Doors open

Introductory remarks

International psychedelic policy updates

Throughout the world, public policy towards psychedelics is shifting in response to the growing scientific evidence, changing public perceptions, and the emergence of post-prohibitionist attitudes. In this session, we will hear updates from new initiatives across the globe to support research, access, public education, and decriminalization of psychedelics.

Psychedelic Parenthood: Why are we leaving children and adolescents out of the psychedelic renaissance?

The field of psychedelics is growing fast and widely, and thousands of the individuals forming part of this movement happen to be mothers, fathers and caregivers to children . Ethnographic reports indicate that the psychedelic experience can help these people deal with challenging realities such as imposter syndrome and maternal guilt and positively re-signify the experience of parenting. We also know that there are several traditional cultures where psychedelics are an integral part of community life, and may also be used during pregnancy and childbirth, as is the case of the Santo Daime tradition of midwifery, and in breastfeeding, as practiced by Wixárika mothers. Despite this, the Western psychedelic mainstream still has difficulties in including children, adolescents, and psychedelic families in its spaces, discussions, and scientific research.

Based on the direct empirical experience of the author, who is the father of three children born and raised in a psychedelic context and culture in Brazil, this presentation offers 10 points of reflection which demonstrate the need for us to start talking more about psychedelic parenthood in the Psychedelic Renaissance. They address both the potential and risks of scientific research and therapy with psychedelics for children and adolescents, and social, economic, and decolonial aspects related to the inclusion of psychedelic families, especially children and mothers, in the psychedelic field.

Mid-morning break

Reflections on 35 years of psychedelic activism
Since the mid-nineties, Robert Jesse has been an instrumental figure in advocacy, activism, and scientific research related to psychedelics, including the importance of recognizing their value outside the context of medicine. In 1995, he led the development of a Code of Ethics for Spiritual Guides. Later, Jesse was instrumental in forming the psilocybin research team at Johns Hopkins and has co-authored several of its papers, including “Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance” (2006). In 2005, he led the writing of an amicus brief for the U.S. Supreme Court in the União do Vegetal religious liberty case, decided 8-0 favoring the church. In 2017, Bob led the drafting of a public statement, now signed by numerous leaders in the field, raising Open Science as a psychedelic ideal. Earlier in life, Bob trained at Hopkins in electrical engineering and computer science, consulted for AT&T Bell Labs, and worked at Oracle, lastly as a VP of business development.

From personal to collective: ayahuasca as a peace-making tool among Palestinians and Israelis

In the spring of 2022, three groups of Palestinians and Israelis were invited to participate in an ayahuasca peacebuilding program. The invitation was to explore the ceremonial and healing space of ayahuasca through a collective intention: to ground the transformative spiritual practice in the political reality of conflict and oppression; to heal collective trauma and liberate from rigid narratives and ethos; to invite revelations and transform them into actions of co-resistance; to create a community of solidarity and care; and to celebrate life and good music together. In this joint presentation, Sami Awad, a Palestinian peace activist and one of the leading facilitators, will present the program – tailored for this intention - and discuss the processes the groups went through. Leor Roseman, an Israeli psychedelic researcher from Imperial College London, will present quantitative, qualitative, and phenomenological research findings from the program. The presentation will reveal how psychedelics can be used intentionally for socio-political endeavours beyond personal healing.

Lunch

Indigenaity, shamanism, and the engima of authenticity

Standing at the nexus of a social justice movement demanding increased recognition for indigenous people and a vogue for all things natural, ancient, and ecologically-attuned, increasing numbers of people are seeking psychedelic experiences under the care of lineage-holding shamans, or ceremonies influenced by indigenous traditions. However, the history and present of these traditions and practitioners are often more complex and dynamic than portrayed. The politics of indigenous communities, and even the concept of indigenaity itself, can also present unexpected puzzles. In this session, we will explore the hard questions raised by interactions between indigenous communities with shamanic traditions, and the seekers of authenticity arriving on their doorstep.

Conspirituality: On the paranoid style in psychedelic politics

Despite much cleansing of the public perception of psychedelics (and their users) has occured in recent decades, a varied and rich psychedelic subculture is also very much alive and well. While most facets of this world are healthy and creative communities who bond over shared values, traditions, and tastes, there also exist darker corners. The unique brew of a cultural legacy of anti-government sentiment, hardened by decades of unfair prohibitionst policy, denial of scientific fact about psychedelics, and unethical government-sponsored mid-century experiments, combined with intensity of the psychedelic experience, had led many down the path less traveled towards unhinged conspiracy theory. Join this session to shine light on the shadows cast by psychedelic illumination.

Mid-afternoon break

Cultural perspectives on psychedelics

Outside of both clinical contexts and indigenous traditions, psychedelics have a rich history of use in North America. The cultures and practices that have developed around these substances, so often marginalized, are now finding new popularity. What makes these milieus unique, and how do they continue to evolve? Join us to hear artists, journalists, and community leaders share insights about the people and practices that make up these diverse psychedelic cultures.

Cultural perspectives on psychedelics

Outside of both clinical contexts and indigenous traditions, psychedelics have a rich history of use in North America. The cultures and practices that have developed around these substances, so often marginalized, are now finding new popularity. What makes these milieus unique, and how do they continue to evolve? Join us to hear artists, journalists, and community leaders share insights about the people and practices that make up these diverse psychedelic cultures.

Closing remarks

Adjourn

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

horizons

the psychedelics business forum

wednesday, october 12, 2022
thursday, october 13, 2022

the new york academy of medicine
new york city

horizons

psychedelics in research

friday, october 14, 2022

the great hall at the cooper union
new york city

horizons

classes and workshops

wednesday, October 12, 2022
thursday, October 13, 2022

the new york academy of medicine
new york city

horizons

psychedelics in medicine

saturday, october 15, 2022

the great hall at the cooper union
new york city

horizons

psychedelics in the world

sunday, october 16, 2022

the great hall at the cooper union
new york city