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 Josie explore the challenges of describing psychedelic experiences, the creation of the Subjective Effect Index, visual replications of hallucinations, and the frontier of novel compounds like 5-MeO-MiPT.
Follow Josie's other projects: PsyAI.chat (AI psychonautics assistant), /r/Replications Subreddit (143k+ community for psychedelic visual art), her AI-generated psychedelia gallery, the psychoactive substances of Faerun (an awesome DnD homebrew), or check out her YouTube channel for more.
Whether you’re deeply embedded in psychedelic scholarship, curious about the edges of consciousness, or want to see how science and subjectivity can intersect — this episode gives you a front-row view of what happens when we try to chart the ineffable.
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 ceremonial spaces.
Bobby shares his personal path from sitting in ceremony to holding space for others, offering reflections on why rites of passage are essential, how elders guide and protect the work, and the real challenges faced in keeping ceremonial spaces safe and meaningful.
The conversation also tackles the pitfalls of commercialization, the need for accountability among both healers and participants, and practical, everyday ways to integrate the teachings of the medicine into life outside the maloca.
Bobby’s perspective is grounded, honest, and rooted in experience — offering both inspiration and caution for anyone drawn to the world of plant medicine.
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.
Justin, Ro, and James sit down with Dr. Jason Slot, Associate Professor of Fungal Evolutionary Genomics at The Ohio State University.
Dr. Slot is affiliated with the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education and the Entheome Foundation. He coordinates the mycology minor at Ohio State and has made groundbreaking discoveries in the evolution of psilocybin-producing fungi.
In this episode, we explore the origins and ecological roles of psilocybin, the phenomenon of horizontal gene transfer, and the hurdles faced by researchers due to regulatory constraints.
Dr. Slot's insights provide a deeper understanding of the mysterious and complex world of psychedelic fungi.
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Follow Jason on Twitter.
Articles by Dr. Jason Slot
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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 editor-in-chief of Ecstatic Integration — a Substack publication dedicated to making psychedelic culture safer by improving the ecstatic literacy of Western cultures.
Jules is also the author of several books, including Philosophy for Life and Other Difficult Situations, The Art of Losing Control, Holiday From The Self: An Accidental Ayahuasca Adventure, and Breaking Open: Finding a Way Through Spiritual Emergency (co-authored with Tim Read).
Follow Tripsitter on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, Spotify, or Instagram for more.
Follow Jules Evans on Twitter & read his work on Ecstatic Integration, Philosophy For Life, and YouTube.
Must-Read Articles & Books By Jules Evans
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 psychedelics responsibly, the need for alternative funding models for psychedelic research, and the nuanced debates surrounding their commercialization and therapeutic potential.
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Follow Shayla Love on Twitter or Bluesky & read her work at Shayla-Love.com, The Guardian, Psyche.com, & Vice.
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 Podcast, co-founder of Mycoday Mushroom Chocolates, and an outspoken vocal advocate for mental health awareness.
In this candid discussion, we cover the role of sharp satire and comedy in highlighting key issues within the psychedelic community.
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Follow Dennis:
The Mycopreneur Podcast (Spotify)
Mycoday Mushroom Chocolate (Coming Soon)
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 hype wave.
Is ketamine truly a game-changer in psychiatry? Or is it just being hijacked by corporate interests for profit?
Join us for this candid conversation and follow us on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, or Instagram.
Further Reading:
Paramedics Convicted in Death of Elijah McClain for Giving Fatal Ketamine Overdose (PBS)
Matthew Perry Died of ‘Acute Effects of Ketamine,’ Autopsy Says (NYT)
Healing Hypocrisy: A Closer Look at Mail-Order Ketamine Therapy (Tripsitter)
Is Ketamine Psychedelic? (Tripsitter)
Ketamine Science: Dirty Drugs, Dissociation, & Depression (Tripsitter)
"Euphoric Nothingness:" The Dichotomy of Dissociation & Healing (Tripsitter)
State-Sanctioned Murder Via Ketamine (Drugism)
Ketamine 101 (Tripsitter)
What is a K-hole? (Tripsitter)
Microdosing Ketamine (Tripsitter)
Ketamine Overdose (Tripsitter)
How Much Does Ketamine Therapy Cost? (Tripsitter)
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 illegal in Mexico, and you’re probably actually getting Meth). Get ready for discussions of shady conversations in sunny tourist destinations.
Stay tuned for new episode releases by following us on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, and Instagram.
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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 down the misconceptions, what it takes to bring on real healing, and more.
Stay tuned for new episode releases by following us on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, and Instagram.
Follow Shannon:
Further Reading on Tripsitter.com | Topics Discussed:
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 drug and all the drugs we find more enjoyable.
Stay tuned for new episode releases by following us on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, and Instagram.
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 discovering the art form while studying Horticulture at The University of Georgia, Owen has spent decades of his life studying the needs of trees and plants.
Along the way, we’ll hear of his traditional apprenticeship in Japan, incredible achievements, and devastating losses. Owen joins J in person for this conversation, which Rowan insists feels like a deep meditation (she’s not wrong).
Stay tuned for new episode releases by following us on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, and Instagram.
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Further Reading | Topics Discussed:
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 and Ru Paul’s Drag con. And just wait until you hear about these first few trips Zeus went on…
Visit our Substack Post for a full list of the research we cover in this episode.
Catch up on Zeus' current work through his Linktree and make sure to check out his amazing videos for Healing Maps and Super High Score.
Stay tuned for new episode releases by following us on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, and Instagram.
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 progressiveness strangle the ability of organizations like hers to meet the people who use drugs where they are — literally and metaphorically.
Stay tuned for new episode releases by following us on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, and Instagram.
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 look like, and how to respectfully approach the gift of partaking in another culture’s ceremony.
Stay tuned for new episode releases by following us on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, and Instagram.
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 common misconceptions, and dig into the true identity of these mysterious women.
Sofie recently gave a talk on psychedelics and witchcraft at Soho House and wrote yesterday's piece on Herbs, Hexes, & Hallucinogens: Inside the Witches' Apothecary.
We hope you enjoy this candid conversation with one of our favorite psychonauts.
Stay tuned for new episode releases by following us on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, and Instagram.
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 and follow us on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, or Instagram.
Looking for more?
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 with mortality and the healing potentials of psychedelics are compelling and invaluable.
Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions about sensitive subjects, including terminal illness, death, assisted suicide, and cancer. Listener discretion is advised.
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 commercial exploitation?
Join us for this candid conversation and follow us on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, & Instagram
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 with him on our Substack if you want to learn more!
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 wanna buckle up for this one.
A full list of the (literally uncountable) accomplishments of Dr. Dyck can be found here. Don't forget to follow her on Twitter and check out her latest book: The Acid Room: The Psychedelic Trials and Tribulations of Hollywood Hospital.
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