect. He continues to do research on sound, currently works as a sound therapist, teaches the method he has created, and lectures about sound throughout the world.
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In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life. And as psychedelics are becoming more mainstream, there is an increased interest in using new tools to overcome these disorders. Today, with guest Adele Lafrance, we discuss the promising impact that ayahuasca, MDMA, ketamine, and psilocybin can have on a person who is struggling to heal from disordered eating.
We begin our conversation by discussing the challenges of healing eating disorders and how psychedelics can help. Adele then shares her work with Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), and resources that are specific to clinicians. She speaks on ayahuasca as a healing modality with the unique concerns of ayahuasca preparation diets and the importance of integration. We close with discussing MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine as treatment options, and the importance of love in healthcare.
Dr. Adele Lafrance is a clinical psychologist, research scientist, author, and developer of Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). She is a leader in the research and practice of psychedelic medicine, with a focus on ayahuasca, MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine. Currently, Adele is the clinical investigator and strategy lead for a MAPS-sponsored study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.
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We live in a global epidemic of sexual violence and spaces for psychedelic healing are not only not exempt, but there are also factors which make sexual violence more likely in these spaces. Join us for the second half of our two-part series with author and psychotherapist, Laura Northrup, as we understand why violations occur in spaces of healing and what we can do about it.
We open by discussing the spectrum of ethical violations in mental healthcare generally and psychedelic spaces specifically. We go over the conditions, both psychological and cultural, that contribute to harm. We discuss accountability both of individuals involved and the community generally which brings us into a conversation bystandership about deplatforming. We end our conversation with a review of Laura’s new book Radical Healership and how to build a values-driven practice.
Laura is an author, educator, somatic psychotherapist, and podcaster. She is the host and creator of the podcast Inside Eyes, an audio series about people using entheogens & psychedelics to heal from sexual trauma. Her work focuses on defining sexual violence through a spiritual and politicized lens, mentoring healing practitioners in creating a meaningful path, and supporting the spiritual integrity of our collective humanity. Her new book, Radical Healership helps practitioners build a values-driven practice in a profit-driven world.
Disclaimer: This show discusses sexual violence so please go slow and take care of yourself.
Psychedelic medicine is a powerful tool that can support the healing of survivors of sexual violence, however, the conditions of psychedelic therapy both above and below ground can also create trauma for those looking to heal. Laura Northrup, a somatic psychotherapist, author, and podcaster is our guest for a two-part series on healing sexual violence with psychedelics and how to protect those seeking healing.
In Part 1, our conversation begins with addressing the issue of sexual violence in the psychedelic community. Laura shares resources on becoming truly trauma-informed and how practitioners can create a safe space during a psychedelic experience, including creating appropriate boundaries. We go over how to support someone if you are not professionally trauma-informed, and how to find a practitioner who is. We end with a discussion about supporting bystanders of sexual violence.
Laura is an author, educator, somatic psychotherapist, and podcaster. She is the host and creator of the podcast Inside Eyes, an audio series about people using entheogens & psychedelics to heal from sexual trauma. Her work focuses on defining sexual violence through a spiritual and politicized lens, mentoring healing practitioners in creating a meaningful path, and supporting the spiritual integrity of our collective humanity.
Disclaimer: This show discusses sexual violence so please go slow and take care of yourself.
Psilocybin is quickly becoming recognized as an effective modality for treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Yet, the road to decriminalization and legalization of the medicine in the US and on a global scale is still slow going. Join us today with Chris Koddermann of the International Therapeutic Psilocybin Initiative, or ITPRI, to discuss his push for the UN to reclassifies psilocybin as a less dangerous drug.
We begin with Chris’s introduction to psychedelics. He shares his motivation to work pro bono to get psilocybin rescheduling passed. We discuss the Convention of Psychotropic Substances of 1971 and what decriminalization actually means. We close with a deep dive on this current psilocybin initiative, what it means to regulate psilocybin, psilocybin availability, and how you can get involved in moving change forward.
Chris Koddermann is the co-founder and chair of the Board of Directors for the International Therapeutic Psilocybin Initiative (ITPRI). ITPRI brings together an international coalition of leading psychedelic therapy advocacy and research organizations to promote and secure a rescheduling of psilocybin under the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
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Where do you get your psychedelic news? DoubleBlind is a leading media company and magazine that has teamed up with experts in the field to provide informative and educational news, courses, and webinars in the psychedelic space. Today on the show we are speaking with DoubleBlind Co-Founder and CEO Shelby Hartman.
We begin our conversation with the inception of the magazine, the meaning behind the name and DoubleBlind’s most popular articles. Shelby shares how DoubleBlind runs as a business, through its courses, memberships, and webinars, as well as the ongoing challenges faced by psychedelic businesses on social media platforms. We close with the future of DoubleBlind magazine and the psychedelic community at large.
Shelby Hartman is the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of DoubleBlind Magazine. Her work has appeared in VICE, Quartz, the Huffington Post, and Rolling Stone, among others. After working in broadcast news production for CBS News, Shelby transitioned to magazine writing, working as an editor at Pasadena Magazine. She later worked as a columnist at LA Weekly and an editor at the cannabis media company, Herb.
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As psychedelics become increasingly popular in the US and beyond, it’s imperative that new businesses honor, protect, and profit-share with the indigenous communities who are stewards of these medicines. Today on the show, Jesse Hudson, Chief Legal Officer at Woven Science explains the recent policy paper from Woven’s nonprofit El Puente which focuses on reparations, education, preservation, and inclusion for indigenous wisdom keepers.
We begin with Jesse’s early work with ICEERS’ Ayahuasca Defense Fund (ADF) and the case for religious freedom. We discuss the importance of corporate social responsibility in psychedelic medicine and some examples of organizations which are doing it well. Jesse shares El Puente’s recent policy paper including the four pillars of biocultural conservation, appellations of origin, regulatory sandboxes, and financial sharing. We conclude our conversation with the value for psychedelic businesses of preserving, protecting, and giving voice to indigenous communities.
Jesse Hudson has worked in the psychedelic space for 15 years as a lawyer, consultant, and advisor for organizations including ICEERS' Ayahuasca Defense Fund, Chacruna Institute, Enthea Health, Sage Institute, Journey Colab, and Vine Ventures. He is Chief Legal Officer at Woven Science, where he leads the non-profit El Puente, which promotes access and benefit-sharing with indigenous peoples and holds 10% of Woven’s equity.
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Iboga (or its extraction ibogaine) is one of the most powerful psychedelic plants. Today we are joined by Jonathan Dickinson, of Ceiba Recovery, an integration coach and consultant for iboga and ibogaine healing.
Our conversation begins with an overview of iboga and its unique value in treating addiction. We discuss Bwiti tradition in Gabon and Central Africa, where iboga is used as an initiatory sacrament. Jonathan shares his work with Ceiba Recovery, which includes online ibogaine aftercare. We conclude with the pros and cons of a clinical ibogaine setting vs the traditional iboga initiation, as well as general advice on integrating this powerful medicine.
Jonathan is a recovery coach and consultant and has been working with iboga and ibogaine in both clinical and ceremonial contexts in Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica since 2009. He has been part of hundreds of detox treatments and has also coached people through long-term micro-dosing protocols for everything from depression and anxiety to neurodegenerative disorders. He previously served as the Director of the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance (GITA), during which time he led the development of the Clinical Guidelines for Ibogaine-Assisted Detoxification, a risk management guide that remains a standard in the field.
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