ABOUT
Dr Malin Vedøy Uthaug is a Norwegian researcher working at the intersection of holistic health, somatics and altered states of consciousness, and is considered one of the world leading experts on 5-MeO-DMT. Through science and lived experience, she is on a mission to map uncharted territories of both mind and body in order to share insight that improves human
healing, thriving and optimization.
Dr Uthaug has a background in health and social psychology, completed her PhD in Psychopharmacology at Maastricht University under supervision of Professor Johannes Ramaekers. Her doctoral dissertation featured five original naturalistic observational studies on the effects of Ayahuasca and 5-MeO-DMT, and was completed in record speed (2,5 years) making her a PhD by the age of 27. After her PhD defense, Dr Uthaug worked at The Centre of Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, previously led by Professor Robin Carhart-Harris, now led by Dr David Erritzøe. Here she continued exploring the effects of not only 5-MeO-DMT, but also (Holotropic) Breathwork.
Today, Dr Uthaug runs her own research company and is involved several naturalistic observational research projects in the sphere of 5-MeO-DMT & Freediving. She is on a mission to assess their mechanisms and effects through holistic means to further explore the mind-body connection, as well as the implications of peak performance and somatic release (i.e., catharsis) on wellbeing. Her recent work has contributed to the development of the Bodyset concept, which underscores the crucial role of bodily states in shaping responses and outcome to use of various ‘technologies’ not limited to psychedelics.
Building on this, she is soon to co-introduce with Dr Jack Allocca the construct of Pivotal Physical States (PiPS)—extreme or transitional physiological conditions that can either catalyze healing or embed trauma, depending on how the body and mind respond. Together, these concepts aim to bridge the gap between psychophysiology and altered states of consciousness, offering a more integrated and embodied understanding of (therapeutic) transformation.
Besides being a researcher, Dr Uthaug is also public speaker, creator of The Embalance System, a scientific advisor, an editor for the ‘Journal of Psychedelics Studies’, a board member for the American podcast Psychedelics Today and one of the original co-founders of Norwegian Psychedelic Science whose main aim is to educate the general public as well as researchers, and mental health practitioners in Norway about psychedelics. Furthermore, she was also the recipient of the Willy Schweitzer Award for Young Researchers at Insight Conference in Berlin 2021. Last but not least, Dr Uthaug overcome her thalassophobia (i.e., fear of the ocean) by training freediving. In April 2022, during her first ever freediving competition, she accomplished two national records for Norway.