Ep #01 Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, with Liam Farquhar
Welcome to How To Die Happy, a podcast dedicated to exploring the most essential questions in life and helping people find happiness and meaning before they pass away. In this episode, hosts Martin O'Toole and Chris Siracuse sit down with Liam Farquhar, a UK-based legal psychedelic guide, to discuss the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy in treating mental health disorders.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is an emerging field that has shown promising results in treating mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. This therapy involves using controlled amounts of psychedelic substances like psilocybin and MDMA in a therapeutic setting. Studies have found that psychedelic-assisted therapy can provide individuals with deeper insights, a greater sense of empathy, and a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. It has also been effective in reducing symptoms of various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, OCD, and eating disorders.
However, authorities are concerned about the legal and ethical considerations surrounding the use of psychedelic substances in a therapeutic context. Further research is ongoing to determine the optimal dosage, frequency of treatment, and long-term effects on the brain and body. Meanwhile, Liam works with psilocybin truffles in Amsterdam, where they are permitted, and uses a trauma-informed, holistic, and relational approach to help people.
Liam shares his Seven Lens approach to treatment, which includes Internal Family Systems, Grofian, Jungian, Mindfulness, Scientific, Shamanic, and Somatic Experiencing. This approach allows him to tailor treatment to clients' needs, regardless of their experience, worldview, or goals. Liam believes that healing and transformation are lifelong processes, and the mind is not the only tool for betterment. He emphasizes that memories, blocks, emotions, and traumas primarily reside in the body and must be accessed and released through the body.
The hosts stress the importance of careful preparation, guidance from experienced facilitators, and proper integration to maximize the benefits of plant medicines. Liam encourages the safe and legal use of psychedelics and never provides information on sourcing psychedelics in unsafe settings. He helps clients access their natural resources, wisdom, and potential, emphasizing that healing and transformation are ongoing processes, not one-time experiences. Liam helps clients creatively explore aspects of their personal and professional lives to find fulfilment and joy before they pass away.
The episode highlights the psychedelic renaissance currently taking place worldwide and its potential impact on psychology, psychopharmacology, psychiatry, and mental health as a whole. The FDA has granted "breakthrough therapy" designation to psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, and clinical trials are underway for a range of other conditions. Ayahuasca and San Pedro are also being explored for their therapeutic potential.
Mental health disorders are a significant global health challenge, and traditional treatment methods are often ineffective. Psychedelic-assisted therapy has the potential to provide new insights and perspectives for patients and may lead to more valuable and lasting treatments for mental health disorders. The potential benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy are significant. As interest in this field grows, engaging in open and informed discussions is essential to ensure safe and responsible use.
By working together, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public can maximize the impact of psychedelic-assisted therapy and help people find fulfilment and joy before they pass away. This podcast is a space where big questions are asked, and people can consider how to live a fulfilling and joyful life before their inevitable end.
