From Mainstream Medicine to Deep Change

Dr. Zeus pictured with dark hair, glasses, and a beard, wearing a light purple dress shirt, smiling against a blurred background of greenery.

Few people are trained as both a physician and psychedelic therapist. Through the synergy of these paradigms, something new has emerged. My work is experiential, which means I guide people through experiences that allow them to learn a new way of being. We intentionally rewire the subconscious nervous system from maladaptive response patterns that cause suffering, to adaptive responses that better serve them.

What got me here? My medical career began specializing in trauma surgery and critical care, where my patients became emotionally stuck after surviving difficult life experiences. Neither conventional medicine nor talk therapy could get them unstuck.

Seeking a path for deeper healing I began studying the transformative effects of ketamine and psychedelics as I obtained a Master’s degree in Social Work and extensive training in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Now I combine medicine and experiential therapy to guide people through rewiring their brain—the secret to profound, lasting change. As our inner experience shifts, we learn something new is possible.

Medical Board of California License A71020

Harvard University
Bachelor of Science, Biology

Harvard's coat of arms. A shield with a red background and four black squares with yellow outlines, surrounded by a laurel wreath.

Cal State University, Sacramento
Master of Social Work

Logo for Cal State Sacramento featuring a stylized flame or torch on a green shield background.

Perelman (U Penn) School of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine

Penn Medicine
A black and white photo of a woman and her three children sitting together, both looking at the camera. They are sitting against a mud wall, with a cloth hanging above them and a plastic bag and a bucket nearby.

My Experience

Mexico City, circa 1975

Three little children dashed to her side as she collapsed to the ground. Look! She was one of countless women begging in the streets of Mexico City. They need help! I was around nine years old, led by the hand of my grandfather who kept walking without pause. Did he not see her? I felt confused, I never told anyone, and the memory haunted me for years. Why didn’t we stop?

Growing up in Latin America surrounded by poverty, I was taught to look the other way. Avoidance helped me to survive, until I personally learned that avoiding our problems only keeps us stuck. Getting in touch with my true, compassionate nature gave me a new perspective: we can get unstuck by letting go of fear and following our hearts. Now I guide people through memories of darkness as they reconnect with their light.

"Medicine Woman's Prayer", a personal healing prayer by Sheree Bliss Tilsley. I will not rescue you, for you are not powerless. I will not fix you. For you are not broken. I will not heal you. For I see you in your wholeness. Remember your light

Psychedelic Psychotherapy Training

• Polaris Insight Center
– Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

• PRATI
– Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

• MAPS
– MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy
– European Clinical Trials Rater

• Temenos
– Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

• Relational Somatic Healing
– Beyond Attachment
– Embodied Touch
– Deep Listening / Gentle Touch

• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Therapy
– Immersion
– Essential Skills
– Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy
– Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Polaris Insight logo. Colorful spiral pattern made of small circles in rainbow colors
Psychedelic research training institute logo. Stylized circular logo depicting a landscape with a sun, blue sky, and green hills.
Logo of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies featuring two hands with a fractal pattern around them
Logo for the Center for Integrative Psychotherapy. Abstract swirling pattern in shades of blue, green, and white.
The logo for relational somatic healing. An approach to healing trauma through embodied relationships. Stylized illustration of a white flower with teal leaves against a black background.
Logo of Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Institute with stylized lowercase letters and a teal accent on the 'e'. A form of therapy that focuses on processing deep emotional experiences in a safe enviornment
An image of Dr. Zeus's office with a wall mural of a dense forest. There are two tan leather sofas with off-white and gray throw pillows, a small wooden table with a salt lamp, and a beige rug on a carpeted floor.
An image of Dr. Zeus's office with a wall mural of a dense forest. There are two tan leather sofas with off-white and gray throw pillows, a small wooden table with a salt lamp, and a beige rug on a carpeted floor.

Medical Training

• LA County+USC – surgery residency

• UK National Health Service – registrar

• LA County+USC – critical care fellowship

• Shriners – pediatric surgery fellowship

• UC Davis – adult burn surgery fellowship


Community Service

• CAL FIRE – wildfire response

• CAL MAT – medical disaster response

• UC Davis IRB – biomedical trial review

• Dr. Zeus – income-based treatment

UC Davis Center for Neuroscience logo featuring a yellow brain illustration on a navy blue background and the text 'UC Davis Center for Neuroscience' in yellow and dark blue.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection CAL FIRE badge with a yellow silhouette of California and a sun graphic
Logo of California Medical Assistance Team organization with a yellow map of California, blue medical star of life, and red 'CAL-MAT' text.
Close-up of a whole pomegranate and a cut-open pomegranate showing red seeds, with green leaves in the background.

MEDICAL RESEARCH
1) Ramirez JI, Thomas D, Neal DJ, Maguina P. A new injury prevention target: summer hair braids. J Burn Care Res, 39(6): 911-4, November/December 2018.
2) Ramirez JI, Sen S, Palmieri TL, Greenhalgh DG. Timing of laparotomy and closure in burn patients with abdominal compartment syndrome: effects on survival. J Am Coll Surg, 226(6):1175-80, June 2018.
3) Ramirez JI, Ridgway CA-C, Lee JG, Potenza BM, Sen S, Palmieri TP, Greenhalgh DG, Maguina P. The unrecognized epidemic of electronic cigarette burns. J Burn Care Res, 38(4):220-4, July 2017.
4) Gal S, Ramirez JI, Maguina P. Autologous fat grafting does not improve burn scar appearance: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study. Burns, 43(3):486-9, May 2017.
5) Ramirez JI, Maguina P. Invasive conidiobolomycosis can be successfully treated in burn survivors. J Burn Care Res, 38(1):e460-3, January 2017.
6) Ramirez JI, Velmahos GV, Best C, Chan L, Demetriades D. Male sexual function after bilateral internal iliac artery embolization for pelvic fracture. J Trauma, 56(4):734-41, 2004.
7) Ramirez JI, Petrone P, Asensio JA. Thyroid storm induced by strangulation. South Med J 97(6):608-10, 2004.
8) Ramirez JI, Vassiliu P, Beart RW. Sequential compression devices as prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in high-risk colorectal surgery patients: reconsidering American Society of Colorectal Surgeons parameters. Am Surg 69(11):941-5, 2003.
9) Asensio JA, Rojo E, Petrone P, Karsidag T, Pardo M, Ramirez JI, Roldan G. Síndrome de exsanguinación: factores predictivos e indicativos para la cirugía de control de daños. Cirujano General 25(3):207-218, 2003.
10) Ramirez JI, Gossett DR, Ginsburg KR, Taylor SL, Slap GB. Preventing high-risk behavior: the perspective of inner-city adolescents. J Adolesc Health 26(4): 258-67, 2000.

BOOK CHAPTERS AND REVIEWS
1) Ramirez JI, Velmahos G. Management of cervical aerodigestive injuries. Minerva Chir, 59(6):563-72, 2004.
2) Ramirez JI, Belzberg HB. Respiratory insufficiency and mechanical ventilation. In: Naude GP, Bongard FS, and Demetriades D (eds): Trauma Secrets, 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2002.
3) Velmahos GV, Ramirez JI. Crush injuries. In: Naude GP, Bongard FS, and Demetriades D (eds): Trauma Secrets, 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2002.

NATIONAL PRESENTATIONS
1) Ramirez JI, Sen S, Greenhalgh DG. Prompt laparotomy and early closure dramatically improve survival in burn patients with abdominal compartment syndrome. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Am. Burn Assoc., March 21-24, 2017.
2) Ramirez JI, Ridgway CA-C, Potenza BM, Sen S, Palmieri TP, Greenhalgh DG, Maguina P. The unrecognized epidemic of electronic cigarette burns: A multi-center study. Presentation at Annual Meeting of the Am. Burn Assoc., March 21-24, 2017.
3) Park SJ, Ramirez JI, Maguina P. Does laser therapy work the same way for all burn patients? A preliminary study. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Burn Association, March 21-24, 2017.
4) Ramirez JI, Maguina P. Autologous Fat Grafting for Burn Scars: A Prospective, Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Pilot Study. Oral presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Burn Association, May 3-6, 2016.
5). Ramirez JI, Sen S, Tran N, Chan B, Palmieri TL, Greenhalgh DG, Cho K. Sodium Variability Increases Mortality in Severe Burn Injury. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Burn Association, May 3-6, 2016.

Academic Research and Publications

  • My life has changed in many ways after the work I did with Zeus… I will always be so grateful for how he’s been able to help me in the areas no one else could.
    -C. B.

  • After years of trying conventional treatments for PTSD with very little success, [my daughter] is finally receiving treatment that gives her relief from acute anxiety, allows her to process difficult thoughts without debilitating fear, and gives her the ability to move through the world with confidence.
    - S. D.

  • Dr Zeus’ extensive medical background, masters in social work, and compassionate style, instantly instilled a sense of trust and safety as I navigated a very emotionally challenging time in my life. His holistic approach and unwavering dedication to his patients make him an invaluable resource in the journey towards healing and recovery.
    - R. B.

  • I highly recommend Dr. Zeus. He is a gifted healer who uses his boundless wisdom and love to hold a healing space for his clients… this healing space allowed me to feel safe and find that place inside me that is my true self — my intuition, my innate love.
    - J. D.

  • Dr. Zeus has been a transformative figure for my mental health journey..... KAP sessions with Dr. Zeus's method greatly helped me along my path to healing and I highly recommend that people work with him.
    - H. B.

  • Dr. Zeus was a huge factor in helping me deal with my depression and anxiety. I felt I had hit a wall with my affliction and felt hopeless. Dr. Zeus's treatments broke the barrier and within a short period of time, I was able to function normally and participate in life. Thanks Dr. Zeus.
    - C. S.

  • I’ve seen countless providers over the past 20 years, and Dr. Zeus is by far the best ... [he] spent a ton of time with me, listening and getting to know me and my struggles on a deep level.... I felt like I was heard and seen and understood as a person.
    – E.S.

  • I never imagined I could be free from the horrific memories that haunted me throughout my life, but... here I am. Thanks, Dr. Zeus!
    - A. M.

  • Having experienced trauma with men in the past, I always sought out female practitioners. Working with Dr. Zeus helped me transform my fear and discomfort with men.... I was able to feel safe with a man and heal those wounds.
    - J. D.

  • Dr. Zeus is a kind, thoughtful, and thorough care provider. I appreciate his support and recommend his services.
    - H. T.

  • Dr. Zeus's training in both medicine and therapy create a remarkable combination of knowledge and skills that helped me heal.... I enthusiastically recommend his care and therapy.
    - L. P.