356: Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy with Dr. Jahan Khamsehzadeh

<div>Welcome back to Therapy Chat! Today's episode is a deeper exploration of plant-based medicine, specifically Psilocybin, also known as "magic mushrooms." Host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews Dr. Jahan Khamsehzadeh, the author of <em>The Psilocybin Connection: Psychedelics, the Transformation of Consciousness, and Evolution of the Planet—An Integral Approach.<br /> <br /></em> Jahan offered a fascinating and in-depth discussion of how psychedelics have been used by humans and animals since the beginning of time, their role in evolution, their current legal and illicit uses for healing, and future directions.</div> <div> </div> <div>Jahan Khamsehzadeh, Ph.D. completed his dissertation on psychedelics in the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco. His book, The Psilocybin Connection: Psychedelics, the Transformation of Consciousness, and Evolution of the Planet—An Integral Approach, is published by North Atlantic Books and distributed by Penguin Random House. He earned his Masters in Consciousness and Transformative Studies from John F. Kennedy University, and his Bachelors from the University of Arizona with a major in Philosophy and minors in Physics, Psychology, and Mathematics. </div> <div> </div> <div>Aside from academic work, he has undergone several major trainings, including graduating from the Hakomi somatic-psychotherapy program and training within the Mazatec mushroom tradition. He assisted the Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Certificate training at CIIS for two years, and mentors at the newly emerging School of Consciousness Medicine. He works as a facilitator for legal psilocybin mushrooms ceremonies in Jamaica with Atman Retreats, one of the few opportunities offered worldwide where people can legally experience psilocybin. Jahan is on the PsiloHealth integration team, a content advisor for the Synthesis Psychedelic Guide training program, and volunteers at the Zendo Project, which provides psychedelic harm reducti