#120: Dr. Cole Marta - Using Psychedelics to Cure Depression & PTSD, the Grateful Dead & Acid, The Rave Scene & MDMA

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Episode Description

When you hear the word ‘psychedelics’, a few things probably pop into your head. Raves. Hippie movements. Swirls of bright colors. But what if psychedelics could actually assist us in leading more grounded, stable lives?

That’s the question that Dr. Cole Marta, the current CEO of the California Center for Psychedelic Therapy, aims to investigate. Cole’s research focuses on the effects of certain drugs (eg. MDMA) on mental health conditions such as PTSD. But in a niche field often faced with misconceptions and stereotypes, the journey has certainly not been smooth sailing.

Show Notes:

Marta’s First Experiences: Cole’s introduction to substances and the subculture of psychedelics.
Learning Subculture: Reflecting on the philosophical and spiritual awakenings that the psychedelics subculture has brought him.
College Life: Cole’s academic journey throughout college, and finding his path to med school.
Reintroduction into Psychedelics: His first rave, and how it sparked an academic passion.
Aftermath of Paper: Cole aims to further educate himself through conversations with those suffering from mania.
Lasering In on Psychiatry: The relevance, importance, and opportunities of psychiatry.
UCLA Psychiatry Residency: Reintroduced to the world of psychedelics.
PTSD and Psychedelics: Exploring the medical value of psychedelics for PTSD.
Psychedelic Conditions: The inner world of hospitalization and psychedelics.
Getting into MDMA: The applications of psychedelics and MDMA.
MDMA Studies: The long-term benefits of MDMA use on PTSD.
Neurotoxicity in MDMA: Debunking the myth.
Future Excitements: The future of MDMA in mental health treatment.