Psychedelics & the Web of Life: Insights from Psychedelic Research on Connectedness with Dr Ros Watts, Dr Sam Gandy, Isla Macleod & Arif Haq

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Today, mental health is plummeting, The NHS is on its knees and our children are consumed by screens and social media rather than outdoor adventures and embodied play. We are in the middle of an epidemic of disconnection from ourselves, others, and the natural world. Many people believe that we need a seismic shift to address those issues. 

Perhaps that need for change is fuelling the huge interest in psychedelic therapies. What can psychedelics teach us about coming back to connectedness? And are there other (legal) ways to feel part of a web of life full of beauty, awe, reciprocity, and belonging? 

We gathered on Thursday 15th June at the Merlin Theatre in Frome to learn from a psychedelic therapist and the founder of ACER Integration - Dr Ros Watts, ecologist, independent researcher - Dr Sam Gandy and a ceremonialist and ritual designer - Isla Macleod, whose combined experience in the field of psychedelic research, mental health and ecology led us into a vibrant discussion about the state of our nation and how psychedelics and nature rich therapy might help people to connect at a deeper level with themselves, their natural environment and each other.

The event was hosted by Arif Haq, a globally recognized expert in building organisational creativity. 

SPEAKERS

Dr Rosalind Watts 

Dr Rosalind Watts is a clinical psychologist and the founder of ACER Integration. Her contributions to the field of psychedelic therapy are numerous and include the development of the the ACE model ‘Accept, Connect, Embody’, which has been used in clinical trials of both psilocybin and DMT, as well as the Watts Connectedness Scale, which is a psychometric tool for measuring outcomes of psychedelic therapy. Dr Watts is the former clinical lead on the Psilocybin for Depression trial at Imperial College London, and sits on the clinical advisory board of the Usona Institute.

drrosalindwatts.com

Check out Rosalind’s latest Acer Integration research acerintegration.com/acer-cycle

Dr Sam Gandy 

Sam is a PhD ecologist, independent researcher and science communicator. He has varied experience of working within the psychedelic field, including as a past scientific assistant to the director of the Beckley Foundation and as a research assistant and ecopsychology coordinator with the Synthesis Institute. His work has also involved science communication, including a past role as a senior science writer for Wavepaths, and giving talks in association with Seed Talks. 

A lifelong nature lover, he has a research interest in the capacity of psychedelics to influence human relationships with nature, and is a collaborator with the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London. His main work focus is currently within the ecological field, working as Innovation Team Leader with environmental consultancy Ecosulis, with work centered on ecological restoration and biodiversity enhancement. 

Isla Macleod

Isla Macleod is a ceremonialist, ritual designer and companion at thresholds. Dedicated to restoring the Sacred and inspiring a loving, reciprocal relationship with the natural world, Isla curates healing journeys and soul-crafting ceremonies that help activate pathways of remembrance and belonging. Her book ‘Rituals for Life’ is a guide for honouring our natural transitions and cultivating more magic, meaning and connection in everyday life. 

Her new book 'Rituals for Life: A guide to creating meaningful rituals inspired by nature' is available to buy now!

islamacleod.com

HOST

Arif Haq

Arif Haq is a workshop facilitator and globally recognized expert in building organisational creativity. As such, his job involves designing experiences that induce an altered mental state in order for teams to trade the comfort of the familiar for the potential of the ambiguous.

His work has featured as a case study by Fast Company and books including James Hurman’s ‘The Case for Creativity’ and Claire Bridge’s ‘In Your Creative Element’. He’s also a member of the D&AD’s teaching faculty where he runs three courses on the topic of creativity.

He has consulted on, designed and delivered workshops from Los Angeles to Singapore and for organizations as diverse as Heineken Breweries to the United Nations. 

SPECIAL GUEST

Pete the Temp

Pete (the Temp) Bearder is a loop station artist, comic and spoken word poet whose work has been featured on BBC Radio 4, World Service and Newsnight. Hee is a former UK National Poetry Slam Champion and has performed at over 30 festivals, including a tour with Slamboree, where he performed poetry to many thousands of ravers, In 2015, Pete did a TED talk in London about his work as a spoken word educator. He has toured in Europe with the Britsh Council and in 2016, he released his first boo “Numbered Boxes”. 2019 brings the tour of his first book “Stage Invasion: Poetry, Renewal and teh Spoken Word Renaissance”. The book is published by Outspoken Press and backed by the Arts Council England.

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