Psychedelics Today

• PT 620 - Kat Murti – Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Meta Censorship, and the Fight for Science

  In this episode, Joe Moore is joined by Kat Murti, Executive Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), the largest youth-led network working to end the war on drugs. SSDP organizes at the campus, local, state, federal, and international levels, with more than 100 chapters across the U.S. and sister organizations worldwide. Kat shares her personal journey into drug policy reform, from witnessing DEA raids on AIDS patients in the 1990s to fighting for civil liberties as a student at UC Berkeley. She explains how SSDP empowers young people to challenge outdated laws and promote policies rooted in compassion, scientific evidence, and human rights. Topics Discussed The War on Drugs as a War on Us: Kat’s early realizations about the drug war’s racism, injustice, and destruction of civil liberties. Her Path to SSDP: From working on California’s Prop 19 cannabis campaign to serving on SSDP’s board and eventually becoming Executive Director. Meta Censorship Campaign: Why Meta’s restrictions on drug education and harm reduction content harm communities, and how SSDP is organizing public pressure to protect freedom of information online. Forced Institutionalization & Executive Orders: Kat critiques recent federal moves to expand forced treatment, cuts to naloxone training programs, and the misguided use of tariffs as “solutions” to the overdose crisis. The Fight Against DEA Scheduling of DOI & DOC: Why these research chemicals are vital to neuroscience and medicine, how SSDP challenged the DEA in court, and what’s at stake for future research. Illogical Drug Policy & Careerism: How prohibition persists due to political incentives, propaganda, and entrenched bureaucratic interests. Building a Better Future: Realigning incentive structures, embracing harm reduction, and supporting community-based solutions to drug use. Key Takeaways The war on drugs is deeply racist, anti-science, and erodes civil liberties. Meta’s censorship of harm reduction information actively endangers lives. Forced treatment doesn’t work—addressing social conditions and providing safe housing does. DOI and DOC, rarely if ever used recreationally, are critical to medical research, and scheduling them would halt decades of progress. Real reform means both ending prohibition and creating environments where people feel supported, connected, and empowered. Links & Resources Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP): ssdp.org Kat Murti on Twitter/X: @KatMurti Kat Murti on Instagram: @KittyRevolution SSDP Petition against Meta Censorship: ssdp.org

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• PT 619 - Sphinx Gate with Mareesa Stertz and Tania Abdul

  In this episode, Joe Moore is joined by Mareesa Stertz and Tania Abdul, the visionaries behind Sphinx Gate, one of Burning Man 2025’s most ambitious and mythic art installations. Inspired by The NeverEnding Story, Sphinx Gate features two towering 34-foot sphinxes and a fully immersive, transformative art experience designed to help participants gain a deeper understanding of themselves. The trio explores how art and play can catalyze personal and collective transformation—without the need for psychedelics—by helping people reframe inner challenges as quests for growth. They discuss the project's mythic inspiration, how it has evolved into a “transmersive” self-discovery journey, and how community co-creation has made this dream real. With rituals, interactive stations, laser-eyed sphinxes, and an oracle offering personalized missions, Sphinx Gate blends storytelling, inner work, and spectacle. They also touch on the deeper intention: shifting culture by normalizing integration, peer support, and emotional exploration—through joy. From honoring Indigenous land stewards to designing future traveling versions and permanent “Museums of Self-Exploration,” this project is just the beginning. Topics Covered: What Sphinx Gate is and how it works The archetypal and cultural roots of sphinxes How The NeverEnding Story inspired the vision Designing integration spaces without psychedelics Co-creation, community magic, and scaling big dreams The emotional and mystical potential of participatory art Fantasia Fridays, Black Rock Philharmonic, and more playa programming Vision for life beyond Burning Man Support Sphinx Gate: Help bring this mythic experience to life and fund its future by donating at TheSphinxGate.com Follow: IG: @thesphinxgate www.thesphinxgate.com

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• PT 618 - Chad Charles - Integrating 5-MeO-DMT: Therapy, Harm Reduction, and Best Practices

  In this episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore sits down with Chad Charles — educator, mentor, and practitioner specializing in 5-MeO-DMT therapy. Chad shares his decade-long journey working with 5-MeO-DMT, emphasizing the importance of: Practitioner training and mentorship Personalized, therapeutic alliances The nuanced understanding of dissociative states Ethics in standardized clinical dosing A trauma-informed approach to psychedelic care He also introduces his upcoming research project, analyzing 500+ one-on-one sessions to illuminate best practices and ethical frameworks in the 5-MeO-DMT space. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about harm reduction, responsible facilitation, and the future of psychedelic therapy. 🕒 Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:41 – Chad Charles' Background and Work 02:18 – Defining 5-MeO-DMT 05:28 – Breathwork and Therapy 09:22 – First Experiences with 5-MeO-DMT 18:00 – Training and Ethical Considerations 30:41 – Conscious Surrender vs. Submission Experience 31:18 – Ethical Considerations in Psychedelic Research 32:02 – Understanding Dissociative Doses 33:26 – Empowering Individuals Through Therapeutic Alliance 34:26 – Challenges in Contemporary Science 38:02 – Good Practice vs. Malpractice in Psychedelic Therapy 41:51 – Personal Experience and Practitioner Responsibility 46:52 – Addressing Malpractice and Corrective Experiences 01:00:11 – Physical Health Considerations in Psychedelic Therapy 01:02:21 – Future Directions and Research in Psychedelic Therapy 01:05:43 – Conclusion and Contact Information

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• PT 617 - Alan Davis - Psychedelic Research and Patient Safety at Ohio State & Exploring Ibogaine's Potential

  In this episode of Psychedelics Today, Joe Moore sits down with Alan Davis, Associate Professor at Ohio State University, to explore the evolving landscape of Ibogaine research and its therapeutic potential. Alan offers a deep dive into the Iboga Patient Survey, a groundbreaking initiative collecting real-world data on the safety and efficacy of Ibogaine—particularly for those struggling with substance use disorders and mental health challenges. The conversation sheds light on the need for rigorous, community-informed research that could pave the way toward FDA approval and increased access for patients, including veterans dealing with trauma. They also discuss the complexities of clinical trials, the tension between state and federal regulations, and the growing influence of corporate interests in psychedelic research. Alan emphasizes the importance of ethical transparency, community collaboration, and maintaining scientific integrity as the field grows. If you're curious about the intersection of psychedelic medicine, clinical research, and patient safety, this is a must-listen episode. Topics Covered 00:00 – Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:53 – Reflecting on COVID-19's Psychological Impact 01:29 – Introducing the Iboga Patient Survey 01:46 – History and Goals of Ibogaine Research 02:41 – Challenges in Conducting Clinical Trials 03:14 – Importance of Real-World Safety Data 06:55 – Personal Interest in Ibogaine 08:56 – Veterans and Trauma: A Personal Connection 10:53 – Reintegration and Emotional Processing 15:29 – Survey Participation and Accessibility 18:25 – Building Partnerships and Overcoming Challenges 21:06 – Ensuring Safety and Transparency 31:49 – Community and Academic Collaboration 33:06 – Survey Design and Future Research Directions 36:50 – Momentum in Psychedelic Research 37:48 – State vs. Federal Regulation 39:23 – Challenges in Psychedelic Treatment 43:01 – Corporate Interests and Scientific Objectivity 47:20 – Ketamine and Collaborative Research 51:56 – Ibogaine Patient Survey 57:55 – Psychedelics and Pain Research 01:07:22 – Conclusion and Future Directions

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• PT 616 - Karina Bashir on Psychedelics, Islam, and Human Rights

  In this engaging episode of the Psychedelics Today podcast, host Joe Moore sits down with Karina Bashir, an attorney working at the intersection of law, business ethics, and psychedelics. Karina, of counsel with Antithesis Law and an active member of the psychedelic community, shares her unique journey from human rights advocacy into the evolving field of psychedelic law. The conversation explores her presentation at Harvard on psychedelics and monotheistic religions, and her efforts to bridge the gap between Islamic communities and psychedelic-assisted healing. She discusses the legal frameworks she navigates to support clients in the psychedelic ecosystem, the spiritual depth of Sufism, and the expansive tradition of Islamic philosophy and mysticism. If you’re intrigued by the intersections of religion, law, and psychedelic healing, this episode offers deep insights and hopeful perspectives. 📌 Episode Highlights 00:00 – Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:19 – Meeting at the Psychedelic Safety Institute 01:04 – Karina's Legal Work and Background 04:03 – Human Rights and Migration Work 07:30 – Psychedelics as a Human Rights Issue 18:01 – Legal Challenges in the Psychedelic Space 23:03 – Islam and Psychedelics 28:15 – The Fatwa Process and Islamic Scholars 28:57 – Building Momentum in the Muslim Community 29:08 – Islamic Law and Psychedelics 29:30 – Engaging Muslim Scholars and Community 33:45 – Sufism and Islamic Mysticism 35:09 – Access to Psychedelic Medicine for Muslims 36:49 – Positive Responses and Growing Interest 39:17 – Sufism's Rich Traditions and Practices 40:51 – Intersection of Sufism and Psychedelics 44:14 – Islamic Cosmology and Psychedelic Experiences 51:26 – Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions Attorney, Ethics Advocate, and Program Director at North Star Project Karina Bashir is an accomplished attorney and thought leader working at the intersection of law, ethics, and psychedelics to support a new paradigm of care and equity. She serves as Of Counsel with Antithesis Law, PC, advising clients on corporate formation, risk mitigation, compliance, and ethical best practices. As Program Director at the North Star Project, she advocates for values-driven growth in the psychedelic field through the development of dynamic ethical guidelines. Karina also sits on the Board of Directors of the Psychedelic Bar Association and serves as a steward of its Religious Use Committee. Her work also bridges Islamic thought and psychedelic healing, exploring how spiritual traditions—particularly Sufism—can inform modern approaches to wellness and therapeutic care. She is passionate about increasing access and cultural understanding within Muslim communities engaging with psychedelics. A Fulbright and Gates Cambridge Scholar, Karina holds a JD from UC Berkeley, an MPhil in International Relations from the University of Cambridge, and a BA from the University of Michigan.

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