Psychedelics & Aromatherapy

Join us for an evening to discover how to use your oldest brain system, olfaction, to enhance the psychedelic experience. Aromatics, in the form of essential oils, can be powerful allies to heal the relationship between the different parts of yourself, so that these parts work collaboratively instead of clashing. Come learn from Florian Birkmayer MD and his wife Cathy Skipper’s unique, unparalleled approach, working in partnership with aromas – the expressions of the plants’ souls. Combining essential oils and psychedelics is an uncharted territory pioneered by Dr Florian and Cathy who began incorporating aromatics in what they call “aromatic shamanism.” 

Dr Birkmayer has incorporated aromatics in his clinical practice with ketamine and has published his work on using this novel technique in treating obsessive compulsive disorder and substance induced psychosis. After a 5 year sabbatical, Dr Florian has worked with ketamine - an anesthetic dissociative which has been found to be effective in treating depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and chronic pain, to name a few. In his work with this powerful substance, Dr Florian observed that ketamine’s dissociative effect, when a substantial dose is given intramuscularly, causes a patient to therapeutically dissociate from most of the senses - except their sense of smell. Surprisingly, the sense of scent has been found to be enhanced through ketamine, with people reporting experiences of synesthesia - coming in contact with the spirit of the plant through the aromatic molecules in an essential oil.

Join us to find out more about the neuroanatomy and application of these revolutionary findings from ketamine to beyond. ​​

What you will learn at this event:

• The discoveries Dr Florian and Cathy made over the past 5 years by exploring the world in search for the greatest and most vibrant essential oils used in their aromatic shamanism.
• The essential oils that they have formed an intimate connection with as living allies for this work.
• The work they do with the companies they founded, AromaGnosis (aromagnosis.com) and Cathy’s Attars (cathysattars.com)
• Future opportunities to enroll in their aromatics and psychedelic therapy workshops where you will have an opportunity to work with their curated essential oils. 

What to bring:   

• A desire to learn and explore
• A journal
• If you have it, bring your favourite essential oil

References:

Birkmayer F. (2021). Using Essential Oils to Enhance the Effects of Ketamine Psychedelic Therapy in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Substance-Induced Psychosis (Two Case Reports). International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy.9 (4), 15-22.

AromaGnosis Youtube Channel: youtube.com/channel/UCBMCBV1PG7ENc4IERB0lhWg

Speakers

Cathy Skipper

In 2015, Cathy lost her mum, moved continents, was diagnosed with cancer and lost all the material belongings she owned in the world. Her passion for working with aromatics for deep, soul healing enabled her to move through these difficulties and develop a powerful and transformative modality of healing with her husband Florian Birkmayer MD. Cathy is the author of the books “Aromatic Medicine” and “The Alchemy of Menopause workbook”.

She currently offers workshops and consultations using aromatics, depth psychology, journeying to help people heal trauma and live their best lives. 

Florian Birkmayer, MD

Florian’s calling is to help people find their soul’s purpose in collaboration with his wife Cathy Skipper. Discover how aromatics in the form of essential oils can be powerful allies to heal the relationship between the different parts of yourself, so that these parts cooperate instead of clashing.  Discover our unique, unparalleled approach, working in partnership with aromas – the expressions of the plants’ souls. Through Florian’s commitment to his own Wounded Healer’s journey, he shares with his clients and students his deep understanding of what it is to be human and find your own personal myth or soul’s purpose.

After a career in mainstream academic psychiatry and addiction treatment, Florian became frustrated by the overemphasis on pharmaceuticals to cover up symptoms and decided to use his knowledge and experience to help people recover from pharmaceutical medications. 

Florian received his bachelor’s degree in molecular biology at Princeton University, where he learned to question assumptions and discover the hidden gifts of the unseen side of life, the shadow. He received his medical doctorate from Columbia University, which taught him how to think critically about ‘business-as-usual’ medicine and inspired him to become an addiction psychiatrist, since he felt that all physical disease has its origins in imbalances in the psyche, especially trauma, an idea which had been shunned by most of medicine.

Selected Publications

Birkmayer F., Skipper C., “The Role of Aromatherapy in the Treatment of Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Disorders”, chapter in Modir S. & Munuz G. (eds.) Integrative Addiction and Recovery, Weil Integrative Medicine Library, Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780190275334 (2018).

We will send out a recording of this talk/panel discussion to all ticket holders within a week of the event taking place.

If you would like to attend this event but are unable to afford the ticket price, please do get in touch with us closer to the time of the event taking place, at haya@psychedelicsociety.org.uk, giving the reason for your request. At the Psychedelic Society, we believe that everyone should be able to access our events regardless of employment or health circumstances, so we will do our best to accommodate where we can.

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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.

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