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Theo Von talks with Shane Mauss about the documentary Psycho-Nautics: A Comic Exploration of Psychedelics and Mauss’s relationship with psychedelic experiences. Mauss defines a psycho-naut as someone who uses psychedelics to explore the mind, viewing it as a universe to be explored, not a shortcut to productivity through micro-dosing. He describes taking mega doses of mushrooms and other substances to dive deep, sometimes too far, which led to a hospitalization and a year before feeling normal again. The experience, though harrowing, became a reset that helped him become the best version of himself, sparking a new stand-up science tour with scientists in every city and a thriving science podcast, Here We Are. He also quit drinking and smoking. The documentary evolved after a psychedelic conference in San Francisco, when Mauss and director Brian Behlendorf improvised a shoot in his hotel room, summoning top researchers and filling the film with interviews about psychedelic research, risks, and potential benefits. Mauss describes how the project initially lacked a clear direction and how his own psychedelic use during filming influenced the film’s arc. He recounts doing ketamine in clinics, mushroom trips between shoots, and a late-dose DMT sequence that felt prophetic, including discussions about free will and whether time and reality could be interpreted as simulations or inner worlds. DMT journeys included visions that made him question whether he was a messenger for DMT or an observer of a larger process, and at times the experience felt like the Truman Show on steroids with real consequences in his life, relationships, and sense of safety. The conversation covers memory and perception, noting that memory is reconstructive and shaped by storytelling, similar to how films edit reality. They discuss how psychedelics may increase empathy and help with depression or PTSD, but emphasize responsible use, mindfulness training, and community support. Mauss cautions that megadoses carry real risk, and while psychedelics are not inherently evil, they can destabilize the mind if used without care. He endorses clinical settings for certain substances, MDMA or ketamine, and suggests joining local psychedelic groups for guided exploration rather than solo experimentation. The film’s visuals rely on animator Sander Boss’s DMT-inspired work and collaborations with artist Rob Nazar, aiming for authentic representations of the psychedelic experience. Psycho-Nautics is released on Amazon March 5, with pre-orders starting January 23. Mauss continues touring with stand-up science and hosts Here We Are, pursuing research and conversations about consciousness, memory, and mind.

Graham Hancock argues that our history is far older and more complex than mainstream archaeology admits. Atlantis, he says, should be treated not as a literal city but as a stand‑in for a forgotten Lost Civilization whose survivors and advanced knowledge may have influenced hunter‑gatherers. He highlights the Younger Dryas impact theory, a global cataclysm dated to roughly 12,800–11,600 years ago, and notes Gobekli Tepe’s 9,000 BC dating as evidence that civilization is older than the Fertile Crescent narrative. Across myths, floods appear in many cultures, suggesting memory banks of our species rather than isolated texts. Hancock cautions against dogmatic rejection of alternative evidence and calls for humility in archaeology, arguing that the field’s dates shift as new sites are uncovered. He discusses Hancock’s Netflix series Ancient Apocalypse and his approach to the Ark of the Covenant, the Falasha in Ethiopia, and James Bruce, arguing that the Ark’s presence in Ethiopia and the ancient links to Elephants Island and Nile routes fit with a broader mystery. He notes that early Christians may have drawn on psychedelic rites; he also connects pyramids, Sphinx weathering, and Orion/Osiris symbolism to a prehistory that predates the conventional era. He cites Robert Bauval’s Orion theory and suggests a lost knowledge of astronomy practiced by premodern builders. He remains open to the possibility that Templars, Freemasons, and El-Lalibela’s churches encode these links, while emphasizing speculation rather than established fact. On psychedelics, Hancock blends experience with scholarship. He cites ayahuasca journeys, DMT, and Imperial College trials that keep a DMT state for an hour in MRI studies, with participants reporting consistent entities. He argues psychedelics offer a different state of consciousness and can counter the alert problem‑solving mindset. He links psychedelic use to religious origins, critiques SSRI treatments, and references Terence McKenna and the Immortality Key idea that sacred rituals guide cultural evolution.

Consciousness, not just awareness, sits at the center of Huberman Lab’s deep dive with Dr. Kristof Koch. The guests trace consciousness to brain mechanisms that can be measured, then expand the question to how a creature’s inner life is shaped by a perception box—a personal map of reality carved from memory, culture, and expectation. They insist consciousness is not synonymous with doing; a person can be deeply conscious while not moving, as in flow, meditation, or certain dream and psychedelic states. They explore the continuity of conscious experience across waking, sleep, and anesthesia, and ask how neuroplasticity might expand or reframe that perception box over time. They also touch on collective consciousness and the ways human meaning emerges from shared ideas and experiences. They drill into practices that tune interoception—the sense of the body's inner state—and distinguish it from exteroception, the world outside. Yoga nidra or non-sleep deep rest, they describe as a deliberate shift toward being rather than doing. In these states, the boundary between sensation and identity can blur, and imaging studies show pockets of sleep-like activity in scattered brain regions. The conversation then links meditative technique to plasticity, memory updating, and even to clinical cases where conscious state is obscured, such as vegetative or minimally conscious patients. Koch explains a measurable boundary: transcranial magnetic stimulation and EEG can reveal brain complexity, with a perturbation complex index above 31 indicating consciousness. The dialogue also covers how some patients, despite flat clinical scores, display covert consciousness and may benefit from targeted therapies. The discussion turns to psychedelics as probes of consciousness. Koch recounts a 5-MeO-DMT experience—the mind vanishes, leaving a timeless point of light and ecstasy, with no self, space, or time, followed by a return that reshapes existential assumptions. He frames such moments as tests of the claim that mind can exceed space, time, and self, and he ties them to broader questions about meaning and mortality. They also touch on VR as a transformative tool, and on a famous case of an “anatomical” empathy lesson through virtual reality that altered Huberman’s awareness of race and identity. The episode closes with reflections on the meaning of life, the notion that consciousness may be fundamentally mental rather than purely physical, and the value of curiosity and compassion for futures with AI, science, and society. They cite books and individuals, including Marcus Aurelius, Aldous Huxley, and Oliver Sacks.

There's no way for you to visualize a five-dimensional object in its true form. And yet, when you smoke DMT, you do. It's an extremely intense experience. It's very fast and very short. It's not Terrence McKenna implanting the idea of machine elves into people's brains. These are intelligent beings that go back thousands of years. They will perform beings like elves or harlequins or jokers and jesters, and they will display these impossible higher dimensional beautiful objects that morph in front of your eyes. Can we show that we're actually interfacing with some kind of intelligence that is non-human? Steven Zara’s early self-experiments showed a rush of highly complex geometric imagery that seemed to transcend the drugs known at the time, and he began injecting colleagues. Rick Strassman later conducted a larger study with 60 volunteers across doses; many reports resembled alien abduction narratives, describing a high‑functioning, technologically sophisticated environment with orderlies, a top dog overseeing procedures, and being shown a craft by intelligent beings. John Mack noticed that some abductee reports paralleled DMT experiences, and he shifted toward non‑physical explanations and higher‑dimensional spaces, influenced by figures like Stannislav Grath and holotropic breath work. He considered whether interactions might occur in environments that weren’t strictly physical, while acknowledging that some abductees attach marks or implants that resist simple explanations. A core strand is the idea that the DMT experience is a directed encounter. The narrator argues that the intelligences do not merely show you things; they seize control of the brain’s world‑modeling machinery and direct your visions. They display impossibly intricate images, perform geometric feats, and reveal themselves as non‑human beings who sometimes feel preparatory or agenda‑driven. The line between physical and non‑physical is described as not always clear, with some observers suggesting that the beings could operate by influencing perception rather than entering a literal external reality. The aim is not certainty but the possibility that there are postulated beings present in a space accessible through DMT. Technological experiments aim to stabilize and extend the DMT state. The team discusses repurposing anesthesiology methods like target controlled intravenous infusion to keep a brain at a controlled DMT concentration, enabling longer exploration. Imperial College researchers extended the DMT state to about 30 minutes and later studies in Basel reportedly reached 90 minutes, and even six hours at low doses. This framework—DMTX—offers the potential to cultivate communication with intelligences and to study language and topology within the space, inviting specialists from mathematics, geomety, and linguistics to describe the structures encountered and the patterns of interaction rather than relying on anecdote alone. The approach is framed as a bridge from “scuba diving” to “deep sea diving” into the brain’s inner space. Indigenous and pharmacological contexts frame the practices as sophisticated technologies rather than mere hallucination. The Yanomami and other Amazonian groups are described as developing relationships with beings who are not human or animal but “other,” and ayahuasca is portrayed as a pharmacological technology that pairs DMT with MAO inhibitors to access this realm. The discussion emphasizes that these traditions have long treated the intelligences as interlocutors and teachers, not as mere figments, and it argues for taking these accounts seriously rather than dismissing them. Plans for a Caribbean retreat and research center aim to offer DMTX experiences, integrate preparation, and explore indigenous-informed frameworks alongside scientific inquiry.

Rick Strassman and Joe Rogan dive into whether ancient visionary experiences were psychedelic, a theme that threads through This Prophecy, Strassman’s book about DMT and prophecy in the Hebrew Bible. They compare Ezekiel’s flames, wheels, and beings to DMT visions, arguing phenomenology is similar and that both exogenous plant compounds and endogenous DMT could generate prophetic content. Strassman notes that DMT in acacia bushes, and beta-carbolines in certain plants, could render oral DMT effects possible when burned. He also credits learning Hebrew with reading passages in their original three-letter-rooted language, where bush and Sinai share a root and meaning that invites deeper interpretation. They discuss the Book of Enoch as a psychedelic text, the Watchers and Nephilim as giants, and how ancient descriptions might reflect altered states. They touch on Lot and Sodom, Noah, and the Ark, debating how metaphor and memory intersect with historical events. Resurrection stories appear, including Elijah and Alicia and the bones aiding revival, illustrating a two-level reality: a visionary realm that predates written history, later recorded in scripture. Throughout, the refrain remains: one God and the golden rule, with commandments framed as causal guidance that links actions to outcomes and spiritual states. The conversation expands to modern questions: might AI become a Messiah, and will telepathy or mind-reading reshape human interaction? They speculate psychedelics may help build a coming virtual universe, yet stress careful use to avoid spiritual narcissism. They recount the 1970s War on Drugs and its chilling effect on DMT research, and discuss potential legalized use, including MDMA-assisted therapy and ibogaine for addiction. They remark on AI-generated music and art, acknowledging both wonder and ethical risk, while emphasizing that any broad psychedelic shift must be navigated with communities, ethics, and integration. Personal threads run through the dialogue: Strassman’s journey from DMT study to Hebrew Bible translation, the role of language in shaping meaning, and Rogan’s sense of wonder at the overlap of science, mysticism, and culture. The episode closes with reflections on mortality, the human desire to understand consciousness, and the possibility that the Bible’s stories encode experiences from altered states while continuing to guide moral living.

Zach Leary discusses his experience growing up as the son of Timothy Leary, a pivotal figure in the Psychedelic Revolution. Initially, he lacked perspective on his father's influence, but after Timothy's death in 1996, he gained insight into their unique family life. Zach reflects on his father's role as a futurist, emphasizing Timothy's interest in technology and cyber culture, alongside psychedelics. He recalls Timothy's view of personal computers as the "LSD of the '80s," showcasing his father's ability to reinvent himself. The conversation shifts to virtual reality (VR) and its potential connections to psychedelics. Zach shares experiences with early VR technology, noting how it resembled rudimentary video games. He expresses excitement about the current advancements in VR and speculates how Timothy would have embraced these developments. They discuss the visionary ideas of figures like Terence McKenna, who theorized about recreating DMT experiences in virtual environments. Zach recounts a personal experience involving ketamine in a flotation tank, describing the profound and surreal sensations he encountered. He also reflects on the influence of John Lilly, the inventor of the sensory deprivation tank, and his controversial use of ketamine. Their discussion touches on the broader implications of psychedelics, consciousness, and the societal stigma surrounding drug use. The conversation then delves into the War on Drugs, highlighting its roots in class and race issues. Zach critiques the hypocrisy of drug policies, particularly regarding marijuana and its medical benefits. He expresses frustration with the government's stance on psychedelics and the pharmaceutical industry's influence on drug legislation. Zach and his host discuss the societal obsession with materialism and the pressures of modern life, emphasizing the importance of spiritual practices and self-discovery. They explore the potential for psychedelics to foster a deeper understanding of consciousness and promote positive societal change. Zach shares his journey through addiction, detailing his recovery process and the role of 12-step programs. He emphasizes the need for individualized approaches to recovery and the importance of personal empowerment in overcoming challenges. The conversation concludes with Zach discussing his current endeavors, including his podcast and upcoming projects with MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies). He reflects on the transformative power of psychedelics and the potential for a collective consciousness shift in society.

Andrew Gallimore discusses his book "Death by Astonishment," inspired by Terrence McKenna's quote, and his journey into studying DMT. He describes DMT as a profoundly reality-altering molecule, far beyond mere hallucination or dreaming, capable of obliterating one's entire world and replacing it with an alien, yet seemingly more real, experience. Gallimore emphasizes the common encounter with intelligent, ancient, and technologically advanced entities, which he believes are undeniable and suggest an interaction with a non-human intelligence. He highlights the scientific irresponsibility of dismissing DMT's effects without direct experience, noting his own shock and horror during his first breakthrough experience, which led him to dedicate his scientific career to understanding it. Gallimore delves into the neuroscience of DMT, explaining how it perturbs the brain's "world-building machinery" (the cortex). Unlike other psychedelics that merely loosen the existing world model, DMT causes a chaotic state that collapses into an entirely new order, constructing a reality the brain never learned to build. He uses the Thatcher effect to illustrate how the brain actively constructs perception rather than passively observing. The discussion explores the mystery of endogenous DMT production, its potential role in near-death experiences (NDEs) where DMT levels spike, and the idea that it might protect the brain during hypoxia. Gallimore posits that consciousness is fundamental and everything is consciousness, suggesting DMT could be a gateway to interacting with this ultimate reality or intelligent agents. The conversation then shifts to DMTX, Gallimore's innovation to extend the DMT experience through controlled intravenous infusion, allowing for prolonged exploration and interaction with entities. This technology, being developed by New Nautics, aims to create a legal, medically supervised research and retreat center in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where participants can formally map the DMT space and its intelligences. This research could provide vast data for AI-powered imagery generation, creating a map of the DMT realm. The broader implications connect DMT experiences to theories of advanced extraterrestrial intelligence, particularly post-biological civilizations that have transcended physical forms and might communicate through our brains, aligning with Terrence McKenna's predictions of accelerating technological innovation and societal chaos as humanity prepares for a profound transformation. The podcast touches on societal issues, contrasting the orderly, respectful culture and urban design of Tokyo with the chaos and societal failures seen in places like Skid Row in Los Angeles. This contrast serves as a backdrop for discussing the idea that chaos might be a necessary catalyst for radical change, pushing humanity towards a post-biological future driven by artificial general intelligence. McKenna's vision of humanity as "territorial apes with thermonuclear weapons" underscores the urgency of this transformation. The hosts and guest ponder whether AI could solve global problems like inequality and war, even if it means sacrificing some human freedom, and speculate on the ultimate destiny of humanity in a cosmos potentially teeming with ancient, super-intelligent entities that we might be on the cusp of truly understanding through tools like DMT.

Shawn Ryan shares his transformative experience with ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT, emphasizing the profound impact it had on his life and mental health. He describes entering a higher level of consciousness, feeling a sense of dying yet being ready to embrace it. The treatment, facilitated by Marcus and Amber Capone's organization, Vets, aims to help veterans and others struggling with anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. Upon arrival, participants undergo thorough medical evaluations, including EKGs and blood work, ensuring safety before treatment. The environment is designed for relaxation, with a focus on personal intentions and the importance of disconnecting from technology. Shawn details his journey through the ibogaine experience, including vivid visualizations, sensations of energy moving through his body, and purging negative emotions. He recounts seeing black tears, his head splitting, and experiencing a buzzing sensation as he accessed deeper parts of his consciousness. The treatment allowed him to confront past traumas and emotions, leading to a significant release of anxiety and anger. He notes that after the experience, he felt more present with his family and free from previous burdens, including cravings for alcohol and unhealthy habits. The second part of his journey involved 5-MeO-DMT, which he initially approached with anxiety but ultimately found to be euphoric. This experience deepened his understanding of interconnectedness and the energy of the universe. He felt a profound sense of peace and a release from his ego, leading to a newfound clarity about life and relationships. Shawn encourages others, especially veterans, to consider this treatment, highlighting its potential to change lives. He urges viewers to donate to Vets to support more individuals in accessing this life-altering therapy. He concludes by expressing gratitude for the experience and the positive changes it has brought to his life, emphasizing the importance of natural healing over pharmaceutical solutions.

In this episode of *Conversations with Tyler*, host Tyler Cowen speaks with columnist Ross Douthat about his book *Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious*. They explore the nature of belief, discussing the simulation hypothesis and its implications for understanding divinity. Douthat likens the simulation creator to a demiurge, suggesting that belief in such a being raises religious questions about our relationship with these "gods." He argues that the simulation hypothesis does not provide sufficient evidence for its claims and emphasizes the importance of a traditional religious worldview. They delve into the diversity of religious beliefs, with Douthat acknowledging that cultural influences shape religious identity. He suggests that while many beliefs are inherited, the persistence of spiritual experiences across cultures indicates a deeper connection to the divine. Douthat also discusses the role of psychedelics in spiritual experiences, asserting that altered states of consciousness do not negate the existence of the supernatural. The conversation touches on the challenges of reconciling modern scientific perspectives with religious beliefs, particularly regarding consciousness and the existence of other life forms in the universe. Douthat speculates on the implications of extraterrestrial life for Christianity and the potential for a relationship with God. Finally, they discuss the future of storytelling in an age of AI and the importance of human creativity. Douthat expresses optimism about the enduring relevance of religion and the need for individuals to seek a relationship with the divine.

The discussion centers on simulation theory as a framework for reality. It opens with a rule from video games—render only what the Avatar can observe—and moves to Nick Bostrom’s hypothesis that we may live in a computer simulation. Elon Musk is cited saying we are likely in a simulation, while Plato’s Cave and post-pandemic forking timelines frame questions of meaning, power, and choice. The conversation contrasts a resource-constrained future in which elites might test humanity with a resource-abundant future in which advanced tech could either save or destroy civilization. The arc moves from metaphysics to governance and identity. On physics and information, the dialogue leans toward an information-theoretic view, tracing from Wheeler’s it from bit to the idea that time, probability, and light may obey computational rules. Everett’s Many-Worlds, Copenhagen, and Penrose’s orchestrated objective reduction are discussed as attempts to explain observation, with consciousness positioned as fundamental and free will argued to be non-reducible. Mind-matter experiments, Random Event Generators, and parapsychology are evaluated as potential signs that observation can alter outcomes, while Hoffman’s critique of perception and the idea that perception is a user interface challenge the assumption of an unmediated reality. Renormalization and time-energy questions deepen the puzzle. The field then drifts to anomalous phenomena: UFOs, portals, and the notion that high energy could reveal deeper layers of reality or warp space-time. Philip K. Dick’s timelines and the idea of adjustment teams are weighed against mystic traditions of seven heavens, Maya, and Merkabah practices, which use breath, visualization, and passwords to ascend. Reality is framed as a massively multiplayer online role-play game, where consciousness may choose quests and resist NPC conformity, aiming for higher states beyond the cave. The takeaway is not settled certainty but a call to virtue, inquiry, and inner agency as possible paths out of the simulation.

There's up to 200 flood myths worldwide, and 'it's one of the only ones which actually gives a date.' Hancock says secret societies preserved information from what they call the first time and passed it down to future generations, revealing 'precocious astronomical knowledge' on a scale we 'don't have today.' He links this to a leap to the Milky Way, a journey through 'the underworld, but it's also in the sky.' At Axum, guardians of the Ark reportedly suffer cataracts and say 'the ark is doing this to me'; Hancock notes the guards 'show me the cataracts' and that 'it is a thing of fire.' He says he 'ate it, I slept it, I breathed it,' and explains his approach: 'I can't rely only on what archaeologists have to say.' He notes the Ethiopian tradition and 1991 airlift, emphasizing boots-on-the-ground research. On the Great Pyramid, Hancock argues it's not a tomb: 'no burial of any Pharaoh was ever found' and 'it's not going to be an impossible technological feat to access' hidden chambers. He cites 'Orion correlation theory' with Robert Bal, '12,500 years ago' dating, and notes erosion patterns suggesting age around '12,500 years' rather than 4,500. Sphinx water erosion supports an older date. He says monuments memorialize older epochs, 'zepe' or Zepe, the first time. Around Atlantis and Plato: 'Atlantis tradition passed down to us by Plato as part of that worldwide tradition of a global flood' and 'there are roughly 200 flood myths from all around the world' and 'mythology needs to be used as a guide rather than sneered at as fantasies'. Consciousness and psychedelics: Hancock recalls Pablo Amaringo describing 'vehicles for entering and leaving the spirit world.' He cites 'two parallel tracks' of research: 'nuts and bolts' and 'the consciousness parallel.' He discusses DMT studies at Imperial College London and UCSD, where volunteers report 'encounters with sentient others' and say it can feel 'more real than real.' He argues science is taking these experiences seriously, calls for elevated consciousness to avert nuclear catastrophe.

Joe Rogan hosts Blaire White, a well-known figure in the LGBTQ community and a conservative commentator. They discuss the infamous UFO abduction story of Travis Walton, which inspired the film "Fire in the Sky." Walton's experience involved a close encounter with a UFO that left him missing for five days in the 1970s. Blaire shares her fascination with UFOs but expresses skepticism about many claims in the field, drawing parallels to psychics and the attention-seeking nature of fantastical tales. The conversation shifts to the evolution of humanity and the potential future of human beings, with both Joe and Blaire speculating on how humans may change over time. They discuss the impact of technology and genetic manipulation on future generations, including the possibility of altering chromosomes. Blaire recounts her experiences with psychics and mediums, expressing her skepticism about their validity, especially in personal contexts. Joe and Blaire delve into the complexities of gender identity and the societal pressures surrounding it, particularly regarding the experiences of trans individuals. They touch on the challenges faced by Gen Z, attributing some of their struggles to the indoctrination they experience in schools. Blaire reflects on her own journey of self-discovery, recalling her early feelings of gender dysphoria and the eventual decision to transition. The discussion also covers the backlash against public figures who express non-conforming views, particularly in the context of LGBTQ issues. They explore the dynamics of social media, the impact of online hate, and the importance of individualism in a polarized society. Blaire shares her experiences with DMT, describing it as a transformative experience that altered her perspective on life and humanity. She emphasizes the importance of finding personal meaning and connection in a world that often feels chaotic and disconnected. Throughout the conversation, they highlight the significance of open dialogue and the need for compassion and understanding across differing viewpoints. They conclude by discussing the nature of fame, the pressures it brings, and the importance of staying grounded amidst external opinions.

Dr. Jeffrey Long, a practicing physician, author, and researcher into near-death experiences, discusses the largest case series of NDEs, with more than 4,000 reports collected through the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation. He defines an NDE as a memory of consciousness during a period when you are near death, unconscious, or clinically dead with an absent heartbeat, stating that the brain would be expected to be unable to support lucid remembrance after blood flow to the brain has stopped. He explains the data collection: on the foundation’s site, people share their narratives and answer an 80-question survey, including the 16-item NDE scale, demographic questions, content questions, and after-effects questions. Long notes consistent patterns across many experiences, typically in a logical sequence that differentiates NDEs from dreams or hallucinations. The common elements include an out-of-body experience, then a tunnel, a beautiful unearthly light, arrival in a non-physical heavenly realm, encounters with deceased loved ones, a life review, and the sense of a choice to stay in that realm or to return to the body. Observations from the out-of-body phase are often corroborated by the body below; in one example, a person reported details miles away that were verified later. He emphasizes that people describe a sense of calm and peace, a stronger sense of reality than their earthly life, and accelerated consciousness during the experience. Long argues that NDEs are not dream-like; they are hyper-lucid and more real to participants than ordinary life. He cites research showing that 98% of what is perceived in the out-of-body state is accurate, and that many NDEs occur under general anesthesia or in cardiac arrest when the brain should be inactive, challenging solely brain-based explanations. The experiences occur across cultures and religions; translations and nonwestern NDE data show strikingly similar content. The phenomenon of shared NDEs—two or more people in the same life-threatening event reporting related experiences—is presented, including cases where one dies and the other survives with a shared memory. Long addresses skepticism by describing the survey’s internal checks and the medical plausibility of accounts; only a tiny fraction are obviously fake. After-effects are transformative: a dramatic reduction in fear of death, renewed emphasis on love, relationships, and compassion; a shift in medical practice toward holistic, patient-centered care. Regarding the afterlife, experiencers describe a non-physical realm with extended senses, universal knowledge, and a sense of unity and love. They report encounters with deceased relatives and even pets; the beings are often described as healthy and younger, and some report choosing to stay or return. God is often described as beyond language, with many equating the experience with a higher power. Observing these patterns, Long argues that consciousness can survive death and that near-death experiences offer a powerful, evidence-based glimpse of an eternal, interconnected reality. nde.org hosts the data and avoids sales or solicitations; his books, Evidence of the Afterlife and God in the Afterlife, elaborate these themes. Long continues clinical work while pursuing ongoing research.

This episode of the Joe Rogan Experience features Dennis McKenna, who discusses various topics related to psychedelics, consciousness, and his late brother, Terence McKenna. The conversation begins with a discussion about dog food and the importance of healthy options, transitioning into the main themes of the episode. Dennis McKenna expresses gratitude for being on the podcast and shares insights about his brother Terence, known for his provocative ideas and unique speaking style. He reflects on Terence's ability to captivate audiences with his charisma and intelligence, despite sometimes presenting contradictory statements. Dennis emphasizes that Terence's charm lay in his ability to make complex ideas engaging, even if they didn't always make logical sense. The discussion shifts to the concept of "Time Wave Zero," a theory proposed by Terence that attempts to map time using the I Ching. Dennis critiques this theory, suggesting that while it may have rediscovered aspects of ancient calendars, it overreaches by claiming to define the structure of time itself. He argues that novelty, as described by Terence, is difficult to quantify and that historical events often diffuse into the continuum rather than erupting as singular, novel occurrences. Dennis recounts their journey to La Charrera in search of psychoactive substances, particularly DMT, and the profound experiences they had there. He describes how their initial goal shifted from finding a specific drug to exploring the unexpected effects of psilocybin mushrooms, which led to a transformative experience that altered their perceptions of reality. The conversation touches on the role of psychedelics in human evolution, with Dennis suggesting that substances like psilocybin may have influenced the development of consciousness and culture. He speculates about the potential for ancient civilizations, like the Mayans, to have used psychedelics in their spiritual practices and how these experiences could have shaped their understanding of the universe. Dennis also discusses the idea of shared experiences among those who take psychedelics, noting that many people report similar visions and motifs, which raises questions about collective consciousness. He mentions the work of artists like Pablo Amaringo, who depict the psychedelic experience in their art, providing a visual representation of these shared realms. The episode concludes with a reflection on the nature of reality, consciousness, and the limitations of human understanding. Dennis emphasizes the importance of remaining open to the mysteries of existence and the potential for psychedelics to facilitate deeper insights into the nature of reality. He encourages listeners to explore these ideas while acknowledging the complexities and uncertainties that accompany such explorations.

Megyn Kelly welcomes Dr. Roland Griffiths to discuss psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound in magic mushrooms, which is gaining attention for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating depression, anxiety, addiction, and more. Dr. Griffiths, a respected scientist at Johns Hopkins University, emphasizes that his research is grounded in science, not recreational use. He recounts how psychedelics were heavily studied in the 1950s and 60s but faced stigma and regulatory restrictions due to the War on Drugs. Dr. Griffiths explains that his studies involve healthy volunteers who are psychedelic-naive, ensuring unbiased results. Participants report profound, mystical experiences that often become some of the most meaningful events in their lives. Remarkably, many participants describe these experiences as life-changing, leading to lasting positive effects on their worldviews and behaviors. He highlights the importance of trained therapists in guiding these sessions to mitigate risks, such as panic attacks or potential long-term psychotic disorders in vulnerable individuals. Dr. Griffiths also discusses the differences between psilocybin, ketamine, LSD, and MDMA, noting that while psilocybin is a classic psychedelic, ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic with different effects. The conversation shifts to a study on cancer patients, where psilocybin significantly reduced anxiety and depression, helping patients find peace with their mortality. Dr. Griffiths shares his personal journey after being diagnosed with stage four cancer, expressing gratitude for life and emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and compassion. He encourages others to embrace the preciousness of life and remain open to transformative experiences.

The episode explores the interwoven themes of UFOs, UAP encounters, and cryptids, focusing on how experiencers connect extraterrestrial phenomena with creatures like Bigfoot and other anomalous beings. The hosts discuss documented sightings at Skinwalker Ranch, including daylight and night observations, while recounting how researchers pursued evidence across multiple domains, from eyewitness testimonies to genetic analysis. A central thread is the idea that some encounters appear both physical and non-physical, suggesting a continuum between material objects and consciousness or interdimensional activity. The conversation emphasizes that there is an ongoing, unresolved inquiry into the identities and purposes of these visitors, noting that public confirmation would be controversial and potentially destabilizing for many people. The dialogue weaves in historical milestones, such as the early work of the National Institute for Discovery Science and the Skinwalker Ranch investigations, to illustrate how government-sponsored inquiry has intersected with private paranormal research. The guests reflect on how the Bigfoot phenomenon has evolved from a folklore topic to a subject that intersects with ufology, cryptozoology, and paranormal studies, highlighting reports of portals, orbs, cloaking devices, and audible language phenomena. A significant portion of the discussion centers on the DNA testing and hair-analysis efforts surrounding purported Bigfoot samples, including debates over contamination, lab capabilities, and the interpretation of results that sometimes point to unknown paternal lineage. The hosts also promote a broader narrative that the mysteries of the natural world may require multidisciplinary approaches, combining linguistics, medicine, physics, and anthropology, in order to understand potential interrelations among cryptids, missing-person cases, and anomalous aerial phenomena. Throughout, the tone remains exploratory, presenting a spectrum of credible witness testimony, scientific perspectives, and cryptid lore, while deliberately not presenting definitive answers, but rather inviting listeners to weigh the evidence and consider multiple possibilities about what might be hidden in the woods and skies.