Psilocybin for Mental Health: The Hype, The Hope, and the Unknown Risks

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Psilocybin for Mental Health: The Hype, The Hope, and the Unknown Risks"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Change Your Brain Every Day
• Hosts: Dr. Daniel Amen & Tana Amen
• Episode: Psilocybin for Mental Health: The Hype, The Hope, and the Unknown Risks
• Release Date: December 23, 2024

In this compelling episode, New York Times bestselling authors Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen delve deep into the controversial subject of psilocybin and its role in mental health. Drawing from their extensive experience and research in neuroscience, they dissect the potential benefits, the surrounding hype, and the latent risks associated with psilocybin use. Additionally, they explore parallels with nicotine addiction, highlighting societal manipulations that perpetuate dependency on potentially harmful substances.

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1. Introduction: The Manipulation of Mental Health Solutions

Dr. Daniel Amen opens the discussion by addressing the pervasive influence of major corporations in shaping public perception and treatment of mental health issues. He asserts that companies, including tech giants like Google, are financially vested in pharmaceutical solutions, which may not always serve the best interests of individuals.

Dr. Amen (00:00): "Google is manipulating you by what it shows you. They're heavily invested in the pharmaceutical industry… Every day you are making your brain better or you are making it worse."

This sets the stage for a critical examination of emerging treatments like psilocybin, drawing parallels to past drug trends that initially promised relief but ultimately led to widespread dependency and adverse effects.

2. Psilocybin: Potential Benefits and Therapeutic Uses

The hosts acknowledge that psilocybin has shown promise, particularly for individuals suffering from resistant depression. They discuss its mechanism of action, highlighting its ability to activate serotonin receptors and increase dopamine levels, which can enhance mood and cognitive flexibility.

Dr. Amen (04:57): "They use psilocybin because they believe it's healing, to treat depression and trauma… It works by activating the five HT2A receptors… and it increases dopamine, which helps people feel good."

Tana Amen elaborates on the social acceptance and increasing popularity of psilocybin, especially among younger generations and influential circles, noting its perceived benefits in enhancing creativity and reducing aggression compared to substances like alcohol.

Tana Amen (07:10): "People use it for transcendence, for an altered state of consciousness. They have mystical experiences, this ego dissolution where they just don't feel so attached to themselves."

3. The Hype vs. Reality: Limited Research and Rising Concerns

Despite the growing enthusiasm, Dr. Amen emphasizes the limited research on psilocybin, citing that only about 600 patients have been studied compared to 3,000 for ketamine. He warns against the overenthusiastic endorsement of psilocybin without comprehensive research, highlighting the risk of persistent psychotic disorders.

Dr. Amen (04:56): "The research on psilocybin is very little… And with all of the hype, the incidence of mental health problems in this country are skyrocketing."

Tana Amen shares her apprehensions regarding the societal push towards substances like psilocybin without adequate safeguards, drawing parallels to the mishandling of other drugs in the past.

Tana Amen (06:47): "It's confusing to me. It's very strange."

4. Societal Acceptance and Marketing: Making Psilocybin 'Chic'

The hosts discuss how psilocybin has transitioned from a marginalized substance to a trendy solution, often touted by successful individuals as a key to their creative and business achievements. This normalization raises concerns about widespread dependency and the potential neglect of foundational mental health practices.

Tana Amen (06:01): "They're going to make money by making you dependent…and it's like the cool thing to do for your business and for your mind. And I’m confused."

Dr. Amen warns against the superficial adoption of psilocybin, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying brain health through proven methods rather than quick fixes.

Dr. Amen (07:19): "They have persistent anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts… there's a whole bunch of issues."

5. Terminology Confusion: Microdosing vs. Macrodosing

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the confusion surrounding dosing terminology. Dr. Amen clarifies the stark difference between microdosing (typically 25 milligrams) and macrodosing (hero doses ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 milligrams), underscoring the dangers of misuse and misunderstanding.

Dr. Amen (09:41): "They're all over the place with microdosing and macrodosing… It's still illegal in virtually every state."

6. Nicotine: A Comparative Analysis of Addiction and Societal Influences

Shifting focus, the hosts provide an in-depth analysis of nicotine, detailing its dual role in enhancing cognitive functions while simultaneously posing severe addiction and health risks. They discuss nicotine’s interaction with acetylcholine and dopamine receptors, leading to improved memory and focus but at the cost of high dependency.

Dr. Amen (16:00): "Nicotine works by activating acetylcholine receptors in the brain… but it’s incredibly so addictive."

Tana Amen shares personal anecdotes about battling nicotine addiction within her family, highlighting the emotional and physical toll it takes.

Tana Amen (18:30): "People do it for peer pressure, bonding, socialize… it's a craving… they’re dependent on it."

7. Societal Manipulation and Public Health Strategies

Dr. Amen critiques the manipulative strategies employed by corporations like Philip Morris and tech companies to perpetuate addiction for profit. He draws parallels between the tobacco industry’s tactics and the current push towards psilocybin commercialization, cautioning listeners about the ulterior motives behind these movements.

Dr. Amen (20:25): "Google is manipulating you by what it shows you… they make more money if you're taking antidepressants… companies are investing in psilocybin… they make you dependent."

Tana Amen echoes these sentiments, advocating for greater awareness and education to combat the misinformation perpetuated by powerful industries.

Tana Amen (20:18): "If more people really understood social media and the algorithms, the same thing could happen."

8. Personal Stories and the Human Impact of Addiction

The narrative becomes deeply personal as both hosts share their experiences with loved ones grappling with addiction. Tana recounts her mother’s battle with smoking and the family conflicts it incited, illustrating the profound emotional damage addiction can inflict.

Tana Amen (26:10): "My mom stopped smoking when I moved out… she realized her big why was to stay with the person I love most on the planet."

Dr. Amen adds to this by discussing therapeutic approaches, such as hypnosis and medications like Wellbutrin, which can aid in overcoming addiction by addressing both the psychological and physiological aspects.

Dr. Amen (27:14): "I found it to be really helpful… We need to know your why and give me an alternative."

9. Concluding Insights: Awareness and Empowerment

As the episode draws to a close, Dr. Amen emphasizes the importance of awareness in combating societal manipulations that foster dependency and mental illness for profit. He urges listeners to critically evaluate the sources of their mental health treatments and to prioritize brain health through sustainable and research-backed methods.

Dr. Amen (29:08): "Every thought, every decision, every success is created by your brain… you are not stuck with the brain you have. You can make it better."

Tana Amen reinforces this message by highlighting their educational initiatives aimed at empowering individuals, especially the youth, to make informed decisions about their brain health.

Tana Amen (24:58): "We teach high school students to love and care for their brain… We're going to be as honest as we can from a neuroscience standpoint."

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Key Takeaways:

• Psilocybin shows potential in treating resistant depression but lacks extensive research, raising concerns about its widespread adoption.
• Nicotine remains one of the most addictive substances, with significant health and social ramifications.
• Corporate Manipulation: Companies like Google and Philip Morris influence public perception and addiction patterns for profit.
• Personal Impact: Addiction affects not just individuals but also their families and relationships deeply.
• Awareness and Education: Critical for resisting societal pressures and making informed decisions about mental health and substance use.

Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen's insightful discussion serves as a crucial reminder to approach emerging mental health treatments with cautious optimism, prioritizing comprehensive brain health over fleeting trends.

Transcript

[A]

Google is manipulating you by what it shows you. They're heavily invested in the pharmaceutical industry and so they make more money if you're taking antidepressants. And now all these companies are coming to invest in psilocybin because it's sort of the same thing as the tobacco companies. They're going to make money by making you dependent. Every day you are making your brain better or you are making it worse. Stay with us to learn how you can change your brain for the better every day. So this is the last episode in the you lied to me series. In this episode we're going to talk about psilocybin and nicotine. I have to tell you, it's the most common question I get asked these days. What about magic mushrooms? Good for me, not good for me. I'm very concerned and I think they can be helpful for some people with resistant depression. But the problem. And I feel like I've seen this party before, right? It's yes, I've seen this party before when I was a resident at Walter reed in Washington D.C. in 1982, Xanax came onto the market and everybody was so excited about Xanax since mommy's little helper and I was another benzo, but it was non addictive. It was a lie. Benzos are not good for your brain and they increase the risk of, of addiction and dementia. And then in the early 90s, my, our first clinic was in Fairfield outside of the Napa Valley in Northern California. And all the noise started coming out that alcohol is a health food. And I'm looking at the scans of people who are drinking every day, not necessarily alcoholics, and their brains look older than they do. And then in the late 90s, pain is the fifth vital sign and you have to treat it and you need to get people on long term opiates. And that just turned out to be a disaster. And then marijuana is innocuous and people are legalizing it and actually a fan of legalization, but the idea that it's innocuous is just a lie. And so I feel like with magic mushrooms I've seen this party before, but haven't we?

[B]

I mean, mushrooms aren't new. I feel like they've cycled in their popularity a few times now. Right. This is not a new thing. It's just now that they're new in how they're sort of, I don't want to call it marketing, but in a way how, how they're being presented.

[A]

Well, they were used and then they were made illegal. Right. And I feel like the street drugs of the 60s.

[B]

Right. Are making a comeback.

[A]

Marijuana, ketamine and magic mushrooms are the big innovation in psychiatry. As opposed to get your brain healthy and learn to manage your mind will follow. Right. Brain health. Manage your mind, build your relationships and live with a sense of meaning and purpose.

[B]

But, but, I mean, kids were doing mushrooms in school when I was in school.

[A]

And the research on psilocybin is very little. Like, I've done deep dives into. So how much research is it? And it's about 600 patients are in the literature now. Ketamine, it's much more. With ketamine, it's about 3,000 people. And ketamine seems to have good research showing that it can decrease depression. And my personal experience with the patients I've sent, it's not awesome, but for some people who are suicidal, it can get them out of a suicide sort of immediate state. But, but I've not. I don't have much experience with it fixed someone. And with all of the hype, the incidence of mental health problems in this country are skyrocketing.

[B]

They're not better.

[A]

They're not better. And so, so let's talk about why people use. They use psilocybin because they believe it's healing, to treat depression and trauma, for pain relief, to increase neuroplasticity. And there's some evidence it does that to increase cognitive flexibility because it's cognitive rigidity that often creates so much emotion. Emotional pain, when you just think the same thing over and over and things have to be a certain way or I get upset. It works by activating the five HT2A receptors, which are one of the serotonin receptors in the brain. And it increases dopamine, which helps people feel good.

[B]

So I, I just find this interesting because this has become such an accepted thing, such a. Almost a. Almost chic in a way. You'll be at parties and it's.

[A]

We actually had friends.

[B]

Weird. Okay. So like, remember we were like billionaire friends. Yeah. And so these people made it their mission. Like they're, they're convinced this is part of their success. It's why they have their best ideas in business. And like, like really hyping this up. And I'm like, okay, I feel like I'm in an alternate universe right now. They're like, like talking about how us, everybody. And then they started in with. They were going to make it their mission to get you to macro dose. I'm dying the whole time. Like, this is just crazy. I feel like what is happening right now because it's become not only accepted, but like it's like this is what you're supposed to do. Like this is just the cool thing to do for your business and for your mind. And I. It's confusing to me. It's very strange.

[A]

Well, and some very wealthy, innovative people have gone on ayahuasca trips or psilocybin.

[B]

Journeys and they do a good job of selling it. Like, like they make you curious about it. But I'm terror. I'm terrified because of the drug addiction in my family. But I'm just like, they do this really good job of like your whole life is going to change, like everything's going to be better.

[A]

The problem that I have is ipc. People who've used it and became psychotic and were never the same.

[B]

Right. That's what I'm terrified.

[A]

So the idea that it's innocuous, probably not.

[B]

I'm just terrifying.

[A]

Not for everybody. So people also use stress relief to enhance their emotions and self awareness, to alter their sense of reality because they don't like it. To treat depression, trauma and rebellion. Don't say I can't.

[B]

I think creativity is a big one. So I think with, with mushrooms, what I have seen the social part of it, especially with, especially with the younger generation, they're drinking less and doing mushrooms more because they feel like it doesn't make them act as aggressive. They act out less. They don't drink. So they're not, they don't get the aggression, they're not getting the calories. Like there's all these benefits that they talk about and they feel like they're more social but without all of the downside of alcohol, without the hangover and all the other things. So they do a really good job of like making you think it's healthier. And oh, by the way, it's natural. Again, we're back to that. It's natural.

[A]

Yeah, cyanide is natural.

[B]

I know, that's my point. Arsenic is natural.

[A]

So, you know, I don't want to demean it because there are studies showing it can be incredibly helpful for some people. And people use it for transcendence, for an altered state of consciousness. They have mystical experiences, this ego dissolution where they just don't feel so attached to themselves. Helps to connect with nature.

[B]

Well, and I do want to, like you said, I don't want to diminish it because I've actually heard people say they had massive breakthroughs with their trauma. And I, who am I to say that they didn't that they had massive breakthroughs with their trauma and they never went back to being in that stuck place again. And I guess there's a difference. I would. I couldn't tell you the difference because I don't know. But there's a big difference between microdosing and macro dosing. I'm not sure, like.

[A]

Well, they're all over the place with microdosing and macro dosing, whether microdosing is a milligram or 25 milligrams. And somebody told me they were microdosing with 500 milligrams. And I'm like, it's not microdosing. Because the therapeutic studies, and this is the concern I have, is there just not that many people in the studies? But there's a whole bunch of hype. And now we have a whole generation using it. The studies are 25 milligrams, which is small. When someone does a hero dose, it's more like five to seven grams. So help me out. To seven hero dose means macro dosing. Hero dose is macro dosing. And that means like 5,000 milligrams or 7,000 milligrams. We're microdosing. And so it's so sort of new that the terminology is all over the place. And it's still illegal in virtually every state.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Except Oregon, where it has to be done by a certified provider, you know, somebody who has a mental health license that also has special training in it. So let's look at the biopsychosocial spiritual trouble with psilocybin. So nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate, hypertension, impaired coordination. So from a biological standpoint, psychological. There's a persistent psychotic risk. It's called hallucinogen persisting perceptual disorder. So people who go to the emergency room because they had a bad psilocybin trip have three times the level of developing schizophrenia, persistent psychotic disorders. Brand new research that just came out that all by itself tells me. Caution.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

That you may be genetically vulnerable and we don't know the gene yet to tell.

[B]

And we heard a couple people talking about how they had really scary trips and they worked through it. And I'm like, what does that mean? Why do you want. I'm confused. Why do you want to do this?

[A]

Because they don't like how they feel.

[B]

But yeah, scary trips.

[A]

But yeah, they didn't do 40 sessions of EMDR because we're going after the quick fix. Right. They didn't change their diet. They didn't learn how to kill the ants. The automatic negative Thoughts. And I'm like, can we do the basic things first before we start getting people high? I think in my mind this hallucinogen persisting perceptual disorder, psychotic risk is something that should go. Caution. We need thousands of people in studies before we unleash it on this generation. Have persistent anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, flashbacks, Depersonalization where you feel like you're not yourself anymore. Derealization, where you feel like you're living in an environment that's just not real and you can become emotionally dependent on it. There's social issues like isolation can cause problems in your relationships and it's illegal. Just saying. And yet, you know, I have patients are like going to the Bahamas where it's not illegal, or going to Mexico and they can end up with fragmented beliefs. What you talked about earlier, ego inflation or false enlightenment. I have so many patients, you know, that are highly accomplished writers, producers and they go, oh, I just do my best work when I'm high. And then I read it later and I'm like, it's not my best work. I. So I think the research is really interesting and that we should follow it. But I'd be cautious now if I've done everything for a patient, the right supplements, the right diet, the right medication, the right therapy, and it's still not working, then it might be something under supervision to see, but it's something we should be cautious about. And it totally fits to. You lied to me, which is this is the next best thing. Let's get everybody to do it.

[B]

Interesting.

[A]

Every thought, every decision, every success is created by your brain. And the one thing I've learned from looking at over 250,000 brain scans over the last 30 years is that you are not stuck with the brain you have. You can make it better. And I can prove it. This is why I created Brain brain fit life 5.0. To help you assess your brain and then help you optimize it. By knowing your brain type and giving you access to the tools you need to have a better brain and a better life. It includes a 30 day happiness challenge, brain and mental health trackers, hypnosis, audios, brain enhancing music, and tools to conquer stress and anxiety. You can feel better, think sharper and live happier. Go to the app store and download brain fit life 5.0 today. So let's talk about nicotine. I mean, while we're getting people mad at us, let's talk about nicotine. And nicotine works by activating acetylcholine receptors in the brain. So when you use your memory might actually be better because that's the neurotransmitter that helps you learn. It also activates dopamine. You get energy, focus, calms people, especially if you're addicted to it can increase reaction time, suppresses your appetite. The problem is it's incredibly so addictive. Once you start, it's really hard to stop. How about from a psychological standpoint? Why do people use.

[B]

So it gives them focus and it's something to do. So it's the. You know, they get this addiction to having something in their hands and that smoking.

[A]

So people who are more oral.

[B]

Yes. And that they have that fixation. It's a mood boost. It decreases stress. So major smoking addiction in my family. And so I've seen a lot of this. It alleviates boredom. I think it's a habit, but it's. It's. It's more than a habit. It's a habit, but it's also addictive. But it's a bad habit. It's a craving. I mean, they're dependent on it. And it's rebellion. I think maybe it starts that way, but it becomes way more than that. Because most smokers I know wish they didn't have it and they're stuck with it now.

[A]

Yeah. Don't tell me I can't do it now. I have to.

[B]

Now I have to do it. And so this is something that I grew up with that was just an ongoing fight between me and my mother. Like, ongoing. And my mother and my stepfather.

[A]

Wow. And, you know, people do it for peer pressure, bonding, socialize, the advertise and marketing and its image of being cool. And this is just one of the worst things Philip Morris ever did is they went after children.

[B]

Yep. And now they're still going after children.

[A]

With the vaping Joe Cool.

[B]

Right.

[A]

The camel Joe Cool is. Smoking is cool. And it's clearly not cool. I'm reading this very interesting book called Catalyst, and it's about helping people change. And they. The state of Florida was just failing at getting kids to stop smoking and stop vaping. And they hired this one person who was so smart because rather than tell kids not to smoke, it's. They got a bunch of kids together and they just gave them the truth about smoking.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Which is these companies, like Philip Morris are manipulating your mind to make money off of your addiction and your early death. And so rather than. Because kids have to rebel. Right. It's part of individuating. It's part of separating from your parents. Your parents tell you don't do it, it's like, oh no, I have to do it, so I have to be my own person. But when they got the truth, they got angry. And smoking went down 30% with this program, which is tell them the truth.

[B]

Which is why I think if more people really understood social media and the algorithms, the same thing could happen.

[A]

And Google, how Google is manipulating you by what it shows you.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And it's not your friend. Right. They're heavily invested in the pharmaceutical industry.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And so they make more money. If you're taking antidepressants, they make more money. And now all these companies are coming to invest in psilocybin because it's sort of the same thing as the tobacco companies. They're going to make money by making you dependent and.

[B]

But if you've ever.

[A]

Makes me mad.

[B]

If you've ever taken care of someone with lung cancer, you'd think twice.

[A]

You have experience with that. So nicotine is not so much a spiritual drug, except the ritualistic use. So what's the trouble with nicotine? It's one of the most addictive substances.

[B]

On the planet and it prematurely ages almost everything. Your skin, your brain, your lungs, everything in your body prematurely ages in part.

[A]

Because nicotine constricts blood vessels. And so I have a brother in law that smoked for a long time and we're the same age. And if you look at my skin versus his skin, mine's so much healthier because I'm not chronically constricting. Yeah. And if it's doing that to your skin, it's doing it to every other organ. Lowers fertility, increases hypertension, heart disease, bad breath, and as you said, cancer.

[B]

Mm.

[A]

So what are the psychological problems?

[B]

Cravings, makes you dependent. Anxiety, mood swings. When you don't have it, you get very anxious. When you, when you need a cigarette, you get very anxious. People can get depressed because nicotine is so addictive. Cognitive issues as it ages the brain.

[A]

So obviously there's social stigma. And I actually think that alcohol is going to go the same way, at least that's my prayer. That when you see somebody now that smokes, so many people in their heads are like, really? Don't you know that's bad for you? But they don't do that with alcohol. But I think there's this huge movement to be alcohol free. And I'm very excited about that because I just want people to have better brains, better brain, better life, better families, better jobs, better community. People get ostracized when they smoke. So more isolation. And I hate this for you, you have a huge secondhand smoke risk. And when you were 25, you got diagnosed with cancer, and that could have been it. I mean, yes, it could have been the chronic stress. It could have been the terrible food, but all of those risk factors stack and it's like, don't tell me what to do. Well, it's not just about you, right? It's about generations back then.

[B]

I mean, my mom smoked when I. I think she smoked a little bit when she was pregnant, but she smoked when I was an infant for sure. So you don't have a choice. I mean, when you're, you know, back then, we were kids and, you know, parents were smoking. But there's one. There's one thing on the social list that's not really mentioned here, and that is sometimes there's, like huge fighting in families. There was huge fights between me and my mom. She wasn't allowed to come in my room when I was a kid. I couldn't stand the way it smelled. I couldn't stand anything about it. I would fight with her. You know, there's a lot of issues with people who are smokers, like, even in, in relationships, you know, smokers and non smokers. And it's not fair when someone gets sick. It's a sad thing. It's, it's. It hurts when someone you love gets sick because you love that person so much. And it's like you don't want that to happen to them. You know, it's really hard. It's just. And then, you know, you know, they have the guilt and the. And it's just an awful thing.

[A]

So we have a course called brain thrive by 25, where we teach high school students to love and care for their brain. And before we do the course, we always have parent Night first, because we're going to teach your kids how to have a healthy brain, and we're going to teach them what to do and what not to do. And so if you're doing the what not to do things at home, they're probably going to talk to you about it. And so you don't have to change your behavior. But I want you to know this course is. And we felt like we had to warn Paris because if they're smoking or smoking marijuana or drinking a lot, the kids are going to mention it. And it's like, it's up to the parents if they want the kids to take the course. But we're going to be as honest as we can from a neuroscience standpoint, which things are good for Your brain and which things are not good for your brains. And found almost all the parents who showed up to parent night. Right. Not all parents do that. Supported us.

[B]

Yeah. And I should. I should say my mom stopped the thing that made my mom stop smoking. She stopped smoking when I was right after I moved out of the house. Right after I moved out of the house because she finally. I moved out early because I couldn't stand the smoking. That was one of the biggest reasons I moved away from home. And so she felt really bad about that, and she ended up stopping smoking. And the really sad part was. And she came to the. She came to the realization her big why was, why do I want to keep doing something that could take me away from the one person I love most on the planet? And so she stopped smoking. Right. And she stopped smoking. And what was so hard, when she was diagnosed with cancer, no one would or wouldn't tell her if it was from the smoking. You know what I'm saying? Because now it had been so many years later. She went many years. She went 35 years without smoking. So maybe it wasn't from that, but in the back of her mind, she was never sure. And that's what was really hard.

[A]

Well, and I think with cancer, things stack right over time. It was the chronic stress she was under. Yes, it was in part the smoking, but it's also the environmental toxins we live with. When I was a young psychiatrist, I loved hypnotizing patients. I still love it. I just, you know, I'm sort of more known for my brain imaging work now, but I used it a lot with smokers, and I found it to be very helpful. Now, sometimes I would also use Wellbutrin and found that combination to be really helpful. Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that increases dopamine that's been found to help people decrease or stop smoking. But I think with all of these things, it's know your why and give me an alternative. Give me something else to do and make the withdrawal bearable.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And so not a huge fan of nicorette gum and nicotine gum just because you're not really stopping. I mean, you're getting rid of some of the other chemicals, and for some.

[B]

People, they're able to wean down on it. But some people just get stuck on the gun.

[A]

I like that. I use that a lot. Hypnosis plus. Okay, how much are you really using of whatever substance? And let's just cut it down by two and a half percent.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then she quit cold turkey.

[B]

Three packs a day to nothing. It was crazy. I don't know how she did.

[A]

Some people can do it. And she had a very strong constitution.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. So as we come to the end of the you lied to me series, what would make me super happy is for you just to become aware of how society is programming your mind to make other people money based on your illness and early death, to just sort of start watching. When you're watching television and you just see alcohol is ubiquitous. It's just everywhere. For what good reason? And that marijuana, the messaging around it is it's innocuous or vaping is a healthier form of smoking, or mushrooms are in. I just want you to be aware. And in my book, the end of Mental Illness, I talk about, if I was an evil ruler and I wanted to create mental illness, what would I do? It's sort of a joke, right? There's also, if I was a benevolent ruler, what would I do? But we're living in a time that promotes illness and early death so that other people can make money, and that should piss you off.