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How Psychedelics are Easing End-of-Life Anxiety

Insights from Dr. Thomas B. Roberts on how to revolutionize death and dying

Dear friends and neighbors,

Dr. Thomas B. Roberts has been at the forefront of psychedelic science for over five decades, making invaluable contributions to the field. His insights, both personal and theoretical, are unparalleled, and he is widely regarded as an encyclopedia of knowledge when it comes to the topic of psychedelics.

In addition to his vast knowledge, Dr. Roberts is known for his warm and generous personality. He exudes a sense of innocence and approachability that makes him a pleasure to speak with. During our interview, he shared fascinating stories and scientific insights, providing a unique and valuable perspective on the topic of psychedelics. His passion for the subject is palpable, and his contributions to the field will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of psychedelic science for years to come.

You can listen to the audio here, or subscribe to read the transcript below.

Mind Body Health & Politics
Breaking the Taboo: Psychedelics as Tools for Healing at the End of Life – Thomas B. Roberts
Listen now (54 min) | We sit down with Thomas B. Roberts, a prominent professor in the field of Psychedelic Studies, to continue our series on the profound potential of psychedelics in end-of-life healing – including how they can ease our fears and anxieties surrounding death. Roberts discusses the four stages of the Psychedelic Renaissance and how he got into this field, de…
Listen now

NOTE: I am currently embarking on a new series featuring healing stories from those who have benefitted from psychedelics at the end of life, or in the face of a terminal diagnosis. I hope to interview those with direct personal experience, as well as relatives, friends, and clinicians with stories to share. Please email my producer if you would like to be interviewed on my program, and featured in a future book on this topic.

Wishing you Golden Light,

Dr. Richard Louis Miller


This podcast will always remain available at no cost. However, I’d like to offer my most loyal listeners additional options for enjoying my interviews – both as videos and transcripts.

Further Reading:


Transcript

*This transcript has been simplified for easier reading without changing the core content of the dialogue. Transcription provided by Vergilius.

Dr. Richard Louis Miller (00:17): Welcome to Mind Body Health and Politics. I'm your host, Dr. Richard Louis. Miller. The mission of Mind Body, Health and Politics is to enhance your physical and mental wellbeing and to encourage community. And I say encourage community because I believe very deeply that human beings are friendly tribal animals. We like to cooperate. We like to hang out with one another from sewing circles, to playing poker, to playing golf, to going to sports games. And we really love eating together. We like being together. That's how human beings are. You can witness that all around the world, but at the very same time, we must acknowledge that there's a very small percentage of us who are very different. These people are not collaborative and cooperative. They are avaricious predators who would have us be subjects rather than citizens. These are the kind of people who believe in dictatorships with themselves at the very top and everyone else below them.

(01:27): I've grown up most of my life, particularly when I was younger, believing that our democracy and our republic was, it was an entitlement. It was something we won over 200 years ago, and it was ours to keep forever. But I've learned that isn't the case. A democracy and a republic must be worked for on a regular basis, and it's our duty as citizens. It really is to stay aware and stay politically awake and to vote. It's our job. And I know I'm saying that at a time when it's hard for many people to even get food on the table and pay rent, let alone look out for their politics, but it's something that must be done. It simply must be done, or we could lose the democracy and the republic. In the words of my hero, one of my heroes, Thomas Jefferson, eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

(02:25): Please join me in vigilance today on Mind, Body, Health, and Politics.

I have the extreme pleasure of hosting Dr. Thomas Roberts, a true pioneer in the fight for Americans' constitutional right to privacy in their own homes. For over 50 years, Dr. Roberts has advocated for the right to ingest what one chooses. Dr. Roberts taught the first university course on psychedelic studies and founded Bicycle Day to honor Albert Hoffman, who discovered LSD.

Since 1994, Thomas has curated a private psychedelic email list, which I’m thrilled to receive. Though much email is junk, Thomas regularly shares valuable psychedelic resources. He has published numerous books and papers. Search for “Thomas Roberts” or “Dr. Thomas Roberts” on Amazon to find his work—you’ll want his books in your library. His latest is “Mind Apps.” I could speak Thomas’s extensive bio for this entire program. Instead, I’ll leave further search to you. Welcome, Thomas, to Mind Body Health and Politics.

Thomas Roberts (04:27): Thank you, Dr. Miller. Thank you for those nice words. I appreciate it.

There's a new book out by Richard Haass titled The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens, concerning the duties of citizenship and cultivating a civic identity. I think the author would be an excellent interviewee for you.

Dr. Richard Louis Miller (05:13): Thank you for that referral. I will definitely contact him.

The academic field that could have killed his academic career

Dr. Richard Louis Miller (05:22): Thomas, today we'll discuss psychedelics for end-of-life care, an interest of yours. But first, tell us how you began psychedelic studies 50 years ago. How did you find the courage to pursue it when it could've ruined your career instantly?

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Mind Body Health & Politics
Psychedelic Wisdom
Psychology, Medicine, and Spirituality
Authors
Richard L. Miller