Summary: Ronan Levy of Field Trip Health interviews MAPS Founder Rick Doblin, Ph.D., on the Field Tripping podcast in an episode focused on the rapid expansion of psychedelic research, Doblin’s personal experience as a psychedelic research participant, and MAPS’ mission to achieve mass mental health through the introduction of legal psychedelic medicines on a global scale.
Originally appearing here.
- Rick discusses his entrance into the psychedelic space – and how both the holocaust and his heritage influenced his upbringing (3:05)
- Rick had a sense of possibility during his childhood that was coloured by immigrant stories of his family (6:00)
- Initially, Rick believed all the anti-psychedelic propaganda, and discusses his approach to resisting the draft – including the implication of a felony conviction, mass incarnation and the drug-war (7:20)
- Rick emersed in Russian language to learn about ‘the other’. It’s where his underground career first started when a book was given to him which was partially written under the influence of LSD (11:30)
- Palmcourt parties were psychedelic parties at college, and it was Rick’s first exposure to psychedelics – and nudist colonies. It was the first time he saw the underground in the open. (14:20)
- Rick’s first few times with LSD were both emotionally difficult and remarkable (15:20)
- Rick loves Mescaline – “the most important psychedelic not being studied” (16:40)
- In 1972 Rick’s guidance counsellor gave him an early copy of Stan Grof’s book – which was fortunate (18:00)
- The moment Rick realized he wanted to work on psychedelics for the rest of his life (20:00)
- As an 18-year-old, Rick wrote to Stan Grof – and to his surprise – Stan wrote back! That was the genesis for Rick, and he remains his mentor to this day (22:30)
- Rick describes a pivotal and influential dream he had – which continues to guide him (23:41)
- Rick discusses some of the accomplishments of MAPS and how it can operate as a non-profit and public-benefit corporation mix. MAPS has a role to play – and part of a national health care approach around the world. It has built public value – and is leading the way in regulatory systems and a credentialing of therapists (30:00)
- How do we get this covered by national health care – and demonstrate cost effectiveness? (33:40)
- Rick views ketamine clinics in different ways: those who offer a pharmacological treatment and those who offer treatment in conjunction with talk therapy – which is much more durable for the patient (35:30)
- The difference between drug policy reform and drug research – and how they can be aligned (39:00)
- Ronan apologizes for some public comments he previously made that were misunderstood regarding his views on underground therapy – and Rick talks about a Martin Luther King statue and quote about “those who violate an unjust law to educate others on the injustice have the most respect for the law” (43:20)
- Rick agrees to join Ronan for a second chat in Part #2 to talk more about the work of MAPS (48:00)
