Why Lived Experience Matters in Psychedelic Research & Therapy

Finding the Work: A Therapist’s Path into Psychedelics – A Conversation with Cody Callon

In this episode of Intonicated, host Kenneth Tupper speaks with therapist Cody Callon about the evolving landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Cody shares his path from harm reduction work in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to becoming a clinician specializing in trauma and psychedelic therapies. He reflects on his first experiences with ayahuasca, the challenges of integration without community, and how these experiences gradually informed his professional direction. The conversation explores key themes in contemporary psychedelic practice, including the role of preparation and integration, the importance of therapeutic alliance, and why these substances are better understood as tools rather than standalone cures. Cody also offers insights into matching different medicines to individual needs, emphasizing a personalized, trauma-informed approach. They discuss real-world clinical experience with ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin, alongside the practical and regulatory barriers to access in Canada—particularly through Health Canada’s Special Access Program. The episode closes with a reflection on the paradox of limited therapeutic access despite increasing public availability, and what this means for the future of safe, effective psychedelic care. Time Stamps * 01:09 – Introduction * 02:21 – Social work career and drug policy interest * 04:45 – Hearing about ayahuasca for first time * 06:06 – Prior perception about psychedelics * 07:36 – Learning about Gabor Mate’s work with ayahuasca and addiction treatment * 10:19 – First time drinking ayahuasca * 15:39 – Challenges with integration * 19:38 – Getting opportunity to pursue psychedelic research * 23:44 – Being trained to become a psychedelic therapist * 26:18 – Early 2020s psychedelic bubble * 30:44 – Getting experience offering ketamine- and MDMA-assisted therapy * 34:24 – Patterned thinking and developmental trauma * 38:54 – Preparation and integration support for clients * 46:54 – Opportunities for greater access to psychedelic therapies * 49:10 – Canada’s Special Access Program for psychedelics * 53:46 – Mushroom dispensaries Guest: Cody Callon is a Vancouver-based therapist and registered social worker specializing in trauma, substance use, and psychedelic-assisted therapy. With nearly two decades of experience in mental health, harm reduction, and addictions research, he has worked in clinical, community, and research settings, including with the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use. Cody is trained in MDMA-, ketamine-, and psilocybin-assisted therapies and provides psychotherapy, psychedelic integration, education, and consulting services. Links: https://www.codycallon.com [https://www.codycallon.com] https://www.medicineassistedtherapy.ca [https://www.medicineassistedtherapy.ca] https://www.ciis.edu/continuing-education/center-for-psychedelic-therapies-and-research/about-the-certificate [https://www.ciis.edu/continuing-education/center-for-psychedelic-therapies-and-research/about-the-certificate] https://www.sabimind.com/blog/worldsfirstwellnesspsychedelicstudy [https://www.sabimind.com/blog/worldsfirstwellnesspsychedelicstudy] Host: Kenneth Tupper is a public health researcher, drug policy expert, and educator whose work focuses on psychedelics, learning, and wellbeing. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Psychedelics are powerful substances with known risks and are illegal in many jurisdictions. Always consult qualified medical professionals and follow applicable laws.

Sacred Synthetics: The Science and Soul of Psychedelic Pharmaceuticals – A Conversation with Danny Motyka

In this episode of Intonicated, Kenneth Tupper sits down with Danny Motyka, co-founder and CEO of Psygen Industries, to explore what it means to manufacture psychedelics in an era of rapid cultural and regulatory change. Drawing on his background in chemistry and early leadership in Canada’s medical cannabis industry, Danny traces his path into GMP psychedelic drug manufacturing and explains what “Good Manufacturing Practices” actually entail for compounds like psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and ibogaine. The conversation moves beyond technical standards to examine deeper questions: What distinguishes synthetic from plant-derived medicines, not only chemically but experientially? Does a purified molecule carry the “spirit” of the plant? And when does a compound become a “medicine” in the eyes of the state? Ken and Danny also grapple with reciprocity, biopiracy, and the ethical tensions surrounding ibogaine supply chains in Africa, as well as the broader commercialization of psychedelic therapies. From stigma and medical tourism to community-led access models and the future of FDA approvals, this episode offers a grounded, candid look at where the psychedelic field may be heading, and what kind of cultural transformation it might yet enable. Time Stamps 1. 1:57 – Danny’s background and pathway to becoming CEO of Psygen 2. 4:14 – What is GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)? 3. 7:49 – Difference between synthetic vs plant- or fungus-based medicines 4. 12:20 – Conservation considerations for endangered species 5. 14:03 – Psychedelics as tools of transformation 6. 18:35 – Ibogaine and ethical sourcing of iboga 7. 22:05 – Stigma and working in psychedelics 8. 25:09 – Psychedelics, back-country skiing, and constructions of risk 9. 27:58 – What is a “medicine”? 10. 32:28 – Experience of “natural” vs “synthetic” psychedelic compounds 11. 37:06 – Future of psychedelic therapy access Guest Danny Motyka is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Psygen Industries Ltd., a Calgary-based contract development and manufacturing organization focused on pharmaceutical-grade psychedelic compounds for clinical research and therapeutic use. With an academic background in chemistry and experience in operations and controlled substances regulation, he has positioned Psygen as one of Canada’s leading synthetic psychedelic API manufacturers, aiming to expand global access to evidence-based psychedelic medicines Links https://psygen.ca [https://psygen.ca] https://therapsil.ca/therapsil-in-loving-memory-of-thomas-hartle/ [https://therapsil.ca/therapsil-in-loving-memory-of-thomas-hartle/] https://rootstothrive.com/ [https://rootstothrive.com/] Host Kenneth Tupper is a public health researcher, drug policy expert, and educator whose work focuses on psychedelics, learning, and wellbeing. Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Psychedelics are powerful substances with known risks and are illegal in many jurisdictions. Always consult qualified medical professionals and follow applicable laws.

Balancing Safety and Access: Tensions in Psychedelic Policy – A Conversation with Rielle Capler

In this episode of Intonicated, Kenneth Tupper speaks with Rielle Capler, Executive Director of MAPS Canada and Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health. Rielle reflects on her path from early interest in psychedelics, through leadership in the medical cannabis movement and the BC Compassion Club, to her current role shaping national conversations on psychedelic access and regulation. They discuss what it means to balance safety and access in emerging psychedelic policy, and what lessons cannabis legalization offers for designing regulatory frameworks that avoid monopolization and inequity. The conversation explores “psychedelic exceptionalism,” commercialization pressures, and the tension between intellectual property–driven drug development and equitable care. They also examine barriers within Canada’s Special Access Program, the role of public and population health perspectives, and the importance of preparation, integration, and harm reduction in minimizing risk while supporting therapeutic benefit. This episode moves beyond clinical trial headlines to consider broader systems questions: who benefits, who is excluded, and how to build policy that supports both safety and meaningful access. Time Stamps 1. 1:13 – Rielle introduction 2. 3:40 – Early cultural conditioning about psychedelics 3. 6:29 – Interest in medical cannabis access 4. 8:48 – MAPS Canada & global affiliation 5. 10:50 – Cannabis and psychedelics – similarities/differences 6. 14:24 – Psychedelic exceptionalism 7. 17:28 – Equitable access to psychedelic therapies 8. 19:05 – Commercialization of cannabis vs. psychedelics 9. 24:33 – Vision of the future for psychedelics 10. 26:37 – MAPS Canada and facilitation of clinical access to psychedelics 11. 27:37 – Psychedelics and public health 12. 30:04 – Psychedelics and harm reduction 13. 32:57 – Importance of preparation for a psychedelic experience Guest: Rielle Capler is the Executive Director of MAPS Canada, where she focuses on advancing research, education, and equitable access in the field of psychedelic medicine. Rielle holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Master’s in Health Administration, and serves as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia. She previously led nonprofit organizations in the cannabis sector, and has contributed to government consultations and standards development in both the cannabis and psychedelic policy sectors. Links: https://www.mapscanada.org/ [https://www.mapscanada.org/] https://www.schoolofpsychedelics.org/ [https://www.schoolofpsychedelics.org/] https://www.psychedelicpublichealth.org/ [https://www.psychedelicpublichealth.org/] https://markhaden.com/?page_id=71 [https://markhaden.com/?page_id=71 ] https://www.alberta.ca/psychedelic-drug-treatment.aspx [https://www.alberta.ca/psychedelic-drug-treatment.aspx ] https://www.mapscanada.org/2023/02/27/maps-responds-to-alberta-regulation/ [https://www.mapscanada.org/2023/02/27/maps-responds-to-alberta-regulation/] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_Was_Then,_This_Is_Now [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_Was_Then,_This_Is_Now ] Host: Kenneth Tupper is a public health researcher, drug policy expert, and educator whose work focuses on psychedelics, learning, and wellbeing. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Psychedelics are powerful substances with known risks and are illegal in many jurisdictions. Always consult qualified medical professionals and follow applicable laws.

Why Lived Experience Matters in Psychedelic Research & Therapy

Episode Description In this episode of Intonicated, Kenneth Tupper is joined by Pedram Dara, founder of Psychedelic Lived Experiences, for a wide-ranging conversation on what psychedelic medicine looks like when viewed from the patient’s side of the table. Pedram recounts how he first encountered MDMA-assisted psychotherapy through a Canadian clinical trial for PTSD, at a moment when both the problem and the proposed solution appeared in his life at the same time. From there, the discussion moves beyond individual healing to systemic questions about how psychedelic research and care are designed. Together, they explore why “patient-centered care” often functions more as a slogan than a practice, and how lived experience is routinely excluded from decision-making in clinical trials, clinics, and regulatory processes. Pedram draws on his background in technology and product development to argue that healthcare, and psychedelic medicine in particular, lags far behind other fields in meaningfully incorporating user feedback. The conversation also addresses treatment resistance, non-responders, potential harms, and the risks of polarization in public narratives about psychedelics. Ultimately, this episode asks what it would take to build psychedelic systems that truly listen to the people they are meant to serve. Time stamps 1. 01:04 – Introduction 2. 05:32 – First learning about PTSD and MDMA at the same time 3. 07:27 – Opportunity to be in MDMA trial to treat PTSD 4. 08:51 – Background in tech and understanding importance of “user” experience 5. 12:49 – Meeting other psychedelic clinical trial patients 6. 14:47 – Tension between system-centred health care and patient-centred care 7. 17:23 – Meaning of “lived experience” and “patient-centred” care 8. 18:46 – Clinicians with lived experience 9. 20:34 – Psychedelic therapy patients who don’t get the outcome they hoped for 10. 23:27 – Talking about psychedelic therapy in a balanced way 11. 26:32 – Designing psychedelic research and therapy clinics to be more patient-centred 12. 29:14 – Importance of regulatory bodies in foregrounding patient-centred care 13. 32:29 – Broadening lived experience input beyond medical research 14. 35:34 – Interest in other psychedelics after MDMA-assisted therapy 15. 37:42 – Objectivity and therapists’ own experiential training 16. 40:44 – Different cultural perspectives on mental illness 17. 44:49 – Future of psychedelic medicine and influence of patient lived experience 18. 48:59 – Psychedelic Lived Experiences Summit Guest Pedram Dara is the founder and director of Psychedelic Lived Experiences, a patient-led initiative amplifying the voices of people who have participated in psychedelic therapies and clinical trials. Drawing on his own experience in an MDMA-assisted psychotherapy trial for PTSD and a background in technology and product development, he works to bridge gaps between patients, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers in psychedelic medicine. Links https://psychedeliclivedexperiences.com/ [https://psychedeliclivedexperiences.com/ ] https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/Crazy-Like-Us/Ethan-Watters/9781416587095 [https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/Crazy-Like-Us/Ethan-Watters/9781416587095 ] Host Kenneth Tupper is a public health researcher, drug policy expert, and educator whose work focuses on psychedelics, learning, and wellbeing. Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Psychedelics are powerful substances with known risks and are illegal in many jurisdictions. Always consult qualified medical professionals and follow applicable laws.

Ibogaine: Safety, Ethics, and Emerging Neuroregenerative Science - A Conversation with Jonathan Dickinson (Ambio Life Sciences)

Episode Description In this inaugural episode of Intonicated, host Kenneth Tupper speaks with Jonathan Dickinson, CEO of Ambio Life Sciences, about ibogaine, altered states of consciousness, and the evolving science and ethics of psychedelic medicine. Jonathan traces his personal journey into psychedelics, from early encounters with literature and antidepressants to transformative experiences with psilocybin and, eventually, ibogaine. The conversation explores ibogaine’s unique role in interrupting opioid dependence, its emerging potential for treating traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and neurodegenerative conditions, and the critical importance of safety protocols and cardiac risk mitigation. The discussion also dives into Jonathan’s leadership in developing clinical best-practice guidelines through the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance, the ethical sourcing of iboga from Gabon via Terragnosis, and how increasing demand raises ecological and cultural sustainability concerns. This wide-ranging conversation offers a grounded, nuanced look at ibogaine not as a miracle cure, but as a powerful tool whose risks, benefits, and broader impacts must be carefully understood. Time Stamps 1. 1:33 – Reflections on the term “intonicated” 2. 2:34 – Personal experience 3. 5:44 – Interest in drugs through literature 4. 8:23 – Anti-depressants in high school 5. 10:23 – First psychedelic experience with mushrooms 6. 11:39 – Working for Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy 7. 13:06 – First hearing about ibogaine as treatment for opioid addiction 8. 15:07 – Getting connected and apprenticing at clinics in Mexico 9. 16:56 – Early understandings of ibogaine risk 10. 20:13 – First experience with ibogaine 11. 22:20 – Founding of Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance (GITA) 12. 26:51 – Refining risk reduction for ibogaine treatment 13. 31:54 – Founding of Terragnosis 14. 37:29 – Founding of Ambio Life Sciences and US Veteran interest 15. 39:43 – Stanford study on ibogaine and Traumatic Brain Injury 16. 42:57 – Ambio’s neurodegenerative program (Parkinson’s and MS treatments) Guest Jonathan Dickinson is the CEO of Ambio Life Sciences and a long-time leader in the global ibogaine community. He has worked for more than a decade in ibogaine treatment provision, safety guideline development, ethical supply-chain design, and emerging neuroregenerative research. Links www.ambio.life www.inwavesandwarfilm.com Host Kenneth Tupper is a public health researcher, drug policy expert, and educator whose work focuses on psychedelics, learning, and wellbeing. Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Ibogaine is a powerful substance with known risks and is illegal in many jurisdictions. Always consult qualified medical professionals and follow applicable laws.