Ep. 200: Matt Zemon — How Psychedelics Can Transform the Mind and Improve Well-Being

My guest this week is Matt Zemon, editor of the excellent new book Psychedelics for Everyone: A Beginner’s Guide to These Powerful Medicines for Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, PTSD, and Expanding Consciousness (affiliate link). Matt also contributed several chapters to this book. This conversation is a great introduction to the world of psychedelics, and Matt is an excellent guide. He’s knowledgeable, compassionate, and he presents a balanced view of the potential place of psychedelics in our lives. Topics we discussed included: What Matt means by “psychedelics for everyone” means The positive effects of psychedelics on a wide range of psychiatric conditions, especially those involving repetitive mental patterns Breaking old patterns of brain activity and creating new ones How psychedelics might have their powerful and lasting positive effects Effects of psychedelics in the spiritual domain Some of my guest’s spiritual experiences with psychedelics Different reasons that people approach psychedelic experimentation and use, including medical, spiritual, and libertarian Navigating the legal restrictions on psychedelic use Psychedelic churches Possible adverse effects of taking psychedelics David Nutt’s study on risk of harm from different psychoactive substances (create a free account with Lancet to view the full article) The possible role of fear and anxiety on reactions to psychedelics The side effects of psychedelics vs. those of existing prescription medications Paying attention to source, set, and setting People who should definitely not take a psychedelic substance SpiritPharmacist.com for medical consults and to discuss potential psychedelic use Matt Zemon, MSc, is a dedicated explorer of the inner world, and a passionate advocate for the thoughtful and responsible use of psychedelics. With a Master of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health with honors from King’s College London, Matt has studied the effects of psychedelics on the mind and the potential for these experiences to serve as a catalyst for positive transformations. His work in this field is motivated by a profound desire to help people navigate the sometimes challenging terrain of the psychedelic experience, and emerge from it with a deeper sense of purpose, connection, and understanding—to reclaim their true self. As an entrepreneur in the wellbeing sector, Matt has co-founded various companies, including: HAPPŸŸ, a mental wellness company specializing in psychedelic-assisted ketamine therapy PSYCHABLE, an online community connecting people who would like to explore the healing power of psychedelics with a network of practitioners and psychedelic-based treatments TAKE2MINUTES, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals improve their mental health and wellbeing. For more information visit his website, find him on LinkedIn or Instagram, or contact Matt with your questions. You can order his excellent journal for psychedelic preparation and integration here: Beyond the Trip (affiliate link).