How Psychedelics Change the Brain: MDMA, Psilocybin, Benefits & Risks | Dr. Rick Doblin

Video Description

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of trauma, suicide, abuse, and emotional processing in the context of psychedelic therapy. Please take care while listening. Viewer discretion is advised. You've been told psychedelics are poison. That healing trauma requires years of talk therapy. What if three sessions could change everything? This week on Live Well Be Well, I sit down with Rick Doblin, who has spent 39 years fighting for something most people thought impossible: bringing psychedelics back into medicine. As the founder of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), Rick has dedicated his life to proving that MDMA isn't just a party drug. It's a revolutionary treatment for trauma that could change how we understand healing itself. Rick doesn't just speak about psychedelics as science or policy. He's lived them, studied them, and helped thousands heal with them. His work isn't about escapism. It's about going deeper. Into the body. Into memory. Into parts of ourselves we've long avoided. And then, through compassion and skilled integration, coming out the other side, changed. We dive into revolutionary research showing that 67-72% of people with severe PTSD no longer meet the criteria for diagnosis after just three MDMA therapy sessions. Beyond the statistics lies something more profound: trauma isn't just an individual wound. It's a collective one requiring both scientific rigor and radical compassion to heal. We explore: - Rick's first psychedelic experience and what it taught him about interconnectedness - How MDMA works in the brain to reduce fear and increase compassion - Why MDMA may be the most effective tool we have for PTSD - The three-phase therapy protocol and why context matters more than the drug itself - What went wrong with FDA approval and why Rick believes approval is inevitable - The difference between a "bad trip" and a meaningful one - Why people with the most difficult childhoods often show the greatest improvement with MDMA therapy - How patients develop empathy (not forgiveness, but understanding) for their perpetrators Your trauma doesn't define you. But learning to hold it with compassion might just set you free. Love, Sarah Ann 💛 *** This episode is sponsored by Spatone – the No.1 iron-rich water supplement. This is a product I genuinely believe in — one I’ve used personally and recommended in the clinic for years. Spatone is a natural iron-rich water that’s incredibly gentle on the stomach. No harsh tablets, no digestive upset — just one naturally sourced ingredient that works. If you’re looking for iron support that actually feels good to take, this is the one I trust. You can pick up Spatone at Boots: Spatone Apple Daily Iron Shots + Vitamin C 28 Sachets - Boots: https://www.boots.com/spatone-liquid-iron-supplement-delicious-apple-taste-with-vitamin-c-28-x-25ml-10122875 ** This episode is also sponsored by London Nootropics, the best-in-class adaptogenic coffee I trust. Made with Hifas da Terra mushroom extracts, it supports focus, calm, and energy, and helps you stay sharp throughout the day. Enjoy 20% off with code LIVEWELLBEWELL at londonnootropics.com *** If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: 3 NEW Science-Backed Blue Zone Strategies To Increase Your Lifespan & Happiness: Dan Buettner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA4ZCWsS05U Radhika Das: Unlock Your Vagus Nerve for Better Mental Health https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rUi49Iiq0U How Yung Pueblo Overcame Rock Bottom and Transformed His Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5_16t0gIlk *** Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter: Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/ *** Highlights: 00:00 Introduction to MDMA Therapy & Healing with Rick Doblin 01:30 Psychedelics & the Interconnectedness of All Life 08:41 Can Psychedelics Treat Mental Health? 20:59 How Does MDMA Help PTSD & Rewire the Brain? 25:46 The MDMA Therapy Process: What Happens in a Session 34:16 What is the Success Rate of MDMA Therapy for PTSD Treatment? 41:17 Will MDMA Be FDA-Approved and Legalized for PTSD? 45:47 Risks & Side Effects of MDMA Therapy 51:39 What Causes Bad Trips on Psychedelics? 54:38 How to Ensure a Positive MDMA Experience 1:03:34 MDMA Therapy: Self-Compassion, Empathy, Healing & Letting Go 1:11:09 What Living Well Means to Rick Doblin *** Let’s be friends! 📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin 📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah 🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin 📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition 💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/ *** Love what you’re hearing? My small ask is to please rate and review Live Well Be Well. This helps the show expand and allows me to keep producing these with the best quality guests. It means a huge amount to me, so thank you.