The Human Experience · Episode
Episode 6 – Brad Burge – MAPS
A conversation with Brad Burge
Brad Burge earned his B.A. in Communication and Psychology from Stanford University in 2005 and his M.A. in Communication from the University of California, San Diego in 2009. His graduate work focused on the…
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Episode field notes
Show notes
Brad Burge earned his B.A. in Communication and Psychology from Stanford University in 2005 and his M.A. in Communication from the University of California, San Diego in 2009. His graduate work focused on the political, scientific, and cultural changes required to make illicit drugs into legitimate medicines.
He has also interned for the Drug Policy Alliance and has a longstanding interest in drug policy reform and activism. He began working with MAPS as an intern in 2009, joining the staff in January 2011. Brad is also a consultant, writer, and editor for organizations and individuals working in psychedelic and medical marijuana research, drug policy, and psychedelic therapy. He believes in the importance of communication for sharing knowledge and building community, and is committed to helping people develop honest and responsible relationships with themselves, each other, and their pharmacological tools.
He has also interned for the Drug Policy Alliance and has a longstanding interest in drug policy reform and activism. He began working with MAPS as an intern in 2009, joining the staff in January 2011. Brad is also a consultant, writer, and editor for organizations and individuals working in psychedelic and medical marijuana research, drug policy, and psychedelic therapy. He believes in the importance of communication for sharing knowledge and building community, and is committed to helping people develop honest and responsible relationships with themselves, each other, and their pharmacological tools.
Founded in 1986, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana.
Our Work
We further our mission by:
Developing psychedelics and marijuana into prescription medicines
Training therapists and working to establish a network of treatment centers
Supporting scientific research into spirituality, creativity, and neuroscience
Educating the public honestly about the risks and benefits of psychedelics and marijuana.
Our Vision
We envision a world where psychedelics and marijuana are safely and legally available for beneficial uses, and where research is governed by rigorous scientific evaluation of their risks and benefits.
Our Values
- Transparency — Information is shared openly and clearly. Communications are respectful, honest, and forthright.
- Passion and Perseverance — We persist in the face of challenges. We have a sense of urgency about our work, and know that it’s a long-term effort.
- Intelligent Risk — Our decisions are informed by research. We try new things and learn from our mistakes.
- Trust and Accountability — We value integrity and honesty, and embrace high standards.
Find more on MAPS here: www.maps.org
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Transcript
A full transcript has been published for this conversation.
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Quotes
Five substantial excerpts from the published transcript, lightly edited for clarity without changing their meaning.
“Stan Grof helped found transpersonal psychology, which considers whether consciousness and mental health are shaped by dimensions beyond ordinary biography. His framework included prenatal, spiritual, and afterlife interpretations. Those claims extend beyond conventional psychiatry, but his clinical work challenged treatment models that excluded meaning and extraordinary experience entirely.”
From the conversation“A substantial portion of people with PTSD do not recover through existing medication and psychotherapy. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan made the condition and the veteran suicide crisis more visible. That unmet need is why researchers pursued MDMA-assisted psychotherapy—not because an experimental treatment was already proven, but because current care left too many people suffering.”
From the conversation“Altered states are valuable objects of scientific inquiry and part of the human right to explore consciousness. Yet decades of prohibition and cultural conflict pushed these experiences into a counterculture. Reintegrating them responsibly requires evidence, open discussion, and clear risk education rather than either romanticization or suppression.”
From the conversation“Therapists entering MDMA-assisted psychotherapy research received training in the therapeutic approach, pharmacology, and risks without taking MDMA themselves. Clinical expansion depends on more than access to a drug. Practitioners need a shared protocol, supervision, and the ability to support difficult experiences before, during, and after a session.”
From the conversation“Not everyone can speak publicly about a beneficial psychedelic experience. Law, ethnicity, employment, economics, and geography may make disclosure dangerous. People who cannot safely tell their stories can still educate themselves through credible resources and support research without sacrificing privacy.”
From the conversation
About the guest
Brad Burge
Brad Burge earned his B.A. in Communication and Psychology from Stanford University in 2005 and his M.A. in Communication from the University of California, San Diego in 2009. His graduate work focused on the political, scientific, and cultural changes required to make illicit drugs into legitimate medicines.
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