Psychedelics and neuroscience of consciousness with James Cooke

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with neuroscientist and author James Cooke.

James shares his journey from a profound spiritual awakening as a teenager to studying neuroscience and exploring psychedelics as tools for consciousness and healing.

We touch upon topics such as:

00:17 - James’ spiritual awakening and scientific path

01:45 - How psychedelics sparked emotional healing and trauma work

03:40 - The unique perspective of a neuroscientist on Ayahuasca and DMT

05:46 - Entity encounters and their possible scientific explanations

11:58 - Sam’s experiment idea: enhanced reality and psychedelics

19:26 - Where thoughts originate: brain, consciousness, or antenna?

26:49 - How science and spirituality intersect

30:26 - James’ personal emotional healing with psychedelics

37:12 - Neuroplasticity and the long-term transformative effects of psychedelics

40:12 - Meditation vs psychedelics: mechanisms and outcomes

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.

Find more about James Cooke and his book The Dawn of Mind at www.jamescooke.info