Episode 28: How Indigenous Peoples Keep Their Spirituality Alive Amid Ongoing Injustice | Otis Jasper

September 10th, 2025  |  10 mins 39 secs

On this panel, Otis Jasper shares powerful truths about Indigenous strength, ceremony, and cultural healing. Despite the deep harms of residential schools and ongoing injustice, Indigenous communities continue to lead with spirit, resilience, and connection.

Otis is Sto:lo from Soowahlie and Cheam Nations, a cultural leader, entrepreneur, and former Chief — deeply committed to preserving Indigenous healing for future generations.

Part of our CIHR-funded Café Scientifique series on psychedelics and health equity.

Episode 27: Cafe Scientifique on Psychedelics and Health Equity with Monnica T Williams

September 6th, 2025  |  19 mins 14 secs

In this talk, Dr. Monnica Williams calls out how marginalized communities have been left out of psychedelic research and clinical trials. Based at the University of Ottawa, she’s a leading voice in mental health + psychedelic therapy.

Episode 26: A Story of Queerness & Psychedelics | Amy Bartlett

September 5th, 2025  |  14 mins 29 secs

In this talk, Amy Bartlett shares why we need more queerness and diversity in psychedelic spaces. Queer youth face higher risks when it comes to mental health and systemic discrimination — and Amy’s research explores how community and connection can support healing through psychedelics She’s wrapping up her PhD at the University of Ottawa, focusing on integration, spirituality, and belonging.

For this CIHR-funded Cafe Scientifique we brought together a panel of leading researchers in Canada with expertise on psychedelics and health equity.

Psychedelics #Queerness #MentalHealth #MAPSCanada #Diversity

Episode 25: Psychedelic Diversity: Lessons from the past | Erika Dyck

September 3rd, 2025  |  12 mins 54 secs

In this talk, Dr. Erika Dyck dives into the hidden history of the psychedelic movement — shining a light on the women behind it and how different cultures have used psychedelics. She breaks down where “set and setting” really come from and shares ideas on how to make psychedelic research more inclusive and sustainable.

This talk was part of a CIHR-funded Cafe Scientifique where we brought together a panel of leading researchers in Canada with expertise on psychedelics and health equity.

LINK TO TALK IN BIO

MAPSCanada #PsychedelicHistory #PsychedelicResearch #CulturalHealing #WomenInPsychedelics #EquityAdvocacy

Episode 22: Healing Racial Trauma with Psychedelics | Dr. Monnica Williams (Part 2)

July 4th, 2025  |  28 mins 43 secs

Dr. Monnica T. Williams, a board-certified clinical psychologist and Canada Research Chair based at the University of Ottawa, specializes in BIPOC mental health and psychedelic therapy. She directs the Behavioral Wellness Clinic, has published over 200 scientific articles, and researches racial trauma and culturally competent care. Her work is widely recognized by major psychological organizations and featured in top media outlets.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Williams joins MAPS Canada Podcast host Osheen Dayal to explore the role of psychedelics in healing racial trauma. From the challenges of recruiting diverse participants in clinical trials to the urgent need for culturally competent therapist training, this conversation offers critical insights into the future of inclusive psychedelic therapy.

Topics include:

Racial trauma & PTSD
Microaggressions towards BIPOC community
Safe spaces for BIPOC healing
Cultural humility vs. cultural competence
Risks of commercialization
Watch the full episode to learn how psychedelic therapy must evolve to support true healing for marginalized communities.

Get Test kits: https://store.mapscanada.org/collections/testing-kits
Website: Trauma psychedelic healing retreat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsxIreo7-Pc&feature=youtu.be
Psychedelic training retreat: https://bewellct.com/ketamine-retreat.php

Episode 21: Healing Racial Trauma with Psychedelics | Dr. Monnica Williams (Part 1)

July 4th, 2025  |  28 mins 58 secs

Dr. Monnica T. Williams, a board-certified clinical psychologist and Canada Research Chair based at the University of Ottawa, specializes in BIPOC mental health and psychedelic therapy. She directs the Behavioral Wellness Clinic, has published over 200 scientific articles, and researches racial trauma and culturally competent care. Her work is widely recognized by major psychological organizations and featured in top media outlets.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Williams joins MAPS Canada Podcast host Osheen Dayal to explore the role of psychedelics in healing racial trauma. From the challenges of recruiting diverse participants in clinical trials to the urgent need for culturally competent therapist training, this conversation offers critical insights into the future of inclusive psychedelic therapy.

Topics include:

Racial trauma & PTSD
Microaggressions towards BIPOC community
Safe spaces for BIPOC healing
Cultural humility vs. cultural competence
Risks of commercialization
Watch the full episode to learn how psychedelic therapy must evolve to support true healing for marginalized communities.

Get Test kits: https://store.mapscanada.org/collections/testing-kits
Website: Trauma psychedelic healing retreat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsxIreo7-Pc&feature=youtu.be
Psychedelic training retreat: https://bewellct.com/ketamine-retreat.php

Episode 24: Drug Checking, Harm Reduction, & Community | Jaime Arrendondo

July 2nd, 2025  |  1 hr 33 mins

hram-reduction, medicine, psychedelics, research

In this episode of the MAPS Canada podcast, host Jarred sits down with Jaime Arrendondo, Canada Research Chair on Substance Use at the University of Victoria, to discuss what harm reduction looks like in other countries, how Jaime got academically involved on substance use issues, and how he is building drug checking capacity across North America.

Join Jaime and Jarred as they ponder how to be a community in the face of adversity, and what it means to adapt harm reduction measures to fit local environments.

Episode 18: Serotonin, Spirituality & Science: Inside Psychedelics A to Z with Dr Olga Chernoloz

June 30th, 2025  |  1 hr 4 mins

history, lsd, maps, maps canada, mental health, psilocybin, psychedelic, psychedelics, renaissance, research, science, therapy, vancouver

Psychedelics A to Z with Dr. Olga Chernoloz | MAPS Canada Podcast
Join us for an insightful conversation with neuropharmacologist and author Dr. Olga Chernoloz as she breaks down the science, culture, and creativity woven into her beautifully illustrated book, Psychedelics A to Z. We explore key topics like harm reduction, microdosing, cultural use of cannabis, the role of music in transcendental states, and why journaling is essential for integration.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments.

PsychedelicsAtoZ #MAPSCanada #PsychedelicTherapy #MentalHealth #Integration #PsychedelicScience #OlgaChernoloz

Episode 19: Ink on Acid: Graphic Novel Reimagining Psychedelic Research | Brian Blomerth

June 28th, 2025  |  48 mins 53 secs

art, creativity, dmt, history, lsd, maps canada, mental health, mental-health, psilocybin, psychedelic, psychedelics, renaissance, research, science, therapy

Dive into the kaleidoscopic mind of illustrator and cartoonist Brian Blomerth as he discusses Lilly Wave, his graphic novel exploration of the brilliant and bizarre life of John C. Lilly. From sensory deprivation tanks to dolphin telepathy and ketamine voyages, Blomerth's hallucinatory visuals and meticulous research reframe the psychedelic era like never before. In this episode, "Ink on Acid," we trace the waves of science, madness, and artistic obsession that ripple through Blomerth’s latest work.

Tune in to explore how graphic storytelling can reshape how we understand radical research.

GraphicNovels #Psychedelics #JohnLilly #VisualStorytelling #BrianBlomerth #Podcast #mapscanada

Episode 23: Psychedelics, Fentanyl & Radical Drug Policy | Mitchell Gomez on Harm Reduction

June 27th, 2025  |  1 hr 34 mins

In this episode of the MAPS Canada podcast, host Osheen sits down with Mitchell Gomez, Executive Director of DanceSafe, to talk about the evolving psychedelic landscape, the rise of fentanyl in recreational drugs, and why harm reduction—not prohibition—is the future of drug policy.
Mitchell shares hard truths from the rave scene, the importance of drug testing, the science behind psychedelic safety, and how law enforcement and public health systems must adapt to the new drug reality.
Key topics include:
-Why DanceSafe was founded
-Fentanyl’s growing threat
-How technology is improving drug testing
-The case for regulated drug sales
-Why LSD is less toxic than water
-The risks and benefits of psychedelics
-Community support and peer education
-The importance of training for psychological crises

Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of psychedelics, policy, and public health.

PsychedelicMedicine #HarmReduction #DanceSafe #DrugPolicy #FentanylCrisis #Psychedelics #DrugSafety #PublicHealth #MAPSCanada

Episode 17: Cannabis, Opioid Use Disorder & Overdose Prevention: A Harm Reduction Conversation with Dr MJ Milloy

May 1st, 2025  |  1 hr 19 mins

Using Cannabis to Delay Opioid Use: Harm Reduction Strategies for Overdose Prevention with Dr. M-J Milloy

Why isn’t the evidence around supervised injection sites leading to real change? How does cannabis interact with opioid use treatment? In this episode, Dr. M-J Milloy, Interim Director of Research at BCCSU, dives into the data—and the disconnect—between science and policy. We explore gendered and SES experiences of substance use, the link between housing and drug safety, and how research can drive more compassionate public health responses.

Episode 16: Healing & Harm Reduction in Psychedelics: A Conversation with Erica Siegal

April 30th, 2025  |  1 hr 18 mins

mental-health, psychedelics, research, science

How can we make psychedelic healing safer?
In this episode, MAPS Canada's Podcast host, Osheen Dayal, talks with Erica Siegal about the ethics, risks, and realities of psychedelic therapy.
Erica is a licensed therapist, harm reduction expert, and the Executive Director of
SHINE Collective, a nonprofit supporting survivors of harm in psychedelic spaces.