My Experience
The Psychedelic Science 2023 conference was an immersive and enlightening experience for me. As soon as I entered the Colorado Convention Center, I was met with an atmosphere charged with the energy and anticipation of thousands of attendees, each there with the shared goal of exploring and understanding the world of psychedelics.
What I Learned
Throughout the five-day conference, I attended numerous lectures, panels, and workshops led by experts in the field. I was particularly struck by the presentation by A Conversation with Amanda Feilding and Rick Doblin, Ph.D., who spoke about conducting landmark studies with brain imaging. The insights I gained from this session alone have fundamentally shifted my understanding of LSD, MDMA, DMT and Psilocybin.
Another highlight was the workshop on Psychedelics as THe Great Disrupters: Reconstructing the Future of Mental Healthcare, led by Dr. Ben Sessa. The hands-on experience and the opportunity to interact directly with experts and fellow attendees provided invaluable practical knowledge that I will certainly apply in my life, family, friends, and mental health in general.
Program Highlights
Panels, workshops, and lectures from leaders in psychedelic research, education, policy, business, culture, and communities
Pre- and post-conference workshops
Exhibit hall and an interactive installation space featuring artists, musicians, and vendors from around the world
Featured Speakers
Aaron Rodgers: Green Bay Packers Quarterback, NFL MVP, Super Bowl Champion
Michael Pollan: Author, Co-Founder of the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics
John Mackey: Co-founder and Former CEO of Whole Foods Market, Co-creator and CEO of Love.Life
Sasha Cohen: Two-time United States Olympian and Olympic Silver Medalist
Lieutenant Diane M. Goldstein (Ret.): Executive Director of Law Enforcement Action Partnership
Paul Stamets: Famed mycologist, Founder and Chief Science Officer at Fungi Perfecti
And more than 300 scientists, celebrities, therapists, healers, researchers
Featured Therapy and Practitioner Speakers
Dr. Julie Holland: Psychiatrist, Author, Medical Advisor
Dr. Rachel Yehuda: Vice-Chair and Professor of Psychiatry, Director, Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research
Dr. Carl Hart: Columbia University Irving Medical Center Ziff Professor Of Psychology
Chelsea Rose Pires: Therapist and Executive Director of Zendo Project
Danielle M. Herrera: Harm Reduction & Psychedelic Psychotherapist
Featured Sessions
Creating Standards of Care and Accreditation for Psychedelic Practitioners
Embedding Health Equity Principles into Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Education
Building Community-Oriented Therapy Practices
The State of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
Considering Psychedelic Therapy for Adolescents
Sources