A Masterclass is Ethics w/ Sandra Dreisbach # 11

In this episode of PsychedelicIQ: Guidance for Guides, ethicist Dr. Sandra Dreisbach joins host Gv Freeman to explore the complex ethics of psychedelic healing. From informed consent and trauma awareness to power dynamics, accountability, and spiritual integrity, Sandra shares deeply personal insights and practical tools for facilitators. Her story weaves together decades of experience in philosophy, harm reduction, and kink-informed leadership. This conversation is essential for anyone committed to safe, ethical psychedelic therapy, integration, and personal growth. Subscribe for more grounded, responsible guidance in psychedelic practice.

Show Notes

[00:00] Introduction and welcome

[01:17] Guest introduction: Sandra Dreisbach’s background in ethics, academia, and psychedelics

[03:09] Setting the intention: building relationship and community with heart

[03:58] “Not everyone is safe for everyone”—understanding facilitator-seeker fit

[05:30] Real experiences of retraumatization in poorly matched sessions

[06:16] Sandra’s current projects: World Psychedelics Day and ethical touch practices

[07:13] The Psychedelic Safety Flags: a resource for facilitators and seekers

[07:43] Sandra’s personal journey: from Girl Scouts to bioethics to psychedelic advocacy

[10:33] A pivotal story: supporting a student in crisis leads to psychedelic ethics work

[14:00] Fear, stigma, and the risks of speaking publicly about psychedelics

[16:00] Unique challenges survivors face in psychedelic spaces

[18:06] The importance of self-awareness, triggers, and resourcing for facilitators

[20:04] Why ethical practice begins with internal alignment and boundaries

[21:31] Facilitator blind spots and the limits of peer support alone

[24:07] Key questions for self-reflection: values, patterns, and behavior under stress

[27:00] Ethical maturity as a developmental process—growth over perfection

[30:00] Creating decentralized, plant-inspired accountability ecosystems

[31:20] Navigating training gaps and spiritual preparation as a practitioner

[34:37] The need for basic skills like CPR and trauma awareness in all trainings

[39:44] Ethics is a lifelong practice—you never get 100%

[40:55] Mistakes vs. ethical violations: context, consent, and repair

[45:53] Creating structures for accountability before harm occurs

[51:45] Sandra’s personal healing through BDSM and leadership training

[58:31] Exploring power dynamics, trauma, and authenticity in leadership

[01:06:00] Rethinking touch: physical, energetic, emotional, and spiritual impact

[01:12:45] Core tenets of informed consent and respecting client capacity

Sandra Dreisbach

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Sandra Dreisbach is an Ethicist and Psychedelic Ethics specialist with a MA, Phd in Philosophy. She is an Ethics Advisor active in Psychedelic Integration, Education and Advocacy. Sandra is the community leader of EPIC (Ethical Psychedelic International Community), Director of Ethics for Nectara, a psychedelic support ecosystem, Ethics Director for World Psychedelics Day 6/20, and former leader of the Santa Cruz Psychedelic Society. Sandra taught Bioethics at University of California, Santa Cruz, for ten years; worked for many years in the tech industry primarily at Apple; and is a Reiki Master.