Jeffrey Becker, M.D. The Science of Ketamine: What’s Really Going on in Your Brain?

On Sep 7, 2021

As one of the earliest researchers and advocates for ketamine’s use in healing pain, depression, and addiction, Jeffrey Becker, M.D., is on the forefront of harnessing ketamine’s massive untapped potential. In addition to his personal functional psychiatry practice, Jeff is the co-founder and CSO of Bexson Biomedical, which has created a subcutaneous ketamine infusion pump for safe, at-home pain management. In this episode, Jeff and Paul enjoy a wide-ranging discussion about responsible use of psychedelics, the connections between mysticism and science, and the fragile future of these powerful substances.

Highlights
0:00 Intro
1:13 How and why Jeff was led to a career in psychedelics.
2:26 How Jeff’s studies in mysticism influenced his psychedelic research.
4:46 The neurobiology of ketamine, and how it differs from classical psychedelics.
7:55 What is “hybrid dosing,” and why is it so effective?
9:36 Ketamine as a tool in battling the opioid crisis.
22:20 The science behind ketamine’s healing properties – body, mind, soul, and spirit.
33:08 Increasing ketamine’s “staying power” through integrating symbolism from the deep self.
35:10 Psychedelics and the hero’s journey.
37:45 The goal and vision behind Jeff’s company, Bexson Biomedical.
47:45 Jeff’s views on the decriminalization movement.
52:05 The huge importance of preparation and integration to mental stability.
1:00:27 Can the ego actually get stronger with psychedelic use?
1:01:48 Jeff’s views on patents in the psychedelic space.

Quotes
4:10 “Ketamine is very gentle and it’s also very, very powerful, which I think is an incredible combination of properties for people that are in pain.” (JB)
12:49 “It comes down to a belief that I ascribe to a hundred percent, which is that being is a dimension as real as time and space.” (JB)
15:15 “We can barely even describe what love is, but we do know it’s real.” (JB)
29:18 “Ketamine is like opening up an aperture, so more light can come through.” (JB)
34:31 “So much of the long-term shifts comes from the integration of symbolism or truth from the deep self.” (PA)
51:13 “If psychedelics are going to become tools for the existing medical model, we need delivery solutions that are clean, effective, consistent, and approved.” (JB)
55:54 “I would caution everybody to be very respectful of how serious the downsides can be. They’re amazing tools, but like any tool, you better know what you’re doing.” (JB)
1:01:36 “It’s all on us to do this properly.” (JB)

Links
2:26 Huston Smith
11:45 The World’s Religions, by Huston Smith
12:15 Forgotten Truth: The Common Vision of the World’s Religions, by Huston Smith
18:47 The Perennial Philosophy, by Aldous Huxley
35:10 The hero’s journey
37:45 Bexson Biomedical
47:43 The decriminalization movement
58:49 Edward Edinger
1:10:00 Jeff’s website
1:10:42 Vice article on Bexson: “WTF is Wearable Ketamine?”

For show links, go here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-128-jeffrey-becker-m-d/

SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheThirdWave/?sub_confirmation=1

Connect with Paul Austin:

Visit The Third Wave PODCAST: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/
Visit Paul’s personal website: https://www.paulaustin.co/
Follow Paul Austin on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/paulaustin3w
Follow Paul Austin on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/paulaustin3w

source