<p><strong>Psychedelics and First Responder Mental Health: A Fire Chief’s Journey | Beneath the Helmet Ep. 102</strong></p><p>In Episode 102 of <em>Beneath the Helmet</em>, I sit down with retired Battalion Chief Matt Thierfelder to have an honest conversation about burnout, hypervigilance, retirement, and exploring psychedelic-assisted therapies.</p><p>After more than 30 years in the fire service, Matt reached the minimum retirement age of 53 and found himself facing something many first responders quietly experience: sleep deprivation, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and an identity shift after hanging up the helmet.</p><p>In this episode, we talk openly about:</p><ul><li><p>Psilocybin-assisted therapy in Oregon</p></li><li><p>Microdosing vs. larger doses of psilocybin</p></li><li><p>Ketamine IV therapy and its impact on anxiety and suicidal ideation</p></li><li><p>Stellate ganglion block (SGB) for resetting fight-or-flight</p></li><li><p>Ibogaine in a medically supervised retreat setting</p></li><li><p>Retirement transition and leaving the fire family</p></li><li><p>Operator syndrome and firefighter syndrome</p></li><li><p>The importance of integration after psychedelic experiences</p><p>⏱️ Timestamps</p></li></ul><p>00:00:00 – Introduction to Beneath the Helmet<br>00:01:00 – Matt Thierfelder’s Fire Service Journey<br>00:04:00 – Highlights from 30 Years in the Fire Service<br>00:06:00 – Would You Join the Fire Service Again?<br>00:08:00 – Retirement at 53 and the Identity Crisis<br>00:10:00 – Burnout, Hypervigilance, and Sleep Deprivation<br>00:11:00 – Discovering Psilocybin Research<br>00:12:00 – Oregon Measure 109 and Facilitator Training<br>00:14:00 – Psychedelic Conferences and Community<br>00:15:00 – Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Experience<br>00:17:00 – The Moment He Knew It Was Time to Retire<br>00:20:00 – Leaving the Fire Family<br>00:21:00 – EMDR and Vulnerability in Therapy<br>00:22:00 – Why Psychedelics? The Science and Interest<br>00:25:00 – Group Psilocybin Work and Integration<br>00:26:00 – What Is Psilocybin?<br>00:27:00 – How a Psilocybin Session Works in Oregon<br>00:34:00 – Legalization and Access to Psychedelics<br>00:38:00 – Microdosing vs. Larger Doses<br>00:41:00 – Deep Dive into Ketamine<br>00:46:00 – Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)<br>00:52:00 – Ibogaine and the Structured Retreat Process</p><p>If this conversation resonated with you, please:</p><p>👉 Subscribe to <em>Beneath the Helmet</em>👉 Share this episode with someone in the fire service or first responder community👉 Leave a comment and join the conversation</p><p>Sometimes the first step toward renewal is simply being willing to look beneath the helmet.</p><p>If you’re interested in deeper conversations similar to this episode, you might also enjoy </p><p>Episode 41 <a href="https://www.beneaththehelmet.ca/myke-coles-path-from-warrior-to-firefighter/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Myke Cole&#39;s Path from Warrior to Firefighter</a></p><p>Episode 52<a href="https://www.beneaththehelmet.ca/psychedelic-therapy-first-responder-with-ptsd-with-jeff-morley/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> Psychedelic Therapy First Responder with PTSD with Jeff Morley</a></p><p>Episode 94 <a href="https://www.beneaththehelmet.ca/firefighter-recovery-the-truth-about-cb-and-first-responder-wellness/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Firefighter Recovery: The Truth About CBD and First Responder Wellness</a></p><p>Host Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)</p><p> 🚨 JOIN THE BTH COMMUNITY </p><p> 📝 Podcast Newsletter: <a href="https://colossal-trailblazer-6113.ck.page/c0e1b81fbe" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://colossal-trailblazer-6113.ck.page/c0e1b81fbe</a> </p><p>📨 LinkedIn Podcast Newsletter: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7026972684089528321" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7026972684089528321</a></p><p><strong>✅Become a </strong><a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/ajgeorge/e/487861" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">BTH Ambassador</a> for a one-time contribution of $23. Your Ambassador contribution supports the behind-the-scenes work that keeps this project alive. Click <a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/ajgeorge/e/487861" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">here</a> to support the show</p><p> 📺 WATCH &amp; LISTEN 🌐 Full Episodes &amp; Show Notes: <a href="https://www.beneaththehelmet.ca" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.beneaththehelmet.ca</a> </p><p>▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@beneaththehelmetshow?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/@beneaththehelmetshow?sub_confirmation=1</a> </p><p>🔥 SOCIALS &amp; CONTACT </p><p> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/beneaththehelmetshow/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/beneaththehelmetshow/</a>  </p><p> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunageorge/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunageorge/</a> </p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/beneaththehelmetshow/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/beneaththehelmetshow/</a> </p><p>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@beneaththehelmet" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.tiktok.com/@beneaththehelmet</a></p><p><strong> 📩 Business Inquiries: [email protected]</strong></p>