#60 Brave New World- The Psychedelic Social Engineering Project. Travis Kitchens

Travis Kitchens was a psychedelic research subject in the Johns Hopkins study in 2014. Travis and Ryan explore the history of the current psychedelic movement, focusing on the Johns Hopkins studies, the Council on Spiritual Practices, and the implications of psychedelics in social engineering. Travis critiques the psychedelic movement, highlighting the influence of key figures and the commercialization of psychedelics, while questioning the narrative that psychedelics universally improve individuals and society. Travis and Ryan delve into the complexities surrounding psychedelics, discussing their potential benefits and the authoritarian elements that often accompany their use. They explore the dangers of addiction and escapism, the importance of cultural context, and the need for critical examination of psychedelic literature. The dialogue emphasizes the mystery of existence and the limits of knowledge, advocating for a humble approach to understanding consciousness and the human experience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Psychedelics and Personal Journey
09:58 The Johns Hopkins Study and Its Impact
19:57 The Council on Spiritual Practices and the Psychedelic Renaissance
30:05 Social Engineering and the Role of Psychedelics
32:26 Narrowing Down the Focus
34:01 The Psychedelic Renaissance and Its Critics
36:31 Journalism and the Psychedelic Movement
38:55 Transhumanism and Psychedelics
42:18 Rick Doblin and the MAPS Controversy
49:19 Whistleblowers and Hidden Research
55:35 The Oversimplification of Psychedelic Benefits
01:02:32 Psychedelics and the Military
01:06:47 The Future of Psychedelics in Medicine
01:11:56 Cultural Context and Individual Healing
01:17:34 The Dangers of Escapism and Addiction
01:24:38 Integration and the Mystical Experience
01:35:45 The Mystery Cult of Psychedelics
01:37:36 The Role of Subtlety in Psychedelic Experiences
01:38:06 Exploring Richard Noll's Controversial Work on Jung
01:40:38 Understanding Jung's Influence on the Psychedelic Renaissance
01:42:05 Debunking the Cult of Personality in Psychedelia
01:44:32 The Importance of Questioning Authority
01:47:30 Psychedelics as a Tool for Humility
01:49:49 The Need for Critical Examination in Psychedelic Literature
01:52:43 The Dangers of Suggestibility in the Psychedelic Movement
01:55:40 The Artistic Value of Controversial Figures
02:01:36 Final Thoughts on Mystery and Skepticism

Travis Kitchens Substack- https://substack.com/@targetpractice

https://reason.com/2025/02/09/the-most-controversial-paper-in-the-history-of-psychedelic-research-may-never-see-the-light-of-day/

Music for every episode
Intro and exit music used: Strange the dreamer by Savfk - www.youtube.com/@savfkmusic

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A bit about Ryan Anderson- https://open.spotify.com/episode/7bsR23JM4z6p1RPpbv7czC?si=4ba51224cf464e70
Keywords

psychedelics, Johns Hopkins, Council on Spiritual Practices, social engineering, transhumanism, psychedelic movement, MDMA, spiritual experiences, drug research, consciousness, psychedelics, mental health, authoritarianism, addiction, cultural context, integration, critical examination, consciousness, mystery, self-discovery

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