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Apr 28, 2022 · 44m · we-live-to-build

Psilocybin Breaks Neural Connections - Then Therapy Rewires Them

Dr. Linda Strauss · 27m spoken Sean Weisbrot · 13m spoken
0:00 / 0:00
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In this episode of the We Live to Build podcast, Dr. Linda Strauss discusses the scientific, regulatory, and therapeutic frontiers of psychedelic and botanical medicine. Drawing from personal family experiences and decades in drug development, she explores how neuroplasticity, rigorous FDA clinical trials, and balanced nutrition combine to revolutionize mental health and personal resilience.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Sean holds 32% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Sean as informed peer 3.0 Guest teaching 6.0 Guest disagreement 0.9 Sean pushing back 0.9
05100:0015:0030:002:41–4:57 · Sean as informed peer 2/10 Dr. Linda Strauss' Background in Drug Development and Botanicals Sean opens the interview warmly and prompts Dr. Strauss to share her academic and professional journey. Dr. Strauss details her background in physiology, drug development, and personal transition into botanicals following her husband's glioblastoma diagnosis.4:57–7:51 · Sean as informed peer 2/10 Shifting Perceptions of Cannabis from Recreation to Symptom Management The host asks open-ended questions about how cancer care led to botanical medicine. Dr. Strauss provides an insightful narrative on reframing cannabis from a 1960s recreational mindset to clinical symptom management for terminal illness.7:52–11:46 · Sean as informed peer 3/10 Transition to Psychedelics and the Rigors of FDA Regulation Dr. Strauss outlines the difference between the adult-use cannabis path and FDA-regulated psychedelic pathways, highlighting the rigor of clinical trial requirements. Sean shares personal interest in psilocybin and discusses his psychological perspective.11:47–14:41 · Sean as informed peer 3/10 Understanding Package Inserts and the Reality of FDA Claims Dr. Strauss delivers a masterclass on how package inserts directly reflect clinical trial inclusion criteria and safety endpoints. She contrasts regulated pharmaceuticals with unregulated over-the-counter vitamins.14:41–18:34 · Sean as informed peer 3/10 Preclinical Research, Good Manufacturing Practices, and Animal Testing Sean challenges the ethical acceptability of animal testing in preclinical trials and proposes testing directly on terminally ill patients. Dr. Strauss counters directly, explaining why non-terminal drug indications and physiological toxicology require animal models before human trials.18:34–22:22 · Sean as informed peer 3/10 Psilocybin Patch Development, Neuroplasticity, and Neurological Trauma Dr. Strauss explains neuroplasticity and the mechanism of psilocybin disrupting neural loops while psychotherapy rebuilds them. Sean relates this to neurological trauma and cognitive impairment his mother suffered from chronic illness.22:22–27:23 · Sean as informed peer 4/10 Psychedelic Medicine Versus Traditional Antidepressant Protocols When Sean asserts that psilocybin has no side effects, Dr. Strauss corrects him by citing 5-HT2B receptor cardiac risks while agreeing that psychedelic protocols compare favorably to chronic SSRI polypharmacy.27:23–36:13 · Sean as informed peer 4/10 Microdosing Practices, Endocannabinoid Science, and Societal Decriminalization Dr. Strauss recounts the scientific discovery of the endocannabinoid system and anandamide. Sean and Dr. Strauss discuss microdosing benefits, societal decriminalization, and the persistence of black markets.36:15–43:48 · Sean as informed peer 3/10 Human Nutrition, Body Composition Dynamics, and Stress-Induced Eating Sean equates weight loss with nutritional expertise, which Dr. Strauss immediately reframes from a biochemical and physiological perspective. She delivers a detailed breakdown of metabolic rate, body composition, and lean muscle mass versus adipose storage.2:41–4:57 · Guest teaching 4/10 Dr. Linda Strauss' Background in Drug Development and Botanicals Sean opens the interview warmly and prompts Dr. Strauss to share her academic and professional journey. Dr. Strauss details her background in physiology, drug development, and personal transition into botanicals following her husband's glioblastoma diagnosis.4:57–7:51 · Guest teaching 5/10 Shifting Perceptions of Cannabis from Recreation to Symptom Management The host asks open-ended questions about how cancer care led to botanical medicine. Dr. Strauss provides an insightful narrative on reframing cannabis from a 1960s recreational mindset to clinical symptom management for terminal illness.7:52–11:46 · Guest teaching 6/10 Transition to Psychedelics and the Rigors of FDA Regulation Dr. Strauss outlines the difference between the adult-use cannabis path and FDA-regulated psychedelic pathways, highlighting the rigor of clinical trial requirements. Sean shares personal interest in psilocybin and discusses his psychological perspective.11:47–14:41 · Guest teaching 7/10 Understanding Package Inserts and the Reality of FDA Claims Dr. Strauss delivers a masterclass on how package inserts directly reflect clinical trial inclusion criteria and safety endpoints. She contrasts regulated pharmaceuticals with unregulated over-the-counter vitamins.14:41–18:34 · Guest teaching 6/10 Preclinical Research, Good Manufacturing Practices, and Animal Testing Sean challenges the ethical acceptability of animal testing in preclinical trials and proposes testing directly on terminally ill patients. Dr. Strauss counters directly, explaining why non-terminal drug indications and physiological toxicology require animal models before human trials.18:34–22:22 · Guest teaching 6/10 Psilocybin Patch Development, Neuroplasticity, and Neurological Trauma Dr. Strauss explains neuroplasticity and the mechanism of psilocybin disrupting neural loops while psychotherapy rebuilds them. Sean relates this to neurological trauma and cognitive impairment his mother suffered from chronic illness.22:22–27:23 · Guest teaching 6/10 Psychedelic Medicine Versus Traditional Antidepressant Protocols When Sean asserts that psilocybin has no side effects, Dr. Strauss corrects him by citing 5-HT2B receptor cardiac risks while agreeing that psychedelic protocols compare favorably to chronic SSRI polypharmacy.27:23–36:13 · Guest teaching 6/10 Microdosing Practices, Endocannabinoid Science, and Societal Decriminalization Dr. Strauss recounts the scientific discovery of the endocannabinoid system and anandamide. Sean and Dr. Strauss discuss microdosing benefits, societal decriminalization, and the persistence of black markets.36:15–43:48 · Guest teaching 8/10 Human Nutrition, Body Composition Dynamics, and Stress-Induced Eating Sean equates weight loss with nutritional expertise, which Dr. Strauss immediately reframes from a biochemical and physiological perspective. She delivers a detailed breakdown of metabolic rate, body composition, and lean muscle mass versus adipose storage.2:41–4:57 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Dr. Linda Strauss' Background in Drug Development and Botanicals Sean opens the interview warmly and prompts Dr. Strauss to share her academic and professional journey. Dr. Strauss details her background in physiology, drug development, and personal transition into botanicals following her husband's glioblastoma diagnosis.4:57–7:51 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Shifting Perceptions of Cannabis from Recreation to Symptom Management The host asks open-ended questions about how cancer care led to botanical medicine. Dr. Strauss provides an insightful narrative on reframing cannabis from a 1960s recreational mindset to clinical symptom management for terminal illness.7:52–11:46 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Transition to Psychedelics and the Rigors of FDA Regulation Dr. Strauss outlines the difference between the adult-use cannabis path and FDA-regulated psychedelic pathways, highlighting the rigor of clinical trial requirements. Sean shares personal interest in psilocybin and discusses his psychological perspective.11:47–14:41 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Understanding Package Inserts and the Reality of FDA Claims Dr. Strauss delivers a masterclass on how package inserts directly reflect clinical trial inclusion criteria and safety endpoints. She contrasts regulated pharmaceuticals with unregulated over-the-counter vitamins.14:41–18:34 · Guest disagreement 4/10 Preclinical Research, Good Manufacturing Practices, and Animal Testing Sean challenges the ethical acceptability of animal testing in preclinical trials and proposes testing directly on terminally ill patients. Dr. Strauss counters directly, explaining why non-terminal drug indications and physiological toxicology require animal models before human trials.18:34–22:22 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Psilocybin Patch Development, Neuroplasticity, and Neurological Trauma Dr. Strauss explains neuroplasticity and the mechanism of psilocybin disrupting neural loops while psychotherapy rebuilds them. Sean relates this to neurological trauma and cognitive impairment his mother suffered from chronic illness.22:22–27:23 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Psychedelic Medicine Versus Traditional Antidepressant Protocols When Sean asserts that psilocybin has no side effects, Dr. Strauss corrects him by citing 5-HT2B receptor cardiac risks while agreeing that psychedelic protocols compare favorably to chronic SSRI polypharmacy.27:23–36:13 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Microdosing Practices, Endocannabinoid Science, and Societal Decriminalization Dr. Strauss recounts the scientific discovery of the endocannabinoid system and anandamide. Sean and Dr. Strauss discuss microdosing benefits, societal decriminalization, and the persistence of black markets.36:15–43:48 · Guest disagreement 2/10 Human Nutrition, Body Composition Dynamics, and Stress-Induced Eating Sean equates weight loss with nutritional expertise, which Dr. Strauss immediately reframes from a biochemical and physiological perspective. She delivers a detailed breakdown of metabolic rate, body composition, and lean muscle mass versus adipose storage.2:41–4:57 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Dr. Linda Strauss' Background in Drug Development and Botanicals Sean opens the interview warmly and prompts Dr. Strauss to share her academic and professional journey. Dr. Strauss details her background in physiology, drug development, and personal transition into botanicals following her husband's glioblastoma diagnosis.4:57–7:51 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Shifting Perceptions of Cannabis from Recreation to Symptom Management The host asks open-ended questions about how cancer care led to botanical medicine. Dr. Strauss provides an insightful narrative on reframing cannabis from a 1960s recreational mindset to clinical symptom management for terminal illness.7:52–11:46 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Transition to Psychedelics and the Rigors of FDA Regulation Dr. Strauss outlines the difference between the adult-use cannabis path and FDA-regulated psychedelic pathways, highlighting the rigor of clinical trial requirements. Sean shares personal interest in psilocybin and discusses his psychological perspective.11:47–14:41 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Understanding Package Inserts and the Reality of FDA Claims Dr. Strauss delivers a masterclass on how package inserts directly reflect clinical trial inclusion criteria and safety endpoints. She contrasts regulated pharmaceuticals with unregulated over-the-counter vitamins.14:41–18:34 · Sean pushing back 6/10 Preclinical Research, Good Manufacturing Practices, and Animal Testing Sean challenges the ethical acceptability of animal testing in preclinical trials and proposes testing directly on terminally ill patients. Dr. Strauss counters directly, explaining why non-terminal drug indications and physiological toxicology require animal models before human trials.18:34–22:22 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Psilocybin Patch Development, Neuroplasticity, and Neurological Trauma Dr. Strauss explains neuroplasticity and the mechanism of psilocybin disrupting neural loops while psychotherapy rebuilds them. Sean relates this to neurological trauma and cognitive impairment his mother suffered from chronic illness.22:22–27:23 · Sean pushing back 1/10 Psychedelic Medicine Versus Traditional Antidepressant Protocols When Sean asserts that psilocybin has no side effects, Dr. Strauss corrects him by citing 5-HT2B receptor cardiac risks while agreeing that psychedelic protocols compare favorably to chronic SSRI polypharmacy.27:23–36:13 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Microdosing Practices, Endocannabinoid Science, and Societal Decriminalization Dr. Strauss recounts the scientific discovery of the endocannabinoid system and anandamide. Sean and Dr. Strauss discuss microdosing benefits, societal decriminalization, and the persistence of black markets.36:15–43:48 · Sean pushing back 1/10 Human Nutrition, Body Composition Dynamics, and Stress-Induced Eating Sean equates weight loss with nutritional expertise, which Dr. Strauss immediately reframes from a biochemical and physiological perspective. She delivers a detailed breakdown of metabolic rate, body composition, and lean muscle mass versus adipose storage.

speaking balance: gold is Sean, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Sean 98.6% · guest 1.4%0:00 · Sean 98.6% · guest 1.4%3:00 · Sean 9.2% · guest 90.8%3:00 · Sean 9.2% · guest 90.8%6:00 · Sean 15.7% · guest 84.3%6:00 · Sean 15.7% · guest 84.3%9:00 · Sean 27.7% · guest 72.3%9:00 · Sean 27.7% · guest 72.3%12:00 · Sean 12.4% · guest 87.6%12:00 · Sean 12.4% · guest 87.6%15:00 · Sean 8.6% · guest 91.4%15:00 · Sean 8.6% · guest 91.4%18:00 · Sean 11.3% · guest 88.7%18:00 · Sean 11.3% · guest 88.7%21:00 · Sean 65.3% · guest 34.7%21:00 · Sean 65.3% · guest 34.7%24:00 · Sean 11.1% · guest 88.9%24:00 · Sean 11.1% · guest 88.9%27:00 · Sean 33.1% · guest 66.9%27:00 · Sean 33.1% · guest 66.9%30:00 · Sean 18.3% · guest 81.7%30:00 · Sean 18.3% · guest 81.7%33:00 · Sean 40.2% · guest 59.8%33:00 · Sean 40.2% · guest 59.8%36:00 · Sean 33.6% · guest 66.4%36:00 · Sean 33.6% · guest 66.4%39:00 · Sean 63.3% · guest 36.7%39:00 · Sean 63.3% · guest 36.7%42:00 · Sean 38.4% · guest 61.6%42:00 · Sean 38.4% · guest 61.6%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 16:50 Defending preclinical animal testing against host criticism

Dr. Strauss firmly rejects Sean's premise that animal testing should be bypassed for terminally ill human subjects, demanding how non-terminal conditions could ever be safely evaluated.

 Hardest push from Sean ▶ 16:41 Host challenges animal sacrifice in research

Sean explicitly refuses to accept animal experimentation during preclinical testing, demanding why animals are sacrificed and suggesting humans volunteer instead.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 41:40 Body composition and metabolic physiology masterclass

Dr. Strauss dismantles simplistic calorie and scale mentalities by explaining the biochemical roles of lean muscle mass as metabolically active tissue versus adipose storage.

 Sean holds their own ▶ 22:54 Host connects psilocybin structure to serotonin

Sean demonstrates technical knowledge by accurately noting that psilocybin structurally mirrors serotonin and operates as a direct receptor agonist.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicSean as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementSean pushing backWhy
Dr. Linda Strauss' Background in Drug Development and Botanicals 2400 Sean opens the interview warmly and prompts Dr. Strauss to share her academic and professional journey. Dr. Strauss details her background in physiology, drug development, and personal transition into botanicals following her husband's glioblastoma diagnosis.
Shifting Perceptions of Cannabis from Recreation to Symptom Management 2500 The host asks open-ended questions about how cancer care led to botanical medicine. Dr. Strauss provides an insightful narrative on reframing cannabis from a 1960s recreational mindset to clinical symptom management for terminal illness.
Transition to Psychedelics and the Rigors of FDA Regulation 3600 Dr. Strauss outlines the difference between the adult-use cannabis path and FDA-regulated psychedelic pathways, highlighting the rigor of clinical trial requirements. Sean shares personal interest in psilocybin and discusses his psychological perspective.
Understanding Package Inserts and the Reality of FDA Claims 3710 Dr. Strauss delivers a masterclass on how package inserts directly reflect clinical trial inclusion criteria and safety endpoints. She contrasts regulated pharmaceuticals with unregulated over-the-counter vitamins.
Preclinical Research, Good Manufacturing Practices, and Animal Testing 3646 Sean challenges the ethical acceptability of animal testing in preclinical trials and proposes testing directly on terminally ill patients. Dr. Strauss counters directly, explaining why non-terminal drug indications and physiological toxicology require animal models before human trials.
Psilocybin Patch Development, Neuroplasticity, and Neurological Trauma 3600 Dr. Strauss explains neuroplasticity and the mechanism of psilocybin disrupting neural loops while psychotherapy rebuilds them. Sean relates this to neurological trauma and cognitive impairment his mother suffered from chronic illness.
Psychedelic Medicine Versus Traditional Antidepressant Protocols 4611 When Sean asserts that psilocybin has no side effects, Dr. Strauss corrects him by citing 5-HT2B receptor cardiac risks while agreeing that psychedelic protocols compare favorably to chronic SSRI polypharmacy.
Microdosing Practices, Endocannabinoid Science, and Societal Decriminalization 4600 Dr. Strauss recounts the scientific discovery of the endocannabinoid system and anandamide. Sean and Dr. Strauss discuss microdosing benefits, societal decriminalization, and the persistence of black markets.
Human Nutrition, Body Composition Dynamics, and Stress-Induced Eating 3821 Sean equates weight loss with nutritional expertise, which Dr. Strauss immediately reframes from a biochemical and physiological perspective. She delivers a detailed breakdown of metabolic rate, body composition, and lean muscle mass versus adipose storage.

Statements from this episode (10)

Assertion Not checkable as stated
Psychedelics are pursuing FDA clinical pathways much more than cannabis did
“I see A lot more activity on the regulated pathway, whereas cannabis has clearly taken the adult use pathway with very few products that have moved into that space with Epidiolex being the exception to the rule.”
Dr. Linda Strauss Apr 28, 2022 ▶ 8:57
Disclosure
EI Ventures is developing a transdermal delivery patch for psilocybin
“In a press release, it's publicly announced that we are, at EI Ventures, are working with a contract research organization to develop a transdermal psilocybin patch, ultimately.”
Dr. Linda Strauss Apr 28, 2022 ▶ 11:22
Insight
FDA package inserts directly mirror clinical trial design and adverse events
“If you read that package insert, You could write an entire drug development pathway for that product because who it's indicated for were all the inclusion exclusion criterias that were there. All the side effects were all the adverse events that were collected…”
Dr. Linda Strauss Apr 28, 2022 ▶ 13:09
Insight
Psilocybin breaks neural connections so follow-on psychotherapy can rewire them
“So if you think about a psychedelic trip, you can imagine that the psilocybin breaks apart those neural connections and then follow on psychotherapy Will reconnect them in a, air quote, healthier way.”
Dr. Linda Strauss Apr 28, 2022 ▶ 20:35
Assertion Supported
Current antidepressant use is an exclusion criterion in psychedelic clinical trials
“Being on an antidepressant so far is an exclusionary criteria in probably all the clinical trials right now.”
Dr. Linda Strauss Apr 28, 2022 ▶ 22:45
Assertion Supported
Serious psilocybin side effects are linked to 5-HT receptor binding
“Now there is some side effects, serious side effects that have emerged with psilocybin due to its binding to the five HT The two B receptor. It's either the two A receptor, the two B receptor.”
Dr. Linda Strauss Apr 28, 2022 ▶ 23:15
Assertion Supported
Areas with cannabis dispensaries see lower rates of opioid use disorder
“There's a great study, I want to say it's out of UC Davis, that's literally shown a slightly different crisis, but the opioid overuse, you know, substance abuse diseases, an opioid use that's shown that in areas where there's cannabis dispensaries, there's a l…”
Dr. Linda Strauss Apr 28, 2022 ▶ 25:08
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Psilocybin mushrooms are actually easier to cultivate than cannabis plants
“Mushrooms are actually easier than cannabis to grow”
Dr. Linda Strauss Apr 28, 2022 ▶ 26:39
Prediction Not checkable as stated
The US will not see widespread recreational use of psilocybin mushrooms
“Even though mushrooms are being decriminalized, I don't think there's going to be much recreational use in America.”
Sean Weisbrot Apr 28, 2022 ▶ 27:00
Prediction Open · timeframe Apr 2027
The FDA will not approve psychedelic medicines without accompanying talk therapy
“I don't see the FDA, by the way, Sean, a hundred percent. I don't see the FDA approving any of this that isn't in combination with some form of talk therapy.”
Dr. Linda Strauss Apr 28, 2022 ▶ 27:32
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