Psychedelics Down to a Tea
When you think about the future of medicine, do you picture cure-all pills? Instant diagnostics from a drop of blood? What about going back to the basics with plant-based treatments with a side of spiritual healing?
In this episode, we sat down with scientist and social entrepreneur Dr. Victoria Hale, co-founder of an ayahuasca tea company called Sacred Medicines. Listen to our conversation about how psychedelics are making a comeback (especially in the mental health space), what it takes to get FDA approval for new treatments, and the ethical and cultural debate surrounding the increased Western attention on traditional ayahuasca tea ceremonies.
This episode was produced by Stella Belonwu, Cindy Liu, and Seesha Takagishi. Episode art by Stella Belonwu and Seesha Takagishi. All music by Blue Dot Sessions.
You can find a full transcript of this episode here.
More about Dr. Hale & psychedelic medicines
Dr. Victoria Hale’s new ayahuasca tea company, Sacred Medicines
MAPS’s recent study on treating PTSD symptoms with MDMA: New York Times
2006 paper from John Hopkins introducing the “mystical experiences” scale for psilocybin: link
Ethics of seeking FDA approval for ayahuasca tea ceremonies & ayahuasca tourism
The Dangers of the Ayahuasca Tourism Boom by Maestro Pedro Tangoa López, a Shipibo healer
The Globalization of Ayahuasca Shamanism and the Erasure of Indigenous Shamanism by Dr. Evgenia Fotiou
As Ayahuasca Tourism Booms, Peru’s Traditional Healers Try to Regain Control by Barbara Fraser
Ayahuasca Tourism: Shamans, Charlatans and Thousand-dollar Retreats by Ariana Crisafulli