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    Back to Life Examined

    Life Examined

    The rich history and promising future of psychedelic therapy

    Psychedelics have been used for thousands of years but in a provocative new book “The Immortality Key” author Brian Muraresku explores their impact on early Western civilization.

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    By Jonathan Bastian • Oct 24, 2020 • 52m Listen

    Psychedelics have been used for thousands of years but in a provocative new book “The Immortality Key” author Brian Muraresku explores their impact on early Western civilization. Were the ancient Greeks, Romans and early Chrisitians influenced in their religious practices by psychedelics? Psilocybin, known by many as magic mushrooms, is being used to treat an array of mental disorders, from anxiety and depression to addiction and end of life issues with profound effects for patients. Today, the medical community is once again embracing research into the therapeutic benefits of hallucinogens.

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 0:00

      The role psychedelics played in the origins of Western civilization

      Psychedelics have been used for thousands of years by indigenous cultures but new research suggests that the ancient Greeks, Romans and even some early Christians may have used psychedelic substances in their religious practices.

      Read the story
      24 min
    2. 23:57

      The benefits of of psilocybin in treating mental health disorders

      The counterculture years of the 1960’s and 70’s did little for the reputation of psychedelic drug use.

      Read the story
      29 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Jonathan Bastian

      Host, Life Examined

    • KCRW placeholder

      Andrea Brody

      Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast

      CultureHealth & Wellness

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 0:0024 min

      The role psychedelics played in the origins of Western civilization

    2. 23:5729 min

      The benefits of of psilocybin in treating mental health disorders

    Back to Life Examined