This is one of the most fun and wide-ranging conversations I’ve had on Furthure in a while — and one of the weirder ones. Dr. David Luke, author of Otherworlds: Psychedelics and Exceptional Human Experience, investigates everything from how psychedelics may increase the odds of ESP-like experiences and paranormal beliefs to how people cope with existential distress after challenging psychedelic experiences. He has also been his own “guinea pig” for science, let’s just say, and isn’t afraid to tell us the tale.

Even though studying the ESP phenomenon with psychedelics might seem a bit out there — maybe unicorn-dimension-level weird — there’s no denying that there are strong roots in the history of the field for studying this, with everyone from serious scientists in the 1950s to indigenous traditions entwined with it.

We also get into the Challenging Experiences Project, which studies what can go wrong after psychedelic use. I loved this part of the conversation — we get into the nuances of how little is really known about what can go wrong after challenging psychedelic experiences. A little hint: it’s a lot more diverse than just psychosis or even run-of-the-mill depression. Understanding what can go wrong with psychedelics, and what people can do to help themselves afterward, is essential to the future of psychedelics integrating well (whatever that means) into society.

I would also consider this a companion episode to Dr. Willoughby Britton’s episode on meditation-related side effects. If you enjoy this, be sure to check that out as well.

Dan Grossman takes us on a tour of a very uncharted—but important—aspect of psychedelics’ effects: somatic experiences. We discuss the role that weird and wacky, “energy-like” experiences might play in the effects of psychedelics, and how, despite sounding a little out-there, these experiences are grounded in rich psychological and somatic traditions in both the East and West. If you’re wondering how The Body Keeps the Score might relate to psychedelics, this episode is for you.

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Lastly, I’d like to do a little shout-out for the Patreon! If you like the Furthure project, check out the Furthure page

⚡️⚡️⚡️https://patreon.com/Furthure_HDourron⚡️⚡️⚡️

Ria Xi is taking running further than many people could even conceive of as possible. She is planning a 20,000-km (~12,427-mile) run from the edge of Russia to Portugal. She has already pushed running to its limits—setting the fastest known time on the Camino trail in Spain and becoming the first person to ultrarun the Sinai Trail in Egypt.

In our conversation, we talk about what she is running toward, what endurance really means, and the power of focusing on your “why.” We also get into the practicalities of ultrarunning and who might be ready to take the first steps toward training.

Still, this conversation is inspiring for more than just the athletes out there. Ria basically asks us to dream big, bolder, and to just go for things—and to remember, “It’s only delusional until it’s not.”

Stick around to the end of the episode for a little surprise goal I will be pursuing

Follow Ria's Journey here on instagram @whereisriax

Photo credit: Jack Lawes @jack.lawes

Like the show? Please rate the podcast & subscribe ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Lastly, I’d like to do a little shout-out for the Patreon! If you like the Furthure project, check out the Furthure page

⚡️⚡️⚡️https://patreon.com/Furthure_HDourron⚡️⚡️⚡️