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Infusing the benefits of psychedelics and alternative medicine treatments, ranging from nutrition to supplementation, and personal development while pursuing the goal to live a healthy and abundant life! Host Richard Zwicky explores various treatments, regimens, and technology living a healthy and active lifestyle and a positive mindset.
199 Episodes
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Richard Zwicky speaks with Irin Rubin, CEO and co-founder of MamaZen and author of the MamaZen Parenting Method. Rubin addresses the modern "crisis" of maternal mental health, arguing that while childbearing is a biological process, the act of mothering in our current isolated society is far from natural. She emphasizes the loss of the "village" and the disappearance of historical support systems, which often leaves new mothers feeling neglected and overwhelmed. Rubin advocates for a cultural shift where household responsibilities are shared by all family members and boys are raised to be active, supportive partners.
In this episode of High and Healthy, host Richard Zwicky sits down with researcher and author Michelle Burke to explore the transformative power of "joy gems"—the small, often overlooked moments that ground us in contentment. Burke distinguishes joy from short-term, externally driven happiness, defining it as an internally based skill that can be practiced and strengthened to counteract chronic stress and burnout. Through science-backed tools like her Joy Cards, Burke explains how shifting one's awareness to appreciate simple pleasures—such as a hot cup of coffee or a sunny day—triggers a physiological release of "happy hormones" like serotonin and dopamine, which can lower blood pressure and improve heart health. By treating joy as an acquired skill rather than a fleeting mood, individuals can build emotional resilience and create a "contagious" sense of well-being that benefits not only themselves but everyone around them
Richard Zwicky is joined by Paije West and Fletcher Burdick, co-founders of ETÉREO | Center for Truth (formerly referred to as Arterio). Drawing from their lived experiences with addiction and treatment-resistant depression, they discuss their hybrid model of psychedelic healing based in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The conversation centers on the use of iboga, a sacred root bark from the Bwiti tradition of Gabon, as a more holistic alternative to the isolated alkaloid ibogaine. West and Burdick emphasize a "doula model" of care, prioritizing medical-grade safety—including first responders and consulting cardiologists—alongside deep cultural reciprocity.
Richard Zwicky talks with Andrew "Andy" Coop, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and chair of Maryland’s Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances. Coop discusses the task force's new 250-page report, which outlines a strategic vision for the legal and safe use of natural psychedelics—specifically psilocybin, DMT, and mescaline—to treat mental health conditions and chronic pain. Coop advocates for an "ensemble approach" that doesn't wait for federal FDA approval, instead proposing a phased regulatory framework starting with medical use and eventually moving toward supervised adult use. Central to this vision is the concept of responsibility, ensuring that clinical research is rigorous and that the resulting therapies remain accessible and equitable for all residents of Maryland, rather than just the well-connected.
In this episode of High and Healthy, host Richard Zwicky sits down with medical journalist and author Jennifer Chesak to discuss her groundbreaking work, The Psilocybin Handbook for Women. The conversation dives into the fascinating intersection of psychedelics, hormonal health, and female physiology, revealing how estrogen can actually amplify the effects of psilocybin.Chesak highlights the historical exclusion of women from medical research and explains how many are now turning to "magic mushrooms" to self-treat conditions like depression, PTSD, and endometriosis. From regulating menstrual cycles to enhancing intimacy and body image, this episode offers a compassionate and evidence-based look at how psilocybin can be a unique tool for female empowerment and healing.
Richard Zwicky speaks with North Spore founder Matt McInnis who chronicles his journey from a teenage forager to co-founding a mycology company that has pivoted from a fresh mushroom farm to a leader in cultivation products, wellness, and education. They explored the core differences between wild (mycorrhizal, non-cultivable) and cultivated (saprophytic, like oyster and shiitake) fungi, acknowledging the profound, yet still mysterious, power and utility of mycelial networks.
Licensed therapist Jillian Amodio, author of "Nurturing the Inner Child," introduced the concept of "pleasure as therapy," advocating for contentment as the foundational goal for daily happiness over a constant pursuit of extreme joy. The therapeutic approach emphasizes balancing opposing emotions (like love and loss) and employing mindfulness-based techniques to confront stress and trauma by becoming "comfortably uncomfortable."
Dr. Eugene Lipov, pioneer of the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI), joined the "High Healthy" show to discuss trauma, mental health, and veterans. He advocated strongly for changing the stigmatizing term PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) to PTSI, viewing it as a physiologic injury, and detailed ongoing efforts to gather public support via ptsi.com after the APA rejected the name change.
Health coach and nervous system specialist Mitch Webb, explores the profound connection between unresolved emotional trauma and physical symptoms like chronic anxiety, insomnia, and autoimmune challenges. Drawing from personal experience, Mitch details a successful therapeutic approach that integrates both somatic ("bottom up") and cognitive ("top down") healing.
Richard Zwicky speaks with Rachel Stanton, a clinical social worker and founder of EMDR Intensives in Boston, on clinical innovation in mental health care. Stanton explains Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a process of "memory reconciliation" that helps the adult brain integrate new information with past traumatic memories. She clarifies that EMDR intensives are best suited for clients with some stability, not those in severe crisis. A major focus of the discussion is the critical gap in mental health education, particularly the chronic lack of training on dissociation among practitioners, which Stanton attributes to historical stigma.
Richard Zwicky introduced Mitch Webb as a health coach, nervous system specialist, and trauma-informed practitioner to discuss the critical connection between emotional trauma and physical bodily functions, which Mitch Webb detailed through personal experience with chronic anxiety and insomnia, and their successful therapeutic shift combining both somatic ("bottom up") and cognitive ("top down") healing approaches.Mitch explained their tailored client process, which utilizes titration and orienting to build body capacity and safety, while they and also discussed the link between unresolved trauma and autoimmune conditions and the importance of unlearning high-achieving survival strategies.
Dr. Ari Greis and Richard Zwicky discussed the efficacy of medical cannabis as an alternative treatment for chronic orthopedic pain, particularly among the aging patient population, and its role in reducing reliance on opioids.Dr. Greis, a leading clinical voice in the field, shared their experience finding that non-inhalable cannabis products with a mix of cannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBG, CBN) offer mild to moderate pain relief comparable to opioids for general arthritic pain, and are notably more effective for neuropathic pain. They highlighted a study where half of the medical cannabis users denied intoxication while 80% reported symptom relief, suggesting a therapeutic window without psychoactive side effects.
Richard Zwicky hosted licensed psychoanalyst Charley Wininger to explore the potential of MDMA-assisted therapy to improve emotional intimacy, communication, and empathy in relationships. Drawing from personal transformative experiences, Wininger highlighted the critical importance of proper protocols, including supplement use and purity, to avoid negative after-effects. MDMA is explained to temporarily dissolve the ego and emotional defenses by flooding the system with hormones like serotonin and oxytocin, which facilitates vulnerable communication for couples navigating modern challenges and attachment style issues. The discussion also covered crucial ethical considerations and contraindications, such as avoiding its use in abusive relationships or by individuals with pre-existing medical or mental health conditions, and stressed the necessity of a trained, present guide and a protocol that incorporates integration sessions.
Casey A. Paleos, MD, a principal investigator and study therapist in psychedelic-assisted therapy, covered his extensive experience with MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine across research and clinical settings for trauma, depression, and anxiety. Dr. Paleos detailed the mechanism of psychedelics, explaining that they increase the permeability of the "psychic membrane," allowing individuals to access unresolved trauma for potential healing and growth.He also introduced Innermost, a public benefit corporation focused on training, education, and research in psychedelic medicine, currently specializing in ketamine work. They also noted the lack of "extremely convincing" large-scale trials to definitively prove the effects of microdosing beyond anecdotal evidence.
Steven Sultanoff, drawing from 30 years of study and his book, Humor Matters, discussed the importance of humor in mental wellness. He explained the four areas of humor activation—laughter, mirth, wit, and relational fusion—and their associated health benefits. He also shared his personal journey into therapeutic humor, his methods for teaching clinicians how to use humor, and his "prescription for a playful life," which highlights the need for empathic humor while strongly cautioning against hostile humor.
Dr. Tom Pinkson, a psychologist and ceremonial leader, explored his work integrating indigenous wisdom and psychedelic medicine. The discussion highlighted the difference between the shamanic approach, which honors the spirit of the plant and emphasizes interconnectedness, and the clinical model.Dr. Pinkson stressed the importance of a community-focused perspective, moving from an "it's about me" to an "it's about we" mindset for healing. He also discussed his personal journey and the ethical use of psychedelics, which he believes requires recognizing the need for gratitude and giving back to nature's forces.
Cedric Bertelli, founder of the Emotional Health Institute and Emotional Resolution, joined Richard Zwicky to discuss his approach to emotional healing. Emotional Resolution is a teaching methodology designed to resolve debilitating emotional patterns by directing focus to physical sensations experienced during trauma. The discussion highlighted how this method addresses the wounds created by trauma and can resolve between eight and twelve emotions in a single session by targeting the body's physical fear response.
Dr. Sarah Schewitz focuses on the critical link between early experiences, parenting styles, and adult attachment patterns (dismissive-avoidant and anxious). Dr. Schewitz explained that recurring conflicts in relationships often signal unresolved attachment trauma. To overcome these past wounds, she stressed the importance of two primary strategies: first, evaluating if emotional reactions are proportionate to the present situation; and second, mastering nervous system regulation to build internal safety. Vulnerability was highlighted as crucial for healing, though it is a subtle and difficult task for those with avoidant attachment. Dr. Schewitz concluded by noting that individual or couples therapy is beneficial at any stage and is key to creating emotionally secure relationships.
Richard Zwicky speaks with relationship coach Mr. Jay delves into the pitfalls of social media relationship advice, emphasizing that true relationship health stems from the relationship one has with themselves. It highlights how childhood wounds and coping mechanisms often sabotage adult relationships, leading individuals to mistake these defenses for their true identity. Mr. Jay differentiates between a counselor (crisis management) and a coach (preventative and transformative work), offering practical steps like the "Lie/Forgiveness Exercise" to heal self-sabotage. The discussion also covers the importance of self-love as structure and emotional honesty, and how to establish flexible boundaries through a "virtues list" and clear communication, especially for partners with abandonment issues.
Richard Zwicky welcomes Craig Maltese, author of "A Life Measured in Sessions: Sex, Fitness, and Self-Destruction," . They discussed the use of humor in addiction recovery, defining healthy sexual relationships, and movement as a tool for healing trauma. Craig emphasized that the core of addressing self-harm through sex is defining a healthy sexual relationship, which varies for everyone. Craig also discussed the importance of understanding the origin of an addiction, questioning why an individual chooses a specific coping mechanism like sex over others such as food or gambling.
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