Peter Addy earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in 2011. He is currently a licensed therapist in both Washington and Oregon. While he was there, he studied non-ordinary states of consciousness, holistic and all-encompassing views of a person, and ways that these experiences can transform a person and society. As faculty at Yale School of Medicine he trained in mindfulness-based therapies and research atypical psychedelic substances like salvinorin A and THC. He also discovered a passion for data management and security which he brings with him to his online therapy practice. Dr. Addy has a history of being trained in psychedelic somatic interactional psychotherapy, clinical supervision, telemental health, applied suicide intervention skills, and basic advocacy. As a therapist in Portland, he is dedicated to working collaboratively with others to make sense of difficulties, manage symptoms, and establish meaningful connections. His approach integrates psychedelic education, harm reduction and integration, especially for individuals with chronic pain and related health issues.

In this episode, Dr. Addy shares information on what psychedelic-assisted therapy is and how it might help in healing, the risks of engaging with psychedelics and when this can be considered as a treatment option, and how it might help with healing chronic pain. We also discuss some harm-reduction strategies when it comes to using psychedelics.

For more information on Dr. Addy, check out his website at peterhaddy.com and www.psychedelicaffirmingeducation.com. Follow me @joshkorac and @karewithkorac on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. Contact me at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com. New episodes every Wednesday (with exceptions!) while the show is in season.

Takeaways

Psychedelic therapy involves the use of substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine in a therapeutic setting.

Psychedelics work by altering consciousness and bringing subconscious thoughts and emotions to the forefront.

Current research suggests that psychedelic therapy may be effective for conditions such as PTSD, depression, substance use, and anxiety.

The main risks of using psychedelics are legal implications and the potential for impure substances.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

08:19 Understanding Psychedelics

13:05 Neurophysiology of Psychedelics

18:38 Psychedelic-Informed Therapy

21:22 Changes in Psychedelic Laws

25:12 Reducing Stigma around Psychedelics

31:12 Benefits and Populations for Psychedelic Therapy

37:33 Risks and Side Effects of Psychedelic Therapy

40:02 Risks and Harm Reduction

42:27 Physiological Risks

45:09 Promoting Safe Use

47:04 Psychedelics and Chronic Pain

53:14 Slowing Down and Rest