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All In The Mind
Turn on, tune in, and drop out … that was the catchcry of U.S. psychologist Timothy Leary in the 1960s. By 1966 psychedelics were demonised and banned, but now—in controlled scientific settings—there's a psychedelic 'renaissance' in mental health therapy. Early research on the use of ecstasy in the treatment of stress disorders looks promising.
28:48•28 Jul 2019
Psychedelic Renaissance: Trauma, Healing and the Mind
Episode Overview
- Personal stories illustrate both the risks and potential mental health benefits people associate with psychedelic experiences.
- Dr Ben Sessa describes a "psychedelic renaissance" and criticises traditional maintenance drugs for masking symptoms rather than addressing trauma.
- MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is presented as a way to reduce fear so people can safely process traumatic memories they usually avoid.
- Rick Doblin explains memory reconsolidation and suggests that carefully supervised MDMA sessions may produce long-lasting reductions in PTSD symptoms.
- The discussion highlights that psychedelics are largely illegal and carry risks, while arguing that regulated, clinical use could offer safer, more effective treatment options.
“If you were to invent a drug to treat trauma, it would be MDMA. It seems to tick all of those boxes.”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This episode of *All In The Mind* heads to a psychedelic symposium in Victoria to hear raw, first-hand accounts from people who’ve used substances like psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca and MDMA, alongside researchers studying their impact on mental health. You’ll hear festival stories of grief easing at sunrise, intimate moments of “being spoken to by the mushrooms”, and descriptions of DMT trips through jewel-like tunnels that raise big questions about consciousness and reality.
These personal accounts set the scene for a broader conversation about how psychedelics might shift entrenched patterns of thinking, untangle negative pathways, and open up fresh perspectives on the self and the world. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Ben Sessa explains why he calls the current period a “psychedelic renaissance”, tracing the journey from Timothy Leary’s 1960s catchcry “turn on, tune in, drop out” through decades of stigma to today’s controlled clinical research.
He argues that traditional psychiatric medications often “paper over the cracks”, while carefully supervised psychedelic-assisted therapy aims to reach the underlying trauma, particularly in conditions like PTSD and addiction. Rick Doblin from MAPS describes MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant PTSD, where “the expert is you” and the drug reduces fear enough for people to revisit traumatic memories safely.
He talks about memory reconsolidation, lasting changes years after just a few sessions, and a cautious but optimistic view on safety when MDMA is used in structured therapeutic settings. The episode keeps an honest, non-sensational tone, stressing that psychedelics are mostly illegal, can be harmful, and are not being endorsed for casual use. Instead, it focuses on emerging scientific work, ethical questions, and the hope that better treatments for long-standing trauma might be within reach.
If you’re wondering whether new approaches to trauma and addiction could offer real change, this one might get you thinking about what healing could look like in the future.
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