« This movement stands to change the world »

Rick Doblin Ph.D, MAPS

A global psychedelic forum hosted in Prague (June 21-24) brought together psychedelic researchers, scientist, traditional indigenous experts, drug policy analysts, historians, practitioners, patients and lay-enthusiasts of psychedelics. This meeting facilitated the sharing of diverse perspectives from all over the world as participates engaged in discussions, workshops, exploring the potential of psychedelics and our consciousness, learning from each other and gaining new prospects for the use of psychedelics in modern society.

Professor Torsten Passie (M.D., Ph.D.) from Germany explained that “our culture has marginalized ecstatic states out of fear… In prehistory, dreams, trances and states of ecstasy were mediators for connection with the world of spirits… we saw nature as god & celebrated the forces of creation (birth/death)… In prehistory we had mythical contracts with nature. A balance between giving and taking. In so we were in harmony with mother earth… A survey conducted in 1979 showed that 30-40% of people had a mystical experience in their life; going beyond oneself, experience of unity… The process of civilization is the controlling & disciplining of affectivity.”

Eduardo Luis Luna (Ph.D.) elaborated on animism: “We have been gradually losing our knowledge of the natural world… We have developed plant blindness; the inability to recognize the importance of plants in the biosphere and in human affairs… Plants communicate all the time and we are oblivious to these conversations… Shamanism is shifting into a non-human mode of awareness to understand the wider web of relationships we are embedded in… The greater diversity of an ecosystem, the better its health (biosphere, microbiome).”

Spiritual guide Ayana Iyi share her understanding of the purpose of “the medicine (psilocybin mushrooms) is to recover our humanity… most important is to get to our roots. Beyond all traditions, we come from the earth… Don’t give the power away to the substance or another person, connect with yourself.”

Survey’s asking the question; Why Are People Drinking Ayahuasca showed that the top 3 reasons for participates were: For increased spiritual awareness and understanding (65%), To gain insight into yourself or parts of your life (60%), to gain clarity about your life purpose or direction (53%). Wanting to get high was among the least common reasons (3%). The average age range of people drinking ayahuasca was from early thirties to early forties.

Research conducted at Imperial College London highlights the transformative potential of psychedelic treatment: Enduring relief from symptoms after a single dosage for a variety of disorders; treatment resistant depression (Carhart-Harris 2018), tobacco cessation (Johnson 2014), alcholism (Bogenschultz 2015), depression and anxiety related to terminal illness (Griffiths 2018)… Altered states facilitate meaningful (peak/mystical) experiences that induce lasting changes, not purely a drug effect.

William Richards (Ph.D.) said that “psychedelics allow us (in the right set & setting) to safety and effectively explore consciousness… Most important factors in set are unconditional trust in those around us who will care for us if we need and our choice; a leap of faith… The contents of the experience emerges from the individuals psyche… Altered states of personal visionary content can be stimulated by psychedelics and induce mystical unitive consciousness (no ego)… The impact of mystical experience --> Opens up life so that people can LIVE until they die. Why? The memory leaves a sense of awe and gratitude, a change in self-concept, awareness of interconnectedness, feelings of rebirth and empowerment… In one six hour session you know your power and choice.”

Tania De Jong, singer and philanthropist from Australia notes that “we are transitioning into a world where creativity, entrepreneurship and active citizenship will be necessary elements… We are moving towards a creative connecting world which requires a mastery of the right side of our brain; feelings, intuition, creativity; A feminine revival… Psycedelics help us balance the masculine/feminine in ourselves and inspires creativity as does singing… Our voices have been silenced. Our truth has been censored. We need to wake up our voice… Doing psychedelics can help us find our authentic voice… Most of us go through life with our music unplayed.”

Other notable remarks:

“Meetings like this allow us to be open and listen.” Ayana Iyi

“The best scientist are open scientists”

“A scientist whose not a mystic is no real scientist.” Rick Doblin

“Our research is looking into the betterment of peoples well-being… If the data continues to be safe and effective, we will change millions of peoples lives.”

“The criminalization of drugs period has been a mental health disaster.”

Matthew Johnson (Ph.D.) - Johns Hopkins University

“These things (psychedelics) which change behavior and attitudes need to proliferate now more than ever…We are all looking to make a better world.”

“Taking psychedelics is probably the best way to save the planet from us.”

“DMT is the most fascinating, life changing 10 minutes… like being punched in the back of the head by god.” David Luke (Ph.D.)

“Technology is ultimately driven by psychedelics & psychedelics have always been combined with technologies… we are moving into an era where we can be the technicians of consciousness.” Heather Hargraves M.C.

“Empathy Engines.”

“You can’t predict the future but you can invent it.” Carl H Smith

Beyond Psychedelics Conference 2018 - Prague, Czech Republic