153. Dr. Rick Doblin - Part 1: Psychedelics, MDMA Therapy, and the Future of Mental Health

Apr 7, 2026

Rick Doblin, founder and executive director of MAPS and four decades into psychedelic research, discusses MDMA therapy and the science behind psychedelic-assisted healing. He covers political history of prohibition, ancient ritual contexts, neuroplasticity, safety and therapeutic setting, MDMA for PTSD, alternatives to alcohol, commercialization risks, and global access and humanitarian research.

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ANECDOTE

Bromo-LSD Cured Cluster Headaches Unexpectedly

Researchers tested bromo-LSD, a non-psychedelic analog, for cluster headaches expecting failure, but it worked even better than LSD or psilocybin.
Bromo-LSD can be dosed in grams, showing therapeutic effects separate from the subjective psychedelic experience.

INSIGHT

Psychedelics Rewrite Personal Narratives

Psychedelic experiences reframe personal narratives by enabling people to feel deeply, view themselves from others' perspectives, and craft new life stories.
This storytelling plus neuroplasticity explains why single sessions can have long-term impact.

ADVICE

Warn About Risks Of Unsafely Set Trips

Warn patients: neuroplasticity doesn't discriminate—bad set/setting can lock in traumatic 'bad trips' for decades.
Encourage supervised use with a sober, supportive person and professional integration to reduce long-term harm.

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Depression, PTSD, and trauma related disorders continue to challenge modern medicine, even as our understanding of the brain and consciousness rapidly evolves. New research suggests that certain therapies may help unlock deeper healing by combining neuroscience, psychology, and carefully guided experiences.

In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Rick Doblin, founder of MAPS, to unpack the science and history behind psychedelic assisted therapy and its potential role in mental health treatment. We break down the research behind MDMA assisted therapy for PTSD, how psychedelics influence neuroplasticity and emotional processing, and why therapeutic context, preparation, and integration are essential for safe and meaningful outcomes.

We also explore how psychedelic research is reshaping conversations around trauma, healing, and the future of psychiatry.

Dr. Rick Doblin is the founder and executive director of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), the organization leading global research into psychedelic assisted therapies and working to develop evidence-based treatments for PTSD and other mental health conditions.

What We Discuss:

(01:55) The political origins of psychedelic prohibition
(04:40) Ancient psychedelic traditions and the Eleusinian Mysteries
(08:01) Dr. Rick Doblin's path to founding MAPS
(10:34) Science, policy, and the future of psychedelic medicine
(11:00) Expanding research on MDMA therapy
(12:21) Psychedelic churches and religious freedom laws
(15:42) Why context and safety shape psychedelic outcomes
(16:20) Neuroplasticity and emotional processing
(17:36) Bromo-LSD and non-psychedelic therapeutic compounds
(20:39) Psychedelics and rewriting personal narratives
(23:22) The Good Friday Experiment and mystical experiences
(25:23) MDMA therapy and trauma processing
(27:47) Psychedelics and alternatives to alcohol
(30:30) Ketamine therapy and pharmaceutical incentives
(36:16) MAPS, MDMA development, and commercialization
(41:56) The FDA pathway for MDMA therapy
(47:00) Global psychedelic research initiatives
(56:51) Early LSD research in psychology
…to be continued

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

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Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: drshah.com

Clinic: next-health.com

Instagram: darshanshahmd

Learn more about Dr. Rick Doblin:

Website: maps.org

Instagram: rickdoblinphd

X: @RickDoblin