In this week's podcast Tim Cools speaks with Manoj Doss about the challenges in psychedelic science, and debunking central concepts in the psychedelic narrative. – Manoj's Background – Limitations of Psychedelic Science and Theory – The Challenges of Translating Scientific Findings into Scientific Theory – Understanding the Differences and Similarities Between the 'Mind' and the 'Brain' – Debunking Neuroscientific Myths (example: The Default Mode Network and the 'Resting State') – Psychopharmacology – Concepts in science (e.g. proprioception, face processing, cognitive flexibility, memory ..read more

This week Tim Cools speaks with Don Gino Chaka-Runa, shaman, about the Andean worldview, working with plant medicines, and shamanic practice. Don Gino's Background Working With the Medicine Peruvian and Shamanic Culture The History and Uses of Ayahuasca Don Gino's Spiritual Journey with Shamanism The Responsibilities of A Shaman Confronting Ourself with the Medicine About Don Gino Chaka-Runa Don Gino Chaka-Runa comes from Puno, the highlands of Peru and has extensive experience in working with Master Plants from the Peruvian Amazon and Andes. This is the real deal: raw, ancient, powerful shama ..read more

In this week's episode, Tim Cools speaks with Gerardo Urias, author and writer, about the healing potentials of breathwork and psilocybin mushrooms.  – Gerardo's background – Taking back our mind with psychedelic mushrooms – Breathwork and the Wim Hof method – Breathwork and psilocybin – Endogenous and Exogenous DMT – Decriminalization of psilocybin in California – The world opening up to psychedelics – Combining Psychedelics, Breathwork, and Philosophy – The psychedelic experience as (re-)birth, death and energy About Gerardo Urias Gerardo Urias grew up in San Diego, California where, at ..read more

In this week's podcast, Tim Cools speaks with Matt Pallamary, experienced psychonaut, psychedelic guide and psychedelic enthusiast, about different aspects of the shamanic experience. – Matt's background – Learning different lineages of shamanic practice – The different aspects of plant medicines: history, anthropology and biology –  Studying the Shadow – The Spirits of plant medicines and animals – The wave of 'guru-itis' – Challenges in the Commercialization of Plant Medicines – The Shamanic Dieta – Shamanism is Energy – Understanding our ego and our essence – Embracing the universal as ..read more

In this week's podcast, Tim Cools speaks with Sarah Tilley, psychedelic guide and integration specialist, about the many ways to practice sexual wellness and integrating couples therapy with psychedelics. – Sarah's background – Renegotiating the boundaries of the relationship with psychedelics – Does being in a relationship prevent you from going deeper? – The magic of psychedelic journeys with a partner – Psychedelic therapy in legal countries – Safety and credibility in research is a priority – Erotic Intelligence – Themes in Couples Therapy – Medicine gives the opportunity to create a new s ..read more

‘We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.’ – Albert Einstein What is mindfulness? Before we look into the link between mindfulness and creativity, let’s first define what mindfulness is. A simple definition Being mindful refers to one’s ability to be fully present and aware, without any interpretation or judgement. Cultivating a state of mindfulness tends to be done by focusing your awareness on the present moment, while calmly, and non-judgmentally acknowledging and accepting any feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations that may arise. Although it is a ..read more

Introduction to psychedelics Psychedelics are powerful psychoactive (“mind-altering”) substances that change how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. People have profound insights while participating in psychedelic sessions, with long-lasting impact on their well-being. They have enhanced the life of many humans for thousands of years until they were banned and stigmatized in our modern society since 1960s. However, the recent developments are promising. Scientists and the medical world are catching up quickly, with promising result for healing mental health issues and personal devel ..read more

The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. — Albert Einstein “Mystical” is an umbrella term for the profound personal revelations that someone might encounter. Either through psychedelics or other means. Broadly speaking, a mystical experience is anything that is hard to comprehend or describe with rational or simple language. It is an experience that grants acquaintance with realities that are not accessible through mere sense perception, somatosensory modalities, or standard introspection ..read more

Any man could, if he were so inclined, be the sculptor of his own brain.” — Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Nobel Prize-winning Spanish neuroscientist Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity or neural plasticity, is the ability of the brain to change continuously throughout your life.  While it was believed for many decades that our brain was a nonrenewable organ and that brain cells were bestowed in a finite amount, dying slowly as we age. We now know that the brain can form new connections and pathways and change how its circuits are wired.  During such changes, the brain engages ..read more

It’s a common misconception that mindfulness requires you to sit with your eyes closed for hours, preferably surrounded by crystals and incense. But that’s luckily not the case, practising mindfulness does not require a lot of time, and you can even practice it at the workplace. Some companies: like Apple, Google, and Salesforce have dedicated meditation rooms. Although you can practice mindfulness easily at your own desk without the need for a formal meditation posture or a dedicated room. Mindfulness is giving full attention to what is present right now, with full acceptance and without judg ..read more