Podcast Show Notes: Psychedelics, Harm Reduction & Ethical Care with Erica Siegal

In this episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore sits down with Erica Siegal, founder of Nest Harm Reduction and Shine Collective, for a deep conversation on psychedelic harm reduction, ethical facilitation, and the evolving psychedelic landscape. Erica shares her journey from the Grateful Dead lot scene to festival harm reduction, social work, and leading initiatives to support survivors of psychedelic-related harm.

The conversation covers:

• Erica’s background in hospitality, social work, and psychedelic harm reduction
• The mission of Nest Harm Reduction in offering psychedelic therapy, integration, and community education
• The work of Shine Collective, a nonprofit supporting survivors of psychedelic harm and abuse
• The challenges of ethical facilitation, power dynamics, and the importance of clear boundaries
• How the psychedelic community can better address harm, accountability, and survivor support
• The intersection of Jewish spiritual traditions and psychedelics through Shefa

This episode is a must-listen for those passionate about harm reduction, ethical psychedelic practice, and building a safer, more accountable psychedelic culture.

Army Ranger to consultant to leading one of the most respected psychedelic retreat organizations, detailing how meditation and psychedelic therapy helped him heal from trauma.

The conversation covers:

• Neal’s military background and his path to psychedelics
• The mission and structure of Beckley Retreats, an offshoot of the Beckley Foundation
• How their retreats integrate meditation, preparation, and integration for long-lasting benefits
• The legal landscape of psilocybin in Jamaica and the Netherlands
• Challenges and lessons from running a psychedelic retreat business
• The future of psychedelics, from global access to potential federal policy shifts

Whether you're curious about immersive psychedelic retreats, the intersection of mental health and psychedelics, or the evolving legal landscape, this episode is packed with insight.

Learn more about Beckley Retreats here.

Hear more from Neil on Psychedelics Today here.

In this episode, Joe Moore of Psychedelics Today sits down with Paul Austin, founder of The Third Wave, to dive deep into the evolution of microdosing and its growing role in psychedelic culture. Paul shares how his journey with microdosing LSD led him to launch The Third Wave in 2015 to make psychedelics more accessible through education. The conversation explores the latest research on microdosing, including clinical trials demonstrating its potential benefits for depression, mental clarity, and creativity. Paul and Joe discuss the nuances of different microdosing protocols, the role of psychedelics in performance optimization, and the impact of these substances on neuroplasticity. They also tackle key challenges, such as the lack of robust clinical research due to regulatory hurdles and the perceived risks associated with overuse. Beyond microdosing, they touch on the broader psychedelic landscape—regulatory shifts, emerging coaching models, and the future of psychedelic-assisted transformation. The discussion even ventures into intriguing intersections between psychedelics, AI, and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on where microdosing fits into the larger psychedelic resurgence.

In this episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore sits down with Louis Dorian, the visionary behind Psychedelist, a groundbreaking global platform designed to support the emerging psychedelic movement. Described as a “cyber city” for all things psychedelic, Psychedelist connects individuals with treatment providers, educators, facilitators, legal experts, and even vetted product vendors in an effort to enhance accessibility and safety in this evolving space.

Louis shares his journey into psychedelics, from early rave days to a transformative encounter with high-dose LSD and psilocybin that shaped his worldview. He opens up about the struggles of navigating trauma, loss, and the shortcomings of Western psychiatric care, leading him to develop his own trauma-processing techniques blending meditation, breathwork, and psychedelics.

The conversation also dives deep into the broader implications of drug prohibition, harm reduction, and the role of skill-building in responsible psychedelic use. Whether you're a seeker, a skeptic, or a professional in the field, this episode offers a compelling exploration of the psychedelic landscape and the power of intentional community building.

Resources:

• Visit Psychedelist
• Follow Louis Dorian on Instagram: @psychedelist
• More from Psychedelics Today: Website

Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the future of psychedelics, regulation, and self-exploration!

In this episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore is joined by Neeka Levy and Zach Skiles of Heal Ukraine Trauma, a nonprofit bringing psychedelic-assisted therapy to veterans and civilians affected by war. They discuss the organization’s origins, the impact of intergenerational trauma in Ukraine, and the evolving role of psychedelic treatments in a war-torn nation.

Nika, a first-generation Ukrainian-American and neuroscience-trained psychiatric nurse practitioner, and Zach, a Marine veteran turned psychologist, share their journey into this work, highlighting the importance of group ketamine therapy as a scalable, culturally aligned solution. They explore Ukraine’s complex regulatory landscape, the need for rigorous research, and the challenges of working in a war zone.

They also touch on the role of psychedelics in processing moral injury, the importance of including family members in healing, and how Ukraine’s collectivist culture influences therapeutic approaches. With insights on historical trauma, ethical considerations, and the potential future of MDMA and psilocybin therapy in Ukraine, this conversation sheds light on a vital, evolving effort.

In this episode, Joe interviews Josh Lipson, a Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology at Columbia University, whose research explores the relationship between psychedelics, mystical experiences, and mental health.

He discusses the complexities of studying psychedelics in real-world settings, the role of metaphysical perspectives in research, and why different individuals respond to psychedelics in such varied ways. Lipson shares his personal journey into psychedelic research, the challenges of interdepartmental collaboration, and the evolving landscape of modern psychedelic science.

He also talks about:

• The importance of integration after psychedelic experience
• Why mystical experiences may not be the only path to healin
• The balance between stability and the chaos psychedelics can introduc
• The need for diverse perspectives and ways of knowing in psychedelic researc
• How psychedelics have shaped global consciousness and cultural perspectives

and more!

For links, head to the show notes page.

In this episode, Joe interviews Nico and Susan Simon: Co-founders of JourneyŌM, a concierge service looking to address the question many people are asking: How do you find the right facilitator?

Through a dedicated vetting process, JourneyŌM is adding a layer of risk reduction and accountability to this strange new world, by traveling the country and amassing a network of trusted facilitators who work with all types of medicines and modalities. By getting to know guides and seekers personally, they’re able to offer possible matches – and they usually agree on who would work best with each other.

They talk about:

• Their process for building their network and finding the right facilitator for someone
• Their concept of going “beyond the bio” and getting to the heart of what drove someone toward becoming a guide
• Susan’s struggle with supporting Nico through his psychedelic healing, and the need for support options for spouses not sharing in the experience
• The importance of community and the amazing work Nico has seen in men’s groups
• The healing powers of movement and living as your authentic self

and more!

If you’re interested in JourneyŌM’s matchmaking, head to their site and take their assessment to begin the process.

For links, head to the show notes page. 

In this episode, Joe interviews renowned chemist, filmmaker, and journalist, Hamilton Morris. 

After originally backing down from its first attempt in 2022, the DEA is once again looking to apply schedule I status to two lesser-known compounds: DOI (2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine) and DOC (2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine). For decades, DOI and DOC have been incredible tools for researchers studying serotonin receptors, showing promise for chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and more.

Originally recorded as a livestream in November, we felt this discussion deserved more attention, as Morris was present during the hearing and saw first-hand the damage that can come from the combination of immense overreach and outdated beliefs.

He talks about:

• The bureaucratic mess behind so much of what the DEA doe
• The safety profile and research capacity of DOI and DOC and complete lack of data showing recreational us
• The DEA’s claim that advocates weren’t expert
• The fight to protect the Sonoran Desert toad and more!

While we wait for the conclusion of the hearing, head to Hamilton’s Patreon to hear his daily breakdowns. For links, head to the show notes page. 

In this episode, Joe interviews Jeremy Falk: certified instructor and training program developer for Kama Flight; and Dr. David Rabin, MD, Ph.D.: board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist, co-founder & chief Medical Officer at Apollo Neuroscience, and advisor to the non-profit, Kama Flight Foundation.

Kama Flight is a wellness modality for partners, inspired by the movements of Watsu therapy, Thai massage, 5Rhythms, tango, improv dance, and Acroyoga. At the heart of it is the dynamic between the two people engaged in the dance (the ‘base’ and the ‘voyager’), which touches on collaboration, leadership, receptivity, strength, surrender, and most importantly, trust. The communication and instant feedback shared between the partners mixed with the healing energy of the somatic movements results in moving stuck energy out of their bodies while also making them more comfortable with touch, agency, and consent – which could be extremely beneficial toward preparing for a psychedelic experience.

They talk about:

• The four principles behind Kama Flight: permission, presence, polarity, and play
• The humility and humor in people trying (and failing) some of the movements, and how that is healing in itself
• The huge benefit in people switching between the roles of base and voyager
• What kind of growth they’ve seen in clients over extended periods of time
• The importance of making time for pleasure in our lives

and more!

For links, head to the show notes page. 

In this episode, Joe interviews Ariel Clark: Anishinaabe attorney and co-founder of the Psychedelic Bar Association, a national association of lawyers involved in the highly-regulated ecosystem of psychedelic law.

She talks about ethics: How do the different societal norms of each lineage we carry interact with each other? What is the cultural framing that informs those ways of knowing, and do we align with it? Is there a code of ethics we can all agree on? As the rush to legalize psychedelics increases, Clark finds herself at a crossroads of wondering if our actions are really of service to the greater good: Can the overculture legalize psychedelics effectively, while doing less harm to Indigenous culture and the medicines themselves?

She discusses:

• The challenges of working in psychedelic law with all of the other factors at play: How do you ethically support a client?
• The idea that these medicines can have agency – even the synthetic ones
• Shifting from a Western mind state of “what are my rights?” to an Indigenous frame of: “What are my responsibilities?”
• Her story of healing from debilitating back pain with psychedelics and spiritual alignment
• The need for public education to be at the center of future legislation attempts

and more!

For links, head to the show notes page. 

In this episode, Joe interviews Angie Roullier: longtime veteran of the cannabis industry and author of the book, Pot for the People: The Plant, the People, and the Shop Policies of Cannabis.

Diagnosed with the neurological disorder, Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), Roullier tells the story of how cannabis replaced all her medications, which led to a personal journey and career centered on cannabis education. She talks about the challenges patients face in today’s rapidly evolving cannabis markets, misconceptions surrounding cannabis, the ignorance of many budtenders, and how not knowing enough can lead to an underwhelming high. She discusses how she educated people in shops and how her book was written to teach people how to ask the right questions to not only ensure a safe and effective experience, but to also give them the experience they’re looking for.

She talks about:

-The early days of Michigan’s medical program and the state’s current attempt to essentially combine medical and recreational markets -Cannabis culture and an emerging “I can take more milligrams than you” bravado -Why understanding terpenes and the entourage effect can be game-changing toward finding a preferred strain -The rise of hemp-derived THC products, the regulatory loopholes they exploit, and their potential risks -Why home growers and caregivers are essential to the cannabis ecosystem

and more!

For links, head to the show notes page.