The Future of Psychedelics with Prof Nutt, Tommaso Barba, Sam Gandy & Grace Hopley

Balancing the light and dark: navigating the promises and pitfalls of Psychedelics. 

In recent years, psychedelics have experienced a cultural and scientific renaissance. As the world opens up to their potential for healing, personal growth, and societal transformation, it’s equally important to address the risks, challenges, and ethical considerations that come with this shift.

Join us on Thursday 27th March at Imperial College - London (South Kensington), for an Exclusive Panel discussion featuring Scientific leading voices in the field as we explore the dual nature of the psychedelic journey.

Panelists:

• Prof. David Nutt is a neuropsychopharmacologist and pioneer in psychedelic research, discussing scientific advancements and therapeutic applications. Co-Founder of Drug Science and SENTIA Spirits, author of several books including Psychedelics: The New Science of Psychedelics and Their Role in Mental Health and Society and Drink?: The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health
• Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley is the founder of Hystelica and a neuroscientist with a Ph.D from King’s College London. She has spent 10 + years research the effects of cannabinoids and psychedelics, across clinical, recreational and naturalistic settings.
• Dr. Sam Gandy is a lifelong nature lover, an ecologist, an amateur hobbyist mycologist, writer and speaker. A collaborator with the Centre for Psychedelic Research of Imperial College London, he has a particular research interest in the capacity of psychedelics to (re)connect humans to the natural world.
• Tommaso Barba is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London. Tommaso's research centers on the brain effects of short-acting psychedelics such as DMT and 5-MeO-DMT, currently conducting the first neuroimaging trials of these compound in laboratory settings with Dr Timmermann.

Together, we’ll dive into the personal journeys that inspired our speakers’ passion for psychedelics and how their perspectives have evolved over time. We'll explore the profound healing potential of psychedelics while addressing the importance for responsible education about their risks. 

Looking at the future, we’ll also explore the societal changes that could unfold as psychedelics gain wider acceptance, sharing hopes and concerns for what the next decade might bring.

Whether you’re deeply immersed in the field or just starting to explore, this event offers a thoughtful and inspiring look at the Past, Present, and Future of Psychedelics.

Your ticket includes a free SENTIA Spirits drink on arrival.

Structure:

• 18:15: Grab a free mocktail from SENTIA Spirits and network
• 18:45: Doors open
• 19:00: Panel talk begins
• 20:15: Q&A and time for socialising
• 21:30: Doors closed 

Location: 

Imperial College, Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ (Room details shared over email)

SPEAKERS 

Prof. David Nutt

Professor David Nutt is a leading neuroscientist and psychopharmacologist known for his groundbreaking work on how drugs affect the brain and their potential to revolutionize mental health care. A former chief drug adviser to the UK government, he was famously dismissed for prioritizing scientific evidence over political agendas, sparking a national debate on drug policy reform.

As Co-Founder of Drug Science and SENTIA Spirits, Professor Nutt continues to push boundaries in science. His research and advocacy aim to challenge stigma, influence public policy, and create innovative solutions for improving mental and physical health.

Dr. Grace Hopley 

Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley is the founder of Hystelica and a neuroscientist with a Ph.D from King’s College London. She has spent 10 + years research the effects of cannabinoids and psychedelics, across clinical, recreational and naturalistic settings.

Dr Sam Gandy

Sam Gandy is a lifelong nature lover, an ecologist, an amateur hobbyist mycologist, writer and speaker. A collaborator with the Centre for Psychedelic Research of Imperial College London, he has a particular research interest in the capacity of psychedelics to (re)connect humans to the natural world. He is an experienced communicator, and would love to share his growing passion for cultivating fungi. Sam has had his fair share of setbacks and failures in the fungi growing game, and would like to assure anyone reading this that if he can do it, they can too!

Tommaso Barba

Tommaso Barba is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London. Tommaso's research centers on the brain effects of short-acting psychedelics such as DMT and 5-MeO-DMT, currently conducting the first neuroimaging trials of these compound in laboratory settings with Dr Timmermann. 

His interests also include the impact of psychedelics and MDMA on couples' intimacy, advocating for their potential in improving couples' connection within therapeutic settings.

Moderator: Dr Anne Katrin Schlag

Dr Anne Katrin Schlag PhD is a Chartered Psychologist and Acting CEO as well as Head of Research of the charity  Drug Science.  At Drug Science she leads the research for the Medical Psychedelics Working Group and the Medical Cannabis Working Group, publishing widely in both areas. She holds Honorary Senior Fellowships at both Imperial College London and King’s College London and is mum to three beautiful children.

OUR TEAM

Carlotta Artuso

Carlotta is an Event Coordinator at The Psychedelic Society, with a deep passion for nature, personal and collective growth, mystical experiences and food (Italian roots play a big role here!).

Psychedelics have profoundly transformed her life, opening her mind to new perspectives and deeper self-awareness, allowing her to break free from the 9-5 grind and to launch her own PR and Events company -  Carlotta PR.

She believes in their potential to heal and transform, and she's passionate about advocating for their safe, intentional use to inspire positive change and open new pathways of consciousness.

@carlotta.artuso

Callum Browne

Callum is an event coordinator for The Psychedelic Society and a life-long learner in the exploration of consciousness. He has completed a MSc in Medical Anthropology at University College London where he specialised in research on the phenomenology of consciousness, psychedelics and the therapeutic and healing arts in mystical traditions around the world. 

Callum regularly delivers talks and workshops on mental health, meditation and breathwork to companies, groups and festivals across the UK. Callum is a massage therapist, body worker and somatic release therapist. He is an advocate of transformative and psychedelic experiences that are grounded in transpersonal and somatic philosophy and psychology. These are the experiences that cultivate the experience and wisdom to remember and embody our connection with ourselves, others, nature and the beyond.

@calibraid 

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