What actually happened to those of us placed into Gifted & Talented programs?

In Part 3 of this GATE series, I’m joined by Cryptid Candy and Wicked Mysterious to continue unpacking the lived experience behind GATE - and how it intersects with declassified research, parapsychology, and U.S. intelligence interest in childhood cognition.

While GATE programs are a major focus of this series, the documentation and research suggest that these kinds of experiments were not exclusive to GATE students. Similar methodologies and interests appear to have existed outside of formal Gifted & Talented pipelines, raising broader questions about education, cognition, and how certain children were identified and studied.

CIA documents exist. Academic sources exist. But this conversation is about what it felt like, how it shaped us, and why so many people are only now connecting the dots.

This episode builds directly on Parts 1 & 2

Guests:

https://www.youtube.com/@UCJBidXXsnMuapL5X7XBP5eg

https://www.youtube.com/@UCuekFO6EpGPJjnldqIe6luQ

Support their work / joint Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/cw/UnlockingGATERestrictedAccess

📚 Sources & Documents Referenced

📖 Advances in Parapsychological Research (Elementary education references): https://archive.org/details/advancesinparaps00krip/page/218/mode/2up?q=Elementary

📄 CIA Reading Room Document (Declassified): https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP96-00792R000300330001-8.pdf

🚀 About the Series This is an ongoing documentary-style conversation exploring: Gifted & Talented education Intelligence testing Government and academic research into cognition and perception The long-term psychological effects on participants — both inside and outside formal GATE programs If this topic resonates with you, check out Parts 1 & 2 and consider subscribing — more episodes are coming.

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In my Youtube video "The Surprising Truth About Gas Station Mushroom Products", I exposed the shady world of gas station “mushroom gummies,” contaminated products, fake actives, and the companies cutting corners.

Today’s interview is the opposite of that story.

I sat down with Judd, the founder of Xum: Beyond Shrooms - one of the only companies openly selling real, standardized 4-HO-MET (Metocin) instead of hiding behind “nootropic blends” and vague marketing.

We dive into:
🌿 The true origins of 4-HO-MET and its connection to Alexander Shulgin
🧪 How a transparent psychedelic company actually operates
⚖️ The legal gray zone of the Analogue Act
🚫 Why he refuses to play the “gas station gummy” game
💊 His upcoming MDMA analogue - and the future of psychedelic chemistry
🧠 Why Metocin feels similar to mushrooms, but cleaner, friendlier, and more visual

This interview adds much-needed context to the legal psychedelic landscape.
Not all companies in this space are cutting corners - some are trying to fix the problems.

As always, this content is for education and harm reduction only.

https://thelaunchpad.bio/

What's up guys :)

In this episode, we explore one of the most fascinating molecules ever created — 2C-B, discovered by chemist Alexander Shulgin in 1974.

Joined by my buddy and long time guest of The Launchpad Podcast - James, we dive deep into the story behind 2C-B: how Shulgin synthesized it, why it gained a cult following, and what makes it so unique among the 2C family and the rest of psychedelic compounds in general.

We discuss its rise through underground scenes in the 80s and 90s, its criminalization, and how it later resurfaced in the form of “pink cocaine” and designer analogs.

We are starting to see a revitalization of our use and understanding of 2CB in the psychedelic scene. It's one of my favorite medicines and I'm always trying to further and evolve my understanding of these compounds.

Thanks for tapping into my podcast!

Reach out to James here:
https://frontrangepsychedelic.com/

Who James recommends for lab testing:
https://www.kykeonlabs.com/

Visit our resource page for high-quality plant medicine products: https://thelaunchpad.bio/

https://thelaunchpad.bio/

Alright guys, this one’s been a long time coming. I sat down with Danny Goler — aka the guy behind the DMT Laser experiment.

We talked about how this laser setup is making people see the same alien-looking code during DMT experiences, what that could mean about the fabric of reality, and whether this tech is basically building a portal to the other side. We also got into where this technology is headed and how the project has evolved.

🚀 Tap in, drop a comment with your thoughts, and don’t forget to sub for more episode :)

Visit our resource page for high-quality plant medicine products: https://thelaunchpad.bio/

Check out the DMT Laser Experiment here:
https://www.youtube.com/@dangothoughts

https://thelaunchpad.bio/

In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Shankin, a psychedelic integration coach and founder of Tam Integration . Daniel helps people make sense of their psychedelic experiences — not just during the trip, but after, when it really counts.

We talk about:

- His path from seeker to coach.

- What psychedelic integration actually looks like in everyday life.

- How to turn insights into action.

- And what it means to be a present parent and a psychonaut.

We even do a little real-time integration work in the conversation. It’s a mellow, thoughtful episode about staying grounded, finding meaning, and living a more intentional life — both with and without the medicine.

Check out Daniels Community here:
https://tamintegration.com/

Visit our resource page for high-quality plant medicine products: https://thelaunchpad.bio/

https://thelaunchpad.bio/

In this episode of The Launchpad Podcast we do a deep dive into the world of THCa! We sit down with Smokey Bear Hemp Co., a small, organic dispensary taking on big cannabis conglomerates with their farm-to-table hemp products. Have you ever walked into a gas station and seen some cheap cannabinoid vape blend being sold? There is a really interesting cannabinoid market all across the United States, and it looks different in every state. Smokey Bear stands out with their high-quality, farm to table, legal hemp products.

What is THCa, and how does it differ from THC? How does Smokey Bear ensure quality and stand out amongst the competition while battling corporate giants? Get answers, insider knowledge, and more on today's episode.

Seriously guys I have bought and tried an insane amount of cannabinoids in my life and I really enjoy what these dudes grow. I highly encourage you to support their operation.

Smokey Bear's website:
https://www.smokeybearhempco.com/

Visit our resource page for high-quality plant medicine products: https://thelaunchpad.bio/

#THCa #Hemp #SmokeyBearHempCo #CannabisIndustry #FarmToTable #TheLaunchpadPodcast

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Uncover the mind-bending history of LSD in this episode of The Launchpad Podcast!

From ancient ergot rituals in Greece’s Eleusinian Mysteries to Aztec morning glory seed ceremonies, we explore how LSD isn’t a modern invention but a rediscovered tool.

Dive into the 1960s counterculture with the Brotherhood of Eternal Love, the “Hippie Mafia,” and their LSD churches, plus the global underground spread to Asia and Africa. Learn how LSD’s hormonal effects (cortisol, oxytocin, dopamine) shape its psychedelic power and why it lags in research compared to psilocybin and MDMA.

Perfect for psychonauts, history buffs, and festival fans!

Visit our resource page for high-quality plant medicine products: https://thelaunchpad.bio/

Reach out to James here:
https://frontrangepsychedelic.com/

🎧 Subscribe now at https://www.youtube.com/@TheLaunchpadPodcast for more psychedelic deep dives.

Article that influenced a lot of my thinking on this subject:
https://www.burningshore.com/p/the-elephant-lsd

Like, comment, and share to join the conversation! 🚀



#LSDHistory #Psychedelics #Counterculture #TheLaunchpadPodcast

https://thelaunchpad.bio/

Join us as we dive into the inspiring story of Courtney Close, founder of Hummingbird Church, and her transformative journey with ayahuasca. In this episode, Courtney shares how ayahuasca helped her overcome personal challenges, leading to the creation of Hummingbird Church in 2021. Learn about facilitating safe and sacred ayahuasca ceremonies near Los Angeles, the church’s mission to bridge consciousness with spiritual insights, and the role of indigenous medicine carriers in honoring traditional practices. We also explore the ins and outs of starting a psychedelic or entheogenic church in the United States, including legal considerations, safety protocols, and community building.

💡Explore More:
Check out Hummingbird Church:
https://hummingbirdchurch.com/home799688

🔗Explore premium Plant Medicine 🍄 and more at: https://many.bio/thelaunchpad
—use code AMANITANINJA for 10% off!

https://thelaunchpad.bio/