Today on The Unbeatable Mind, dive into the fascinating intersection of psychedelics, meditation, and mental health with aerospace engineer and founder of guided psilocybin retreat company Odyssey, Gabriel Charlambides. Gabriel shares his own profound experiences with meditation and psychedelics, drawing incredibly perceptive parallels between the two and highlighting their profound effects on the brain's default mode network.
Explore Gabriel’s transition from aerospace engineer to founding a professional retreat business in Oregon that emphasizes safe, science-backed psychedelic experiences. Examine with us the complexities and concerns surrounding psychedelic use, and how their use can lead to increased kindness, compassion, and altruism. Gabriel discusses the legislative landscape for psychedelics, touching on groundbreaking measures in Oregon and beyond.
Tune in now for a truly compelling conversation about the transformative potential of psychedelics, and the immense promise they hold for the future of mental health treatments.
Key Topics Include:
- Meditation vs. Psychedelics: Gabe shares fascinating research showing that expert meditators and individuals on psilocybin experience similar brain activity, shedding light on the profound connection between these two practices.
- Mental Health Benefits: From increased kindness and compassion in Zen meditators on psilocybin to significant emotional breakthroughs, both Gabe and Mark highlight the transformative potential of psychedelics for mental well-being.
- Early Awe and Meditation: Gabriel reveals an early experience where his awe of a plant invoked a deep meditative state, mirroring experiences of profound presence and the loss of self-reflection.
Timestamped Overview:
00:00 Aerospace passion pivoted to inner space philosophy.
08:50 Question beliefs; seek truth through personal experience.
10:25 Less anxious, freer, passionate about mental health.
20:16 Stressful events trigger predispositions; professionalism is crucial.
24:35 Oregon initiated legal psilocybin services by 2023.
31:19 Retreats evoke mystical and deeply emotional experiences.
37:57 Research thoroughly before a safe psychedelic experience.
46:32 Science-focused psychedelic retreats for non-spiritual individuals.
50:45 The Therapeutic Journey
53:43 Psychedelics categorized, ibogaine separate due to intensity.
01:02:08 Validating experience; concerned about TBI effects.
01:05:45 Pursuing passion; volunteering aligns with excitement.
Gabriel Charalambides, the founder of Odyssey and formerly an aerospace engineer, has a profound dedication to mental health. His enthusiasm for psychological well being ignited over a decade ago when he discovered Buddhism and began exploring the world of psychedelics.
In 2019, Gabriel made a pivotal decision to depart from his aerospace career, diving deeper into his growing passion for mental health. This shift involved volunteering at Synthesis, participating in extensive silent meditation retreats, and working with organizations like MAPS and HealthRhythms. Gabe holds a Master's degree in Aeronautics & Astronautics and an MBA from Stanford University.
Learn more about Gabriel’s work at OdysseyPBC.com
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