#157 Peter Berg - Exposing Big Pharma, Lone Survivor, and Hollywood’s Dark Side

Peter Berg and Shawn Ryan share their personal struggles with addiction and their experiences with psychedelic therapy, highlighting its healing power but also discussing its potential risks and limitations.

Peter Berg and Shawn Ryan's Struggles With Addiction

Peter Berg's 5-Meo-dmt Experiment Provided a Profound Experience

Peter Berg discusses his experience with 5-MeO-DMT extensively. His initial nervousness about the substance was assuaged by high-functioning acquaintances who had positive experiences. In California, he met with a psychiatrist who had moved from prescribing traditional antidepressants to exclusively administering 5-MeO and Ibogaine. Warned about the intensity, including a sensation of dying, Berg underwent an experience he describes as akin to ego death. During this time, he had profound realizations about being and nothingness, which made him sob, laugh, and scream in what he describes as a religious encounter with what could be seen as infinite energy.

Shawn Ryan Discusses His Cocaine, Opioid, and Alcohol Abuse History, a Suicide Attempt, and how Ibogaine and 5-Meo-dmt Helped His Recovery

Shawn Ryan recounts his severe addiction to substances such as cocaine, opioids, and alcohol. His journey to recovery involved psychedelic treatment with substances like Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT. Ryan describes his Ibogaine experience as a life review that allowed him to process his past and his 5-MeO-DMT experience as healing, with a purging of negativity. He suggests that the latter helped him overcome his substance abuse issues and made a significant positive change in his life, likening it to a "light switch."

Psychedelics' Healing Power For Trauma and Mental Health

Psychedelics’ Potential to Heal Trauma Highlighted by Peter and Shawn

Both Berg and Ryan highlight the healing potential of psychedelics for trauma. Berg feels that his experiences have made him a better father, friend, and professional. Ryan's experiences helped him gain an intuitive understanding of his life events, including traumatic incidents, suggesting that everything that happened was meant to be and was ultimately okay.

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Peter Berg and Shawn Ryan have highlighted the multifaceted issues that military veterans encounter when returning to civilian life. Their experiences and observations shed light on the stark adjustment many face when separating from service and the insufficient support systems in place.

Transitioning From High-Stakes Military Mindset to Civilian Life

Peter Berg on "Ego Death" and the Challenge Of Relinquishing Military Power and Autonomy

Peter Berg talks about the difficulties veterans, especially those active during the 9/11 era, have to adjust to everyday life after experiencing the life-changing realities of combat and military service. Berg shares an anecdote from Iraq with SEAL Team Five, where a young SEAL's control over civilians sharpens a mindset of ownership and power. This mentality raises concerns about how such a military mindset will cope in normal civilian situations.

Shawn Ryan Tells of a Friend's Post-Trauma Opioid Addiction Struggle

Shawn Ryan reflects on the profound impact military life has had on those in his platoon, including his best friend who struggled with opioid addiction. Ryan attributes the addiction to the difficulty in making the transition from a high-stakes military environment to a normal, civilian way of life. He narrates the tragic story of his friend Gabe, whose personal losses compounded with the relentless exposure to combat, leading Gabe back to service and ultimately to his death linked to opioid misuse.

Veterans' Transition Support Deficit

Peter and Shawn Lament Inadequate Veteran Reintegration Support

Peter Berg criticizes the stark contrast between the government's substantial investment in training a Navy SEAL and the lackluster support provided once their service concludes. Shawn Ryan echoes this sentiment, pointing out an ap ...

Peter Berg shares his experiences and reflections on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, positioning himself as a proponent of external mediation and deeper understanding of historical grievances to navigate the complexities of the situation.

Peter Berg's Experience Visiting Israel and Palestinian Territories

During a recent visit to New York, filmmaker Peter Berg encountered a Palestinian woman whose reaction to a tragic incident at the Nova music festival, where 300 Israelis were killed, was one of amusement. Struck by a mix of sickness, anger, and confusion, Berg decided to investigate the situation for himself, prompting a visit to Israel and the surrounding areas.

Israeli-Palestinian Hatred and Distrust, No Resolution Path

Throughout his five-day journey, Berg interacted with both Israelis and Palestinians, gaining insight into the deep-rooted hatred and distrust between the two parties. Visiting the festival site and a nearby kibbutz, he was barred from entering Gaza due to safety concerns, yet he could see it from afar. This experience left him with a profound sense of sadness and the conclusion that the conflict was indelibly dark and complex.

Outside Mediation Needed For Lasting Peace

Berg sensed a plea for help, especially from Israelis, who feel unable to resolve the conflict without assistance. He advocates for international intervention, calling upon countries such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and European nations to step in, recognizing that the involved parties are incapable of achieving peace on their own.

Cyclical Violence and Unraveling Historical Roots of Conflict

Peter Berg and Shawn Ryan delve into the challenges of addressing the conflict, focusing particularly on the cyclical nature of violence and the difficulty of tracing its historical origins.

Peter and Shawn On Blame and Aggressor Identification in Conflict Resolution

Discussing the situation with Shawn Ryan, Berg finds it futile to assign blame or identify aggressors due to the conflict’s extensive and convoluted history. He emphasizes that a backward-looking approach aimed at "unpacking" past actions is counterproductive and traps both ...