Dr Maria Elena Lukeides is one of the key change makers behind making TGA-approved MDMA and psilocybin pathways accessible in Australia.

She explains the neurochemistry of stress and how the body stores trauma, the mind-body disconnect in modern life, and how the dopamine treadmill trap is keeping us away from rest.

Dr Maria’s 28-year experience treating adolescents and adults spans across trauma, anxiety, depression, panic disorder, low self-esteem, parenting, relationships, and major life transitions.

In This Episode Dr Maria Elena Shares

Why so many people are chronically stuck in survival mode
The connection between trauma, burnout and nervous system dysregulation
Why modern life keeps us disconnected from the body
The difference between dopamine driven performance and oxytocin based recovery
Why achievement alone never creates lasting fulfilment
The impact of chronic stress on sleep, emotional regulation and health
How panic attacks and trauma can resurface years later
The “dropping anchor” technique for anxiety and nervous system regulation
Why rest is more than just sleep
The role of psychedelics and somatic therapy in trauma recovery
Why healing happens through experience, not just insight
How to begin shifting from adrenaline-fuelled living to a more regulated state

Key Quotes

“Trauma isn’t what happened to us. It’s how we then relate to ourselves because of the experience.”

“The mind often created the problem. It’s not going to fix it.”

“Achievement is a false promise when it becomes your only source of worth.”

Timestamps

(00:00) Jess shares her experience with trauma and panic attacks

(01:08) Meeting Bessel van der Kolk and psychedelic-assisted therapy

(05:03) What psychedelic-assisted therapy actually involves

(11:31) Why trauma healing is experiential, not intellectual

(16:21) Why integration sessions matter

(20:55) Modern life, stress and nervous system dysregulation

(25:10) The body, bracing and survival mode

(27:48) Oxytocin, connection and the true meaning of rest

(33:44) Reframing stress, chores and self-talk

(37:10) The burnout loop high performers get trapped in

(41:12) Why work cannot be your only purpose

(46:53) Dopamine, achievement and the moving goalposts

(52:08) Jess shares her experience with PTSD and insomnia

(54:55) Why sleep problems are escalating

(59:18) Practical tools for improving sleep and down regulation

(01:06:03) The one thing Dr Maria Elena wants everyone to remember

Dr Maria Elena Lukeides

🟩 More about Dr Maria: https://www.drmariaelenalukeides.com.au/

Jess Spendlove

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