#14 - David Bronner: The Soap CEO Spearheading Psychedelics

David Bronner is the CEO – that’s Cosmic Engagement Officer – of Dr. Bronner’s, a fifth-generation soap maker, and a board member of the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies. At the helm of the company started by his grandfather in 1948, David is a leader in the fight for GMO labeling, industrial hemp farming in the United States, high-bar organic and fair trade standards, fair minimum wage, and drug policy reform. 

What we discuss:

• How a profound psychedelic experience took David from an apolitical college graduate and set him on the path to becoming a counter cultural thought leader

• I ask him What it means to be passionate about “the responsible integration of psychedelic medicine into  American culture” – especially within the capitalistic framework within which we exist

• Dr. Bronner being the first company in the U.S. to offer ketamine-assisted therapy as part of employee health coverage

• How David found iboga through his friend and former Navy SEAL Marcus Capone

• What iboga/ibogaine can do for the veteran population 

• Will we see the mainstreaming of ibogaine like we have with psilocybin?

• What David’s favorite integration tools are

• Parallels between the overharvesting of certain plant medicines and industrial agriculture

Why it’s important: 

Given all the ongoing evil in the world, it can be easy to feel swallowed up by capitalism – to feel stuck, hopeless, and afraid for the future. My conversation with David reminded me that even within an ill-structured system, it takes just a few people in positions of leadership – people like David and David’s father and grandfather –  to spark change and inspire more holistic business practices, and ultimately, more holistic ways of living. 

Relevant Links:

• Rolling Stone Interview (May 2023)
• New York Times Profile (Feb 2022)
• Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS)
• Dr. Bronner’s on Instagram
• Time Magazine story about Marcus Capone’s experience with Ibogaine (April 2021)
• Blog about David Bronner’s experience with iboga
• Iboga and ibogaine safety panel featuring David Bronner (April 2020)