Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
Ann Arbor isn’t just a college town—it’s a national hotspot for community organizing, research, and advocacy around plant-based healing, harm reduction, and future-focused mental health care.
In this episode, we sit down with two changemakers from the University of Michigan who are bridging academic research, clinical training, and grassroots movements to support safe, informed access to non-ordinary states of consciousness:
👉 Emily Berriman – Master of Social Work student and president of SAPS (Student Association for Psychedelic Studies), working to prepare the next generation of consciousness-aware clinicians.
👉 Matt Strang – Advocate, educator, cultivator, and harm reductionist using community care to bridge the gap between recovery spaces and alternative wellness models.
We explore:
🍄 The mission of SAPS & its work with the Michigan Psychedelic Center (M-PsyC)
🎓 U of M’s research on pslcbn, fibromyalgia, pain, cannabis, ketamine & consciousness
🧠 How music, therapy, and neuroplasticity intersect in altered state care
⚖️ Matt’s work with SSDP and the decrim movement in Jackson, Michigan
🛡️ Building community harm reduction infrastructure
🤝 Bridging recovery models like PIR & AA with introspective healing practices
💬 Naturalistic vs clinical pathways—why both matter, and how to build bridges
🌍 Why social workers are uniquely positioned to support this emerging field
This is an educational discussion intended for those curious about how universities, recovery communities, and grassroots movements are shaping a new paradigm of support and care.
⸻
🔗 Learn More:
• SAPS at U of M: https://michiganpsychedelic.med.umich.edu/student-involvement/
• Students for Sensible Drug Policy: ssdp.org
• Michigan Psychedelic Society Community Event: eventbrite.com/e/april-michigan-psychedelic-society-community-meeting-tickets-1123086304369
⸻
This episode is for educational purposes only. It does not promote or endorse the use of regulated substances. Always follow your local laws.
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🎬 Watch More From MycoGeeky:
▶️ The APE That Changed Mycology – John Workman Interview: youtu.be/AtOrRsFAUX4
▶️ Dennis McKenna on His Early Years: youtu.be/rbYDjI-f_zI
▶️ MycoGeeky’s “Mushroom Living” Music Video: youtu.be/Kq31ACYZ-6w
👍 Like this video – It really helps us reach more people!
💬 Comment below – Let us know what you think!
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Ann Arbor isn’t just a college town—it’s a national hotspot for community organizing, research, and advocacy around plant-based healing, harm reduction, and future-focused mental health care.
In this episode, we sit down with two changemakers from the University of Michigan who are bridging academic research, clinical training, and grassroots movements to support safe, informed access to non-ordinary states of consciousness:
👉 Emily Berriman – Master of Social Work student and president of SAPS (Student Association for Psychedelic Studies), working to prepare the next generation of consciousness-aware clinicians.
👉 Matt Strang – Advocate, educator, cultivator, and harm reductionist using community care to bridge the gap between recovery spaces and alternative wellness models.
We explore:
🍄 The mission of SAPS & its work with the Michigan Psychedelic Center (M-PsyC)
🎓 U of M’s research on pslcbn, fibromyalgia, pain, cannabis, ketamine & consciousness
🧠 How music, therapy, and neuroplasticity intersect in altered state care
⚖️ Matt’s work with SSDP and the decrim movement in Jackson, Michigan
🛡️ Building community harm reduction infrastructure
🤝 Bridging recovery models like PIR & AA with introspective healing practices
💬 Naturalistic vs clinical pathways—why both matter, and how to build bridges
🌍 Why social workers are uniquely positioned to support this emerging field
This is an educational discussion intended for those curious about how universities, recovery communities, and grassroots movements are shaping a new paradigm of support and care.
⸻
🔗 Learn More:
• SAPS at U of M: https://michiganpsychedelic.med.umich.edu/student-involvement/
• Students for Sensible Drug Policy: ssdp.org
• Michigan Psychedelic Society Community Event: eventbrite.com/e/april-michigan-psychedelic-society-community-meeting-tickets-1123086304369
⸻
This episode is for educational purposes only. It does not promote or endorse the use of regulated substances. Always follow your local laws.
📩 Join the Mushroom Movement!
Sign up for the MycoGeeky mailing list and get automatically entered into our weekly giveaways! Prizes include exclusive merch, educational resources, and fun myco surprises.
👉 mycogeeky.com
🤝 Support the Show – Shop with Our Trusted Partners
Use these affiliate links to support MycoGeeky at no extra cost to you:
🍄 Booming Acres: boomingacres.com/?r=27
🍄 The Spore Store Coffee Alternative: https://thesporestore.company.site/
🌿 Connect with MycoGeeky Everywhere
🔗 Website & Giveaways: mycogeeky.com
🎙️ Patreon: patreon.com/c/mycoGeeky
🛍️ Merch: etsy.com/shop/mycogeeky
💬 Discord: discord.com/invite/mycogeeky
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/mycogeeky
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080230120029
📧 Contact: mycoGeeky@protonmail.com
🎬 Watch More From MycoGeeky:
▶️ The APE That Changed Mycology – John Workman Interview: youtu.be/AtOrRsFAUX4
▶️ Dennis McKenna on His Early Years: youtu.be/rbYDjI-f_zI
▶️ MycoGeeky’s “Mushroom Living” Music Video: youtu.be/Kq31ACYZ-6w
👍 Like this video – It really helps us reach more people!
💬 Comment below – Let us know what you think!
🔗 Share with your fellow mycophiles!
