Adventures Through The Mind
The Business and Practice of Psilocybin Therapy in Jamaica | Justin Townsend ~ ATTMind 170
13 Jan 2023
Justin Townsend is the CEO and Head Facilitator at the psilocybin therapy retreat centre MycoMeditations. He is on the show for this episode to explore two topic themes: The business side of running a successful psilocybin retreat centre in the economic context of the modern corporate world without losing your ethics in the process The therapeutic framework and philosophy that MycoMeditations holds for their retreats and their guests. Some of the things we cover on the first side of the conversation: Justin's journey from the corporate world to running an psychedelic psilocybin therapy retreat centre; psychopathology and integrity in the corporate world, and how good people end up doing bad things; the nuances around running a financially successful psychedelic retreat centre without ethical sacrifices; what it means to be building what they call "gold-standard for group-facilitated psilocybin therapeutics in natural settings"; data propriety; and supporting peer-reviewed research. In the other half of the conversation we explore: why MycoMeditations holds an entity "non-shamanic" framework for their psilocybin work; how to support someone who has a beyond Western framework experience from a non-shamanic framework; helping to prevent post-psychedelic hypomania from evolving into psychosis; differentiating between psychosis and a "normal psychotomimetic response"; non-pharmacological interventions for psychosis and psychotomimetic responses; as well as The Golden Shadow and the dangers of golden-shadow projection in both psychedelic therapy and spiritual communities. Enjoy. ... For links to Justin's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind170 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Merchandise: https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter: https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telgram Channel: https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Michelle M, Joe A, & Heartwood Mushrooms —— ***** Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:12) Overture and guest bio (5:18) Patron thanks (6:05) An important statement about endorsements (7:41) Interview begins (7:47) Justin's journey from the corporate world to running an psychedelic psilocybin retreat centre (12:52) Exploring the toxic psychology/behaviours of the corporate world (20:26) Psychopathology in the corporate world, and how good people end doing bad things—multipolar traps (26:03) Merging his corporate experience and psychedelic work to build a high-quality company in the psychedelic retreat field (29:27) The importance of protecting a business ethos from financial takeover (32:39) Exploring nuances around running a financially successful psychedelic retreat centre without ethical sacrifices (39:06) MycoMediation's mission to build the "gold-standard for group-facilitated psilocybin therapeutics in natural settings" — and how and why they are doing it (44:08) Why MycoMeditation will keep their "gold-standard" data proprietary, for now (54:46) Where/how MycoMediation is helping support peer-reviewed science. (57:21) Building a fully non-shamanic framework for psilocybin retreats, and why it matters for Western people. (1:04:41) How to support someone who has a beyond Western framework experience from a non-shamanic framework (1:17:16) Helping to prevent post-psychedelic hypomania from evolving into psychosis (1:21:09) Differentiating between psychosis and a "normal psychomemetic response" (1:31:16) Discussing non-pharmacological interventions for psychosis and psychomimetic response (1:39:04) The Golden Shadow and the dangers of golden-shadow projection in psychedelic therapy (1:45:51) A "tough pill to swallow" with respect to the issues of indigenous reciprocity and biopiracy as a psychedelic company (1:60:52) How MycoMeditations is helping to give back to the people of Jamaica (1:58:12) Pushing back on Townsend's "tough pill to swallow" (2:01:50) Townsend's concerns around what is happening with psilocybin in Oregon (2:06:58) Closing the interview, follow up links and socials (2:08:30) Outro ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Merchandise: https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter: https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telgram Channel: https://t.me/jameswjesso OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness — https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/
No persons identified in this episode.
This episode hasn't been transcribed yet
Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.
Popular episodes get transcribed faster
Other recent transcribed episodes
Transcribed and ready to explore now
NPR News: 12-08-2025 2AM EST
08 Dec 2025
NPR News Now
NPR News: 12-07-2025 11PM EST
08 Dec 2025
NPR News Now
NPR News: 12-07-2025 10PM EST
08 Dec 2025
NPR News Now
Meidas Health: AAP President Strongly Pushes Back on Hepatitis B Vaccine Changes
08 Dec 2025
The MeidasTouch Podcast
Democrat Bobby Cole Discusses Race for Texas Governor
07 Dec 2025
The MeidasTouch Podcast
Fox News Crashes Out on Air Over Trump’s Rapid Fall
07 Dec 2025
The MeidasTouch Podcast