Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness and Psychedelic Integration with Psychologist Nigel Denning

Nigel Denning joins us to talk about his work with altered states of consciousness, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and holotropic breathwork. In each of these cases, integration is an important part of the experience, and is an ongoing process with multiple aspects that can unfold over time. We also talk about the therapist’s role, including the need for presence, minimal intervention, and how to support people without imposing a fixed interpretation.Key TakeawaysNigel Denning is a counseling psychologist with nearly 40 years of experience in psychedelics, non-ordinary states of consciousness, and psychedelic-assisted therapy.Holotropic Breathwork: A method of entering altered states, developed from Stanislav Grof’s LSD psychotherapy work, that does not involve any substances at all, but uses accelerated breathing, music, and supportive bodywork.Integration of Non-Ordinary States: A triphasic model that involves first capturing the experience, then translating it into language and story, then finding meaning — which often happens over time, in tandem with traditional therapy.Chapters00:00:00 - Podcast Opening and Guest Intro00:05:15 - Nigel’s Psychedelic Beginnings00:17:55 - What Is Holotropic Breathwork?00:24:24 - The Symbolic Mind00:30:56 - Rethinking Psychedelic Integration00:53:00 - The Triphasic Integration Model01:00:48 - Rapid-Fire Reflections01:06:20 - Psychedelic Futures in AustraliaRead the companion article at psychedelicpassage.com.This podcast is edited by Chad Eschman. Our music is by Mic Coats. Psychedelic Passage is your partner in safe, supported, and effective psychedelic journeys. As the first concierge service in the U.S., we connect you with vetted facilitators who value integrity and expertise.Start your free Match Making Process, join our Online Learning Community, and explore a range of educational articles at psychedelicpassage.com.