Mind Altering Science: David Luke – Exploring Exceptional Human Experience on Psychedelics: Ayahuasca, Telepathine and Parapsychology
The Amazonian sacramental decoction, ayahuasca (containing an alkaloid once called telepathine by Westerners), has been used by indigenous shamans and healers for several millennia. Apparently, for the explicit purposes of accessing altered states conducive to clairvoyance, precognition, telepathy, out-of-body travel, psychic diagnosis, psychic healing, and spirit [...]
Mind Altering Science: Klaas Pieter van der Tempel – Psychedelic Consciousness and the Future of Academia
How does the psychedelic experience affect the knowledge and motivation of the scientist? And what does this mean for academia in general? To answer such questions, this presentation will focus on the master's thesis "How to Go Out of Your Mind and Come Back Again" as well as [...]
Mind Altering Science: Katharina Kirchner – LSD-assisted Psychotherapy. First Results from the Swiss Follow-up Study
After more than 40 years the first study employing LSD in psychotherapy is being conducted in Switzerland. 12 persons suffering from a life-threatening disease and an anxiety disorder are having the possibility to receive 200µg of LSD in a therapeutic setting. This talk will present the [...]
Mind Altering Science: Jacqueline Braak – Insight in Ayahuasca
In literature much can be found about the visions and the insights people can get from ayahuasca. What is striking here is that the visions are described in great detail while the insights only marginally are mentioned. This lack of information lead to a bachelor thesis on the [...]
Mind Altering Science: Ruud Litjens – Ibogaine in the Treatment of Substance Dependence
Ibogaine has been used for centuries by members of the Bwiti religion in western equatorial Africa as a religious sacrament, medicine and hunting aid. Since the discovery of the ability of ibogaine to interrupt addiction and withdrawal symptoms by Howard Lotsof it has also become of interest to [...]
Mind Altering Science: Peter Oehen – MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy: Method and Current Research
Attempts to boost the effectiveness of psychotherapy by combining it with psychotropic medications such as antidepressants or anxiolytics have shown rather limited effects and acute gains have tended to be lost when the drug is discontinued. In recent years, however, there has been growing interest in studying pharmacological [...]
Mind Altering Science: Daniel Waterman – Explanatory Models, Empirical Research & ‘Cognitive Liberty’
The revival of psychedelic research signals an inspiring change in official attitudes towards 'mind-altering' substances, altered states of consciousness and their potential as catalysts of religious/mystical experience, 'self-healing', consciousness research and creative expression. At the same time this 'research' still requires authorization by institutions that have a monopoly [...]
Mind Altering Science: Anwar Jeewa – An Exploratory Study of the Short-term Effects of Ibogaine Treatment on Drug Addicts
It has become increasingly difficult to assist an individual to maintain long term recovery from substance abuse. This is frustrating to individuals, their families and also to service providers. The reason for this trend is not absolutely clear. Over the past decades the topic of Ibogaine [...]
Mind Altering Science: Adèle van der Plas – Ayahuasca Under National and International Law: The Dutch Santo Daime Cases
This presentation will examine the legal aspects of the use of ayahuasca. No plants or other natural materials containing psychoactive substances like DMT or psilocybin are controlled under the UN 1971 Convention. The same goes for preparations made of these plants like, for example, ayahuasca. The member states [...]
Mind Altering Science: Stephen Snelders – Psychotherapy with Hallucinogens in a Medical Setting: The Shadow of History
In the year 2010 hopeful prospects are attached to psychotherapy with hallucinogens. Attempts are made to bring this kind of therapy out of the confines of illegal subcultures and into legalized medical settings. Discussions and arguments center around medical benefits and are wrapped in the vocabulary of present-day [...]