#118 Shane Mauss: The Comedian Who Lost His Mind on Psychedelics

On this episode of the Acid For Squares podcast, hosts Tanya Dahl and Cody Blue are joined by comedian, psychonaut, and science communicator Shane Mauss, whose groundbreaking work exploring the intersection of psychedelics, science, consciousness, and comedy has challenged conventional thinking about the human mind. Known for his fearless curiosity and willingness to push the boundaries of human experience, Shane has spent years exploring the extraordinary potential, and very real dangers, of psychedelic substances. What began as an ambitious experiment to explore the limits of consciousness through his documentary Psychonautics: A Comic’s Exploration of Psychedelics, essentially Super Size Me but with psychedelics, ultimately led Shane down a terrifying path of psychological unraveling. After pushing his mind to the breaking point, Shane experienced a profound mental health crisis that would forever change his relationship with psychedelics and his understanding of their power. What started as a quest for enlightenment became a cautionary tale about the fine line between exploration and self-destruction, forcing him to confront the darker side of substances often celebrated for their healing and transformative potential. In this deeply personal and eye-opening conversation, Shane recounts some of the most extraordinary psychedelic journeys of his life, from profound mystical and religious experiences that forever altered his understanding of reality to terrifying encounters with the depths of his own psyche that nearly cost him his sanity. He shares the hard-earned lessons that emerged from these experiences, revealing why integration, moderation, and responsible use are essential when navigating altered states of consciousness. The conversation also explores his groundbreaking new two-part psychedelic comedy special, TRIPS: FIRST DOSE and SECOND DOSE, a first-of-its-kind creative achievement that blends comedy, science, storytelling, and psychedelic exploration into an entirely new kind of experience. More than just a comedy special, TRIPS represents the culmination of Shane’s extraordinary journey through the highest highs and darkest depths of psychedelic exploration. This episode is a powerful exploration of the thin line between enlightenment and madness, the dangers of chasing transcendence, and the profound wisdom that can emerge when we learn to respect the very substances that have the power to both heal and harm us. THIS EPISODE IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: MIDWEST GROW KITS Explore their full collection of sacred plant tools and wellness products using the link below, and use code ACIDFORSQUARES at checkout for 15% off your order! CLICK HERE: https://www.midwestgrowkits.com and OZARK MOUNTIAN PUBLISHING Check out there hug e selection of incredible metaphysical and spiritual books! Use code ACIDFORSQUARES at checkout for 20% off your order! CLICK HERE: https://www.ozarkmt.com Hosted By: Tanya Dahl & Cody Blue Guest: Shane Mauss More on Shane: Website: https://www.shanemauss.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shane_mauss A4S MERCH HERE https://acidforsquares-shop.fourthwall.com/ A4S PATREON https://www.patreon.com/acidforsquares PLEASE FOLLOW, LIKE, COMMENT AND SHARE! Your interaction with our content helps us so much! Follow Acid For Squares: @acidforsquares on IG And same on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on the Acid For Squares Podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts or affiliated companies. The podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not professional advice. Topics may include mature content, parental discretion is advised. _______ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices