#66 - Dr. Rod Paulsen: How We Screen for Ibogaine

Ibogaine is "promiscuous" because it binds to so many receptor sites at once. Today's guest, Dr. Rod Paulsen, says there's nothing else like it in medicine. Screening for a molecule that complex is its own science, and his job. On the show, Talia Eisenberg and Dr. Paulsen discuss psychiatric evaluation and what makes someone a strong candidate for ibogaine treatment. They review the medication and supplement protocols that have to be in place first, the pharmacology of tapering, the support and aftercare he wants lined up before anyone arrives, and what the receptor science and Beond's own research tell him about who does well. Dr. Rod Paulsen is Beond's director of psychiatry and psychopharmacology and has been with the clinic since it opened in 2021. He majored in neuroscience at NYU, where he worked as a research assistant on the NYU psilocybin project, then completed a master's in biomedical sciences and medical school at LSU in New Orleans, studying the neurobiology of opioid withdrawal and serving as a night sitter on MAPS' MDMA-assisted psychotherapy trial for PTSD. He is currently completing an addiction psychiatry fellowship. Timestampes - (02:00) From philosophy to neuroscience, and why ibogaine is the psychedelic that needs a physician - (09:00) Inside the psychiatric intake, and what makes someone a strong candidate - (14:00) Ibogaine as an SSRI, and why that shapes who can safely come off medication - (18:00) The therapy, psychiatry, and aftercare he wants in place before anyone arrives - (21:00) Supplements, the biohacking crowd, and treating dosing like surgery - (24:00) Taper pharmacology: the hyperbolic strategy, saffron extract, and CYP2D6 - (28:00) What Beond's research found about visions and outcomes - (51:00) Where approval, insurance, and the science go from here 📋 Book a consultation call with our clinical team: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rebrand.ly/beond-spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Learn more about Beond: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beondibogaine.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Beond Treatment Programs & Pricing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beondibogaine.com/ibogaine-treatment-cost/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👥 Meet the Beond clinical team: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beondibogaine.com/our-team/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐ Read Beond testimonials: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beondibogaine.com/ibogaine-treatment-reviews/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📖 How to choose an ibogaine provider: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beondibogaine.com/blog/selecting-the-ideal-ibogaine-provider/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎙️ More episodes of Ibogaine Uncovered: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beondibogaine.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Beond: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / beond.us  ⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / beond.us  ⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠   / @beondibogaine  ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / beondtreatment  ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ibogaine Uncovered is an educational podcast. Nothing shared in this episode constitutes medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical professional before making any treatment decisions.