Doctors Talk Psychedelics - Ketamine, Psilocybin, MDMA | OON Ep. 20

Psychedelics are everywhere right now - and most physicians still feel uneasy even saying the words out loud.

In this episode of Out of Network, Dr. Ryon Parker and Dr. Rishi Seth have a no-hype conversation about psychedelics in medicine: ketamine, psilocybin, MDMA, and what these therapies could mean for patients with refractory depression, anxiety, and PTSD who feel like they’ve run out of options.

You’ll hear:

• A real clinical case where a patient had tried “everything,” including multiple meds and therapy, and still wasn’t okay
• Why Dr. Seth is skeptical (FDA approval, data quality, who these therapies are NOT for)
• Dr. Parker’s decision to refer to a guided retreat option after clinical trials weren’t available
• A personal story from Dr. Parker that adds a completely different layer to the conversation
• Ketamine’s role today (anesthesia, pediatrics, refractory pain) and why “ketamine clinics” raise real questions

Timestamps

00:00 – Why psychedelics in medicine makes doctors uncomfortable
01:26 – Clinical scenario: “nothing is working” for severe depression/anxiety
03:44 – The lineup: ketamine, MDMA, LSD, psilocybin
04:07 – Skepticism: “not FDA approved,” limited robust data
05:23 – A Colorado retreat enters the conversation
09:20 – The hard part: tapering off meds safely, risks, close follow-up
10:10 – Outcome: “first time I feel better” after the retreat
13:16 – Who psychedelics are NOT for (bipolar/psychotic disorders risk)
14:07 – What the research hints at (and what we still don’t know)
16:20 – Dr. Parker shares his personal experience and why this topic matters
28:40 – Ketamine: what it’s used for, what’s legit, what’s questionable
34:21 – Takeaways: hope, ambiguity, and why this deserves a real conversation

Connect with Out of Network:
🌐 Website: https://www.outofnetworkpod.com/
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outofnetworkpodcast/
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OutofNetworkPodcast
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@outofnetworkpodcast

Connect with the Hosts:
Dr. Ryon Parker → https://www.instagram.com/dr.ryonparker/
Parker Medical: https://parkermedical.org/
Dr. Rishi Seth → https://www.instagram.com/drrishiseth/
Seth Premiere Medical: https://sethmedical.com/

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🎙 About Out of Network
Out of Network is a bold, physician-led podcast hosted by Dr. Ryon Parker and Dr. Rishi Seth. Each week, they challenge the broken healthcare system and explore how medicine can be reimagined—through patient-first care, prevention, and real human stories.

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