Come join us for an evening of discussion, pot-luck food-sharing, and connection with like-minded others. Our socials are an opportunity to explore and cross-pollinate ideas related to psychedelics and network with a community of fellow consciousness explorers. Whether you have a background in mental health, previous experience with psychedelics, or are simply curious about other states of consciousness, all are welcome.

Panel: Make Psychedelics Weird Again?

At this pivotal moment in the psychedelic renaissance, we are seeing the benefits of psychedelics in treating a wide variety of mental health conditions. Yet the focus on their medicalization seems to have overshadowed the creative and spiritual benefits that psychedelics can offer. Health is undoubtedly important, but how can we maintain the enchantment that called the movement into being? This exciting panel seeks to complement psychedelic inquiry with their research into philosophy, humour, and art as tools of transformational change. 

Martha, Oli, and Pete have spent years working in the psychedelic industry and have witnessed firsthand the huge shift in culture, particularly in the UK. They come from various disciplines, including journalism, events, music, art, and education, but all with a focus on psychoactive substances and shifting states of consciousness. In this panel, the speakers will share their perspectives and expertise, then open a dialogue with the audience to cross-pollinate ideas and perspectives about this rapidly evolving space.  

About the Speakers

Oli Genn-Bash

Oli Genn-Bash is co-founder of the University of Kent Canterbury Psychedelics Society, which was established in 2009. Since this time he has collaborated with various figures within the psychedelic space to organise talks in London, Margate, and Brighton. Oli's
postgraduate research has been within the field of politics, philosophy, and mysticism, with a specific focus on stand-up comedy as a practice of resistance and how psychedelic substances have played a role in influencing the work of notable American comedians, such as Bill Hicks and George Carlin. Oli is often putting a lot of energy into his creative output, playing saxophone in a psychedelic jazz-doom band and collaborating with other musicians in Brighton and beyond. He maintains a sense of advocacy for grassroots psychedelic organisations and creativity in all its forms!

Pete “the Temp” Bearder

Pete is a poet, comic, and author whose mission is to incite a spirit of carnival, wonderment, and riotous love. He creates and performs absurdist, psychedelic poetry, and his work has been featured on BBC Radio 4, Newsnight, and the World Service. He is a former Hammer & Tongue UK Poetry Slam champion and has performed in over fifteen countries. Pete is also trained as a mental health resilience coach under Tough Cookie and has facilitated several workshops that weave in play, mental health, and creativity. This has included a series of laughter yoga workshops for the Psychedelic Society.

Martha Allitt

Martha is a freelance writer and journalist whose work specialises in psychedelics, ketamine, and mental health. She is a co-owner of the UK Psychedelic Society and regularly curates, hosts, and facilitates events around these topics. You can read her work on various platforms, including Psycle Health, Double-Blind, Lucid News, The Third Wave, and more. She is currently making a documentary about Datura, exploring the lines between Indigenous wisdom, hallucinations, and the supernatural. 

Martha has volunteered with the charity PsyCare, providing welfare and harm-reduction advice at music events since 2019. She has facilitated workshops on the safe use of psychedelics and runs psychedelic integration events to help people process difficult experiences. She also teaches yoga. 

Evening Schedule

The event will be a potluck, so please bring food to share. Whether a dish or some snacks, all contributions will be very much appreciated. Tea and coffee will be available.

18:45: Arrivals, get a cup of tea

19:00: In conversation with Oli Genn-Bash, Pete the Temp & Martha Allitt

19:45: Potluck dinner sharing

20:15: Group Discussion

REFUNDS POLICY: Please note, we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. When possible we encourage reselling on Ticketswap.

ACCESS:  We do our best to include everyone in our events, regardless of health circumstances. If you have access requirements please email the event organiser directly to discuss. Many facilitators are able to offer reduced ticket prices for those truly unable to afford the ticket price. If this applies to you, do please get in touch with the event organiser.

For PSYCHEDELIC KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES please check out the Psychedelic Society website. 

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