161: Psychedelics for Hormone Health, Sensuality, + Traumatic Brain Injuries with Stephanie Karzon Abrams

Are you attuning to your partner’s needs, or projecting your fears onto them? This week on Sex Love Psychedelics, we’re diving into the delicate dance of communication in intimate relationships. From fears of rejection to cultural conditioning, I explore how self-awareness and presence can shift the way we express desires, needs, and boundaries. Because when it comes to creating a long-lasting, conscious relationship, communication isn’t just important—it’s everything. In this episode you’ll hear: 00:06 Tackling those love, sex, and dating hurdles! 04:30 Are you attuning or just guessing? 15:08 The Role of Words in Communication 21:25 Breaking Free from Cultural Conditioning and Barriers 30:02 Keeping it Real and why congruency is a Total Game-changer 34:56 Practical Tips to Up Your Communication Game 35:39 Addressing Internal Beliefs and Conditioning 36:51 How Therapy Helps Improve Communication LINKS FROM THE SHOW SexLoveYoga: Sensual Awakening Course - https://sexloveyoga.mykajabi.com/sensual-awakening Exhale: Femme Ketamine Retreat - https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/exhale WANT MORE? Join me for my monthly Un.done Classes - http://learn.sexloveyoga.com/come-undone Exhale Sensual Ketamine Retreat in Malibu January 23-26, 2025 - https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/exhale Erosynthesis + Entheogens Masterclass - https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/exhale

In this episode of Sex Love Psychedelics, I’m chatting with the incredible Maryn Azoff to dive into the magic of vocal activation and how it can take your pleasure, manifestation, and self-empowerment to new heights! Recorded on Election Day (perfect timing to talk about the throat chakra and owning our voice), we uncover how vocal practices like chanting create juicy energy shifts that amplify intimacy, unlock self-expression, and connect us with our wild, authentic selves. Tune in for this playful, powerful conversation on finding your voice and using it to create your reality! In this episode you’ll hear: 00:06 Kicking Things Off! 05:52 Unleashing the Power of the Throat Chakra (and Letting Go) 09:07 Tongue & Voice Magic for Manifesting Dreams 12:13 Sexy Sound: How Voice Fuels Sexuality 13:23 Expansive Orgasms and Kundalini Vibes 24:14 Voice as a Healing Superpower 44:18 Plant Medicine, Surrender, and Finding Your True Voice 48:09 Trippy Tunes: Voice Meets Psychedelic Experiences 51:53 Speak Up! How Voice Transforms Intimacy and Relationships THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUEST Maryn Azoff is a Vocal Transformation Coach, classically trained singer, and “soul emancipator,” dedicated to awakening people to the profound power of their own voice through her unique healing program, The Vocal Transformation Method. With roots in diverse lineages and ancient wisdom practices, Maryn’s approach merges global vocal traditions to help individuals access their authentic voice and true vibrational frequency. Her work guides people toward healing and connection, reactivating the body-mind-spirit connection for wellness within themselves and for the planet. LINKS FROM THE SHOW SexLoveYoga: Sensual Awakening Course Exhale: Femme Ketamine Retreat Maryn’s Vocal Transformation Website Maryn’s Instagram: @vocal_transformation WANT MORE? Join me for my monthly Un.done Classes Exhale Sensual Ketamine Retreat in Malibu January 23-26, 2025 Erosynthesis + Entheogens Masterclass

In this episode of Sex Love Psychedelics, I sit down with Jaqueline Michelle, a sensuality mentor and Shibari practitioner, to dive deep into true sensual embodiment and how we can overcome disconnection from our bodies. Jaqueline shares her powerful journey from childhood trauma to reclaiming her sensuality through practices like yoga, Tantra, and BDSM. We explore the importance of self-regulation, sovereignty, and intentionality in sensual practices, and how mindset work and embodiment can play a crucial role in healing trauma and enhancing intimacy. Jaqueline also delves into emotional layering and the need for authentic, non-performative sensuality. In this episode you’ll hear: 00:06 Intro 06:50 The Journey to Sensual Embodiment 11:52 The Power of Mindset, Emotional Layering, and Conscious Kink 23:53 The Importance of Self-Regulation and Sovereignty 27:42 The Concept of Performance and How it Affects Individuals 32:44 The Power of Presence and Embodiment in Healing 38:11 Unlocking Deeper Connection Through Sensuality in Relationships 45:15 Work into Sensual Liberation and Empowerment THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUEST Jaqueline Michelle is a Sensuality Mentor & Muse and a Sensual Shibari Practitioner. She specializes in empowering women to take up sensual and erotic space in their bodies and expression. She fuses together the philosophies of yoga, tantra, and kink so we may transmit somatic and subconscious programming so we can liberate ourselves from the inside out. LINKS FROM THE SHOW https://sexloveyoga.mykajabi.com/sensual-awakening https://linktr.ee/jaquemich WANT MORE? Join me for my monthly Un.done Classes: learn.sexloveyoga.com/come-undone

What does it take for women to feel safe during sex? In this episode, I explore how safety is shaped by our beliefs, past traumas, and cultural conditioning, emphasizing the crucial role of clear communication and mutual accountability. We dive into the complex layers of safety, consent, and the difficult issue of duty sex, where avoiding conflict can lead to unwanted sex and emotional distress, stressing the need for inner work and an understanding of cultural pressures in shaping our sexual dynamics. In this episode you’ll hear: 00:00 Intro 02:41 Cultural Conditioning and Women's Sexual Needs 09:36 The Role of Communication and Responsibility 12:42 Coercion and Consent in Sexual Relationships 15:45 The Impact of Unwanted Sex on Emotional Well-being 23:30 The Importance of Emotional Curiosity and Responsiveness 29:05 Healing and Supporting the Process LINKS FROM THE SHOW https://sexloveyoga.mykajabi.com/sensual-awakening https://sexloveyoga.mykajabi.com/sensual-sundays WANT MORE? Join me for my monthly Un.done Classes: learn.sexloveyoga.com/come-undone

Dr. Katherine Lawson and I discuss the transformative power of psychedelics, dream work, and trauma healing. We explore integrating mystical experiences into daily life with structured support and the symbolic interpretation of dreams and visions for personal growth. We also explore the therapeutic potential of MDMA-assisted therapy for complex trauma and Dr. Lawson’s journey of empowerment through archetypes and embodied imagination, offering insights into the deep connections between mythology, spirituality, and healing. In this episode you’ll hear: 00:06 Intro 10:00 Mysticism, dream work, and personal growth 20:56 Using imagination to cope with trauma and explore past lives 32:08 Dream analysis and its benefits for personal growth 37:02 Integrating psychedelic experiences into daily life through dreamwork and MDMA therapy 51:11 Healing trauma through therapy and archetypes. 1:00:24 Tapping into Embodied Imagination and Ancestral Wisdom THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUEST Dr. Katherine Lawson is an Integrative Mental Health Specialist, a certified Embodied Imagination® practitioner, consultant, psycho-spiritual counselor, and an international speaker. She has an MA in counseling psychotherapy from the Pacifica Graduate Institute and her doctorate in Mind-Body Medicine, focusing on Integrative Mental Health. She has spent nearly two decades examining the intersections between healing, dreaming, mysticism, and psychedelics. As a BIPOC woman, cancer survivor, and survivor of childhood sexual trauma, she teaches and utilizes holistic therapies for PTSD and other types of unprocessed wounds, as well as sharing stories of healing. She is fascinated by the interactions between the brain, mind, body, and personality and the powerful ways in which societal and spiritual factors affect health and happiness. She is the author of Dreamwork for Growth and Healing - A Guided Dream Journal and the founder of Awake in the Dream School. LINKS FROM THE SHOW https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-lawson-ph-d-5b8020b https://www.instagram.com/awakeinthedreamschool/ https://www.awakeinthedream.co/ https://books.apple.com/us/book/dreamwork-for-growth-and-healing-a-guided-dream-journal/id1610640944 https://sexloveyoga.mykajabi.com/sensual-awakening WANT MORE? Join me for my monthly Un.done Classes: learn.sexloveyoga.com/come-undone

Writer and sexologist Suzannah Weiss joins me to explore sexual empowerment, gender dynamics, and spirituality. We discuss reclaiming personal agency, challenging societal norms, and advocating for self-determination. We delve into consent, boundaries, and the limitations of traditional gender roles in relationships, emphasizing the need for balanced approaches and open communication. We also discuss understanding the root of individual behaviors for deeper connection and personal growth. In this episode you’ll hear: 00:05 Intro 08:13 Objectification vs. subjectification, views from a sexologist. 14:54 Societal pressure on men and women regarding sex and relationships. 24:13 Boundaries and Cultural Conditioning in Sexual Interactions 28:58 Pleasure, and consent in sexual experiences. 37:41 Gender roles, femininity, and individuality in spirituality and dating. 48:05 Reclaiming Agency and Challenging Gender Roles in Relationships 58:37 Embracing contradictions in sexuality and erotic expression. THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUEST Suzannah Weiss is a writer and sexologist based in Los Angeles. She is the author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, which describes her search for sexual empowerment and her vision for a world where women are subjects, not just objects, of desire. She has written over 8800 articles, which have appeared in publications such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. As a sex educator certified by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, Suzannah has taught courses and given talks on topics including consent, orgasms, childbirth, non-monogamy, and neurodiversity. She is regularly quoted as an expert in publications like Cosmopolitan and Men's Health as a resident sexologist for Biird and also works as a sex/love coach, birth doula, and sexual assault counselor. She holds a Master of Professional Studies in Sexual Health from the University of Minnesota, a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience from Brown University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Gender & Sexuality Studies and Modern Culture & Media from Brown University. You can reach Suzannah Weiss on her website. LINKS FROM THE SHOW https://suzannahweiss.com/book/https://sexloveyoga.mykajabi.com/sensual-awakening Buy Suzannah's book "Subjectified" here: https://a.co/d/6zNTC6O WANT MORE? Join me for my monthly Un.done Classes: learn.sexloveyoga.com/come-undone

Writer and social justice consultant, Justice Rivera, joins me to tackle the complexities of psychedelic-assisted therapy for trauma survivors. We define and deconstruct sex work and its intersection with race, culture, and power. We explore the debates around decriminalization versus legalization. We also delve into 'chem sex' practices and the importance of consent in contexts combining drugs and kink. In this episode you’ll hear: 00:08 Intro 06:45 Sex work, exploitation, and the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy 15:08 Deconstructing Definitions and the Three C's Model 24:09 Censorship and the Hidden Costs of Online Regulation 31:12 The Potential Benefits of the Decriminalization of Psychedelics 43:22 Discussion on “Chem-sex”, Psychedelics, and Kink. 48:20 Harm Reduction, Consent, and Sexual Experiences. THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUEST Justice Rivera is a writer and social justice consultant from San Juan, PR, specializing in harm reduction and healing justice. With a focus on challenging societal norms, Justice provides support to sex workers, trafficking survivors, and drug users. She is a Partner at Reframe Health and Justice, a harm reduction consulting company. Justice is also the co-author of "Body Autonomy: Decolonizing Sex Work and Drug Use" and enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with loved ones. LINKS FROM THE SHOW https://www.reframehealthandjustice.com/ WANT MORE? Join me for my monthly Un.done Classes: learn.sexloveyoga.com/come-undone

Psychotherapist Jonathan Robinson joins me to discuss using MDMA for relationships. We explore how MDMA can enhance intimacy when used safely for therapy. Jonathan shares insights from over 600 sessions helping couples communicate openly. We dive into his groundbreaking work treating relationship issues with psychedelics like MDMA, as well as training therapists in this approach. Explore the ethical considerations and safety protocols surrounding this therapeutic modality, and gain valuable knowledge on how psychedelics like MDMA can foster deeper self-awareness and strengthen the bonds of love. In this episode: 00:27 Intro 03:21 MDMA-assisted therapy for trauma, anxiety, and depression 08:13 Using Zoom for therapy sessions, including MDMA and ketamine 19:40 MDMA use in therapy for couples, including its potential benefits and limitations. 21:25 Psychedelic use for couples therapy and emotional healing.  31:15 Navigating Therapy Challenges and Personal Experiences 40:10 Therapy Experiences, Training Insights, and Cautionary Tales 48:50 Self-Awareness and Accountability in Therapy THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTS Jonathan Robinson is a psychotherapist, best-selling author, and professional speaker based in Nevada City, California. With over 35 years of experience, Jonathan explores methods for personal evolution toward a more caring, peaceful, and happy life. His work has been featured in USA TODAY, Newsweek, and the Los Angeles Times. He has appeared on national TV talk shows, including Oprah. Jonathan is the author of nine books, delivering informative presentations on personal development. LINKS FROM THE SHOW XTCasMedicine.com MDMAcouplestraining.com WANT MORE?Join me for my monthly Un.done Classes: learn.sexloveyoga.com/come-undone

Clinical pharmacologist, Stephanie Karzon Abrams joins me to share how ketamine can support our hormonal health. Stephanie walks us through the science + research behind why these compounds and psychedelics can help us towards finding balance when our hormones get out of whack. We dive into treating conditions such as PMDD, menopause symptoms, and the hormonal disturbances caused by autoimmune diseases. In this episode: [01:48] Intro [02:28] Psychedelics' Dance with Hormones and Libido [09:46] Psilocybin and its Potential for Women's Cycles [14:39] Ketamine: A New Hope for Hormone Disorders [29:15] Legal Plant Medicines for Intimacy and Connection [36:36] Microdosing for Creativity, Mood, and Relationships [41:45] Ibogaine Therapy's Promise for Traumatic Brain Injuries THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUEST Stephanie is a clinical pharmacologist, community maker, and entrepreneur in the psychedelic space. Through her consultancy, Beyond the Bench, she provides comprehensive guidance and expert advice, offers open-access education, conducts research, and supports initiatives seeking to make a positive impact, in order to redefine the landscape of healthcare and support access to psychedelics and plant medicines.  LINKS Article about TBI in relationships: https://www.beyondthebench.life/eleusinian-echoes/relationships-after-traumatic-brain-injury-tbi Exhale: Femme Ketamine Retreat: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/exhale

Psychedelics + ketamine therapies are powerful ways to support the opening of the mind. But is there a thing such as being TOO OPEN? Nate Klemp, PhD, is a writer, philosopher, and entrepreneur. He joins me to share how to live with an Expansive Mind in a Distracted World. In this episode, you’ll hear: The impact of cancel culture on our cultural mindset and resilience The key differences between experiencing life with a closed vs. open mindset How digital distractions affect openness in relationships and intimacy Strategies for cultivating intentional relationships Nate’s personal journey towards embracing openness and writing his book, "Open" Understand the closed state by spending three days binging on screens and political outrage Fostering openness in romantic partnerships and understanding its significance Personality traits of openness and closeness according to the BIG FIVE inventory Scientific research of how personality traits can shift over time Insights from a skeptic's two-year journey in psychedelic-assisted therapy The varying experiences and effects of ketamine therapy Ketamine's antidepressant properties and its impact on neural plasticity Utilizing open awareness meditation for integrating psychedelic experiences Exploring the "80/80 marriage" concept for strengthening relationships Understanding the dynamics of the "sexual great depression" and vulnerability Patterns of trying to regulate our partner through sex Techniques for skillfully closing and upholding healthy boundaries THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTS Nate Klemp, PhD, is a writer, philosopher, and entrepreneur. He is the author of the new book OPEN: Living With an Expansive Mind in a Distracted World. Nate is also the coauthor of the New York Times Editors’ Choice The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Marriage and the New York Times Bestseller Start Here: Master the Lifelong Habit of Wellbeing. Nate cofounded the mindfulness training company Life Cross Training and holds a B.A. and M.A. in philosophy from Stanford University and a PhD from Princeton University. MORE LINKS Exhale Femme Retreat: ⁠⁠https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/exhale⁠