Description:
In this episode, Alex Belser, PhD joins us to discuss how psychedelics can help LGBTQIA+ people heal from bigotry and embracing their identity. After seeing him speak on stage at the Denver Psychedelic Science Convention on the topic of Queering Psychedelics, I knew we needed to have him on Open Deeply along with his co-presenter, Justin Natoli, who was our guest on episode 44. So much was discussed in this episode including how psychedelics can potentially help with the coming out process. And we didn’t shy away from the dark history of psychedelics. For instance, did you know that psychedelics have been used unethically in tandem with conversion therapy in attempt to rewire sexual orientation? Horrible, but true. And finally, we discussed what the kink and psychedelic communities can learn from one another. All this and more as once again we dare to Open Deeply.
Bio: Alex Belser, PhD is a clinical scientist, author, and licensed psychologist with a focus on psychedelic research. At Yale University, he’s a Co-Investigator for a study investigating psilocybin treatment for people with OCD. He has explored the potential of novel therapies using psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, and DMT to help alleviate human suffering and treat specific indications, including depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD. His most recent book: EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression: A New Approach for the Whole Person, co-authored with Dr. Bill Brennan, will be published later this year by Oxford University Press. Dr. Belser has co-founded a number of leading psychedelic organizations, including the NYU Psychedelic Research Group in 2006; Nautilus Sanctuary, the first non-profit on the East Coast dedicated to psychedelic medicine; and Adelia Therapeutics, where he served as Chief Clinical Officer (CCO). He also served as CCO at Cybin, where he chaired the Scientific Advisory Board. His other main area of interest is mental health for LGBTQIA+ people—his last book is Queering Psychedelics: From Oppression to Liberation in Psychedelic Medicine. His work has been featured in the media, with coverage in the New York Times, the Atlantic, the New Yorker, The Guardian, Forbes, Rolling Stone Magazine, and in Michael Pollan’s book, “How to Change Your Mind.” Dr. Belser is a hatha and kundalini yoga teacher. He studied at Georgetown, Cambridge, Columbia, NYU, and Yale University. To learn more, you can check out his website at http://alexbelser.com or his practice website, https://www.centerforbreakthroughs.com/
How to find Alex Belser, PhD:
Website: https://www.centerforbreakthroughs.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/alexbelser
Instagram: https://instagram.com/alex.belser
About the Hosts:
Sunny Megatron is an award-winning sexuality educator and media personality. She’s the host and executive producer of the Showtime original television series, SEX with Sunny Megatron, plus co-hosts American Sex Podcast and Open Deeply Podcast.
Voted XBIZ 2021 Sexpert of the Year, Kinkly’s Sex Blogging Superhero of 2017, and named one of the 6 most savvy sexologists in North America, Sunny has been featured in Cosmo, Playboy, Buzzfeed, CNN, and more. She is also a contributing editor of XBIZ Premiere Magazine and a regular columnist for Sexual Health Magazine.
In her sell-out sex and kink workshops, Sunny’s unique brand of “edutainment” seamlessly combines her humorous lecturing style, interactive exercises, and the latest sexuality research. Sunny’s passion is helping people become their authentic, sexual selves by learning to overcome shame and shed inhibitions. As a lifestyle BDSM enthusiast, much of her work centers around normalizing alternative sexual practices and ending sexual stigma.
Website: http://sunnymegatron.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/sunnymegatron
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sunnymegatron
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sunnymegatron
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/sunnymegatron
American Sex Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HroMhWJnyZbMSsOBKwBnk
TV Show, Sex with Sunny Megatron: https://www.sho.com/sex-with-sunny-megatron/season/1
Kate Loree, LMFT is a sex-positive licensed marriage and family therapist with a specialty in kink, sex worker, LGBTQ and non-monogamous communities. In addition to her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, she is also an art therapist, and has a second Masters in Business Administration (MBA). She has been practicing psychotherapy since 2003 and has additional training in EMDR and the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) for the treatment of trauma, such as sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Her first book on compassionate, conscious non-monogamy will be published in April of 2022. She has been featured in Buzzfeed videos, has been a guest on Playboy Radio, and many podcasts such as American Sex, Sex Nerd Sandra, and Sluts and Scholars. She has spoken at universities, such as UCLA, and written for Good Vibrations and Hollywood Magazine. Privately, she has been connected to poly, swing and kink communities since 2003 and understands the hurdles, massive emotional growth, and amazing joy these worlds can provide. Her private practice resides in Encino, CA. For more information, please visit her on the web at KateLoree.com.
Website: https://kateloree.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateLoreeLMFT/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kateloreelmft
Instagram: https://instagram.com/opendeeplywithkateloree
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSTFAqGYKW3sIUa0tKivbqQ
Open Deeply podcast is not a replacement for therapy or therapy. Please know this episode has themes of sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. If you catch yourself becoming emotionally overwhelmed by this episode’s content, please get support. Call a friend, therapist, or an emotional support hotline, such as, 800-273-talk (8255).