Dr. Gabor Maté — New Paradigms, Ayahuasca, and Redefining Addiction (#298)

Tim – really impactful and insight producing interview. And thank you for being so open in public on this and other podcasts with your journey over the past year. It’s opened my eyes to work I need to do and has inspired me by demonstrating we can heal our negative behaviors.

Dear Tim and everyone,

Thank you for this interview with Gabor Maté and all resources.

I’ve been working in the field of embodied learning as a bodywork practitioner and trainer for the past 15 years. Maté’s message(s) are spot-on and extremely important for the world to hear.

Like others here, I can also highly recommend Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and his best selling book “The Body Keeps The Score.” (I would also love to hear you interview him on a podcast!)

Another great resource is a little book called “Trauma is Really Strange” by Steve Haines. it’s a great tool for explaining how trauma happens physiologically and perceptually that I often give to my clients when we start down that road of learning together.

My last recommendation is to check out Micah Fink and his project “Heroes and Horses” and watch the short film. [Moderator: links removed.] It’s an amazing project that I wish many more people would know about and support.

With my deepest respect and thanks,

Emily

I was a novice about Dr. Gabor Mate. Thanks to Tribe of mentors I think the missing piece i was searching for will be cured. Upon listening to the interview I saw myself in the part of taking drugs for optimism and energy boost. Thats what i was searching for all this while.

Thank you .

I loved this show. As someone who has spoken on ayahuasca panels for Reality Sandwich, I so appreciated the grounded perspective on entheogenic use, and the necessity of psychological, emotional and energetic integration for those walking this particular path. So many people avail themselves to the psychedelic realms without doing comparable work in the other areas, to disastrous results. It’s clear that Dr. Mate is walking his talk, as he speaks with the sort of embodied tenderness and compassion that only comes from staring one’s darkest shadows in the eyes. I also appreciate Tim’s rawness, which has colored so many of his interviews since he began this current unraveling phase. Hero’s work, to be sure. Bravo, Tim; bravo.

Some constructive criticism for Dr. Mate, and something I’d love his feedback on: He described his experience with “my ADHD” and with “my workaholism”. In langauging these behavior patterns and tendencies with the word “my” he allows himself to identify with the patterns, which makes them infinitely more challenging to transmute. [Moderator: additional text regarding book and video removed.] Given that Dr. Mate has written extensively about ADHD, and specifically, his own experience with it, I get that the identification issue is a little more complicated, as it is inextricably linked to his brand. But, with the workaholism he is clearly letting go of, a wiser way to language it would be “the workaholic tendencies I am in the process of transmuting” or “the workaholism that’s informed my behavior in the past” – any sort of languaging that allows for impersonal distance between ourselves and the behavior that isn’t serving us. I would love Tim and Dr. Mate’s take on this particular perspective, as I find the way we language our relationship to shadows (and, well, everything) a crucial piece of the transformational path that I am excited gain more attention in the collective discourse. [Moderator: link removed.]

Thanks again for a powerful and illuminating show. Loved this one so, so much.

xodk

That was outstanding, learned so much. Quite possible a life changing podcast. Not heard of this Guy until now, I’ll certainly be checking out his work. As an Asthma sufferer, I was particularly interested in experience of racism inducing Asthma. I’ve always had the feeling Asthma is a whole lot more than “Just Genetics, here’s some drugs”. Question being, how does one get into ones head/psyche and ameliorate the stress and fears that induced the Asthma? Not that I’ve ever experienced much in the way of racism, but I had plenty of fear as a child. I guess a good search of Dr Mate work will be revealing.

Big thanks to Dr Mate, and Mr Ferriss.

Looking forward to the Jack Kornfield podcast now, but might leave it a while, in case my mind dissolves all together……

Video Tim offered a great perspective–not sure if I can go back to audio Tim.

Hey Tim. I just wanted to thank you for being so open not only about your struggles with mood disorders, but more importantly for boldly sharing your discovery of the healing powers of plant medicine and supporting its research. It is pure Love and Truth you are supporting! I love Gabor work as well…

I am in long term recovery from alcoholism. After 7 years sober through AA, I realised I wasn’t feeling as well as I should be. There is a culture in recovery that pushes for being grateful just for your abstinence, but it wasn’t enough for me…I worked my steps inside and out. My sponser is to the Big Book of AA what Marianne Williamson is to A Course in Miracles…I not only worked my program, but studied and taught weekly the Big Book along side my 87 year old sponser…I made HUGE strides forward, I am forever grateful to AA for saving my life, but something still wasn’t right and I wasn’t feeling good enough…FOR ME.

I had a traumatic childhood. Depression and other mental illness runs in my family. I was taught in AA that I just needed to pray more and that my feelings of not being well were just my alcoholism and that of have to live with it… The thing was I didn’t ever want to drink…so AA had fulfilled it’s job, it had taken away my desire to drink…

It had not taken away my PTSD or my depression or my broken heart..

I went through an Ibogaine treatment last summer. It was the most beautiful experience of my life. It was absolutely not fun ,but the healing I experienced would be unlikely to occur after 30 years of therapy and clean living…

My PTSD was cured in less than 8 hours. I had chronic digestive issues and severe back pain…those where both healed…I was addicted to caffiene, sugar and nicotine…those were all interrupted with no withdrawal symptoms. I was brought to awareness of when my spirit and heart were broken and they where both returned to me perfect and whole….the tar from smoking was removed from my lungs and I left treatment with my lungs healthy and clean…my spending habits where brought into balance. My workaholism was taken from me. My unhealthy need for relationships and attention was removed… I could go on and on…I left my Iboga treatment feeling at perfect peace for the first time in my life, and it lasted. Iboga healed my body, mind and Spirit, and gave me a brand new heart…

These issues I listed above are things people in mainstream recovery often learn to just live with…major cause of relapse and preventing people from ever being truelly free and happy…

I really appreciate your work in this area. It saddens me that each modality of healing in the recovery sector thinks it has to make the others wrong in order for them to be right..

So many people in the recovery sector consider plant medicine a relapse…I was just reading an interview where a best selling author who is open about her past addiction stated, when asked about plant medicine, that ‘ it’s a mind altering substance and therefore a relapse’ putting the plant medicine in the same sentence as NyQuil!

It is so important to lift the fear and ignorance around this life giving and saving modality

Bill W., the cofounder of AA was given Belladonna( a psychadelic, as his initial treatment to get sober and he used LSD AFTER he wrote the Big Book and recommended it to other alcoholics as very useful for spiritual growth and healing.

All scriptures, from the Vedas to the Bible refer to plant medicine as a tool for opening our minds to a spiritual experience….which is the most needed thing in our culture today.

We have been leaving this part out of the history books for far too long and with the rising epidemic of addiction, mood disorders and spiritual disconnect, it’s vital that we allow these medicines to be available to humans…they are on this Earth for a reason and people need this kind of help now more than ever!

I have used alot of modalities to heal myself..AA, psychiatrists, psychics, diet, exercise, books, retreats, yoga(all the way to the frickin Himalayas) meditation, massage, mantra, hypnosis, people, places, things,herbal medicine, counseling, forgiving, forgetting, remembering, running, swimming, …on and on….EVERYTHING I can get my hands on

Most of it has helped tremendously, BUT, with out my Iboga experience I would not be able to say I am healed. Iboga reset my nervous system and my brain.

Today I am sober AND well thanks to adding Iboga to my tool kit…there is nothing that can do the job of plant medicine…it’s a gift from god for the ailing soul..

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a face and a financier to this vital area of research, study and healing…really awsome, brother♥️🕉️

Although I was very impressed with this interview, I found an article that challenges many of Dr Mate’s theories. It’s quite well written, and although the writer is greatfull for much of Dr Mate’s work, he illustrates that many of Dr Mate’s theories are unproven, inaccurate, and overly simplistic.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/addiction-in-society/201112/the-seductive-dangerous-allure-gabor-mat

one of the most powerful podcasts, interviews, or whatever else you might call it, one of the most powerful I have ever watched or heard. Thank you both so much. I have shared it with everyone I know and urge them to listen to it as I feel there is something everyone can relate to in here. It helped me realize that although I have struggles, I am viewing them and handling them the right way. It hasn’t always been that way…but I am learning, healing, and growing. Wow. thank you thank you thank you.

One of my favorite podcasts ever. I have been curious on the term “workaholic” and wondered how much Dr. Mate has addressed that issue in his own his life over time. Any thoughts on how to find balance and routine between work and play…or just between work and anything else. My partner is the one struggling with this and while she is aware of it, she is not planning on doing ayahuasca anytime soon;) I have worked with plant medicine including ayahuasca in Peru and have already made plans to use it again in the near future. I work in an elementary school, at a public library and mentor young men. I strongly agree with the work and wisdom of Dr. Mate. This science and wisdom could have saved a lot of people we all have known in our lives.

It could still save a lot that we do.

And their children too.

I think it could ultimately save us all.

Hey Tim, I’ve been listening to your guests for a few years now. This interview was one of your best and most important. This guy knows how it works. His views are deep and spot on. Thanks for bringing him to so many people.

Hey Tim,

I could say this for pretty much your entire body of content but I really, really appreciate you exploring addiction and connecting us with that information. It’s something that I have struggled to find information that actually makes sense, as opposed to just developing viscous cycles of self-loathing & a sense of failure from not adhering to a stupid protocol.

This means a lot to me and I’m sure a lot of other people who are desperate to make sense of it in a more meaningful way. If you are even half-inclined to explore this further, I can guarantee you would likely help thousands of people attain a quality of life that would otherwise be lost out there. I and many others look up to you as an authentic, conduit of wisdom that would otherwise be missing from our lives. We need more people like you and the best thing (In my opinion) about what you are doing is you are guiding people to be better students & teachers as well cultivating a sense of value in learning.

Once again, thank you Tim.

-Conor

What a wonderful, intimate engagement from two thought leaders. Particularly enjoyed both sharing personal struggles and insights in addiction. Will listen to this podcast multiple times. Love the new video component!

Hello Tim,

As always, thank you for expanding my world and introducing such fascinating people as Gabor! And your conversations always suspiciously timely for me. On a note about The Drama of The Gifted Child.. I have avoided it for the same reasons, not wanting its title scream from my book shelf: “I need help! “ and so on.. and just couple weeks ago I finished it by the recommendation of my therapist (after just 1st session with her), when I finally got ready (tired of old ways) to untangle my past and causes of pain. Youtube has an audio version of it littke over 3hrs btw. And it does make you cry, just a heads up.

On that note, I wanted to ask a question. You are free not to answer. But I personally struggle with the idea that if I publicly share/recommend such book, my parents, who follow me on sm will get it the wrong way. While your work is such a deep self-exploration, and sometimes touches bery deep personal topics and experiences, how do you deal with that exposure and how do your loved ones react to, let say, notion that your childhood could cause you suffering when in their mind it should’ve not. Or, how would you approach it hypothetically speaking? I appreciate your time and work, thanks again a million 😉

Cheers

Jenn

Hi Tim, thanks for sharing your thoughtful conversation with Gabor Maté. Plenty of gold in there! What a wonderful and interesting human. X

Thanks for the amazing podcast Tim, Gabor & the rest of the team. Can we expect a follow up any time soon? That would be great! Not expecting it, but looking forward to it nonetheless!

I love your honesty Tim and I’m grateful for your work. Gabor is jewel in every sense. Also the audio quality and presentation of this interview is top class. It is my first viewing on your work. I’ll be back for much more. Many thanks.

Thanks for this interview – I have all of Gabor’s books in fact – brilliant body of work he’s done! You might find this an interesting read on the podcast topic [Moderator: link removed.]

Hi Tim, I would very interested to discuss what you mentioned. I have heard so much success from people I know having real breakthroughs via an ayahuasca session but i know it can go wrong if not ‘professionally’ supervised. Much of my depression stemmed from ‘free for all’ magic mushroom sessions as a teen so you can I imagine why I am cautious. If you know from experience someone/some group that can guide a ‘controlled’ session I would love to hear some suggestions please as far as genuine program sessions. I know it’s a delicate process that can go wrong so I would love to hear your recommendations. Thanks! Conor.