Symposium October 30th: Comeback of psychedelic drugs in science and medicine
After 50 years of prohibition, psychedelic drugs are making a comeback in science and medicine. On the 30th of October, four scientists from the pioneering labs of David Nutt and Tomas Palenicek will present their cutting edge work from the forefront of psychedelic research. Cognito, in collaboration with Czech Psychedelic Society and the OPEN Foundation, is pleased to invite you to this extraordinary event.
Date: October 30th, 16:00-20:00
Location: Oudemanhuispoort, University of Amsterdam
WE’RE SORRY TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE EVENT IS SOLD OUT.
Four speakers will present their experiments on the influence that certain psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms), and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) have on ordinary consciousness. The use of neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), has recently shed light on the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying these altered states of consciousness. A total of four speakers from Prague and London will present and discuss these exciting new findings in the symposium.
Programme:
16:00 – 16:20 doors open
16:20 – 16:30 short intro
16:30-17:10
Speaker: Filip Tyls, MD
Title: Psychedelic research in the Czech Republic – comeback after 50 years
Abstract: Filip Tyls is a psychiatrist and PhD Researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health in Prague. His main research interest is the neurobiology of psychedelics, addiction and serious mental disorders. Filip will kick off the symposium with an introductory talk entitled: “Psychedelic research in the Czech Republic – comeback after 50 years”. He will provide a short historical overview of psychedelic research and discoveries in the Czech Republic. In addition, he will present current ongoing projects and prospects for the future.
17:10-17:50
Speaker: Tomas Palenicek, MD, PhD
Title: Psychedelics as unique tools for understanding psychosis.
Abstract: Tomas Palenicek is a researcher and psychiatrist at the National Institute of Mental Health in Prague. Since 2001, he has been researching the neurobiology of various psychopathologies in a clinical neurobiology setting, using psychedelic drugs. Tomas’s research team was the first to be granted approval to conduct research on psychedelics with human subjects in the Czech Republic after 50 years. His talk, entitled “Psychedelics as unique tools for understanding psychosis”, will argue for the relevance of modern research with psychedelics, and provide examples of how these substances can be used in clinical settings.
17:50-18:10 Coffee/tea break
18:10-18:50
Speaker: Mendel Kaelen, MSc
Title: t.b.a
Abstract: Mendel Kaelen is a PhD candidate at Imperial College London. His research focusses on the effects of psychedelics on music-evoked emotion, and on the role of music in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. He recently published a paper on this topic in the scientific journal “Psychopharmacology”, and in his talk he will continue this discussion by sharing insights from his research at Imperial College London. This will include neuroimaging studies with LSD and music, as well as a recent study to the role of music in psychedelic-assisted therapy for severe depression.
18:50-19:30
Speaker: Robin Carhart-Harris, PhD
Title: t.b.a.
Abstract: Robin Carhart-Harris is a post-doctoral researcher at the centre for Neuropsychopharmacology at the Imperial College London. Robin is one of the leading investigators of the field of psychedelic science. By using neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI and MEG, Robin hopes to reveal the brain mechanisms underlying altered states of consciousness caused by the use of psychedelic substances. Moreover, he is an author of the Entropic Brain theory, which provides a connection between modern neurobiology, psychoanalysis and theoretical physics.
19:30 Room for questions and discussion