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Drugs, Freedom, and Responsibility at Burning Man
Having just emerged from one of the most epic experiences of my life, I'd like to share a few thoughts before returning to my usual news-skewering routine.
Psychedelics
Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics
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An evening with Neal Goldsmith and special guests John Perry Barlow, Julie Holland, Daniel Pinchbeck, Rick Doblin, and Ethan Nadelmann. And a dance party.
The Promise of Psychedelic Healing: Entheogens, Psychotherapy and Spiritual Development
Join Evolver.net and Mangusta Productions for a mind expanding night of psychedelic exploration. Banned after promising research in the 1940s, '50s, and '60s, the use of psychedelics as therapeutic catalysts is now being rediscovered -- a topic covered by Neal Goldsmith's new book, Psychedelic Healing: The Promise of Entheogens for Psychotherapy and Spiritual Development (Inner Traditions, 2011). Come celebrate its publication with a kaleidoscopic conversation featuring five of the leading figures in this field, speaking on the latest theories, research, and legal developments.
How can psychedelic experiences shape personality and healing? Can psychedelic psychotherapy truly can be transformative, either individually or collectively? Can humanity change course from an impending human dieback and blossom to create a truly integral planet?
Come for a reading and discussion with:
Neal Goldsmith, Ph.D, Psychotherapist specializing in psychospiritual development. A frequent speaker on spiritual on spiritual emergence, drug policy reform, and post-modern society. Author of Psychedelic Healing: The Promise of Entheogens for Psychotherapy and Spiritual Development
Rick Doblin, Ph.D., President and Founder of Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Science (MAPS). His dissertation was on “The Regulation of the Medical Use of Psychedelics and Marijuana and his master’s thesis (Harvard) focused on the attitudes and experiences of oncologists concerning the medical use of marijuana.
John Perry Barlow, Visionary, former Grateful Dead lyricist, and a founding member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an organization which promotes freedom of expression in digital media.
Julie Holland, M.D., Psychiatrist specializing in psychopharmacology. Author of Ecstasy: The Complete Guide and bestselling Weekends at Bellevue and editor of The Pot Book: A Complete Guide to Cannabis and Ecstacy: The Complete Guide.
Daniel Pinchbeck, Bestselling author of 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl, Notes from the Edge of Time, and Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shaminism; Co-editor of Toward 2012: Perspectives on the Next Age. Daniel is the editorial director of RealitySandwich.com, and co-founder of Evolver.net.
Ethan Nadelmann, Ph.D., founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, the leading organization in the United States promoting alternatives to the war on drugs. Author of Cops Across Borders, the first scholarly study of the internationalization of U.S. criminal law enforcement, and co-author of Policing the Globe: Criminalization and Crime Control in International Relations.
Dance Celebration follows discussion with live music performance by JahFurry & Kochie Banton with the I & I Drum Link. DJ sets by Krister Linder and Winslow Porter.
Cash bar – organic beer, wine and drinks.
Astoria's own Beyond Kombucha presents a special blend for the event.
Snacks by Xango.
Doors at 7:30, panel at 8:00, dance celebration 11pm – 2am
Price - $25, $20 for Evolver Social Network Members (e-mail [email protected]
To purchase tickets please go to http://psychedelichealing.
Scientists Suggest Fresh Look at Psychedelic Drugs
Swiss scientists suggest that mind-altering drugs like LSD, ketamine or magic mushrooms can be combined with psychotherapy to treat people suffering from depression, compulsive disorders or chronic pain.
Mind Altering Science: An OPEN Conference on Psychedelic Research
Stichting OPEN is proud to organize the first academic conference on psychedelic research. We offer you two full days of 21st century, cutting edge research into psychedelics and the psychedelic experience. Our conference is organized for all those with a serious interest in psychedelic research. We also invite therapists, researchers, addiction experts and academics, as well as students to become acquainted with a field of research that regular university curricula barely touch upon.
From addiction treatment to psychotherapy with the aid of psychedelics; from the neurobiology of ayahuasca to the social, ritual and legal implications of its use, and from human psycho-pharmacology and research into extraordinary experiences to new views on the legalisation of psychedelic substances, this conference is dedicated to the exploration of psychedelics research from a broad scientific perspective.
The conference lasts two full days; the conference will start at 9 am each day and end around 6 pm. In between lectures attendees will have ample time to discuss with speakers, to buy books, to acquire more information on psychedelic research, associated organisations and more.
SPEAKERS
Some of our confirmed speakers are the following:
- Torsten Passie MD (DE)
- R. Andrew Sewell MD (US)
- Peter Oehen MD (CH)
- Amanda Feilding (UK)
- Dr. Anwar Jeewa (SA)
- Bia Labate PhD (BR)
- Jordi Riba MD (ES)
- Jose Carlos Bouso MD (ES)
- Adèle van der Plas (NL)
- Stephen Snelders PhD (NL)
- David Luke PhD (UK)
- Katharina Kirchner (CH)
TOPICS
Some confirmed subjects that will be addressed at our conference are posted below. Please keep an eye on our website: as soon as we receive more information, we will update our site immediately. An accurate timetable will also be posted here as soon as all presentations are confirmed.
SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER
9:00 - 18:00
- Torsten Passie - "Astonishing Similarities of Physiological and Psychoactive Drug Induced States"
- Jose Carlos Bouso - "Healing Mechanisms of MDMA"
- R. Andrew Sewell - "Human Psycho-pharmacology Research at Yale University"
SUNDAY 24 OCTOBER
9:00 - 18:00
- Peter Oehen - "MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy - Method and Current Research"
- Bia Labate - "The Expansion of the Uses of Ayahuasca around the Globe"
- Anwar Jeewa - "An Exploratory Study of the Short-term Effects of Ibogaine Treatment on Drug Addicts"
- David Luke - "Exploring Exceptional Human Experience on Psychedelics: Ayahuasca, Telepathine and Parapsychology"
TICKETS / MORE INFO
Early registration is now OPEN! Go to our website - www.mindalteringscience.com - for further information, or head directly for our ONLINE TICKETSHOP. Reduced rates available to students and early birds! For questions and/or remarks: send us an email.
For more information about Stichting OPEN, visit our website at www.stichtingopen.nl. Unfortunately, due to site maintenance our website is temporarily only available in Dutch.
We hope to see you all at Mind Altering Science!
Dutch campaign to relegalize Magic Mushrooms [request for action]
Save Our Shrooms ( www.saveourshrooms.org) website launched!
This week international non-profit organization "Save Our Shrooms" has opened it's gates to relegalize the Magic Mushroom in the Netherlands, which were banned last december.
The organization is a spin-off of the Dutch Smartshop Organization ( www.VLOS.nl). They will not rest until the VLOS wins the courtcase against the state, through higher appeals. That will happen sooner or later; it started in the Dutch court and will not stop untill it reaches the European Court. The mission to protect the Dutch psychedelic liberty is widely respected over the globe. They count on you too!
How do they reach their goal?
1) Raising money to help the VLOS in their legal battle to fight the recent ban on shrooms. In fact, all donations will be send to the VLOS directly (no matter if you pay via Paypal, Bank and/or Cheque). A lawyer is very expensive. In contradiction to the VLOS, the government has unlimited funds.
2) Broadcasting the latest news and backgrounds on Magic Mushrooms and the legal battle. Important documents (such as courtcases and news articles) have been translated from Dutch to English by specialized agencies, and research will be funded. This way they can present you with a deep insight of the battle.
3) Getting people involved through social networking and remixing ideas on the website, to broaden horizons and strengthening our power.
How can you help?
1) Make the network grow by forwarding the mission via email and other ways you can think of.
2) Volunteer; though brain- and/or muscle power.
...discuss with eachother and us, and read all about the options on the website.
Saveourshrooms.org will save the Dutch Magic Mushrooms. Get informed, get involved!
Press Release: Horizons Presents Groundbreaking Research and Perspectives on Psychedelic Drugs in Medicine, Art, Spirituality and Culture at Conference September 19-21, at Judson Memorial Church
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2008
CONTACT: Kevin Balktick at [email protected] or 646-537-1701, or Neal Goldsmith at [email protected]
Horizons Presents Groundbreaking Research and Perspectives on Psychedelic Drugs in Medicine, Art, Spirituality and Culture at Conference September 19-21, at Judson Memorial Church
Experts from across North America gather to discuss the ongoing renaissance in the exploration of psychedelic drugs. Presenters include medical researchers from several of North America's most prestigious universities, world-renown artists, religious scholars, bestselling authors and other key players. Horizons is the largest psychedelics conference in the Americas.
Psychedelics are a unique class of psychoactive drugs that have been used by humans for thousands of years. Millions of people in every corner of the globe have used them to alter their consciousness in search of introspective contemplation, spiritual insights, creative exploration and physical and psychological healing.
In the 1950s and early 1960s, legal research with psychedelics spurred important discoveries in neuroscience and psychology. During the 1960s, psychedelics entered worldwide popular culture. Questions about their safety, medical value, history and implications in politics and culture were unfortunately answered with numerous myths spread by both their recreational users and the media.
The freewheeling sixties have become a distant memory and the hype of the millennial rave fever has faded as well. Now, a small group of dedicated researchers and activists has orchestrated a renaissance in psychedelic research that is re-shaping the public's understanding of these unique substances. Horizons brings together the brightest minds and boldest voices of this movement to share their research, insights and dreams for the future.
Notable presenters include John Halpern MD from Harvard Medical School, Roland Griffiths Ph.D. From Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, David E. Nichols MD from Purdue University, Isiah Saxon and Sean Hellfritsch, the video artists responsible for Bjork's most recent 3-D music video and pharmacological pioneers Alexander and Ann Shulgin.
The venue, Judson Memorial Church, is a historically significant, landmarked location. It has a long history of promoting the arts, free speech and progressive politics. For more information please go to: www.horizonsnyc.org