About this episode

The episode discusses ALS and ketamine therapy through the experiences of psychiatrist Dr. Michael Alpert and patient Peter Alberding.

ALS and ketamine therapy are at the center of this conversation with psychiatrist Dr. Michael Alpert and Peter Alberding , who was diagnosed with ALS in late 2023. Alpert is a Boston-area psychiatrist with experience in MDMA-assisted therapy research for PTSD and a private practice that includes ketamine-assisted psychotherapy . Alberding shares what it has been like to face a fatal neurodegenerative illness while working with ketamine in a structured clinical setting. Alberding explains that he was not looking for a casual psychedelic experience. He wanted help facing fear, grief, loss of function, and the reality of death. Over time, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy became a tool for processing those changes more directly than talk therapy alone had allowed.

People in this episode

Guests: Dr. Michael Alpert, Peter Alberding

Topics covered

• ALS
• ketamine therapy
• existential distress
• psychiatry
• neurodegenerative illness
• psychotherapy

Keywords

• ALS
• ketamine therapy
• existential distress
• psychiatry
• neurodegenerative illness
• psychotherapy
• MDMA-assisted therapy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Psychedelics Today, Boston-area psychiatrist, MDMA-assisted therapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy

Places: ALS

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