H-Hour #216 Grace Blest-Hopley – psychedelics Research Director
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Dr Grace Blest-Hopley is a researcher in the neurochemical and neurofunctional underpinnings of cannabis, cannabinoids *(E.g. CBD and THC) and psychedelics. Dr Blest-Hopley is also the Research Director at Heroic Hearts Project, a charity connecting military veterans with mental trauma to psychedelic therapy options: ayahuasca, psilocybin, ketamine. https://www.heroicheartsuk.com/
Takeaways
CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and can modulate various systems in the body, but the quality and potency of CBD products vary.
The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in regulating brain and body functions, and dysregulation can contribute to disease.
Sleep deprivation can lead to hallucinations and has a significant impact on mental and physical health.
Psychedelic medicines, such as MDMA and psilocybin, show promising results in treating mental health disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.
Psychedelic therapy requires a comprehensive approach, including preparation, the psychedelic experience, and integration into daily life. Psychedelic medicines show potential in treating PTSD and mental health disorders in the UK armed forces.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been studied for their therapeutic benefits in a psychotherapy setting.
The government’s response to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has been cautious, despite evidence of its effectiveness.
Proper screening and safety precautions are essential in psychedelic therapy to minimize risks and side effects.
The future of psychedelic medicine includes exploring different models of therapy and scalability.
Psychedelic therapy has the potential to reconnect individuals with themselves, their communities, and the world around them.
Community support networks are crucial in sustaining the benefits of psychedelic therapy.
Indigenous peoples have a long history of using psychedelic medicines and can provide valuable knowledge and wisdom.
Psychedelic therapy has a mystical and magical component that goes beyond traditional psychiatric approaches.
Reducing stigma and engaging the military community are important steps in making psychedelic therapy more accessible.
Summary
In this conversation, Hugh Keir and Dr Grace discuss the properties and benefits of CBD, the role of the endocannabinoid system in regulating brain and body functions, and the potential of psychedelics in treating mental health disorders. They also explore the importance of sleep and the impact of sleep deprivation on mental health. Hugh shares insights from his work with veterans and the positive effects of psychedelic medicine in helping them heal and regain emotional connection. The conversation highlights the need for further research and understanding of these alternative treatments. This conversation explores the use of psychedelic medicines in treating PTSD and mental health disorders in the UK armed forces. The discussion covers the potential benefits of psilocybin mushrooms in psychotherapy and the government’s response to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. The risks and side effects of psychedelic medicines are also discussed, along with the importance of proper screening and safety precautions. The conversation delves into the future of psychedelic medicine and different models of therapy, including the use of psychedelics in the Netherlands. The importance of community support networks and the role of psychedelics in reconnecting with oneself and society are highlighted. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the significance of ancestry and cultural practices in psychedelic therapy and the need to reduce stigma and engage the military community in this healing modality.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
00:28 CBD and PTSD
01:23 Properties of CBD and THC
02:21 The Endocannabinoid System
03:14 The Importance of the Endocannabinoid System in Psychiatry
04:13 The Discovery of Cannabinoids
05:10 The Link Between Hormones and Brain Function
06:10 The Connection Between Endocrinology and Psychiatry
07:05 The Role of Hormones as Neurosteroids
08:03 CBD’s Anti-Inflammatory Properties
08:53 Cell Line Testing
09:21 CBD’s Modulatory Effect on Systems
10:17 CBD’s Effect on Muscle Recovery
11:12 The Complexity of CBD’s Mechanisms
12:36 The Impact of CBD on Epilepsy
14:33 Licensing Challenges for Cannabis Medicines
16:31 Regulations and Quality Control for CBD Products
18:25 The Home Office’s Regulations on THC in CBD
20:18 The Risk of Testing Positive for THC with CBD Use
21:14 Recommended CBD Retailers
23:13 Psychedelics and the Relationship Between Plants and Humans
24:07 The Progress in Psychedelic Medicine Research
25:01 The Impact of Sleep Deprivation
26:23 Dreaming and Hallucinations
27:37 The Causes of Hallucinations from Sleep Deprivation
28:37 The Importance of Sleep in Mental Health
29:35 The Need for Enforced Rest in the Military
30:02 The Importance of Rest in the Military
31:00 The Importance of Sleep in Society
34:13 The Progress in Psychedelic Medicine Research
36:02 The Impact of MDMA on PTSD
37:27 The Impact of Psilocybin on Major Depressive Disorder
38:14 The Use of Psychedelics in Treating Veterans
39:43 The Profound Effects of Psychedelic Medicine
43:34 The Challenges and Benefits of Psychedelic Therapy
48:23 The Resistance to Psychedelic Medicine in Society
52:32 The Progress in Rescheduling Psychedelic Drugs
53:30 PTSD and Untreated PTSD in UK Armed Forces
54:27 The Use of Psilocybin Mushrooms in Psychotherapy
55:34 Government Response to Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy
56:04 Major Risks and Side Effects of Psychedelic Medicines
57:24 Screening and Safety Precautions for Psychedelic Therapy
59:20 Risks of Cannabis Use and Psychotic Disorders
01:00:36 The Future of Psychedelic Medicine and Scalability
01:01:30 Synthesizing Psychedelic Medicines
01:03:57 Psychedelic Therapy in the Netherlands
01:04:26 Different Models of Psychedelic Therapy
01:06:21 Psychedelics and Reconnecting with Oneself and Society
01:07:49 Psychedelic Therapy and Support Networks
01:09:14 Psychedelic Therapy for Military Families
01:10:44 The Importance of Ancestry and Cultural Practices
01:12:09 Indigenous Peoples and Psychedelic Medicines
01:19:11 The Mystical and Magical Component of Psychedelics
01:25:41 Reducing Stigma and Engaging the Military Community
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