Dave Naftalin

Dave Naftalin is a pioneering leader in psychedelic facilitation and education, serving as Co‑Founder and CEO of the Academy of Intrinsic Studies, a psilocybin facilitator training organization currently operating in Colorado with plans to expand as new state frameworks come online. He is recognized as the first licensed psilocybin facilitator in the United States, a distinction he earned after graduating from the Changa Institute’s 120‑hour psilocybin facilitator training program under Oregon’s Measure 109 regulatory system.

Through the Academy of Intrinsic Studies, Dave leads the design and delivery of rigorous psychedelic facilitator training that integrates clinical best practices, trauma‑informed care, and sacred, ceremonial traditions. Under his leadership, the Academy has secured approval as a DORA‑licensed Colorado program and recently received exclusive authorization from the New Mexico counselors association to provide all continuing education and facilitator training for its approximately 6,000 members. His work centers on creating high‑integrity standards for safety, ethics, and competency while still honoring diverse cultural lineages and community‑rooted approaches to healing.

In addition to his work in psychedelic education, Dave is the Co‑Founder of Local Living Project, a community‑powered marketplace designed to strengthen local economies by connecting residents with nearby farmers, makers, and small businesses. Local Living Project reflects his long‑standing commitment to sustainable food systems, local vendor networks, and values‑driven commerce, translating his systems‑thinking approach into a practical platform that keeps money and meaning rooted in local communities.

As a Director with the Board of Psychedelic Medicine and Therapies, Dave brings a rare combination of direct facilitation experience, regulatory fluency, and executive‑level operations expertise in the development of national certification standards. He is deeply aligned with the Board’s mission to certify psychedelic‑assisted therapists and psychotherapists to ensure competent, safe, and ethical delivery of psychedelic medicine in an equitable and accessible manner for diverse populations. His background in building and scaling training programs, recruiting and mentoring faculty, and partnering with clinics, universities, and professional associations positions him to help BPMT establish durable, inclusive benchmarks of excellence for this emerging field.