Why integration matters more than the ceremony with Marc Aixala

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Marc Aixalà, a Barcelona-based psychologist, psychotherapist, and former engineer who has become a leading figure in psychedelic integration. Marc is trained in integrative and strategic therapy, is a certified holotropic breathwork facilitator, has worked on MDMA and psilocybin clinical trials, collaborates with ICEERS, and authored Psychedelic Integration (Synergetic Press).

We touch upon topics of:

• Marc’s path from engineer to psychologist (01:01–02:57)
• How he defines integration & why definitions fall short (03:25–05:40)
• Marc’s metaphors for integration (puzzle pieces, astronaut, developing photos) (05:40–08:40)
• Sam’s grocery-shopping metaphor & Marc’s response (08:45–10:49)
• Two types of integration: crisis vs. growth (10:49–13:55)
• Seven categories of difficult experiences (13:55–17:10)
• Preventing harm through preparation & facilitation quality (17:10–18:46)
• Dose management and psycholytic vs. high-dose models (21:26–26:23)
• Self-inflicted overdosing & patient expectations (26:23–27:51)
• Positive/growth integration & the importance of immediate rest (27:51–30:33)
• Long-term integration: outer behavior vs. inner insight (30:33–32:13)
• Seven dimensions of integration (spiritual, cognitive, emotional, physical, behavioral, social, time) (32:13–35:33)
• Avoiding extremes: materialism vs. magical thinking (35:33–36:52)
• Why people resist integration & who should be concerned (36:52–39:53)
• Overuse of psychedelics and the risks of “more is better” (45:01–48:33)
• Spiritual bypassing & misunderstanding ‘light only’ approaches (48:33–52:10)
• Indigenous approaches vs. Western integration culture (53:08–56:25)

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

Find more about Marc Aixalà at:
Instagram: @marcaixala
ICEERS Training & Integration Programs: https://www.iceers.org
Book: Psychedelic Integration (Synergetic Press)