About Frshminds

Frshminds is your resource to find psychedelic retreats around the world. We are research tool for anyone exploring the use of psychedelics to improve their mental wellness. These resources include:

  • Listings and reviews of psychedelic retreats around the world
  • Patient reviews of psychedelic clinics and therapists
  • Patient success stories
  • Interviews with clinicians in the field
  • Summaries of the research on emerging psychedelic therapies
  • Articles to improve your understanding of psychedelics and mental wellness.

If you want to list your clinic/service or contribute an article to Frshminds, please via our contact page.


Management

Jon Kamin, MBA

Jon boasts over a decade of leadership in the digital publishing sector, especially data-as-a-service (DaaS) businesses. A sought-after public speaker, communication is one of Jon’s strongest assets, and he is known for simplifying complicated topics for top-level company members. With deep knowledge in product development, marketing, SaaS selling, and advanced analytics, Jon is a master at setting prices and planning strategies.

As the Chief Revenue Officer at Lift & Co, the company’s media and data sales grew +1000% in FY20, amounting to $3MM in secured revenue. As the driving behind “Cohesion,” a data platform built in collaboration with Nielsen Canada, offered cannabis brands insights into brand value, product feedback, sales speed, and customer groups. By March 2020, a whopping 80% of Canadian cannabis producers had joined this platform.

Jon’s credentials include training and experience with the globally recognized Bain & Company, a premier strategy consulting firm. He holds a Bachelor of Business degree from the Schulich School of Business, York University, and a Masters in Business Administration from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto.

You can learn more about him on Linkedin.

Jon Kamin, CEO of Frshminds
Jon Kamin, CEO of Frshminds

Josh Kerbel, DC, MBA

Currently responsible for the day-to-day technical management of Frshminds, Josh has a diverse background with a combination of formal training in healthcare and business administration and a lifelong interest in alternative approaches to healthcare and technology development.

Prior to working on Frshminds, he was the CTO of Lift & Co, a cannabis information site. He ran Extreme Innovations, the in-house software development services company of Extreme Venture Partners, one of Canada’s most successful early-stage venture investors. Since becoming interested in psychedelics, Josh has explored microdosing, mushroom cultivation and was responsible for building out Frshminds’ mushroom species guide.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western University, a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and a Masters in Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business, York University in Toronto.

You can learn more about him on Linkedin.

View Josh’s Frshminds contributions here.

Josh Kerbel, Manager of Frshminds.
Josh Kerbel, CTO of Frshminds

Contributors

Frshminds’ contributors come from a range of disciplines, holding masters and doctorates in psychology, engineering, counselling, business, and related health care disciplines, covering the world of psychedelics from understanding the basics of psychedelics, exploring mushroom varieties to psychedelic retreat options.


Lisa Batten, PhD

A psychedelic scientist and trained therapist, she holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a Ph.D. in developmental psychology. She has worked for over a decade in pharmacological research including investigating ketamine for depression. She specializes in clinical trial design and regulatory support in the psychedelic medicine space at KGK science.

Learn more about Lisa on Linkedin.

View Lisa’s Frshminds contributions here.

Lisa Batten, PhD in Clinical Psychology and psychedelic researcher
Lisa Batten, PhD

Inês Tavares, MEng

Inês is a freelance writer who covers the cannabis and psychedelics industries after having experienced their healing powers first-hand, she now aims to educate and, hopefully, improve the lives of as many people as possible. Inês holds a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Textile Engineering from the University of Minho.

Learn more about her on Linkedin.

View Inês’ Frshminds contributions here.

Ines Tavares, psychedelic writer for Frshminds
Inês Tavares, MEng

Patrick McConnell

Since his youth, Patrick has been fascinated with psychedelics and altered states, experimenting with them on and off the page. His drive to explore consciousness has brought him around the world and down many rabbit holes to yogis, plant nerds, and alternative communities. Originally Canadian, he lives in the Peruvian Andes with his wife and cat.

Learn more about him on Linkedin.

View Patrick’s Frshminds contributions here.

Patrick McConnell, a psychedelic writer for frshminds
Patrick McConnell

Emily Fewster, BSc (Honors)

Passionate about studying the psychedelic/mystical experience from a neuropsychological lens, Emily is a member of MAPS Canada Research Committee and graduated with an Honours BSc in Cognitive Neuropsychology from York University.  She currently leads a team of RAS with a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating microdosing psilocybin for persistent depressive disorder.

You can learn more about her on Linkedin.

View Emily’s Frshminds contributions here.

Emily Fewster, BSc Cognitive Neuropsychology and frshminds contributor
Emily Fewster, BSc

Adam Miezio, MA

Originally from Chicago, but calls Austin, TX home (which, coincidentally led him to his first Ayahuasca retreat) with stops along the way in places like the everglade state of Florida and Spain. Active in the psychedelic community, he’s heard a range of expert speakers, including Anthony Bossis, Jamie Wheal, Dennis McKenna and Roland Griffiths. As his beloved Bill Hicks said, “It’s just a ride.” Adam holds an MA in Speech and Communications from Northeastern Illinois University.

You can learn more about him on Linkedin.

View Adam’s Frshminds contributions here.

Adam Miezio, psychedelic writer for Frshminds
Adam Miezio, MA

Caitlyn Charles, BA

Cait has been writing since the age of 7 when she wrote her first short stories about two crime-fighting dogs. Although she has since strayed away from the canine detective genre, she still delights in writing about relationship psychology, travel, the psychoactive effects of cacao, intentional communities, nutrition, wellness, and more.

You can learn more about Caitlyn on Linkedin.

View Caitlyn’s Frshminds contributions here.

Caitlyn Charles, BA - writer for Frshminds
Caitlyn Charles, BA

Jesse Hanson, PhD

Chief Clinical Officer, Dimensions Retreats. Jesse completed his Ph.D. in 2015 from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He also holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. In addition to his academic pursuits, Jesse has spent over 14 years training with different holistic and shamanic teachers.

You can learn more about Jesse on Linkedin.

View Jesse’s Frshminds contributions here.

jesse hanson, PhD, Clinical Director of  Dimension Retreats
Jesse Hanson, PhD

Leigh Bergin, MA

An aspiring psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist who has a Master’s in psychology from the University of Limerick, Ireland. Leigh worked in social care throughout his time at college, before moving to Dublin where he gained experience as an assistant psychologist. Currently based in Valencia, Spain, Leigh also writes extensively online about psychology, psychotherapy, and addiction.

You can learn more about Leigh on Linkedin.

View Leigh’s Frshminds contributions here.

Leigh Bergin - psychotherapist and frshminds contributor
Leigh Bergin, MA

Peggy Van de Plassche, M.Sc

A former banker and VC who now speaks and writes about the psychedelic industry & the benefits of microdosing psilocybin. She created The Microdose Diet – the 90-Day Plan for Success and Happiness.

You can learn more about Peggy on Linkedin.

View Peggy’s Frshminds contributions here.

Peggy Van de Plassche
Peggy Van de Plassche, M.Sc

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