In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Rotem Petranker, Associate Director of the Psychedelic Studies Research Program at the University of Toronto, co-founder of the Canadian Centre for Psychedelic Science, and a postdoctoral fellow at McMaster University. His work focuses on microdosing, attention, emotional regulation, and open science.
We touch upon topics of:
- [00:01:00] Rotem’s background and early path into psychedelic research
- [00:02:00] Why microdosing research began and early challenges
- [00:03:00] Perspectives on drug policy, legalization, and mental health
- [00:05:00] Design of Rotem’s psilocybin microdosing clinical trial
- [00:07:00] Study outcomes, placebo response, and limitations of once-a-week dosing
- [00:11:00] Diversity of participants and feasibility for future research
- [00:12:00] The role of set, setting, and the “social matrix” in healing
- [00:14:00] Group dynamics, contact high, and integration at retreats
- [00:16:00] The challenge of reductionist science versus indigenous traditions
- [00:21:00] Replication crisis in psychology and the need for open science
- [00:23:00] Pre-registration, open data, and transparency in psychedelic research
- [00:35:00] Different epistemologies: indigenous wisdom vs. neuroscience
- [00:37:00] Comparing LSD and psilocybin microdosing (duration, variability, safety)
- [00:39:00] Benefits and drawbacks of microdosing—mood, anxiety, sleep
- [00:42:00] Microdosing vs. antidepressants and side effect profiles
- [00:45:00] Bro-science explanation of SSRIs vs. psilocybin and how little we know
- [00:47:00] Why open science matters and how to evaluate credible research
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com
Find more about Dr. Rotem Petranker at @rpetranker and through the Canadian Centre for Psychedelic Science.