27-Jun-23
This podcast explores Amanda Feilding’s pioneering work in psychedelic research and advocacy, spanning over 50 years. Her journey unveils the intricate relationship between consciousness, brain function, and psychoactive substances, challenging traditional perspectives on mental health and human evolution. Provocative topics include the history of psychedelic use, the role of the ego in consciousness, and the potential of psychedelics in treating various conditions. Underlying themes delve into the pursuit of deeper understanding, the fight against societal limitations, and the pursuit of a more fulfilling human experience.
1. Amanda Feilding’s Early Exposure to Mysticism and Psychedelics:
- Feilding’s upbringing was steeped in mysticism, influenced by her father, a farmer and thinker, and her godfather, a Buddhist monk.
- Early mystical experiences, fostered by her Catholic upbringing and isolated environment, ignited her passion for exploring altered states of consciousness.
- At the age of 10, Feilding began reading about mystical states, deepening her fascination with the transcendent.
- Feilding’s introduction to cannabis at 16 marked a turning point, opening up a new dimension of exploration and creative expression.
2. The Significance of Cerebral Circulation in Consciousness:
- Feilding proposes that human evolution, particularly the upright stance, resulted in a decreased blood supply to the brain.
- This decrease, she argues, led to the development of a sophisticated system for directing blood to where it is most needed, a mechanism tightly linked to the ego.
- Psychedelics, Feilding believes, disrupt this control mechanism, increasing blood flow to the brain and potentially enhancing energy and connectivity between brain regions.
- This enhanced connectivity, she suggests, allows for a more expansive and less limited experience of consciousness, potentially leading to breakthroughs in creativity and self-understanding.
3. The Role of Language in Shaping Consciousness:
- Feilding posits that language, a defining characteristic of humans, plays a significant role in shaping our reality, creating narratives that can potentially obscure objective reality.
- While language has enabled remarkable advancements, it also contributes to our dependence on external meaning, limiting our connection to the direct experience of the world.
- This dependence, she suggests, can lead to neurosis and psychosis, highlighting the need for methods that bypass linguistic frameworks and reconnect us to our bodily senses.
- Psychedelics, in Feilding’s view, offer a potential solution by dissolving the boundaries of language and ego, fostering a more intimate and intuitive connection with the senses and the natural world.
4. The History of Psychedelics in Culture and Ritual:
- Feilding asserts that psychedelics have played a central role throughout human history, evident in ancient cave paintings and rituals like the Eleusinian Mysteries.
- She argues that these substances were not only employed for spiritual purposes but also for healing and enhancing creativity, contributing to the development of human culture and art.
- The prohibition of psychedelics in the 1970s, she believes, marked a catastrophic loss for humanity, halting research and limiting access to potentially transformative experiences.
- Feilding underscores the irony of this suppression, given the widespread use of psychedelics in ancient societies and the ongoing scientific evidence of their potential benefits.
5. The Potential of Psychedelics in Treating Mental Health Conditions:
- Feilding emphasizes the potential of psychedelics, particularly LSD and psilocybin, in treating mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and addiction.
- She highlights research showing the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy, with mystical experiences often correlating with positive outcomes.
- Feilding advocates for microdosing as a therapeutic approach, citing evidence of its benefits for conditions like Alzheimer’s and autism.
- She challenges the prevailing narrative that demonizes psychedelics, highlighting their potential as valuable tools for enhancing well-being and addressing critical mental health needs.
6. Trepanation: An Ancient Practice Reexamined:
- Feilding describes her personal experience with trepanation, an ancient practice of drilling holes in the skull, based on the theory of enhancing cerebral circulation.
- She acknowledges the potential risks and cautions against self-trepanation, advocating for research to explore its potential benefits.
- Feilding emphasizes the historical association of trepanation with religious practices and healing, particularly for conditions like headaches and mental illness.
- She argues for reexamining this practice through modern scientific lens, given its potential to improve blood flow to the brain and alleviate various ailments.
7. The Potential of Altered States of Consciousness for Human Evolution:
- Feilding expresses her belief that the human drive to explore altered states of consciousness is a fundamental and healthy urge, reflecting a desire to transcend the limitations of our everyday reality.
- She advocates for a more open and informed approach to these experiences, viewing them as a path towards greater self-understanding, creativity, and compassion.
- Feilding cautions against the negative publicity surrounding psychedelics and their potential misuse, emphasizing the importance of discipline and responsible use.
- She envisions a future where a deeper understanding of these altered states empowers individuals to control their consciousness and live more fulfilling lives.
8. The Ethical and Political Barriers to Psychedelic Research:
- Feilding outlines the significant challenges faced in researching psychedelics due to restrictive drug policies and a prevailing narrative of fear and misinformation.
- She highlights the historical suppression of psychedelic research due to political agendas and the financial interests of pharmaceutical companies.
- Feilding stresses the urgent need for greater public understanding and advocacy to shift policy and enable more thorough research.
- She expresses hope that younger generations, with a more informed perspective on psychedelics, will champion a more progressive and compassionate approach.
9. The Impact of Altered States of Consciousness on Creativity and Performance:
- Feilding shares her own experiences with psychedelics, particularly LSD, and how they have enhanced her creativity and intuition, particularly in the context of artistic expression and problem-solving.
- She cites examples of athletes and artists who have reported improved performance and insights while under the influence of psychedelics, suggesting their potential to unlock hidden capabilities.
- Feilding emphasizes the need for discipline and control when utilizing these substances for creative and cognitive pursuits, comparing it to harnessing the power of a powerful horse.
- She advocates for further research into the impact of psychedelics on cognitive function and creative potential, emphasizing their potential to unlock new dimensions of human ingenuity.
10. Exploring the Nature of Entities in Psychedelic Experiences:
- Feilding acknowledges the common experience of encountering entities during psychedelic journeys, particularly with DMT, but expresses a preference for LSD’s more introspective and self-focused effects.
- She discusses the interpretations of entities, ranging from projections of the subconscious to potential connections with other forms of consciousness, leaving the question open for further exploration.
- Feilding emphasizes the importance of navigating these experiences with awareness and intention, avoiding attachment to specific interpretations and instead focusing on the insights gained from these encounters.
- She highlights the potential for understanding the nature of entities through research and observation, potentially revealing deeper truths about the nature of consciousness itself.
11. Telepathy: A Potential Human Ability:
- Feilding shares personal anecdotes and observations that support the existence of telepathy, suggesting it may be an emergent property of human consciousness, often activated in moments of intense love, passion, or threat.
- She acknowledges the challenges in scientifically validating telepathy due to the complexities of human consciousness and the influence of the ego.
- Feilding expresses a fascination with the potential of telepathy and its connection to the mystical experience, suggesting that exploring one might unlock greater understanding of the other.
- She encourages further research into the mechanisms underlying telepathy, potentially revealing a new dimension of human communication and connection.
12. The Transformative Power of Psychedelics:
- Feilding emphasizes the profound impact psychedelics have had on her life and work, providing her with the energy, insights, and drive to pursue her research and advocacy.
- She believes that these substances are a gift to humanity, capable of promoting well-being, creativity, and compassion.
- Feilding underscores the need for accessible and affordable access to these compounds, ensuring their benefits reach a wider audience, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
- She expresses optimism about the future of psychedelic research and advocacy, envisioning a world where these substances are embraced as tools for personal growth and societal evolution.
5 Memorable Quotes:
- “I was very attracted to the other side if you you like, the mystical.” – Feilding reflects on her early attraction to the transcendent, outlining her passion for exploring altered states of consciousness.
- “I think we developed an internal mechanism more than any other animal has done it, which is to direct the blood where it most needs to go.” – Feilding highlights the unique human capacity for directing blood flow, a mechanism she believes is tightly linked to the ego.
- “I think that’s the secret of why humans, but if a talking ape got control of the whole game because of our creation of language which enables us to do these incredible things we do.” – Feilding emphasizes the power of language as a defining human trait, acknowledging both its benefits and drawbacks.
- “I think that the knowledge of getting high has always been central to the human evolution.” – Feilding asserts the historical significance of altered states of consciousness in human development, challenging traditional narratives about their role.
- “I passionately think psychedelics are a gift for the gods in inverted cons. It’s a natural gift which shouldn’t be expensive.” – Feilding passionately advocates for making psychedelics accessible and affordable, ensuring their benefits reach all members of society.