#2347 - Paul Stamets

In discussions on the use of psychedelics, Paul Stamets provides a comprehensive look at the worldwide cultural history of these substances, their criminalization, and the current renaissance crossing political and cultural lines.

Worldwide Cultural History of Psychedelics

Paul Stamets shares in-depth knowledge from his book on Psilocybin mushrooms, covering 60 species around the globe and their historical uses.

Psilocybin Mushrooms Used For Spiritual and Medicinal Purposes by Indigenous Communities

Stamets explains that Psilocybin mushrooms have been used by indigenous communities in India, Europe, and South Africa for centuries. The Basotho in Lesotho have utilized these mushrooms for hundreds of years, as revealed in their songs. He also discusses the Mazatec heritage of intertwining psilocybin mushroom use with Christianity after the Spanish conquest. In a church in Oaxaca, there's a cross from the 1500s that bears an image of psilocybin mushrooms, suggesting a longstanding relationship between Christianity and psilocybin mushroom use in Mesoamerica. Stamets highlights Maria Sabina, a devout Catholic who integrated the Holy Trinity into her psilocybin mushroom ceremonies.

Furthermore, Stamets brings up the ancient use of Psilocybe cubensis in Egypt and the concept of reindigenization, which is about rediscovering ancestral practices. Psilocybin mushrooms, known as the "flesh of the gods" in different cultures, were traditionally reserved for the nobility due to their revered status. Today, Stamets discusses the potential for psilocybin mushrooms to democratize psychedelic access due to their easy cultivation and low cost.

1960s Counterculture's Embrace of Psychedelics Led To Criminalization

Joe Rogan and Paul Stamets discuss the significance of psychedelics in human evolution through the "stoned ape" theory, suggesting that the development of language and creativity in humans may be partly due to ancestral consumption of psychoactive mushrooms. They lament the criminalization of psilocybin mushrooms in the early 1970s as a response to the 1960s counterculture, a movement that intertwined with civil rights and anti-war sentiments and faced government backlash.

Psychedelic Renaissance Crosses Political and Cultural Boundaries

The use and acceptance of psychedelics have evolved significantly over recent years.

3% of Americans Used Psilocyb ...

Recent scientific research sheds light on psilocybin's role in promoting neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, as well as its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, highlighting potential applications in treating addiction, depression, PTSD, and various immune and neurological disorders.

Psilocybin Stimulates Neurogenesis and Neuroplasticity

Research has found that psilocybin, which docks with serotonin's 5-HT2A receptor, can also interact with TRKB receptors, leading to neuron proliferation and enhanced connectivity.

Studies Found Psilocybin Promotes Neuron Growth and Connectivity

In laboratory experiments involving pluripotent human stem cells exposed to psilocin, a product of psilocybin conversion, a noticeable proliferation of neurons was observed compared to controls. Paul Stamets highlights this neuronal growth and connectivity, which may have significant implications for brain health.

Effect May Alleviate Addiction, Depression, and PTSD

Through conversations with Joe Rogan and by citing studies, Stamets emphasizes psilocybin's potential to create a "critical window" that facilitates behavioral repatterning, which could be effective in breaking addictive cycles. Patients have reported a pre-psilocybin feeling of being stuck in a repetitive rut, while post-psilocybin experiences resembled reshaped landscapes, offering new pathways and freedom to change destructive habits. The pro-neurogenic effects of psilocybin could also assist in alleviating symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and PTSD.

Psilocybin May Also Have Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotective Properties

Emerging research suggests psilocybin has additional benefits beyond promoting neuron growth.

Psilocybin Has Been Found to Downregulate Inflammatory Cytokines

Stamets presents findings showing that psilocybin can downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor interleukin-6. Further evidence, based on FDA ...

Paul Stamets and Joe Rogan delve into how psychedelic substances like psilocybin have profound impacts on society and discuss the challenges in governing their use.

Psychedelics May Reduce Crime and Promote Wellbeing

Stamets refers to studies that suggest a reduction in crime associated with psilocybin use, implying that these substances help individuals overcome problems that lead to anti-social behavior and cultivate prosocial behaviors. Expressing optimism about humanity's potential, Stamets argues that people often become better versions of themselves after a psychedelic experience, which can aid in resolving issues related to past actions. He believes that psilocybin mushrooms, in particular, have the potential to be a game changer in society by diminishing crime and violence.

Psychedelics Help Overcome Trauma and Develop Prosocial Behaviors

Rogan parallels the changes in marijuana regulation to the potential future of psychedelics. As public opinion and state policies shift, they might herald changes in federal policy. This evolution would indicate that the strict regulatory environment, which once greatly hindered marijuana, may become more favorable toward psychedelics, enhancing research opportunities and access.

Regulatory Environment Hinders Psychedelic Research and Access

Stamets touches on the complications law enforcement officers face when regulations change, such as dealing with the guilt of having prosecuted individuals for actions that are no longer illegal. He highlights the expense and difficulty of conducting long-term clinical studies on psilocybin due to current regulatory challenges. Stamets also describes the disappearance of a regulatory committee overseeing new ingredients for bee health, which stymied progress in that arena. He suggests that the government puts up too many hurdles that block the scalability of demonstrable, affordable solutions.

Balancing Freedom and Public Health In Psychedelic Policy

Need For Transparent Data-Sharing on Psychedelic Risks and Benefits

Stamets argues for the need for comprehensive research and retrospective studies, calling for transparent data-sharing to better understand the risks and benefits of psychedelics. Such data would be crucial in forming policies that could ...

The conversation between Paul Stamets and Joe Rogan delves into the ways psychedelics like psilocybin can contribute to personal and societal wellbeing.

Psychedelics May Help Individuals Find Meaning and Connection

Psychedelics Evoke Awe, Compassion, and Interconnectedness

Paul Stamets discusses how psilocybin can evoke a sense of universal consciousness and interconnectedness. He shares how psychedelics lead to feelings of awe and compassion, and he suggests that these experiences can help people recognize themselves as part of something much larger. Stamets speaks to the potential of psilocybin to make individuals nicer and more creative, which in turn increases happiness and uplifts community immunity.

Positive Changes in Attitudes, Behaviors, and Relationships

Stamets also points out that psychedelics can engender personal transformation, helping individuals forgive themselves and become better people. This personal forgiveness and evolution can lead to positive changes in one's own life and ripple outwards to affect society more broadly. Joe Rogan and Stamets imply that psychedelics can influence people in powerful ways, leading to personal growth and fostering positive traits like kindness and congeniality. An example provided is a study in which clergy reported strengthened faith after psilocybin use, affirming the capacity of psychedelics to profoundly influence attitudes, behaviors, and relationships in meaningful ways.

Psychedelics Integrated Into Community Programs to Enhance Wellbeing

Psychedelic Therapy and Nature May Build Resilience and Cohesion

Paul Stamets touches on the communal nature of psychedelic experiences, such as group therapy with end-of-life patients who face existential fears surrounding death. These patients engage in a preparatory period, sharing their experiences and discussing their concerns, which sets the stage for a powerful and shared community experience. The impact of psilocybin can extend beyond the individual, fostering feelings of interconnectedness and potentially leading to community resilience and social cohesion.

Furthermore, Stamets reflects on the role of psychedelics in mortality and existential contemplation, suggesting an alignment with spiritual and educational perspectives. He also underscores the communal aspect of mushroom hunting, highlighting the shared excitement and bonding that occurs irrespective of political views.

Incorporating ...