Brian Muraresku: The Secret History of Psychedelics | Lex Fridman Podcast

Brian Muraresku is the author of The Immortality Key. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
- InsideTracker: insidetracker.com/lex and use code Lex25 to get 25% off
- GiveWell: www.givewell.org/ and use code LEX to get donation matched up to $1k
- NI: www.ni.com/perspectives
- Indeed: indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit
- MasterClass: masterclass.com/lex to get 15% off
EPISODE LINKS:
Brian's Twitter: / brianmuraresku
Brian's website: www.brianmuraresku.com
Immortality Key (book): amzn.to/3iNYBfB
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
Full episodes playlist: • Lex Fridman Podcast
Clips playlist: • Lex Fridman Podcast Clips
OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
0:33 - Who or what is God?
16:02 - Terence McKenna's DMT Trips
20:44 - Psychedelics were the source of collective intelligence
31:16 - Psychedelics in ancient alcohol
34:17 - The Immortality Key
37:03 - Jesus and psychedelic wine
49:42 - Role of rituals in human society
53:24 - Human confrontation with death
56:01 - The future of the human experience
1:07:54 - The role of religion in society
1:13:41 - The future of psychedelics research
1:16:52 - Fasting and meditation as religious experiences
1:20:31 - Neuralink and BCIs
1:27:28 - Is LSD a crutch or an aid in creative work
1:30:08 - Nietzsche said God is dead
1:32:35 - Creatures people meet while on psychedelics
1:38:04 - Consciousness
1:44:27 - Books or movies that made an impact
1:48:26 - Meaning of life
SOCIAL:
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- Instagram: / lexfridman
- Medium: / lexfridman
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- Support on Patreon: / lexfridman

[@lexfridman]

Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast. 0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions: - InsideTracker: insidetracker.com/lex and use code Lex25 to get 25% off - GiveWell: www.givewell.org/ and use code LEX to get donation matched up to $1k - NI: www.ni.com/perspectives - Indeed: indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit - MasterClass: masterclass.com/lex to get 15% off 0:33 - Who or what is God? 16:02 - Terence McKenna's DMT Trips 20:44 - Psychedelics were the source of collective intelligence 31:16 - Psychedelics in ancient alcohol 34:17 - The Immortality Key 37:03 - Jesus and psychedelic wine 49:42 - Role of rituals in human society 53:24 - Human confrontation with death 56:01 - The future of the human experience 1:07:54 - The role of religion in society 1:13:41 - The future of psychedelics research 1:16:52 - Fasting and meditation as religious experiences 1:20:31 - Neuralink and BCIs 1:27:28 - Is LSD a crutch or an aid in creative work 1:30:08 - Nietzsche said God is dead 1:32:35 - Creatures people meet while on psychedelics 1:38:04 - Consciousness 1:44:27 - Books or movies that made an impact 1:48:26 - Meaning of life

[@mentesIV]

emin gun sirer!

[@kickytink]

Man made god in his own image.

[@pandabear131]

Happy birthday Lex! Please upload another guitar and song performance 🌝

[@AWAKEN_MEDIA]

Absolutely love this dialogue, beautiful exchange between two very open minded pioneers in their own fields. Post-Materialism/Panpsychism/Consciousness Technologies are the future in our opinion...✊🏽🤙🏽

[@0neIntangible]

Thanx Lex and Brian...I plan on listening to this again tonite whilst slowly drifting asleep albeit with my enhanced bloodstream doing what good bloodstreams do.

[@kelsodelroy]

The post-editing on Lex's videos with all of the pictures displaying what they're talking about is the best. Seems like a laborious task, but whomever is editing these videos, I appreciate you and you're doing an awesome job

[@sapanacharya1365]

machine learning dude.... it's all automated

[@Dr.Cassio_Esteves]

I totally agree!

[@supersonicguru1]

I highly appreciate it. It truly helps when taking notes for future research

[@wcw7813]

Have you seen the video Elon Musk really pisses of Lex Fridman It’s hilarious! 😂

[@jamiparrish8806]

@@wcw7813 link?? Or episode number?

[@stevedams5625]

After having watched Brian in several different interviews now, his ability to seamlessly cite an author, date and title and then rattle off an intricate and lengthy verbatim quote, with such ease and relaxed command of the material, just blows my mind. And across entire galaxies of subject matter, and even in a variety of languages. A very impressive intellect, and a joy to listen to these two together. Thank you both for this excellent conversation. I am part way through the book and the presentation of the material is surprisingly riveting.

[@Deeplycloseted435]

Definitely what happens when talking to a legitimate expert. When you become so immersed in the literature and texts on a given subject......well, then its time to write a book and do podcasts. If religions are mostly all based on psychedelic experiences, then it actually makes sense to me for the first time in my post-12 year old life, after deciding that my catholic upbringing was a crock of shit.

[@adamfoster3429]

It is excellent to listen to.

[@fractallusion7121]

Brian is everything you could want in a podcast guest. He's awesome

[@geofftracy4795]

Brian is a legit genius

[@callmeishmael7452]

Before it reaches the tongue it is formed in his mind, a whole catalogue of theories and descriptions are stored in this young man’s mind. Brian’s ability to draw upon huge libraries of references is fantastic. An incredible thinker.

[@Mikey-gy4gq]

I’d kill to be able to pop out references like this guy. What a memory

[@william9922]

Lay off the drugs and alcohol & you can

[@kathybousquet5130]

This has got to be one of or the most fascinating and inspiring pod casts I have listened to, Brian is so seamless with his answers you know he lives his talk. Thank you for having him.

[@phenomagator]

LOVE the use of visual aids on screen to help the viewer understand and connect a little better with the conversation.

[@yodit9369]

yes! same.

[@stendaalcartography3436]

ikr! Keep up the amazing quality! Team Lex!

[@bodyweightbob8669]

It’s actually just some AI software Lex wrote to edit his videos.

[@sammyjones3044]

Psilocybin, LSD, shrooms and ketamine are absolutely life changing substances that have so much potential to help people with mental health issues.

[@Alex_146]

Does anyone know where I can source them?

[@michaeljohnson5853]

@@Alex_146 Yes, cole.shroomm!*

[@oliviamartinez5788]

is he on insta?

[@michaeljohnson5853]

Sure, cole.shroomm!*

[@geraldjoseph4427]

Psychedelics definitely have potential to deal with mental health, they really helped me.

[@mattyb808]

We are incredibly lucky to have these two humans... absolute gems of our generation.

[@chuckleezodiac24]

one is a robot who approximates humanity but with a soporific monotone.

[@paulofernandes1375]

1:45:21 Wasn't expecting Brian mentioning The Cosmic Serpent at all! Amazing book. Please bring back Brian, Lex, he's an amazing guest

[@kundaigotore992]

The world doesn’t evolve around you.

[@derekpelotte1378]

Pythagoras built a sensory deprivation tank in his basement and all I knew up to today was that he liked triangles and music. Man, this guy is a wealth of insight and beautifully articulate about such a wide range of interlocking tid bits of history. This is the good stuff, man

[@casey9917]

You know that feeling your muscles get when they are stretched just right? That is how this podcast made my brain feel.

[@devrimkay1636]

It's makes my mind feel like my bum hole after a good morning shit

[@weesh4645]

Hahahaha at all of this 😁

[@charlesbogle6544]

Hermes Trismegistus "Hermetica Corpus"... Then Giordano Bruno 🌌.... Then Carl Jung.... Then John Taylor Gatto showed me how our systems are set up to oppress creativity and individuality through Prussian oppression military industrial complex style schooling.... Then this awesome research and discussion.... The path to truth flows straight the ages up until now.... Share it with others to heal our minds societies consciousness and we can move to a new level of global awareness and reality

[@vanollsum]

@@weesh4645 and some more hh

[@gaildoyle1538]

Best analogy today!

[@connorkokora3014]

On one hand, Brian's synthesis of information takes my christian upbringing, interest in ancient greece's influence on western civilization, and my fascination with mysticysm a la Terence McKenna and puts it all together in a brilliant manner that brings joy to my heart. Thanks for having him on, Lex.

[@templeof]

My brother 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@djdenninger2763]

I cant stop watching interviews with Brian. What an incredible human being to listen to.

[@bryanbaker3233]

Lex, mission accomplished, listening to your podcast has made me artificially intelligent. Thank you brother!

[@hunterjones238]

I got the immortality key when it first came out and it’s one of my favorite books I’ve ever bought. Brian’s way of explaining his findings are AMAZING. I don’t even buy many books at all to be completely honest. If you aren’t a hardcore reader and think Brian is interesting I would highly recommend buying his book. It’s an easy read and EXTREMELY interesting. This dude knows his stuff for sure. Great podcast! His Joe rogan podcast is what made me get his book. I didn’t know he was going to be on Lex but as soon as I realized I stopped what I was doing and had to listen.

[@thegreatgpunky]

His book definitely left an impression on me. Graham Hancock is another that puts out great books about antiquity. I’m really glad I found Lex on Joe Rogan’s Podcast.

[@tarekbaidane7595]

So young to possess this amount of knowledge, and be so articulate in conveying this knowledge into thoughts and language. Thank you, Lex. What a window to a fascinating world I know nothing about.

[@terryeaster1]

This is one of my all time favorite podcasts. And I have watched thousands

[@geofftracy4795]

Yea, Brian is a legit genius

[@SlapPa9]

His book is a fantastic read.

[@randymarsh8411]

I just finished this book about a month after my first psilocybin experience. I was amazed again.

[@jills5790]

I loved listening to this! Brian is such a fantastic guest. 💖

[@tonygambale9786]

Watching your podcasts for about 2 years. Brian IS THE MOST COMPELLING GUEST in my opinion. Lex please continue this absolutely fascinating journey. You are a blessing for us folks who do not have the your acuity or our your guests. God Bless.......whatever that means.

[@ShinobiDrip999]

Brian might be my favorite intellectual to listen to, he just has a way of painting his ideas in such a clear and easily understandable way. And Lex is truly one of the best interviewers I've ever seen.

[@paulatreides6779]

Thank you Lex for inviting Brian! It was a privillege and a pleasure to hear two brilliant minds conversing. Congratulation also on the idea of showing the books/authors you guys are talking about, it's much easier for us to look for them. Thank you!

[@malcolmcurran6248]

"Consciousness will be engineered before it's understood." Intuition tells me he's on to something. Lex has such cogency clarity and humility in all his podcasts it's both encouraging and refreshing and unusual in our hyperbolic times. This whole discussion is worth listening to several times.

[@mikeforeal3216]

Can’t thank you enough for your conversations. I truly look forward to each one. Thank you

[@willowlaken6303]

I am very impressed with the flow of information coming from this guest. The topics were SO interesting. My mind is tingling! Thank you Lex.

[@maggyfrog]

what does lex do with all his notes in every podcast? does he have some kind of diary-database hybrid that he regularly updates? show us your notes, lex 😎

[@joeyg29jgjg]

On the real he probably writes down questions/ topics to bring up after the interviewee finishes their thought.

[@claytongallagher3367]

He is compiling information for his scaffolding or his foundation of the AI code.

[@liquidstar9]

NOTES OR GTFO :D

[@johnaldchaffinch3417]

Sometimes he just appears to wiggle his pen on the paper while talking, other times I wonder if he's just writing the timestamp down.

[@skulluckid4390]

Excel sheet🤓

[@spoonerson1103]

Thank you for releasing this on a Saturday night. I needed something to do. Great.

[@leituralucida6457]

Happy birthday, Lex! I really appreciate your work. Thank you!

[@JamieEHILLS]

Great interview! Just a heads up, that at 1:18:31 Brian is referring to Ram Dass, formerly Richard Alpert, and his teacher/guru, Neem Karoli Baba, affectionately reffered to by Ram Dass as Maharaji. The photo you have put up is of the wrong person.

[@sajordan1]

That’s correct, the Ramdas in the photo is an indian saint and a Swami. He isn’t Richard Alpert aka Ram Dass. But I was precisely trying to find if Muraresku was familiar with the work and particularly the opinions of Neem Karoli baba about psychedelics, and kaboom here it was. The precise quote. Thanks!

[@416dl]

I've been looking forward to this meeting since first hearing Brian on Rogan, immediately followed by buying and reading his remarkable book, and glad to say I was not disappointed. Thanks for engaging Brian and I'm looking forward to his next exploration and what surprises it will reveal. Cheers.

[@TheLiquidpsy]

love listening to brian! i wish this would go on for a couple hours more :) fascinating conversation!

[@Stadtpark90]

Have you listened to bis conversation with Joe Rogan? There he goes more into detail about the book / what he found about the practice in ancient Greece.

[@evolucian]

Fantastic episode! I've read a fair bit on the topic but Brian's knowledge is enviable and his ability to articulate responses and reel off quotes is amazing. Thanks for facilitating and being so candid with the questions and points that come to you in these naturally flowing conversations. I'll be picking up Brian's book.

[@ADPax10]

Brian, I am so thankful for your research! There need to be more people asking these questions; curating this information about our history and sacred plants (and chems) and their place within that history 🙏🏼. Keep going! 😊

[@jacobsmith7285]

Your catalog of interviews is building so quick, its seems like a daunting task to keep up! Love your content, just wish I had more time to consume all of it!

[@AdamBerke]

MAKE TIME!

[@jacobsmith7285]

@@AdamBerke That might just get me a Nobel prize... 🤔

[@dgoss1337]

*Your

[@123mandalore777]

I've got a Lex backlog that keeps growing faster and faster. He makes these interviews faster than I have time to watch them all. It's a good problem to have.

[@jacobsmith7285]

@@dgoss1337 shhhhh

[@lanceairone7424]

I enjoy all of the interviews Lex has, but this was particularly good. Good luck with your psychedelic research. Sounds like an interesting project!

[@tonyarreaga8495]

Great convo once again Lex 🙏🏽 Keep doing your thing bro, this is the content we need

[@Xceloverdose]

Fantastic dialogue. The guest was amazingly clear in presenting his case of such deep, complex and transcendental topics. Really enjoyed this one!

[@cartermetcalf7077]

the look on lex's face when he talks about millions of mushy experiences shaping humanity as we know it is priceless 😂

[@WARSfate]

Another amazing podcast. I read Brians book when it was released and right after looked up to see if he had been on your podcast yet. So happy you got him on

[@thatguywholikesdbnstuff9724]

Advice and insight on investment hmmmm 🤔

[@nisrinemansour8102]

The more I watch this the more nuggets of gems come out! Thank you both for being as bright as kind and curious about this wonderful mystery that is life!

[@nenasanchez8554]

Such a fascinating pod cast episode. I fully understood what I already felt but didn't understand. Thank you

[@Maeve_11114]

I feel like Brian M is the real life “Robert Langdon” from Dan browns novels. I saw him first on Joe Rogan. I’m blown away, absolutely love this freaking guy. Definitely getting his book.

[@endelamangen]

In modern Greek, we still say "farmaki" to something with very intense taste like strong bitter coffee. Great podcast, thank you. ❤🙏

[@Yotraj]

Got to be one of the best of your Podcasts I've seen. Thank you for what you're doing.

[@19582607]

Thank you Lex and Brian for this great podcast. I feel myself associated with Brian's words: I am in long term preparation for the psychedelic experience, of which we only take away the best when fully prepared for it mentally, with knowledge, with mindset, and with expectations. We first have to be grounded in the realm before we descend further in it.

[@vickielawson3114]

Don’t put off the psychedelics forever. It’s a wonderful experience and shows you so much.

[@lynettegraham9344]

This is one I will listen to more then once, more than twice. So much for my simple mind to absorb.

[@rakeshbiswas893]

Great Podcast Sir. I have learned a lot of things from this podcast

[@UIM_Loki]

This video is an absolute plenty of new people to look into to broaden my perspective, I'm about an hour in and already have a list of three people I want to look into now, great wealth of knowledge here, thank you

[@chuludabbasova9285]

Incredible interview. Thankful for this podcast

[@whoisender]

Awesome stuff guys , i reckon Brian should start up a podcast too. He's brilliant and the way he articulates is fantastic he speaks geek/nerd and also language that everyday folks can understand. Thanks guys 🙏🏻

[@rob_white]

Loved this episode. Great work Lex!

[@saind4170]

"If standing alone, is to bare witness to the splendor and amazement of which we exist; than we gain a new perspective on our existence. Accepting ones self outside of prejudice and ridicule is a start of knowing that you're alive."

[@Vitaminol]

I really enjoyed this excellent conversation! Thnks for sharing!

[@RhythmJunkie]

Thanks for having Brian on your Podcast! Your both amazing humans! ♾💖🕉

[@mg4u4ever]

This dance of thoughts was so amazing that i couldn't help but join the dance. My 3 pounds of jelly was fully engaged and trying to answer some of the questions and explore some of these ideas which definitely made me reach into my psychedelic experience and this whole podcast felt like a litte psychedelic trip. Thats why i fell in love with the lex podcast since it started.

[@facundosciacca4456]

I feel the same way. It's amazing how something like a podcast is capable of generating such a profound feeling.

[@mg4u4ever]

@@facundosciacca4456 i think that it could be because of how open-minded and deeply thought provocative this conversation is in which they discuss the many aspects of the haman phsyche which are similar to the thoughts and ideas explored on psychedelics. So if you are experienced with psychedelics and have been familiarizing yourself with navigating that space it becomes easier to access that state of mind when listening to such intellectual poetry.

[@yodit9369]

My favorite conversation so far Lex! Brian is brilliant.

[@pradeepkdahiya]

Very interesting and enlightening conversation, thank you Lex and Brian

[@rebeccah5207]

YES, spread the word 💕💖🍃

[@Deeplycloseted435]

I really don’t get down with God, spirituality, mysticism, or anything like it, but I can’t get enough of listening to this guy. I’ve had many psychedelic experiences. Most of the time its just a bit of fun. Every once in a while though, I have experienced something with far more emotional depth. I get waves of empathy, compassion, a sense of belonging and connectedness. These are occasionally mixed with waves of suspicion, regret, and disappointment in myself. These are such strong feelings, both good and bad. So, I have little doubt these psychedelics can be helpful to many. One time the wife and I were high on shrooms. I think I was higher than she was at the time, and I’m looking at her, watching her.......and I hear a man’s voice as if he was right next to me say, “She’s not your friend.” It was nuts.....I’ve NEVER had any other auditory hallucinations in my life. We divorced about 18 months later, my choice. I still believe that psychedelics are just drugs in the brain.....but they do seem to modulate normal thought, and can reveal much that your normal societal mind is blocked from.

[@denisjackson8310]

Im sure you’d benefit from reading the Christian mystics ….especially Richard Rohr’s The Cosmic Christ …..-mentioned by Brian .

[@CEOAlex]

As someone who went through an enlightenment induced by psychedelics in 2017, I want to say thank you to you both. Continue carrying the conversation and truth. I've experienced beyond reality. Namaste.

[@karlfishwick8202]

Another brilliant conversation. You could tell Lex and Brian were enjoying their conversation. The Immortality Key is a fantastic piece of work, really enjoyed it.

[@psychologyrelated538]

One of the best podcasts I've heard

[@swimfan5428]

What a great podcast, how am I ever going to read all of the literature that was referenced in this, thanks to both of you.

[@alo_11]

Listening on the pod. I very much enjoyed this one…like most… if not all. ♥️ thank you for the thought provoking conversation.

[@ashcam1791]

Seeing this interview was a bit like having two worlds collide for me. So glad you had Brian on! I hope you have him on again.

[@MrBlahblam]

Really appreciate the photo overlays Lex

[@andyzedd3236]

Brian is awesome, the Immortality Key was awesome. This topic should be getting so much more main stream attention.

[@alanwatts5984]

Excellent conversation Thank you both

[@Lucasvoz]

These two hours flew by. I’m deeply interested in all of these topics, and after having taken ayahuasca I started completely relating to many of the ancient texts and the psychedelic and near death accounts that talked about this absolute reality. A dimension that is inconceivable to the human senses, the only way you can talk about it is with the broadest of terms because it is simply out of this world, language will never suffice. I’m so happy to see people like you exploring these subjects seriously, and I hope the both of you will take a hero’s journey soon:) Excited for round two!

[@anthonylawrence5842]

For me, Joseph Campbell is the go to source for the explanation of the purposes of myth/religion: 1. Mystical 2. Cosmological 3. Sociological 4. Psychological

[@PopularDemand1000]

Why not go straight to the source of the material: Carl Jung

[@anthonylawrence5842]

@@PopularDemand1000 Cambell synthesises Jung and provides a more nuanced explanation and relevance to spiritual beliefs. Also, Bernardo Kastrup is superb on Jung.

[@peterfrombelgium]

Dear Lex, In a series of great podcast this is of your best podcasts so far...

[@DetectiveTrupo203]

This is the most fascinating conversation of any kind that I've ever heard. I am speechless

[@coconutfleetsleeper5717]

Very nice chemistry between the two of you! The Conversation went a different way than I expected, it was really good, funny and interesting. This is great!

[@DONLIFEENT]

Ancient civilization knew about Psychedelics & my favorite molecule dmt its been about a decade experiencing this phenomenon & I'm still as fascinated as the day I discovered it. Terrance Mckenna was from the future ahead of his time. Great content.

[@jessicakirtley6131]

So happy to see this interview pop up!! I've been telling EVERYONE about The Immortality Key since it was released. Brian's brain can't be picked enough!

[@nicholasdominic2825]

I'm pretty sure after hearing Brian speak a few times that not only is he a great modern day intellect amongst some of the greats but a boarder line profit of the modern age . True scholar 🙌

[@justc8634]

Absolutely loved that conversation. Very inspiring . Lex, how can you say you're not a philosopher !?

[@TheForeboding]

How can one become so incredibly intelligent? To remember all those names, facts, numbers and dates... This is an amazing, mind-bending episode.

[@cryptospacexxxit6281]

@Pinned_by Lex Fridman ^ this is a scam

[@AustinTheMaverick]

He just told you why. It’s because he’s god.

[@umhewow]

Brian, thank you! You are changing my life. I was Mormon, and found out its true history. I’m in the process of leaving, and found the immortality key. I’m growing and learning, like a grain of mustard seed, but with real insight. I’m grateful for you in helping me deal with my pain

[@amineb7974]

What made you leave the Mormon life? What side of it's history have you discovered ?

[@umhewow]

@@amineb7974 Hi Amine, may I ask if you are Mormon? I know these issues have to be tread on lightly. To me, the entire history, is not what I was taught my whole life. A beginning example is how Mormons were taught that Joseph Smith translated gold plates into the Book of Mormon. There's a video of the current prophet describing how it really happened, which was, the "plates" were wrapped in a cloth, while Joseph smith put his head into a hat with a seer stone that he used to use on treasure digs.This is the historical record from the witnesses. The gold plates were never used. as per David whitmer, Emma smith, and Martin Harris. I'm not okay with that. The church whitewashed it's history to sound more inline with a more normal Christian approach, but the true history is deeply rooted in occultism. This is all admitted in the church's website in the "gospel topic essays" section. Please ready the pesky footnotes. The main eye opener for me was an active LDS church historian named Richard Bushman, and his interview on KZbin/podcast on Mormon stories. I would highly recommend it. There's thousands of other issues apart from the DNA of ancient Indians not matching Israelites, (they are of asian descent) to the Book of Mormon having so many parallels to everything around Joseph smiths time, from the book, "the view of the hebrews", which was written by a pastor named Ethan Smith, before the BOM was dictated, which argues that the native Americans were Israelites, (people back then didn't believe a dark skinned race could build such complex structures like the pyramids) to parallels between "the late war" (I would highly recommend looking up the similarities) which was also written before the BOM. This is the absolute tip of a huge iceberg. We have the scrolls that JS used to translate the book of Abraham, (pearl of great price) and modern egyptoligists and mormon egyptologists agree, it has nothing to do with Abraham. The facsimiles don't match. in fact, Joseph called one facsimile Elohim, God, but it's actually the Egyptian God Min, with an erect penis. This again, is admitted in the gospel topic essays on the church website. It was a common funerary text. JS also married a 14 year old named Helen Mar Kimball, and he married other living mens wives while he sent them on missions. this is called polyandry. When I grew up, I only ever heard of his one wife, Emma. Sorry, I know this is a lot, but then when you dig into the coverups... Like his original first vision account only had one being appear to him. (which by the way, everyone around him were having visions during that time. The church adopted a much later account as its narrative.) Then you take into account all the harm the church is doing to LGTBQ+ community (Dallin Oaks practiced electric shock therapy in the 70's at BYU and recently denied it) and the rhetoric of how people who leave are "lazy learners" - Pres Nelson, "unruly children" -Uchdorf "spiritual pornography" Vaughn J featherstone "not all truths are useful" Boyd K packer, and the fact that our tithing money went to a 140 billion dollar church that owns city creek mall, and 2 percent of Florida, and they still ask those in poverty to pay tithing over food. It all becomes sickeningly disgusting. It's not the church of Christ I thought it was. In the temple, we make covenants to give all of our time and talent to the building up of the church! not to Christ. There's no informed consent to what you're getting yourself into, which by the way.... All the phraseiology, signs and tokens were copied almost verbatim from the masons. If you are a member, please open yourself up to the possibility that things aren't what they seem. It's so frightening to read these things. If you're a member, please don't trust me, but read the "gospel topic essays" not the "gospel topic" section. It's hidden quite well on the website. Please listen to the Richard Bushman interview on Mormon stories. He's active, and wrote a book called "rough stone rolling" which was a huge eye opener. It's sold at Deseret book. Its church approved. If you're really adventurous, then read or listen to the audio of "letter for my wife" or the "CES letter" and watch the TEDX talk with Anthony Miller, who has a mental breakdown on stage about the pain of realizing that things aren't what they seem just by reading the gospel topic essays. People who leave, don't leave to sin like we've been taught. If you're a member you will go through the dark night of the soul, and id highly recommend attending a Thrive event. And just know, it gets so much better. You're life gets more full. Everything has a meaning, because this moment you have, your life and your friends and family are what matter right here, and right now. not the next life, although I hope there's that. All the world events become more meaningful, and you'll find that you want to make a difference in the world by actually doing something about it. It's the most painful and beautiful journey I've ever gone through. From that saying, "tread lightly, for you tread on my dreams." here's me to you. And if you aren't a member, I'm so sorry for the long shpeel. Sorry! haha. If you aren't a member, I hope you might be able to see what it's like for Mormons, and exmormons, and I'm just one. Exmormon reddit has 245,000 members and is growing each day(if you need a community, please join exemormon reddit). Sorry again, haha I'd also like to add a psychology terms to be aware of. Cognitive dissidence, which is the tendency of our brains to put up barriers of denial when we're confronted with information that challenges our reality. Please look it up for a better definition.

[@amineb7974]

@@umhewow hi Garth. To answer your first question, no I'm not a Mormon. I study anthropology and religions so I'm always curious about these topics. It must be extremely challenging to leave a religion (particularly one that has a big influence on the life of its practitioners) and you should be proud of your intellectual efforts. I was surprised to learn that around 50% of mormons live outside the US. What's even more surprising is that the number of mormons is actually growing over the years, so this is a topic of extreme relevance. I hope you're doing well now and that you're at peace with your choices.

[@umhewow]

​@@amineb7974 Thank you Amine, I'm sorry for the lengthy reply haha. It's definitely something that I'm still deconstructing. and I might deconstruct for the rest of my life. There's a saying for exmos that goes, it takes about 1 night to realize you've been lied to your whole life and the church isn't true, but it takes the rest of your life to figure out how the feelings you felt, your experiences, your spiritual experiences were based on half truths, and to figure out what that means, because every member for the most part, had spiritual experiences. It's literally like we've all been living in the matrix, and opposing pressures have forced the church to start being more honest and transparent about it's history. I wish you well in your field! how cool!

[@umhewow]

@@amineb7974 Hi again, Amine, Yes, I've heard the church has had a lot of growth in Africa, but my understanding is they are hemorrhaging in the US and UK, which is their main support structure. For the first time in like 40 years, they didn't disclose the membership numbers in the last 2 general conferences, (first they thought it was because of COVID) but members aren't coming back. Another thing that may interest you, is there's a group of people who have doubled down on the rhetoric and they call themselves Deznats. They're more into the infallability of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Brigham, taught disavowed doctrines like blood atonement which helped lead to the mountain meadows massacre. Thank you again for your kind words. I am at peace, but would feel better once my family really knows where I'm at with this. My wife is on board, but my immediate family still attends and doesn't know. If you have any questions, I may be able to help direct you to any sources you might need in your research. I still think the members are generally good people, and it might not seem this way, but I really try to approach things without anger.

[@justleo7913]

Wonderful intelligent conversation. Thank you both.

[@peterhawkins7130]

Lex is amazing. Love this podcast. Thank you, Lex

[@andyg46]

5 Stars! What a wonderful discussion and now I should have enough reading material to last the rest of my life! Bravo Brain and Bravo Lex!

[@jacobbisher6291]

Thank you, Lex "Space of Ideas" Fridman.

[@brentulstad3275]

Thanks guys. These discussions are always interesting and reaffirming of my interest, faith and hope in the psychedelic culture and experience. Since my actual use or literal consumption has gone down as I've aged in years, my devotion and interest has been strong and continually optimistic as more and more people seem to embrace a culture that was, in the past, demonized or just disregarded as nonsense. Also a positive approach to replacing the repression and oppression of outdated, hypocritical religious bs is very optimistic and uplifting in environments when there can seem to be nothing else. Much love & respect & continuing support.

[@jasoncrump1886]

This was a great podcast guys. Appreciate these discussions. I'd like to hear a discussion about syncronisities.

[@MarinBhatt]

Hi Lex, can you also help to include the books recommended or quoted from by your wonderful guests, please? I appreciate you so much! 🙏

[@billycrunches8117]

First mathew walker and now brian, my two favorite subject of last couple months

[@levenstudio]

We always look for a simple answer to very complex questions. I’m sure most of these questions have equal or more complex answer. Amazing conversation non the less. Thanks Lex!

[@luzselenevalenzuelaaguiler7813]

Amazing conversation. Lex your podcast is 👏 amazing.

[@Chretienable]

I would really love to see Joscha Bach Round 2.

[@Vanhelwig]

Wow you got your wish haha.

[@robertname9618]

Psychedelics have thier place , and that place is the brain .

[@spaceantelope1]

Lol and the freezer

[@prestonwestenbarger7557]

@@spaceantelope1 OH NO! Please don't store your mushrooms in the freezer 😬 they lose about 90% of their potency if you freeze them. Dry them out very well indoors with fans or better yet, dehydrator (115-125 degrees F for 10-14 hours) and keep in Mason jars with food grade silica packs to absorb any residual moisture. If you have a vacuum sealer, you can go that route and with that method, you can use oxygen absorber packs as well as silica packs and your mind expander friends will last years if stored out of direct contact with sunlight.

[@spaceantelope1]

@@prestonwestenbarger7557 Love it. Oh sorry I was thinking about LSD haha. Thank you though!😁. Honey keeps shrooms really well too. After a few weeks it turns purple.

[@prestonwestenbarger7557]

@@spaceantelope1 hmm, I think I'll have to try that. Purple honey and peanut butter sandwiches 🤤

[@dna1238]

Great Thanks Lex for another superlative episode , Thanks You for introducing us to Brian . Enjoyed this one !

[@ljohnson7124]

This is still one of my favorite interviews

[@shanebaird543]

Lex, you should have Nasseim Haramein on the show. His physics are the most accurate at combining Newtonian physics with quantum physics and they point to the universe being one energy expressing itself in infinite variety.

[@milesgemini4029]

Loved the immortality key, sped through it like a novel and plan to take more time the 2nd time

[@amineb7974]

Is it really this good ?

[@milesgemini4029]

@@amineb7974 I'm kinda of a history nerd, love psychedelics and go through about a book a week so it checks a lot of boxes for me

[@ericjshipe]

Incredible interview. Brian Muraresku is on another level.

[@dorincucos2197]

I like how, throughout the podcast, Lex will bring up things that he has come up with in the moment, and Brian would basically say "yeah, this person said the same thing, and elaborated a bit more". To me it seems that, at the core, Brian holds the belief that most of our most personal thoughts and feelings recreate the very same thing that once came to another person. This appreciation of the closeness of long gone Histories to our own lives is what sells it to me - I was immediately fascinated by Brian. One of the best guests, and a fellow Romanian :D It's great to find out about him (saw that there was a JRE podcast with him and Hancock, but haven't watch yet)

[@alejandroungaro4488]

So, in the absence of this mysteries life become unlivable, then we were living into the unlivable since a good deal of time now, and i understand why i almost commited suicide at 18 years old and wanted to die thousands of times in my life. Nontheless, i am immensely grateful of have had two LSD experiences that were really truly meaningful and extreme and having had contact with this great ideas decades ago. And this is an amazing conversation video which i'm also grateful of being alive to watch. Thank you both, Lex and Brian. 🙏

[@ireneroseart4858]

💗

[@robertberman6275]

Lex, you are awesome brother! Keep up the amazing work I love your heart.

[@TheDboi96]

Amazing podcast and one of if not the best guest I've ever watched discuss psychedelics and its use in ancient times