Revealing the Mind: Psychedelics (video)

World Science Festival, Aug. 16, 2019; Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven, Ananda, Wisdom Quarterly

Revealing the Mind: The Promise of Psychedelics

Psychedelic Sangha? Dharma Buddhists

(World Science Festival) Nearly every culture throughout history has used substances that alter consciousness for spiritual exploration. In the 20th century these entheogens (substances that reveal the divine within) caught the attention of scientists. Psychedelics (mind or soul manifesting chemicals), as they were named, proved effective at treating intractable illnesses like depression and drug addiction. And they became a tool for studying the mind, opening “the doors of perception,” as Aldous Huxley wrote.

There is much more to life than what we see.

But these doors were slammed shut by President Dick Nixon, who declared psychedelics "dangerous" and "medically useless." Join scientists and “psychonauts” (explorers of the psyche) who are now picking up where research left off 50 years ago, experimenting with LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), DMT, and other psychedelics to heal — and reveal — the mind. The Big Ideas Series is supported in part by the John Templeton Foundation.

• PARTICIPANTS: Prof. Alison Gopnik, Eduardo Kohn, Stephen Ross, Anil Seth
• MODERATOR: Emily Senay
• More info about the program and participants

TOPICS

0:03 - Opening film

6:05 - Panelist introductions

7:27 - What are psychedelics?

11:00 - Phenomenological effects of psychedelics

14:31 - Brain development and plasticity

17:15 - Psychedelic usage in the Amazon

19:43 - Amazonian ayahuasca ceremony

20:51 - Dissolution of the ego

22:46 - Default mode network

25:17 - Psilocybin testing on religious professionals

27:59 - The shaman’s message from the rainforest

31:04 - Rainforest soundscape

33:03 - Mind altering experiences without drugs

37:03 - Philosophical questions about psychedelics

42:37 - Can psychedelics restore brain plasticity?

45:16 - Measuring randomness of brain activity

51:58 - Psychedelic drugs as medicine

58:38 - Psilocybin cancer study participants film and Q&A

1:04:43 - Treating psychiatric disorders with psychedelics

1:09:23 - Micro-dosing and “freelancing” psychedelics

1:13:50 - Medical complications and medication interactions

1:18:14 - The future of psychedelics in science

PROGRAM CREDITS

Produced by Nils Kongshaug. Associate Producer by Emmalina Glinskis. Short films produced and edited by Vin Liota. Music provided by APM. Additional images and footage provided by Getty Images, Shutterstock, Videoblocks. Recorded at NYU Skirball Center. This program is part of the Big Ideas Series, made possible with support from the John Templeton Foundation.

• Website: worldsciencefestival.com
• Facebook: facebook/worldsciencefestival
• Twitter: twitter.com/WorldSciFest