I recently had the opportunity to be a guest on the Entrepreneurs in Recovery podcast with Jesse Harless. The episode, titled “Psychedelic Care and Family Transformations with Niko Skievaski | Ep 058,” is now live. (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)
Althea is building software for the introduction of regulated psychedelics, aiming to connect the emerging legal psychedelic marketplace and provide tools for finding licensed facilitators, as highlighted in the podcast episode. We’re currently active in Oregon, which launched its program in 2022, and are preparing to work with Colorado as their program comes online. One of the initiatives I’m particularly proud of is the Forward Fund, which facilitates donations to help individuals who cannot afford psychedelic experiences access this potentially transformative healing.
During the conversation with Jesse Harless, we delved into a range of topics, including the potential of psychedelics in therapy and the profound impact they can have on personal well-being and family dynamics. The episode touches on how psychedelics research has shown potential across many areas, from therapeutic benefits for mental health challenges to fostering human connection and a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of nature.
One of the personal stories I shared on the podcast involved my father’s journey with cancer and how psychedelics played a role in his final weeks. This experience underscored the potential of psychedelics to provide peace and acceptance during significant life transitions. I also spoke about the transformative experiences I’ve had with my mother using psilocybin and MDMA, which allowed us to reconnect on a deeper level, fostering understanding and healing in our relationship. These personal narratives highlight the themes of family transformation that are central to the podcast episode’s title.
In the podcast, we also touched upon the broader landscape of psychedelic care and the work Althea is doing to support its growth. As the legal and regulated space expands, it’s crucial to build trust, professionalism, and safety within the industry. Our software platform assists licensed facilitators and service centers with client management and compliance. Notably, in Oregon, our platform has been used to document a significant portion of psychedelic therapy sessions, allowing us to gather insights into outcomes and contribute to the evidence base for this emerging field.
The podcast also explores the challenges and opportunities within the psychedelic space. Despite growing mainstream awareness, as evidenced by features on programs like Oprah and 60 Minutes and legislative movements in states like Oregon, Colorado, and New Mexico, there are still hurdles to overcome in making these therapies accessible. This is why Althea is now focusing on bridging the gap between awareness and access, helping individuals who are curious about the healing potential of psychedelics connect with trusted and legal pathways to these experiences.
