Psychedelic Frontiers: Bridging Science, Medicine and Consciousness

 The latest episode of the Psychedelic Frontiers Podcast focuses on Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) where individuals experience persistent visual hallucinations or perceptual distortions after previous use with drugs, including but not limited to psychedelics such as LSD. HPPD is rarely encountered in clinical settings, and its aetiology is poorly understood. Wide variations across participants are seen in symptoms, frequency and treatment-efficacy in this mysterious disorder, and it's clear more research is needed to identify its risk factors and underlying mechanisms. Today on the Psychedelic Frontiers Podcast, we’ll Torsten and Ben discuss what’s currently understood about HPPD, and review a recent systematic study exploring the disorder. Dr Passie is a German psychiatrist, professor at Hannover Medical School and is an expert in altered states of consciousness and psychedelic substances. Torsten was part of the only systematic scientific investigation of more than 20 subjects claiming symptoms of HPPD, and the results have been published in a major neuroscience journal. He has also published the only comprehensive book on the subject of flashback phenomena such as HPPD as after-effects of hallucinogen ingestion, recreational or otherwise. Ben Clayden, the creator and owner is currently studying for an MSci in Natural Sciences specialising in Neuroscience at the University of York. Alongside the podcast, he is the co-chair for Drug Sciences Student Society Network, as well as the president of his university's Drug Science Society. He has a key interest in and neuroimaging neuropsychopharmacology, particularly related to consciousness and mental health.Halpern, J. H., Lerner, A. G., & Passie, T. (2018). A Review of Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) and an Exploratory Study of Subjects Claiming Symptoms of HPPD. Current topics in behavioural neurosciences, 36, 333–360. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2016_457Flashback-Phänomene als Nachwirkung von Halluzinogeneinnahme - Doris Holland, Torstan Passie, 2011 https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Flashback_Ph%C3%A4nomene_als_Nachwirkung_von.html?id=t2cOMwEACAAJA thank you to Neel Radia, a member of the podcast team who helped with the research and script production for this episodeContact and Extra Information: Keep updated and listen to all our episodes and clips!Podcast Email - [email protected] Listen to the Psychedelic Frontiers Podcast! – https://rss.com/podcasts/psymedpod/ Psychedelic Frontiers Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/psychedelicfrontiers/ Psychedelic Frontiers Twitter - https://twitter.com/in_psychedelics Psychedelic Frontiers TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@psychedelicfrontiers

In recent years, psychedelics have been shown increased interest as a possible therapeutic agent for the treatment of various mood and mental health disorders, ranging from PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder to Anorexia and End of Life Associated Anxiety. Institutions all over the world are running clinical trials, with many producing promising results, however not without complications and challenges. Today on The Psychedelic Frontiers Podcast, we’ll discuss Psychedelic Assisted Therapies. For which disorders does this emerging treatment show the most promise for? What are the current methodological issues and challenges facing researchers studying this treatment? How generalizable are the results from recent clinical trials, and does Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy have a chance at becoming a mainstream treatment amongst the ever-growing mental health crisis.Dr Passie is a German psychiatrist, professor at Hannover Medical School and is an expert in altered states of consciousness. Torsten has performed clinical and experimental studies numerous psychoactive and psychedelic compounds including MDMA, Psilocybin, Ketamine, Nitrous Oxide and more.Ben Clayden, the creator and owner is currently studying for an MSci in Natural Sciences specialising in Neuroscience at the University of York. Alongside the podcast, he is the co-chair for Drug Sciences Student Society Network, as well as the president of his universities Drug Science Society. He has a key interest in neuropsychopharmacology, particularly related to the neural correlates of consciousness and altered states of consciousness.Podcast Themes: Psychedelics, Drugs, Science, Medicine, Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Consciousness, Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, PsychologyContact and Extra Information: Keep updated and listen to all our episodes and clips!Podcast Email - [email protected] Listen to the Psychedelic Frontiers Podcast! – https://rss.com/podcasts/psymedpod/ Psychedelic Frontiers Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/psychedelicfrontiers/ Psychedelic Frontiers Twitter - https://twitter.com/in_psychedelics Psychedelic Frontiers TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@psychedelicfrontiers

Recent statistics have shown that more than 100 million people on the planet have used MDMA, making it the second most popular drug worldwide. Commonly reported effects include altered sensations, increased energy, empathy and pleasure. Since its discovery, MDMA has garnered significant interest both from recreational users as a party drug, as well as from the medical and therapeutic communities as a possible therapeutic tool. Today, on the Psychedelic Frontiers podcast (formerly the Psychedelics in Medicine Podcast), we’ll take a deep dive into the rich history of MDMA.Dr Passie is a German psychiatrist, professor at Hannover Medical School and is an expert in altered states of consciousness and psychedelic drugs. He has very recently published a book titled ‘The History of MDMA’ with Oxford University Press, the first-ever comprehensive history of MDMA. MDMA has had a complex often misunderstood and multilayered history. The book provides a deeper and more differentiated understanding of MDMA and its history, drawing partially on personal interviews with most of the people significant in the history of MDMA.Ben Clayden, the creator and owner is currently studying for an MSci in Natural Sciences specialising in Neuroscience at the University of York. Alongside the podcast, he is the co-chair for Drug Sciences Student Society Network, as well as the president of his universities Drug Science Society. He has a key interest in neuropsychopharmacology, particularly related to the neural correlates of consciousness and altered states of consciousness.LINK TO TORSTENS NEW BOOK - https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-history-of-mdma-9780198867364?lang=en&cc=crPodcast Themes: Psychedelics, Drugs, Science, Medicine, Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Consciousness, Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, PsychologyContact and Extra Information: Keep updated, and listen to all our episodes and clips!Podcast Email - [email protected] Listen to the Psychedelic Frontiers Podcast! – https://rss.com/podcasts/psymedpod/ Psychedelic Frontiers Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/psymedpod/ Psychedelic Frontiers Twitter - https://twitter.com/in_psychedelics Psychedelic Frontiers TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@psymedpod

The phrase ‘psycholytic therapy’ was coined by Ronald A. Sandison, literally meaning soul-dissolving. In contrast to psychedelic therapy, psycholytic therapy places more emphasis on the psychotherapy than the substance. It typically consists of a low-to-medium dose of a psychedelic compound alongside more therapy sessions than its counterpart.In this month’s episode of the Psychedelics in Medicine Podcast (PiMPOD), Dr Torsten Passie and Ben Clayden discuss psycholytic therapy. What is the history of substance assisted therapies? What are its differences to psychedelic therapy? Has it shown therapeutic relevance and efficacy? These and much more our discussed in today episode.Dr Passie is a German psychiatrist, professor at Hannover Medical School and is an expert in altered states of consciousness. Torsten has performed clinical and experimental studies numerous psychoactive and psychedelic compounds ranging from nitrous oxide, to MDMA to ketamine.Ben Clayden is the creator and owner of this Podcast. He is a student at the University of York studying Natural Sciences specialising in Neuroscience. He is co-chair for the Drug Science Student Society Network as well as the president of his University’s Psychedelics in Medicine Society.Psychedelics, LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, Therapy, Doctors, Neuroscience, Medicine Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Wellbeing, PsycholyticUseful LinksINSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/psymedpod/LINKTREE - https://linktr.ee/psymedpodRSS - https://rss.com/podcasts/psymedpod/

In this month’s episode of the Psychedelics in Medicine Podcast (PiMPOD), Dr Torsten Passie and Ben Clayden discuss Self-experimentation with psychedelic substances. What is the history of psychedelic self-experimentation, why is self-experimentation important for therapists conducting psychedelic assisted psychotherapy, which aspects of the trip are particularly important, and what ethical issues may arise if psychedelic therapists are required to take psychedelics before finishing their training? All of these questions and more are covered in our first episode of 2023Dr Passie is a German psychiatrist, professor at Hannover Medical School and is an expert in altered states of consciousness. Torsten has performed clinical and experimental studies numerous psychoactive and psychedelic compounds ranging from nitrous oxide, to MDMA to ketamine.Ben Clayden is the creator and owner of this Podcast. He is a student at the University of York studying Natural Sciences specialising in Neuroscience. He is co-chair for the Drug Science Student Society Network as well as the president of his University’s Psychedelics in Medicine Society.Psychedelics, LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, Therapy, Doctors Neuroscience, Medicine Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, WellbeingUseful LinksINSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/psymedpod/LINKTREE - https://linktr.ee/psymedpodRSS - https://rss.com/podcasts/psymedpod/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@psymedpod

Ketamine: Anaesthetic, Psychedelic or AntidepressantIn this month’s episode of the Psychedelics in Medicine Podcast (PiMPOD), Dr Torsten Passie and Ben Clayden discuss Ketamine, a unique anaesthetic which can produce dissociative and even hallucinogenic states. We’ll take a look at Ketamine’s history, variations in its use across cultures, its pharmacology and differences between its two enantiomers, before finally discussing its potentially as a rapidly acting antidepressant. Dr Passie is a German psychiatrist, professor at Hannover Medical School and is an expert in altered states of consciousness. Torsten has performed clinical and experimental studies numerous psychoactive and psychedelic compounds ranging from nitrous oxide, to MDMA to ketamine.Ben Clayden is the creator and owner of this Podcast. He is a student at the University of York studying Natural Sciences specialising in Neuroscience. He is co-chair for the Drug Science Student Society Network as well as the president of his University’s Psychedelics in Medicine Society.Psychedelics, Ketamine, Hallucinogens, Anaesthetic, Addition, Drugs Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Neuroscience Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, WellbeingUseful LinksINSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/psymedpod/TWITTER - https://twitter.com/in_psychedelicsLINKTREE - https://linktr.ee/psymedpodRSS - https://rss.com/podcasts/psymedpod/ReferencesPassie, T., Adams, H. A., Logemann, F., Brandt, S. D., Wiese, B., & Karst, M. (2021). Comparative effects of (S)-ketamine and racemic (R/S)-ketamine on psychopathology, state of consciousness and neurocognitive performance in healthy volunteers. European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 44, 92–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2021.01.005

In this month’s episode of the Psychedelics in Medicine Podcast (PiMPOD), Dr Torsten Passie and Ben Clayden discuss LSD Derivatives, A nearly identical molecule with just a few differences. We discuss multiple derivatives of LSD, including LSA, 2-Bromo-LSD (BOL-148), 1P-LSD and use them in combination to better understand the intricacies of the neural mechanisms of LSD, and how slight changes to a molecules three-dimensional structure can completely alter their effects, through differences in ligand-receptor binding.We then look at a study using a non-hallucinogenic version of LSD, BOL-148 as preventative treatment for cluster headache, discussing its implications, and further research that could be completed relating to LSD derivatives.Dr Passie is a German psychiatrist, professor at Hannover Medical School and is an expert in altered states of consciousness. Torsten has performed clinical and experimental studies numerous psychoactive and psychedelic compounds ranging from nitrous oxide, to MDMA to ketamine.Ben Clayden is the creator and owner of this Podcast. He is a student at the University of York studying Natural Sciences specialising in Neuroscience. He is co-chair for the Drug Science Student Society Network as well as the president of his University’s Psychedelics in Medicine Society.Psychedelics, LSD, Hallucinogens Biology, Chemistry, Structural Biology, Neuroscience Cluster Headaches,Useful LinksINSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/psymedpod/LINKTREE - https://linktr.ee/psymedpodRSS - https://rss.com/podcasts/psymedpod/ReferencesKarst M, Halpern JH, Bernateck M, Passie T. The non-hallucinogen 2-bromo-lysergic acid diethylamide as preventative treatment for cluster headache: an open, non-randomized case series. Cephalalgia. 2010 Sep;30(9):1140-4. doi: 10.1177/0333102410363490. Epub 2010 Mar 26. PMID: 20713566.

In this months episode of PiMPOD, I, Ben Clayden am once again joined with Dr Torsten Passie. Today we’ll take a look into the science of microdosing psychedelics.We discuss the background history and science before taking a look at two recent papers looking at the effects of microdosing psilocybin. We take a look into the placebo effect and the role of expectation and finally, Torsten shares his thoughts on methodological approaches to avoiding participants breaking blind, and what a useful placebo may be for microdosing.Dr Torsten Passie is a German psychiatrist, professor at Hannover Medical School and is an expert in altered states of consciousness. In 2019 Torsten published The Science of Microdosing Psychedelics, a comprehensive review of scientific data, where he reveals the rich and little known history of research with micro and low dose psychedelics. The over 200 page book has been revised and recommended by David Nichols, the leading LSD scientist and by the leading microdosing expert, James Fadiman.Ben Clayden is a student at the University of York studying Natural Sciences specialising in Neuroscience. He is co-chair for the Drug Science Student Society Network as well as the president of his Universities Psychedelics in Medicine Society.Useful LinksINSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/psymedpod/LINKTREE - https://linktr.ee/psymedpodRSS - https://rss.com/podcasts/psymedpod/Related TopicsMicrodosing, LSD, Psilocybin, Psychedelics, Medicine, Placebo, Neuroscience, Science, Mental Health, HealthReferencesBalázs SzigetiLaura KartnerAllan BlemingsFernando RosasAmanda FeildingDavid J NuttRobin L Carhart-HarrisDavid Erritzoe (2021) Self-blinding citizen science to explore psychedelic microdosing eLife 10:e62878. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.6287van Elk, M., Fejer, G., Lempe, P. et al. Effects of psilocybin microdosing on awe and aesthetic experiences: a preregistered field and lab-based study. Psychopharmacology 239, 1705–1720 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-021-05857-0

In this months episode of PiMPOD, I, Ben Clayden am once again joined with Dr Torsten Passie, this time to discuss Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), the most researched drug in history!The podcast begins with the fantastic discovery story of LSD and its psychedelic effects by Albert Hoffman, then discusses the early research conducted, including some of the less ethical studies in the 60's like the well known MK-ULTRA.We then take a dive into the psychological effects, neurobiology, and pharmacology of LSD, after which we discuss the applications of LSD assisted psychotherapy.In this episode we also take a look at a 2014 study of LSD assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life threatening diseases like cancer, published by Torsten, Peter Gasser, Rick Doblin and many other notable colleagues, and finally conclude with remarks on what the future for LSD assisted psychotherapy may look like.Dr Torsten Passie is a leading authority on the pharmacology of LSD, and to date, has written the most comprehensive book on the pharmacology and effects of LSD, which combines data from over 3000 studies and has published by the oxford university press, and hence I could n0t think of a better person to have discussed LSD with!As always, if you enjoyed the podcast please rate, review and share it with friends, family and colleaguesPLEASE FIND USEFUL AND RELATED LINKS BELOW'LSD assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life threatening diseases' - Gasser et al 2014https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24594678/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25389218/INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/psymedpod/LINKTREE - https://linktr.ee/psymedpodRSS - https://rss.com/podcasts/psymedpod/

Heroin Assisted Therapy has shown large promise in helping 'heroin using humans' improve both in mental and physical health, social integration, crime reduction and decrease of opioid use according to a large study conducted in Germany between 2002-2004.On the first episode of PiMPOD I discuss the history, implications and future of Heroin Assisted Treatment with Dr Torsten Passie, Psychiatrist, leading expert on altered states of consciousness and professor at Hannover Medical School.