About this episode

Dr. Lauren Macdonald discusses the importance of group dynamics in psychedelic-assisted therapy and the benefits of community in healing.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Dr. Lauren Macdonald, a clinical trial physician and psychedelic therapist, about the evolving role of community in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-356/?ref=278 Lauren shares insights from her work at Imperial College London, where she contributed to research on psilocybin for anorexia and fibromyalgia, as well as DMT for treatment-resistant depression. She reflects on the limitations of purely individual therapeutic models and explores how group-based approaches can foster deeper healing through connection, shared experience, and what she describes as communitas. The conversation also touches on the contrast between clinical and ceremonial settings, the role of group dynamics in emotional processing, and the challenges of access and affordability as psychedelic therapy expands. Dr. Lauren Macdonald has a background in psychiatry, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and group retreat facilitation, working at the intersection of science, soul, and spirit. At the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, she has served as a…

People in this episode

Host: Paul F. Austin

Guest: Dr. Lauren Macdonald

Topics covered

• group therapy
• psychedelic therapy
• community healing
• clinical research
• psilocybin
• DMT
• emotional processing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Imperial College London, Centre for Psychedelic Research

More episodes of The Psychedelic Podcast

• Posting About Psychedelics in the Age of AI - Victoria J. Cvitanovic · July 13, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Why Psychedelic Therapy Needs to Be Relational - Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D. · July 6, 2026 · 1h 18m
• Psychedelic Preparation: Why Safety Starts in the Body - Dave M. Rabin, M.D., Ph.D. · June 29, 2026 · 39 min
• Be the Work: From Human Doing to Human Being - Stefanie Kleine, Ph.D. · June 22, 2026 · 55 min
• Psilocybin Mushrooms: Strains, Potency, and Experience - Paul F. Austin · June 15, 2026 · 31 min
• Choosing the Right Microdose: Psilocybin, LSD, Huachuma & More - Paul F. Austin · June 8, 2026 · 46 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Psychedelic Podcast podcast page.