Psychedelics have long been stigmatized. With the recent psychedelic renaissance, their therapeutic potential has been rediscovered. This renewed interest in the psychedelic perspective has uncovered a remarkable blind spot in Western thought. Namely, the rich and impactful role psychedelics have played in shaping history, from early shamanism, to the Rig Veda, and modern philosophy.

The phenomenal accounts of psychonauts hint at a radically different metaphysics one would expect from a sober waking state of consciousness. Finally, what does the neuroscience of psychedelics teach us?

WHY ATTEND:

In this workshop, you will:

• Explore the history and philosophy of psychedelics
• Be introduced to neuroscience

The seats are limited to 24, so reserve early! We would request a recommended space donation of CHF 20-25. This event is part of the "Consciousness Studies" course, held (almost) every Tuesday in Fall '24 at MQ Academy, that delves into diverse perspectives from science, philosophy, psychology, and shamanism.

PRESENTERS:

Dr. James B. Glattfelder is an author, academic, quantitative researcher, and entrepreneur. He holds an M.Sc. in theoretical physics next to a Ph.D. in the study of complex systems, both from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. His research focuses on decoding complexity, the metaphysics of existence, and the limits to knowledge while being concerned about societal and environmental challenges. For over a decade, James worked as a quantitative researcher, both in traditional finance and in the distributed ledger ecosystem, where he was involved in various startups. In 2025, his latest book will appear, called "The Sapient Cosmos: What a Modern-Day Synthesis of Science and Philosophy Teaches Us about the Emergence of Information, Consciousness, and Meaning."

SCHEDULE:

18.45 - 19.00 - Mindful Arrivals

19:00 – 20:30 – Workshop

20:45 – 21:00+ – Networking & Departure