Science


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 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.

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.

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.

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.

The Masters of Bad Trips


As proponents of psychedelics begin to grapple with legacies of abuse, it’s time to learn from victims themselves. Psymposia is co-producing an investigative podcast series, Power Trip, with New York Magazine.

MAPS Canada’s Data Breach Foreshadows Corporadelic Future


As the psychedelic pharmaceutical industry increasingly prioritizes personal data extraction through mobile apps, wearables, and so-called “targeted” medicine, a recent data breach by former MAPS Canada Executive Director Mark Haden provides a warning about some of the possible consequences to the financial incentives of datafication.

Hamilton Morris Hired by Psilocybin Startup COMPASS Pathways, Ends “Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia” On Vice


Hamilton Morris, the creator of Vice’s “Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia,” will cease working with Vice on the show following the third season. He has joined psychedelic pharmaceutical corporation COMPASS Pathways as a chemistry consultant.

COMPASS Pathways’ Psilocybin Patent Questioned By UK Patent Examiner


While COMPASS has issued a response defending the validity of its patents, one of the co-inventors says the patent examiner’s opinion is probably “a valid one.”

COMPASS Pathways Is Trying to Patent Psilocybin for More Mental Health Conditions Than You Can Name


News that COMPASS Pathways is attempting to patent psychedelic therapy room specifications and therapist behaviors started an online firestorm about the company’s “monopolistic and shady behaviors,” but so far the debates have missed the biggest threats lurking in COMPASS’s international patent applications.

“Acid Revival” portrays a resurrected scientific field, notably more conservative than its historic predecessor


Through candid interviews with modern psychedelic researchers, Danielle Giffort’s "Acid Revival" presents a profession obsessed with how it is perceived by mainstream audiences and desperate not to repeat the “mistakes” of the 1960s.

After a Year of Controversy, MAPS Canada Executive Director Mark Haden Announces Resignation


During a Psymposia investigation into the alarming 5-MeO-DMT practices of Dr. Martin Ball, Mark Haden announced his resignation from MAPS Canada.

Livestream #2: Team trip reports and experiential typewriters


Weeoo weeoo livestream alert for Thursday, December 17th at 8PM ET!!. Last time we popped bottles and jammed in the comments - come hang out with us again for some reflections on 2020.

Science


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 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.

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.

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.

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.

The Masters of Bad Trips


As proponents of psychedelics begin to grapple with legacies of abuse, it’s time to learn from victims themselves. Psymposia is co-producing an investigative podcast series, Power Trip, with New York Magazine.

MAPS Canada’s Data Breach Foreshadows Corporadelic Future


As the psychedelic pharmaceutical industry increasingly prioritizes personal data extraction through mobile apps, wearables, and so-called “targeted” medicine, a recent data breach by former MAPS Canada Executive Director Mark Haden provides a warning about some of the possible consequences to the financial incentives of datafication.

Hamilton Morris Hired by Psilocybin Startup COMPASS Pathways, Ends “Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia” On Vice


Hamilton Morris, the creator of Vice’s “Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia,” will cease working with Vice on the show following the third season. He has joined psychedelic pharmaceutical corporation COMPASS Pathways as a chemistry consultant.

COMPASS Pathways’ Psilocybin Patent Questioned By UK Patent Examiner


While COMPASS has issued a response defending the validity of its patents, one of the co-inventors says the patent examiner’s opinion is probably “a valid one.”

COMPASS Pathways Is Trying to Patent Psilocybin for More Mental Health Conditions Than You Can Name


News that COMPASS Pathways is attempting to patent psychedelic therapy room specifications and therapist behaviors started an online firestorm about the company’s “monopolistic and shady behaviors,” but so far the debates have missed the biggest threats lurking in COMPASS’s international patent applications.

“Acid Revival” portrays a resurrected scientific field, notably more conservative than its historic predecessor


Through candid interviews with modern psychedelic researchers, Danielle Giffort’s "Acid Revival" presents a profession obsessed with how it is perceived by mainstream audiences and desperate not to repeat the “mistakes” of the 1960s.

After a Year of Controversy, MAPS Canada Executive Director Mark Haden Announces Resignation


During a Psymposia investigation into the alarming 5-MeO-DMT practices of Dr. Martin Ball, Mark Haden announced his resignation from MAPS Canada.

Livestream #2: Team trip reports and experiential typewriters


Weeoo weeoo livestream alert for Thursday, December 17th at 8PM ET!!. Last time we popped bottles and jammed in the comments - come hang out with us again for some reflections on 2020.