In this episode, Justin, Ali, and Gina discuss the Trump executive order, psychedelic therapies, and the impact on North Carolina. They also explore the role of the federal government, state legislation, and the importance of therapy in psychedelic treatment.

Gina's LInks:
Website: https://carolinasforcare.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/91311438/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinasforcare
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090141325529

AppCoLab Links:

Website: https://www.appalachianpsychedelicsociety.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/appcolab_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/appalachianconvergencelab


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Chapters

00:46 — The Psychedelic Executive Order Explained
What President Trump's executive order actually does, why it's significant, and why many in the field were surprised by it.

03:13 — Mental Health, Suicide, and Federal Funding
Why policymakers are paying attention to psychedelic research and what the new federal funding means.

05:28 — Is $50 Million Enough?

08:12 — Matt Zorn, Joe Rogan, and How the Executive Order Came Together

10:17 — Bicycle Day & The First LSD Experience

14:03 — Celebration, Caution, and Community Reactions

15:53 — What Has Happened Since the Executive Order?

18:11 — The MDMA Setback & Changing Public Attitudes

21:10 — Why State Policy Still Matters

22:30 — North Carolina's HEAL Act (SB 1018)
An overview of North Carolina's new psychedelic legislation and its potential impact.

26:33 — What Is a Psychedelic Task Force?
Who serves on these groups, what they do, and why they matter for implementation.

30:05 — Indigenous Communities & Psychedelic Policy
Why tribal voices matter and how states are beginning to address indigenous leadership and participation.

32:58 — Psychedelic Hype vs. Reality
The media narrative, public expectations, and what psychedelic healing actually looks like in practice.

37:12 — Therapy, Integration & Long-Term Healing
Why preparation and integration may matter as much as the medicine itself.

44:54 — Carolinas for Care
Gina introduces the new organization and its mission to advance education, policy, and community-building across North and South Carolina.

46:44 — Right to Try & Expanding Access
How Right to Try policies could create earlier access pathways for people with severe mental health conditions.

48:30 — Looking Ahead
Final thoughts on the future of psychedelic policy, research, and access.

In this conversation, Jessica Allen shares her profound journey of recovery from addiction through the use of Ibogaine, a psychedelic substance. She recounts how a chance encounter with a book led her father to seek alternative treatment options during her darkest times. Jessica describes her transformative experience in Mexico, where she found relief from addiction and a reconnection with her spirituality. The discussion also explores the role of family support, the challenges of returning home, and the cultural openness towards alternative treatments in Appalachia. Furthermore, Jessica highlights advocacy for the legalization and acceptance of Ibogaine as a treatment for addiction.

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Benjamin Greenzweig is a seasoned events veteran, entrepreneur, and the

co-founder of Momentum Events and the recently launched Momentum

Communities PBC, with a deep passion for destigmatizing the conversation

on both the diagnosis and treatment of mental health, including

psychedelic-assisted therapy. Greenzweig served as the Executive

Producer of Psychedelic Science 2023, the world’s largest psychedelics

conference, and Momentum Events proudly played the role of show

organizer. Open about his personal wellness journey, Greenzweig

passionately believes that everyone has the right to find their mental

health balance, and he works tirelessly to create learning and

community-building opportunities that can open minds and change hearts.

Bens Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bgreenzweig

https://momentumevents.com/kentucky/

momentumevents.com

Our Links:

https://www.appalachianpsychedelicnews.org/

https://www.instagram.com/appalachianpsychedelicnews/