Episode Summary

The highly informed and deeply compassionate Amy Emerson joins Jef Szi and the How Humans Work Podcast for a remarkable conversation about the evolving landscape of psychedelics.

With her extensive involvement and leadership in the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)* and their multi-year effort to get MDMA approved by FDA as a therapeutic medicine for PTSD. There are few better than Amy who can speak to the state of psychedelics for medical use in society.

Not only does Amy share her honest appraisal about FDA drug approval process and members of congress on the Hill, she gives us the little known and fascinating history of MDMA. Some highlights are Sasha and Ann Shulgin’s groundbreaking contributions, the reputational damage MDMA suffered in the 90’s, the long-game efforts of Rick Doblin and others, the powerful way MDMA works on the brain, and the remarkable promise MDMA has shown to help people suffering with PTSD. Put together as a whole, Emerson offers us a destigmatized and inspiring view of MDMA beyond the common street descriptions of Ecstasy and Molly.

From MDMA and the Medical Model, Amy then helps us see the many other use-cases for psychedelics that have a long and varied history. Building on issues of trauma and the importance of spiritually reconnecting with ourselves, we walk through the psychological benefits that can come with right-use of psychedelics.

Finally, this conversation opens the visions of what future of psychedelic use in society through thoughtful contexts that track safety concerns and how, much like meditation, these ‘medicines’ can have a place in our society like Buddhist and meditation practices have entered our culture.

All in all, Breaking the Stigma is a podcast of significance, as it invites us to reconsider our biases around psychedelics at a time when our society is challenged by mental health matters like trauma and the pervasive disconnection from nature and spiritual renewal.

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About: Amy Emerson is a highly respected leader in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. She was Lykos Therapeutics (formerly MAPS PBC) CEO for an important period in advancing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a drug with the FDA

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Cell Biology from Washington State University and spent the early career involved in roles at pharmaceutical companies, where she contributed to the development of therapies in immunology, oncology, and vaccines .​

In 2003, she began volunteering with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), assisting with clinical research monitoring. Her expertise was instrumental in establishing MAPS' clinical department and managing the MDMA Clinical Development Program. When MAPS founded its Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) in 2014 to develop and commercialize MDMA-assisted therapy, Emerson was appointed CEO .​

Under her leadership, the organization, later rebranded as Lykos Therapeutics, completed multiple Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials and raised approximately $150 million in funding. The company grew to over 120 employees, all working toward the goal of obtaining FDA approval for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD .​

Amy resigned form her CEO role in September 2024. Currently she is a senior advisor to Lykos and an independent psychedelic research consultant, awaiting the next big adventure.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

02:40 The Evolution of Psychedelic Research

06:10 Understanding Stigma and Its Origins

10:54 MDMA: From Therapy to Recreation

16:33 Therapeutic Applications of MDMA

20:28 Navigating the FDA and Drug Development

24:45 Challenges

Episode Summary

Author, healer, and ceremonialist Christine Olivia Hernandez joins the show for an in-depth conversation on the transformative power of gratitude, the wisdom that flows out of Mayan traditions, and the gifts to the heart and body in cacao. Through the lens of her newest book, Remember Your Roots, we dive into the relevance and importance of ancestral lineages, personal stories of loss and healing, the profound value of reclaiming our histories.

We begin with Christine introducing us to the beautiful, heart-opening practices of cacao. She shares its ceremonial significance in Mayan and other cultures, highlighting its capacity to reconnect us with our health and gratitude. She also addresses the larger challenges of reconnecting with one’s roots, emphasizing the need to honor both the light and shadow of ancestral histories. We talk through her three-phase model and what the framework offers to us for finding genuine reconciliation and growth in the process of returning to our roots.

Later, Christine reflects on her late father’s life and legacy, sharing how her healing journey has been marked by poignant encounters with crows, vivid dreams, and serendipitous events. One powerful moment came when she discovered that her father, Tony “Crow” Hernandez, had helped to build the cultural center where her Remember Your Roots book launch was held!

With a deep sense of magic and authentic optimism, Christine embodies what the path of gratitude and a renewed connection to the ancestral heart can look like. For her this is found in her offering, the Maltyox Method, which blends ceremonial use of cacao, meditation, movement, and gratitude. You can learn more about her work here.

You are invited into The Ancestral Heart, where we find that a grateful heart is deeply intertwined with the heart of the Earth, where a profound sense of belonging and wholeness returns when we remember our roots and reconnect to the immeasurable depths of the human heart.

Christine Olivia Hernandez is the author of Remember Your Roots and ten other books. She is a second-generation immigrant, whose teachers the Maltyox Method, offers cacao ceremonies, and provides spiritual mentorship.

Episode Summary

Deb Dana L.C.S.W. joins the How Humans Work Podcast to illuminate how our nervous systems dance between the ancient survival responses and the instinct to be in states of connection and safety.

As an author, renowned Polyvagal Theory lecturer, Deb expertly and compassionately guides us through the ins-and-outs of Polyvagal Theory (PVT), and how it can help us find a more regulated nervous system. At the core, we explore the powerful, bottom-up role of our vagal nerves play in our ability to find safety and connection. Consequently, this show is also a profound conversation about the role of our nervous systems in healing, relationships, stress, and trauma.

Throughout a delightful episode, Deb offers heartfelt insight into our human experience as she emphasizes the need for co-regulation and the impact of trauma on our nervous system responses as well as the intersection of Internal Family Systems and Polyvagal Theory. Together.

Finally, we explore how environments and collective aspects challenge the nervous systems across contemporary society. Here Deb highlights the importance of creating safe environments for healing and connection has in changing how society handles.

In this episode you will learn:

• How Polyvagal Theory provides a framework for understanding our nervous system.
• What Neuroception is and how our nervous system perceives safety and danger through neuroception.
• What the vagus nerve is and how it plays a crucial role in regulating our emotional states.
• Why Regulation is essential for accessing curiosity, play, and connection.
• The difference between Stress and Trauma responses, and how we can work with them.
• How the vagal break helps manage heart rate and emotional responses.
• Why understanding the nervous system can lead to more effective therapy.
• Insight into the influences on the collective nervous systems, societal dynamics and healing.
• Why creating safe environments is key to facilitating healing personally and societally.

Deb Dana L.C.S.W., is a renowned clinician, consultant, author, and international lecturer specializing in the application of Polyvagal Theory to trauma treatment and therapy. With a deep understanding of the autonomic nervous system and its role in shaping human behavior and relationships, she has become a a leader in brining PVT insights into practical tools for therapists, healthcare providers, and individuals seeking healing.

Deb is also the developer of the Rhythm of Regulation clinical model, which integrates Polyvagal Theory into therapeutic practices, emphasizing safety, connection, and co-regulation as the foundation for emotional and psychological well-being. Additionally, Deb has authored several influential books, including The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation and Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory, as well as the co-edited work Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection.

YouTube Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:11 The Role of the Nervous System in Human Experience

08:25 The Vagus Nerve: Anatomy and Function