The Drugreporter Podcast

Did psychedelic traditions emerge independently across the world, or are they concentrated in specific cultural contexts? At ICPR 2026, we spoke with anthropologist Manvir Singh about the history of human relationships with psychoactive plants and fungi, indigenous knowledge systems, and the anthropological evidence surrounding psychedelic use.Chapters:00:00 Intro 00:28 Could you introduce yourself? 01:31 Are psychedelics really ancient and universal? 03:28 What do cave paintings tell us about psychedelics? 04:49 Is the “rave in the cave” theory misleading? 06:04 What do you think of the stoned ape theory? 08:04 Why did mushroom cults emerge mainly in South America? 11:14 Could Vedic soma have been psilocybin mushrooms? 13:48 Is cannabis use in India different from psychedelic religion? 15:29 Is modern psychedelic therapy a continuation of ancient traditions? 18:08 How is your skepticism received in the psychedelic community? 19:39 Did this conference change your view of psychedelics? 21:56 How do you see the rise of psychedelic churches? 22:12 Why do people find spiritual awakening in psychedelic communities? 23:37 What readings would you recommend?Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

What is consciousness, and what does it tell us about our place in the universe? At ICPR 2026, we spoke with neuroscientist Adam Barrett about panpsychism, altered states of consciousness, the relationship between mind and matter, and how psychedelic experiences challenge conventional assumptions about reality.Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

What happens after a psychedelic experience? In this Drug Reporter Café interview, coach and educator Márton Mányai explores how integration coaching can help people make sense of their experiences and bring insights into everyday life.Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

Can psychedelic-assisted therapy help people heal from trauma while also repairing their closest relationships? At ICPR 2026, we sat down with clinical psychologist Anne Wagner, founder of the Remedy Institute, to discuss her pioneering research on MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD and couples therapy, the role of connection in recovery, and the future of trauma treatment.Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

At ICPR 2024, we talked to Robert Jesse, from the Johns Hopkins University, about mystical experiences with psychedelics, their spiritual and cultural dimensions, and the value of community in supporting their responsible integration.Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

At ICPR 2024, we talked to Leonie Schneider and Ian Roullier, co-founders and co-directors of the Psychedelic Participant Advocacy Network (PsyPAN) in the UK, about why patient voices matter in the development of psychedelic therapy.Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

Psychedelic research in the Czech Republic has a long and distinguished history. At ICPR 2026, we spoke with psychiatrist and neuroscientist Tomáš Páleníček about clinical research, altered states of consciousness, innovative therapeutic approaches, and the future of psychedelic science in Europe and beyond.Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

At ICPR 2024, we talked to Wim van den Brink, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Addiction at the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, about the potential of psychedelics to reduce compulsive thinking and support addiction treatment.Chapters:00:00 Intro00:05 How did you get involved as a researcher in studying psychedelics?01:24 Some people say that psychedelics are one of the first new major innovations since the 70s in Psychiatry. How do you see that?03:07 Psychedelic treatment is a hybrid between talking therapy and psychopharmacological treatment. How is it different from traditional forms of treatment?05:53 What is the neuro biological mechanism that explains why psychedelics are so effective in treatment?10:16 Psychedelics don't work for everyone. Do we have any idea for whom they work and for whom they don't work?13:45 Do psychedelics have a potential to treat addiction?16:05 Clinical treatment has very strict rules and limitations. But people have been using psychedelics in other non-medical settings in groups, in the nature. Do you think that we can combine those methods with clinical treatment?  17:53 Some people say that we move too fast. And, there is, risk of, backlash. How do you see that risk?18:55 You talked about retreats. As far as I know there are many retreats in the Netherlands. How are they regulated? 20:48 What is the situation with MDMA treatment in the Netherlands? 22:06 The costs of psychedelic treatment are very high. How can we make sure that they are accessible to less wealthy people as well? 24:20 How do you see the role of harm reduction in the psychedelic field? 26:09 How do you see the future of psychedelics? Will they be part of the mainstream medical care? And do they have room outside of the medical realm? Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

What actually makes psychedelic therapy work? Is it the drug, the therapeutic setting, or the human relationship between therapist and participant? At ICPR 2026, we spoke with psychiatrist and researcher Sandeep Nayak about clinical trials, common therapeutic factors, and how the field can better understand the mechanisms behind psychedelic-assisted treatment.Chapters:00:00 Intro00:29 Could you introduce yourself?01:33 Is psychedelic therapy a major pharmacological innovation?02:12 Will psychedelic therapy become mainstream?03:06 What is evidence and what is hype?04:02 Where do psychedelics seem to work?05:15 How do you see the FDA decision on MDMA?07:15 What are the main methodological problems?08:59 How do you see the psychedelic renaissance now?11:02 Can researchers impose cultural values on participants?12:43 What research questions matter most now?15:05 Which theory of psychedelic action do you favor?17:33 Can microdosing be effective?19:01 Can the drug effect be separated from the experience?20:25 Can you share a memorable patient story?23:28 What is the potential for treating addiction?26:04 What other conditions could psychedelics help?27:19 Could group therapy reduce costs?28:24 How do you see political support from pseudoscientific voices?Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

At ICPR 2024, we talked to anthropologist and author Nicolas Langlitz about the current hype around psychedelics, their place in medicine and culture, and why he sees them as holding the promise of moksha in the age of soma.Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:05 Nicholas, can you talk about your professional background? 01:32 Some people say they are moving too fast. And there is an overhype of psychedelics. What do you think about that? 05:15 In your book, you write that psychedelics have the promise of moksha in the age of soma. 08:57 It seems nowadays the psychedelic movement has less ambitions, than in the 60s. So they don’t want to change the world, they just want to medicalize these substances. 11:17 Can we make psychedelics a standardized medical treatment? They come with so much spiritual and metaphysical baggage. 13:21 Unlike traditional antidepressants, in the case of psychedelics, it is very important in what environment you use drugs and in what mental states. Can you explain us the role of set and setting? 18:58 Some people would keep psychedelics under strict medical supervision. But do you think there is a room for psychedelics outside of the medical realm? 22:24 Is there no alternative to the biomedical model? 24:49 Timothy Leary has another idea about training people how to use psychedelics and giving out licenses such as driving licenses. That could be a secularized model to regulate these substances. What do you think?Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/