Psychedelics are a fascinating subject with great scientific and therapeutic potential. In a healthy academic climate, researchers are not limited in studying these substances. Psychedelic research is characterized by an overlap of different areas of research. This not only means that innovative research can be carried out on psychedelics from almost every scientific discipline, but also that these different disciplines of science can be brought closer. Also the promising therapeutic effects of psychedelics deserve more attention, in media and politics as well as in the academic world.

Research on the therapeutic applications of psychedelics (but also on substances like for example cannabis and MDMA) started in the 1950´s, after which bans on these substances around the world made most research impossible. The recent revival of research however already shows very promising results. For example, patients suffering from cluster headaches benefit strongly from psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms), and research is carried out on the effects of the African plant Tabernanthe Iboga in people with severe opiate or cocaine addictions. Currently, research is done in the United States, Switzerland and Israel, on MDMA an aid in psychotherapy for people suffering from severe Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), who did not have good results with regular psychotherapy. Also here, preliminary outcomes show that the use of this substance can be beneficial. Other studies, in which for example LSD and psilocybin are applied for the treatment of anxiety in terminal cancer patients, show that there could be room for psychedelics in regular mental health care. Furthermore, various studies have shown that psychedelics can occasion mystical experiences, and that they can be used to assist in creative and artistic processes.

How does the OPEN foundation want to reach its goals?

Presently, in science- especially in The Netherlands- relatively little attention is given to psychedelics. There are still many taboos around the subject. We see it as one of our goals to remove the obstacles that hinder scientific research. We want to accomplish this by:

• Spreading good and unbiased information, to break the taboos that have surrounded psychedelics for too long.
• Creating a network in which students, researchers and academics can comment on each other's work and exchange ideas.
• Assisting in setting up research, arranging good supervision and helping to find financing.

Psychedelics should be studied more thoroughly because the outcomes of the little research that has been done, show that this is an interesting field of academic research. Better, more specific and responsible research can help us learn to employ the full potential of psychedelics, and get around existing pitfalls. When insights from different disciplines of science come together, we can get a more complete picture of the possibilities that these substances can offer. Next to their therapeutic potential, psychedelics can play a role in research concerning perception and consciousness, the functioning of the brain and other neurophysical processes. We want to turn psychedelics into an acknowledged subject of research by:

• Introducing psychedelics as a (research) subject to as many students and academics as possible, coming from different scientific disciplines. We want to reach this by organizing lectures, film evenings, debates and congresses.
• Publishing as much recent scientific information on our website as possible and making this information available to everyone.
• Working towards an interdisciplinary academic chair, academic minor or module, and an MSc, focusing on psychedelics, in which students are helped in setting up their research.

A scientific approach to psychedelics implies objectivity and an evidence-based mentality. Too often, in politics and media biased information and lack of knowledge are prevalent. We want to change this: important decisions should be based on facts that are based on science. We strive for a key role in this, by taking on the following aims:

• Inviting media and policymakers to our lectures and congresses.
• Reporting, gathering and also condensing the outcomes of new national and international research.
• Spreading objective and critical information about both the positive applications and the risks of psychedelics, during our activities and through our website.
• Pledging for evidence-based policies that are based on the outcomes of recent research.
• Sending well-argumented letters, informing newspapers and magazines correctly.

One of the most promising applications of psychedelics is that of a therapeutic aid. Combined with good supervision, the results of one or more sessions can have a lasting, positive influence. Psychedelics intensify therapy and make it possible to take big steps in relatively little time. In spite of great research outcomes, these applications are known to few people, even among therapists and specialists in the therapeutic domain. We want make the therapeutic applications of psychedelics known more widely by:

• Organizing lectures, movie nights and debates about the therapeutic applications of psychedelics.
• Confronting relevant actors in the scientific domain of research outcomes.
• Inviting physicias and therapists to our activities.
• Offering a platform with the eventual aim of developing (medical) guidelines, certified trainings and/or academic education, putting the professional supervision by therapists in psychedelic therapy under strict and safe standards.