Psychedelics and First Responder Mental Health: A Fire Chief’s Journey

Psychedelics and First Responder Mental Health: A Fire Chief’s Journey | Beneath the Helmet Ep. 102

In Episode 102 of Beneath the Helmet, I sit down with retired Battalion Chief Matt Thierfelder to have an honest conversation about burnout, hypervigilance, retirement, and exploring psychedelic-assisted therapies.

After more than 30 years in the fire service, Matt reached the minimum retirement age of 53 and found himself facing something many first responders quietly experience: sleep deprivation, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and an identity shift after hanging up the helmet.

In this episode, we talk openly about:

• Psilocybin-assisted therapy in Oregon

• Microdosing vs. larger doses of psilocybin

• Ketamine IV therapy and its impact on anxiety and suicidal ideation

• Stellate ganglion block (SGB) for resetting fight-or-flight

• Ibogaine in a medically supervised retreat setting

• Retirement transition and leaving the fire family

• Operator syndrome and firefighter syndrome

• The importance of integration after psychedelic experiences

  ⏱️ Timestamps

00:00:00 – Introduction to Beneath the Helmet
00:01:00 – Matt Thierfelder’s Fire Service Journey
00:04:00 – Highlights from 30 Years in the Fire Service
00:06:00 – Would You Join the Fire Service Again?
00:08:00 – Retirement at 53 and the Identity Crisis
00:10:00 – Burnout, Hypervigilance, and Sleep Deprivation
00:11:00 – Discovering Psilocybin Research
00:12:00 – Oregon Measure 109 and Facilitator Training
00:14:00 – Psychedelic Conferences and Community
00:15:00 – Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Experience
00:17:00 – The Moment He Knew It Was Time to Retire
00:20:00 – Leaving the Fire Family
00:21:00 – EMDR and Vulnerability in Therapy
00:22:00 – Why Psychedelics? The Science and Interest
00:25:00 – Group Psilocybin Work and Integration
00:26:00 – What Is Psilocybin?
00:27:00 – How a Psilocybin Session Works in Oregon
00:34:00 – Legalization and Access to Psychedelics
00:38:00 – Microdosing vs. Larger Doses
00:41:00 – Deep Dive into Ketamine
00:46:00 – Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)
00:52:00 – Ibogaine and the Structured Retreat Process

If this conversation resonated with you, please:

👉 Subscribe to Beneath the Helmet👉 Share this episode with someone in the fire service or first responder community👉 Leave a comment and join the conversation

Sometimes the first step toward renewal is simply being willing to look beneath the helmet.

If you’re interested in deeper conversations similar to this episode, you might also enjoy

Episode 41 Myke Cole's Path from Warrior to Firefighter

Episode 52 Psychedelic Therapy First Responder with PTSD with Jeff Morley

Episode 94 Firefighter Recovery: The Truth About CBD and First Responder Wellness

Host Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)

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