Mitchell B. Liester M.D.

Mitchell B. Liester, M.D., received his medical degree (M.D.) from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1985 and currently serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at this same medical school. Previously, he held a comparable position at the University of California, Irvine, where he completed his residency and served as Chief Resident. Dr. Liester also formerly served as the Vice President of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS).

His interest in psychiatry originates from a fascination with altered states of consciousness, whether triggered spontaneously by near-death experiences, mystical experiences, or being in “the zone” or induced by meditation, fasting, breathing, sensory deprivation, or the use of consciousness-altering medicines.

During his medical career, Dr. Liester has been extremely fortunate to encounter people who have openly shared their personal experiences and the transformative power these experiences have had on their lives. This began with his grandfather’s near-death experience, which occurred when he was a medical student, introducing him to the realm of near-death-related phenomena.

Subsequent encounters with colleagues, patients, and friends who described life-changing experiences triggered both a curiosity to learn and a passion for travel. To investigate indigenous healing practices, Dr. Liester has journeyed to the Himalayas of India, the islands of Hawaii, Bali, and Fiji, and the Andes and Amazon rainforest of South America. These experiences have enriched his life beyond description and have contributed to his own personal and professional growth. One serendipitous upshot of these adventures occurred in 1997 when he met and fell in love with his wife during a visit to the Shuar in the Amazon jungle in Ecuador.

These explorations have resulted in published research in the fields of transpersonal psychology, near-death studies, psychedelic medicines, and, more recently, explorations of personality changes following organ transplantation and neuroplastic changes in the brain produced by natural medicines and nutritional interventions.

Dr. Liester has lectured at universities, nursing schools, medical schools, and his children’s elementary and high schools. His research has been presented at national and international conferences, including the American Psychiatric Association Conference, the European Congress of Psychiatry, and the WPA Congress of the World Psychiatric Association.

For the last 34 years, Dr. Liester has had the privilege of working with remarkable, inspiring people in his private practice in Colorado. He is also extremely fortunate to travel this journey with his amazing wife and four children, who share his passion for learning, growth, and helping others.