Education & Training
From academic courses and seminars to interests groups to clinical training
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Courses
Academic courses on psychedelic science taught at the graduate and undergraduate level
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Seminars
Lecture series on diverse psychedelic topics featuring faculty and invited keynote speakers
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Conferences
Psychedelic conferences featuring scientists, clinicians, industry experts, and thought leaders
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Training
Certificate training programs for clinicians on the literature and practice of psychedelic therapy
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Groups
Interest groups and clubs focused on psychedelic science, applications, and sensible drug policy
REL 202S: Psychedelic Religions
Course: Instructor: Larissa Soares Carneiro, Ph.D.
Psychoactive compounds have played a central role in religions for centuries, as a way to produce alternative states of consciousness, or — as Aldous Huxley stated — to “open the doors of perception”. The use of entheogens for inducing mystical experiences as well as religious trance are represented by wall paintings in prehistoric caves and sculptures in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In recent years, scientists, clinicians, and other scholars have advocated for psychedelic research to understand and address important phenomena and societal issues, including meta-awareness, existential distress, and mental illness. This course will cover the long and varied history of psychoactive drugs in shamanic religions, stretching from prehistoric to contemporary eras, where psychedelics are now considered the “new frontier” in studying the mind, body, and soul.
NOTICE: Dr. Larissa Carneiro, an Instructor of Religious Studies at Duke University, has provided this course description and granted permission for publication.
NEUROSCI NS362S: Psychedelics & Other Illegal Psychoactive Drugs as Medicines
Course Instructor: Cynthia Moreton Kuhn, Ph.D.
This course will cover contemporary issues regarding psychedelics through the lens of peer-reviewed, clinical science. The primary question that will be addressed is whether these compounds are valuable medicines, harmless recreational substances, or dangerous drugs that should be illegal.
At the beginning of the course, students will learn the history of human hallucinogen use and the plant origin of these molecules. The course will then transition to how psychedelics work in the brain, from a neuroscientific perspective, and the known practices and consequences of recreational use.
With this background, students will probe current trends in pharmaceutical development, clinical trial evidence for psychedelics — as historically stigmatized drugs —, and literature supporting their potential medicinal and therapeutic benefit (e.g., psychiatric symptom relief).
Outside speakers will also participate, leading discussions on the science of psychedelics broadly, the potential therapeutic use of psilocybin, and the FDA and legalization processes from a regulatory and policy standpoint.
As such, course time will comprise brief lectures by Dr. Kuhn, guest lectures by scholars in the field, student considerations and queries on discussed topics, and student group presentations of reading material. The latter will specifically include scientific papers and other related content.
NOTICE: Dr. Cynthia Kuhn, a Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology at Duke University, has provided this course description and granted permission for publication.
Psychedelic Interest Groups
Network Connection: Explore interest groups, student clubs, and associations on psychedelics. Interested in being added to or removed from this list? Contact us here.
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Harvard Science of Psychedelics Club
Focused on discussing psychedelics and consciousness research, integrating perspectives from neuroscience, psychology, medicine, philosophy, spirituality, art, and more.
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Yale Psychedelic Science Group
Focused on critically discussing the field of psychedelic science and therapeutics; and encouraging interdisciplinary perspectives through networking opportunities.
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Stanford Psychedelic Science Group
Focused on discussing and advancing research on psychedelic compounds and their effects in neuroscience, consciousness, mental health, and culture, among other domains.
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Boston Psychedelic Research Group
Focused on promoting, disseminating, and advancing psychedelic research and education, specifically on the mental health benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
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Intercollegiate Psychedelics Network
Focused on fostering the development of students and youth, across university chapters, into the next generation of diverse and interdisciplinary leaders in the field of psychedelics.
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Psychedelic & Entheogen Academic Council
Focused on promoting collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and trainees who are actively engaged, or interested, in the scientific study of psychedelics and entheogens.
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Ohio State University Consciousness Research Interest Group
Focused on expanding access to consciousness science and psychedelic medicine through interdisciplinary clinical research, policy-making, and extracurricular education.
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Psychedelic Neuroscience & Therapy at the University of Michigan
Focused on fostering dialogue, collaboration, scholarship, and interest in the advancement of psychedelic science and therapy at the University of Michigan.
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Graduate Student Association for Psychedelic Studies
Focused on supporting collaboration among graduate students, recent graduate students, and post-doctoral residents engaged in psychedelic research and clinical practice.
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Psychedelic Club at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Focused on increasing mainstream acceptance of psychedelics, creating meaningful community connections, facilitating societal change, and fighting drug stigma.
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Psychedelic Science at the University of California, Berkeley
Focused on discussing recent trends in psychedelic research, promoting awareness and education in the field, and helping students network with professionals.
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Psychedelic Club at the University of California, San Diego
Focused on increasing mainstream acceptance of psychedelics as well as creating meaningful community connections through a network of university chapters.
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