Mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and trauma related disorders remain difficult to treat, especially when underlying cognitive and emotional patterns persist over time. Emerging research suggests psychedelic assisted therapies may work by temporarily changing how the brain processes information and the sense of self.

In this episode of Extend, we continue our conversation with Dr. Rick Doblin, founder of MAPS, to explore the mechanisms behind psychedelic therapy. We break down how compounds like LSD may reduce activity in the default mode network, how this shift affects perception and emotional processing, and why integration is essential for translating short term insights into lasting change.

We also explore how traditional practices like ayahuasca combine psychological and spiritual frameworks, and how these approaches are shaping new perspectives on trauma, behavior change, and mental health treatment.

Dr. Rick Doblin is the founder and executive director of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), the organization leading global research into psychedelic assisted therapies and working to develop evidence-based treatments for PTSD and other mental health conditions.

What We Discuss:

• (1:01:22) LSD therapy for trauma and addiction

• (1:10:10) Psilocybin, creativity, and cognition

• (1:12:05) DMT, ego dissolution, and consciousness

• (1:18:21) Ayahuasca traditions and addiction recovery

• (1:26:39) MDMA therapy and intergenerational trauma

• (1:31:36) Ketamine clinics and treatment resistant depression

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Learn more about Dr. Shah:

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X: @RickDoblin

Depression, PTSD, and trauma related disorders continue to challenge modern medicine, even as our understanding of the brain and consciousness rapidly evolves. New research suggests that certain therapies may help unlock deeper healing by combining neuroscience, psychology, and carefully guided experiences.

In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Rick Doblin, founder of MAPS, to unpack the science and history behind psychedelic assisted therapy and its potential role in mental health treatment. We break down the research behind MDMA assisted therapy for PTSD, how psychedelics influence neuroplasticity and emotional processing, and why therapeutic context, preparation, and integration are essential for safe and meaningful outcomes.

We also explore how psychedelic research is reshaping conversations around trauma, healing, and the future of psychiatry.

Dr. Rick Doblin is the founder and executive director of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), the organization leading global research into psychedelic assisted therapies and working to develop evidence-based treatments for PTSD and other mental health conditions.

What We Discuss:

• (01:55) The political origins of psychedelic prohibition

• (04:40) Ancient psychedelic traditions and the Eleusinian Mysteries

• (08:01) Dr. Rick Doblin's path to founding MAPS

• (10:34) Science, policy, and the future of psychedelic medicine

• (11:00) Expanding research on MDMA therapy

• (12:21) Psychedelic churches and religious freedom laws

• (15:42) Why context and safety shape psychedelic outcomes

• (16:20) Neuroplasticity and emotional processing

• (17:36) Bromo-LSD and non-psychedelic therapeutic compounds

• (20:39) Psychedelics and rewriting personal narratives

• (23:22) The Good Friday Experiment and mystical experiences

• (25:23) MDMA therapy and trauma processing

• (27:47) Psychedelics and alternatives to alcohol

• (30:30) Ketamine therapy and pharmaceutical incentives

• (36:16) MAPS, MDMA development, and commercialization

• (41:56) The FDA pathway for MDMA therapy

• (47:00) Global psychedelic research initiatives

• (56:51) Early LSD research in psychology

• …to be continued

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Clinic: next-health.com

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Learn more about Dr. Rick Doblin:

Website: maps.org

Instagram: rickdoblinphd

X: @RickDoblin

Cholesterol remains one of the most debated biomarkers in cardiovascular medicine, yet many people still misunderstand what it actually tells us about metabolic health and disease risk. As research evolves, the conversation is shifting from simple cholesterol numbers toward deeper drivers of cardiometabolic dysfunction.

In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Nick Norwitz, metabolic health researcher and physician scientist, to unpack the science behind cholesterol, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risk. We break down the difference between LDL and ApoB, why insulin resistance may be a stronger predictor of heart disease, how statins work beyond cholesterol lowering, and what emerging research reveals about metabolic health, biomarkers, and individualized risk.

We also explore how curiosity driven experimentation, data tracking, and deeper metabolic literacy can help people move beyond simplistic cholesterol narratives and better understand their own cardiometabolic health.

Nick Norwitz is a physician scientist and metabolic health researcher who graduated valedictorian from Dartmouth College before earning a PhD in Human Metabolism from the University of Oxford and an MD from Harvard Medical School. Following a personal battle with inflammatory bowel disease, he became a leading voice in metabolic health education and the author of the widely read newsletter StayCuriousMetabolism.com.

What We Discuss:

• (02:14) The biggest misconception about cholesterol, LDL, and cardiovascular risk

• (06:03) How sleep, inflammation, and plaque formation connect to heart disease

• (08:18) Why insulin resistance may predict cardiovascular risk more strongly than LDL

• (10:40) The atorvastatin study that showed suppressed GLP-1 levels

• (16:54) Statins, pleiotropy, and why lowering LDL is only part of the story

• (22:16) Coronary calcium scans and how imaging can change treatment decisions

• (24:48) The Lancet statin meta-analysis and how headlines distorted the findings

• (33:20) CoQ10, TUDCA, and supportive strategies for people taking statins

• (35:15) Ezetimibe, how it works, and why it may have neuroprotective potential

• (46:09) Bempedoic acid and how it compares with statins

• (51:47) PCSK9 inhibitors, pros and cons, and who may benefit most

• (54:20) ApoB versus LDL and why particle count matters

• (56:15) The Oreo experiment, lean mass hyper-responders, and individualized cholesterol responses

• (59:19) What to do after a high LDL result instead of automatically defaulting to a statin

• (1:02:00) Berberine, nattokinase, and other non-prescription options for cardiovascular support

• (1:06:03) The challenge of communicating nuance in health content online

• (1:10:18) Why personalized experimentation matters more than one-size-fits-all medicine

• (1:12:36) Lp(a), waist-to-hip ratio, and why cardiometabolic context changes risk
  

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