How Psychedelics and Your Gut Microbiome Might Work Together for Mental Health

A Summary of: "Seeking the Psilocybiome: Psychedelics Meet the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis" by Kelly et al.

Growth Isn’t Always Pretty

The Messy Necessary Truth About Psychedelic Healing

If you’re seeking a perfectly smooth, euphoric, Instagram-worthy path to mental well-being through psychedelics, I hate to break it to you, but you might be better off with a scented candle and a meditation app.

GLP-1s for Fat Loss: But What About Our Muscle

while these medications can help shed pounds, an important question remains: are we prioritizing our muscle mass as much as fat loss? Beneath the excitement lies a hidden concern about America’s “muscle deficit” —not just as a gym problem, but a nationwide shortfall in strength, resilience, and metabolic health. If fat is the villain, muscles are the unsung heroes of longevity—and preserving them is far more crucial than many realize.

2024 in review

Are there sex-dependent differences in response to psychedelics?!

Here is a summary of a recently published study: Potential Differences in Psychedelic Actions Based on Biological Sex
by Sheida Shadani, Kyna Conn, Zane B Andrews, Claire J Foldi

Psilocybin, the active substance in Magic Mushrooms, can profoundly impact brain network dynamics. This can lead to increased neural communication, altered perceptions, and potential therapeutic changes. The following is a summary of a recently published article comparing psilocybin and ritalin, an ADHD medication known also known as Methylphenidate. This summary is for educational purposes only and does not reflect medical advice.

5 Things to know for Success in the Psychedelic Space

I recently interviewed with Brad Dunn of reMind, a business community committed to advancing the innovation, research, legislation and commerce of psychedelics responsibly through community building, education, conversations and networking.

It is time we reframe the word “healing”. It does not mean that we are broken.

This piece does not seek to promote self-experimentation but rather to acknowledge that the human drive for self-exploration through altered states has been, and will always be, a fundamental part of our story. Instead of shrouding these practices in stigma, we should aim to cultivate a culture of intention and understanding—one that values education, prioritizes safety, and respects the choices individuals make in pursuit of connection and healing.

I thought to develop a list of 10 things to consider when building a successful and ethical psychedelic therapy practice. This list is a little more geared towards clinical models, and encompasses patient care, the practice as a business and the team itself.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

Tell me “No”. Because it led me (often to their exasperation) to ask “Why?”, and it subsequently motivated me to then figure out “How?”.

Canada's Impact on Integrative Medicine and the Psychedelic Movement

SXSW 2024 - Stephanie Karzon, Evan Lewis, Houman Farzin, Ilan Elbaz

Information about both MDMA’s and Psilocybin’s ability to support symptoms of depression and boost serotonin is widely circulating. Although some effects can be similar, they actually don’t behave the same way. Here is a brief overview of how they differ mechanistically.

Experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can significantly alter the dynamics of a couple's relationship, introducing profound and often emotional changes for both partners. This guide aims to shed light on the typical alterations couples might observe in their relationship post-TBI, providing insights and strategies to navigate these challenging transformations.

Enhancing the human connection with healthier alternatives to alcohol

Whether you participated in "Sober October" or maintain a constant state of sobriety, whether you are a frequent drinker or a social drinker, this piece invites readers from all walks of life to contemplate the intentions behind their alcohol consumption and take interest in various ways human connection can be improved.

At the heart of our choices lies intention—a driving force shaping our actions, influencing decisions, and guiding reasoning.

Follow up and additional resources to “Female Hormones and Psychedelics”

No high-quality data is available to guide our understanding of the benefits and risks of psychedelic use during pregnancy. However, there are some good reasons to discuss psychedelic use in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Below you can find a link to an article by psychiatric pharmacist Benjamin Malcolm, Pharm D. His aim was to review medical literature regarding psychedelics and pregnancy and report the results. This article reflects research findings rather than a decision to exclude certain psychedelics from some of the topics.

Here’s a topic I didn’t get fo fully expand on at District216 's Sex and Psychedelics talk on Saturday Sept 23, in Santa Barbara.

On the topic of women’s hormones: What are we discovering when it comes to psychedelics and estrogen, PMS, and postpartum? (sources found at the end of the article).