The Neuroscience of Feeling Safe with Dr. Dave Rabin l Touch Therapy, Apollo Neuro & The Benefits of Psychedelic Therapy

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Rabin for a mind-expanding conversation on what we’ve fundamentally gotten wrong about mental health—and why treating symptoms instead of root causes keeps us stuck. They unpack how smartphones hijack our dopamine, why modern convenience works against our nervous systems, and what it really takes to break free from a chronic sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state. From the ancestral role of dopamine and the science behind hugs to nuanced discussions on anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, psychedelics, and ibogaine, this episode bridges ancient biology with cutting-edge research. Dr. Rabin also dives into the “Ape Theory” and the importance of understanding specific mushroom strains rather than lumping them all together. The conversation wraps with insights on Apollo Neuro, sleep optimization, respiratory rates, the “first night effect,” and a refreshing reminder that living a simple, happy life may be the most powerful biohack of all.

Dr. David Rabin, MD, PhD, is a translational neuroscientist, board-certified psychiatrist, health tech entrepreneur & inventor who has been studying the impact of chronic stress in humans for more than two decades. He is the co-founder & Chief Medical Officer at Apollo Neuroscience, which has developed the first scientifically-validated wearable technology that actively improves energy, focus & relaxation, using a novel touch therapy that signals safety to the brain.

In addition to his clinical psychiatry practice, Dr. Rabin is currently conducting research on wearable and technology-based solutions for mental illnesses and the mechanism of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in treatment-resistant mental illnesses. He received his MD in medicine and PhD in neuroscience from Albany Medical College and specialized in psychiatry with a distinction in research at Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He has been married to his co-founder, Kathryn Fantauzzi, since 2016.

SHOW NOTES:

0:40 Welcome to the podcast!

4:06 About Dave Rabin

5:03 Welcome him to the show!

6:36 What have we gotten wrong about mental health?

8:15 Interaction with our smart phones

11:12 Treating symptoms, not the cause

12:25 Breaking free from sympathetic state

15:48 The ancestral purpose of dopamine

19:06 Patience vs Convenience

24:08 Why we need hugs for health

28:29 *CALOCURB*

29:40 Anxiety & Autism Spectrum Disorder 

32:09 When are psychedelics appropriate?

35:34 Knowing your mushroom strain

39:42 Ibogaine benefits

46:21 Germ theory & antibiotics

51:12 The Ape Theory

57:13 About the Apollo

1:03:05 How it increases deep & REM sleep

1:04:01 Average respiratory rates

1:08:05 “First Night Effect”

1:08:54 How to live a simple, happy life

1:11:32 “The Four Agreements”

1:15:03 His final piece of advice

1:17:40 Thanks for tuning in!

RESOURCES:

Calocurb - code: RENEE10

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Website: David Rabin MD, PhD, Apollo Neuro

Instagram: @drdavidrabin

Twitter: @daverabin

Wikipedia: David Rabin MD, PhD

Podcast Website: The Psychedelic News

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