ARCHIVE

Every Disclosed Conflict of Interest at Psychedelic Science 2023

All the financial conflict disclosures from Psychedelics Science 2023 speakers, in one handy list.

Psychedelic Science 2023 Contract Muzzles Speakers: Two Clauses Dictate What Presenters Can and Can’t Say

In order to present at Psychedelic Science 2023, speakers must agree to two out-of-the-ordinary requests about content exclusivity and MAPS’ reputation.

Church of Psilomethoxin, Part 4: The Church That Cried Capitalism

The Church of Psilomethoxin claims it’s the victim of “psychedelic capitalism,” but almost everything it claims is wrong.

Church of Psilomethoxin, Part 3: Matters of Faith. Father, Son, and Wholly Dosed?

The Church of Psilomethoxin now admits that its claims about psilomethoxin are solely based on faith. But how strong are the religious convictions of the Church?

The Church of Psilomethoxin Part 2: Unraveling the Sacred Chemistry

Psymposia’s investigation into the Church of Psilomethoxin (CoP) turns to the Church’s claims that it’s currently “scientifically impossible” to test for psilomethoxin. Psychedelic chemist David Nichols calls that claim “completely nonsensical and nonscientific.

Church of Psilomethoxin, Part 1: Sacramental Skepticism. Is the Church in Denial?

This is the first article in a series investigating the Church of Psilomethoxin (CoP), exploring the recent debate about the Church's sacrament and the people involved in promoting the Church and its claims.

Rick Doblin Is No Longer MAPS’ Executive Director. We Didn’t Notice — Did You?

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) quietly replaced founder Rick Doblin as Executive Director with Kris Lotlikar.

A Resource for Journalists Covering Sexual Assault in Psychedelic Therapy

Language used by mainstream media affects the way we think about and respond to sexual violence, and no language is neutral. When journalists repeat the misrepresentations of abusers without qualification, they retraumatize victims and perpetuate ongoing misogynistic views about sexual violence.

An open letter in response to John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight episode on Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

Last Week Tonight joined a long and growing list of media outlets that have added fuel to the hype of psychedelic medicalization. By omitting the potential risks and actual harms associated with psychedelic-assisted therapy, this messaging increases the risk to the public by presenting unrealistic expectations about experimental treatments.

Psychedelic Training Provider Fluence Files Trademark for Common Phrase, Walks Back After Criticism

Fluence will no longer seek a trademark for the phrase “Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration.”

A Channel for Magic: Ralph Hood’s Mysticism Scale and the Occult Roots of the Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Research Program

Psychologist Ralph Hood’s study of serpent handling and mysticism helped legitimize the study of psychedelics. So why doesn't he want them approved for medical use?

The Misadventures of “Toxic Bob”

Throughout his lifetime, Robert Friedland has evolved from Steve Jobs' psychedelic guru to mining guru, leaving a trail of environmental destruction in his wake.

#52 – Right-Wing Psychedelia at University of Madison-Wisconsin

This presentation highlights the numerous contemporary and historical cases where the use of psychedelics failed to reduce authoritarian tendencies in users, or even facilitated adoption of authoritarian views.

#51 – Part Three: Jordan Peterson’s Psychedelic Hierarchy, ft. Thought Slime

In part 3 of this deep dive, Psymposia and Thought Slime analyze Jordan Peterson's fascination with psychedelics as an example of the reactionary, right-wing ideologies that have been developing within psychedelia in recent decades. Reacting to a 2021 podcast of Peterson's, we discuss the significance of Peterson's popularity among some prominent psychedelic researchers.

#50 – Part Two: Jordan Peterson’s Psychedelic Hierarchy, ft. Thought Slime

In part 2 of this deep dive, Psymposia and Thought Slime analyze Jordan Peterson's fascination with psychedelics as an example of the reactionary, right-wing ideologies that have been developing within psychedelia in recent decades. Reacting to a 2021 podcast of Peterson's, we discuss the significance of Peterson's popularity among some prominent psychedelic researchers.

#49 – Part One: Jordan Peterson’s Psychedelic Hierarchy, ft. Thought Slime

In part 1 of this deep dive, Psymposia and Thought Slime analyze Jordan Peterson's fascination with psychedelics as an example of the reactionary, right-wing ideologies that have been developing within psychedelia in recent decades. Reacting to a 2021 podcast of Peterson's, we discuss the significance of Peterson's popularity among some prominent psychedelic researchers.

How To Open Your Wallet: The Hyped and Distorted Claims of Online Psychedelic Marketing

From cultural appropriation to “Shroom Boom,” psychedelic online marketing gaffes and misrepresentations are becoming more and more prevalent from major psychedelic organizations.

Power Tripping #9: The Complainers Group

Both underground and above-ground therapists and practitioners present their psychedelic services in service to "healing." Why, then, is it so hard to get them to acknowledge the harms taking place in their communities? Why do institutions seem more concerned with preserving their reputations than addressing the numerous harmful dynamics that have persisted for years? If the psychedelic movement intends to heal trauma, it must begin at home.

Open Letter to MAPS Canada, MAPS, and MAPS PBC on Data Privacy and Doxxing

Open Letter to MAPS Canada, MAPS, and MAPS PBC on Data Privacy and Doxxing. We believe that an organization responsible for private data, in such close proximity to criminalized subcultures, must take matters of privacy and security seriously.

Power Tripping #8: Who Am I Fooling?

When it comes to psychedelics, there's a lot we don't know. The same is true of the practitioners, institutions, and communities that have sprung up around psychedelic therapy and guiding. We explore the intersecting professional and social relationships of a few different guides and institutions. We also discuss Michael Pollan's impact on the current psychedelic landscape.

Why New Zealand’s “Smoking Ban” Is Harmful

A tobacco ban will likely reduce smoking. But focusing only on drug use masks the violence behind policy choices. A ban on tobacco is not done with a magic wand. Behind every law is state violence.

Power Tripping #7: Political Science

What's going on with the MAPS narratives? How is it possible that Mel, Leah, and Meaghan's experiences have been so at odds with the "standard story" we've heard about psychedelic clinical trials? Why can't we seem to get straight answers to simple questions? The Psymposia team drills down into the questions raised by the revelations in "Political Science" in an attempt to highlight some of the dynamics at the heart of psychedelic science.

Power Tripping #6: Open Heart Surgery

The Psymposia team discusses the reticence of psychedelic advocates to consider cases of unequivocal abuse and neglect of participants in MAPS clinical trials. We provide background on the gap between the public image of MAPS and the experiences shared by Meaghan, Mel, and Leah in New York Magazine's Cover Story Season 1, Power Trip.

#48 – Drugs and Anti-Capitalism with Hilary Agro

We talk drugs and anti-capitalism with anthropology PhD candidate, Hilary Agro. Ranging from prohibition to psychedelic clinical trials and beyond, we explore the overlaps and differences in our analyses of the current psychedelic (and broader drug policy) landscape.


ARCHIVE

Every Disclosed Conflict of Interest at Psychedelic Science 2023

All the financial conflict disclosures from Psychedelics Science 2023 speakers, in one handy list.

Psychedelic Science 2023 Contract Muzzles Speakers: Two Clauses Dictate What Presenters Can and Can’t Say

In order to present at Psychedelic Science 2023, speakers must agree to two out-of-the-ordinary requests about content exclusivity and MAPS’ reputation.

Church of Psilomethoxin, Part 4: The Church That Cried Capitalism

The Church of Psilomethoxin claims it’s the victim of “psychedelic capitalism,” but almost everything it claims is wrong.

Church of Psilomethoxin, Part 3: Matters of Faith. Father, Son, and Wholly Dosed?

The Church of Psilomethoxin now admits that its claims about psilomethoxin are solely based on faith. But how strong are the religious convictions of the Church?

The Church of Psilomethoxin Part 2: Unraveling the Sacred Chemistry

Psymposia’s investigation into the Church of Psilomethoxin (CoP) turns to the Church’s claims that it’s currently “scientifically impossible” to test for psilomethoxin. Psychedelic chemist David Nichols calls that claim “completely nonsensical and nonscientific.

Church of Psilomethoxin, Part 1: Sacramental Skepticism. Is the Church in Denial?

This is the first article in a series investigating the Church of Psilomethoxin (CoP), exploring the recent debate about the Church's sacrament and the people involved in promoting the Church and its claims.

Rick Doblin Is No Longer MAPS’ Executive Director. We Didn’t Notice — Did You?

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) quietly replaced founder Rick Doblin as Executive Director with Kris Lotlikar.

A Resource for Journalists Covering Sexual Assault in Psychedelic Therapy

Language used by mainstream media affects the way we think about and respond to sexual violence, and no language is neutral. When journalists repeat the misrepresentations of abusers without qualification, they retraumatize victims and perpetuate ongoing misogynistic views about sexual violence.

An open letter in response to John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight episode on Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

Last Week Tonight joined a long and growing list of media outlets that have added fuel to the hype of psychedelic medicalization. By omitting the potential risks and actual harms associated with psychedelic-assisted therapy, this messaging increases the risk to the public by presenting unrealistic expectations about experimental treatments.

Psychedelic Training Provider Fluence Files Trademark for Common Phrase, Walks Back After Criticism

Fluence will no longer seek a trademark for the phrase “Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration.”

A Channel for Magic: Ralph Hood’s Mysticism Scale and the Occult Roots of the Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Research Program

Psychologist Ralph Hood’s study of serpent handling and mysticism helped legitimize the study of psychedelics. So why doesn't he want them approved for medical use?

The Misadventures of “Toxic Bob”

Throughout his lifetime, Robert Friedland has evolved from Steve Jobs' psychedelic guru to mining guru, leaving a trail of environmental destruction in his wake.

#52 – Right-Wing Psychedelia at University of Madison-Wisconsin

This presentation highlights the numerous contemporary and historical cases where the use of psychedelics failed to reduce authoritarian tendencies in users, or even facilitated adoption of authoritarian views.

#51 – Part Three: Jordan Peterson’s Psychedelic Hierarchy, ft. Thought Slime

In part 3 of this deep dive, Psymposia and Thought Slime analyze Jordan Peterson's fascination with psychedelics as an example of the reactionary, right-wing ideologies that have been developing within psychedelia in recent decades. Reacting to a 2021 podcast of Peterson's, we discuss the significance of Peterson's popularity among some prominent psychedelic researchers.

#50 – Part Two: Jordan Peterson’s Psychedelic Hierarchy, ft. Thought Slime

In part 2 of this deep dive, Psymposia and Thought Slime analyze Jordan Peterson's fascination with psychedelics as an example of the reactionary, right-wing ideologies that have been developing within psychedelia in recent decades. Reacting to a 2021 podcast of Peterson's, we discuss the significance of Peterson's popularity among some prominent psychedelic researchers.

#49 – Part One: Jordan Peterson’s Psychedelic Hierarchy, ft. Thought Slime

In part 1 of this deep dive, Psymposia and Thought Slime analyze Jordan Peterson's fascination with psychedelics as an example of the reactionary, right-wing ideologies that have been developing within psychedelia in recent decades. Reacting to a 2021 podcast of Peterson's, we discuss the significance of Peterson's popularity among some prominent psychedelic researchers.

How To Open Your Wallet: The Hyped and Distorted Claims of Online Psychedelic Marketing

From cultural appropriation to “Shroom Boom,” psychedelic online marketing gaffes and misrepresentations are becoming more and more prevalent from major psychedelic organizations.

Power Tripping #9: The Complainers Group

Both underground and above-ground therapists and practitioners present their psychedelic services in service to "healing." Why, then, is it so hard to get them to acknowledge the harms taking place in their communities? Why do institutions seem more concerned with preserving their reputations than addressing the numerous harmful dynamics that have persisted for years? If the psychedelic movement intends to heal trauma, it must begin at home.

Open Letter to MAPS Canada, MAPS, and MAPS PBC on Data Privacy and Doxxing

Open Letter to MAPS Canada, MAPS, and MAPS PBC on Data Privacy and Doxxing. We believe that an organization responsible for private data, in such close proximity to criminalized subcultures, must take matters of privacy and security seriously.

Power Tripping #8: Who Am I Fooling?

When it comes to psychedelics, there's a lot we don't know. The same is true of the practitioners, institutions, and communities that have sprung up around psychedelic therapy and guiding. We explore the intersecting professional and social relationships of a few different guides and institutions. We also discuss Michael Pollan's impact on the current psychedelic landscape.

Why New Zealand’s “Smoking Ban” Is Harmful

A tobacco ban will likely reduce smoking. But focusing only on drug use masks the violence behind policy choices. A ban on tobacco is not done with a magic wand. Behind every law is state violence.

Power Tripping #7: Political Science

What's going on with the MAPS narratives? How is it possible that Mel, Leah, and Meaghan's experiences have been so at odds with the "standard story" we've heard about psychedelic clinical trials? Why can't we seem to get straight answers to simple questions? The Psymposia team drills down into the questions raised by the revelations in "Political Science" in an attempt to highlight some of the dynamics at the heart of psychedelic science.

Power Tripping #6: Open Heart Surgery

The Psymposia team discusses the reticence of psychedelic advocates to consider cases of unequivocal abuse and neglect of participants in MAPS clinical trials. We provide background on the gap between the public image of MAPS and the experiences shared by Meaghan, Mel, and Leah in New York Magazine's Cover Story Season 1, Power Trip.

#48 – Drugs and Anti-Capitalism with Hilary Agro

We talk drugs and anti-capitalism with anthropology PhD candidate, Hilary Agro. Ranging from prohibition to psychedelic clinical trials and beyond, we explore the overlaps and differences in our analyses of the current psychedelic (and broader drug policy) landscape.