BRISTOL: Psychedelics & Existential Crises - Navigating Psychedelic Aftershock (Talk & Discussion)

Navigating existential challenges after ground-shaking psychedelic experiences 

Standing back up: Navigating post-trip existential challenges 

Psychedelics can offer profound, mind-opening experiences, but they can also shake our foundational ground, our sense of reality and sense of self, to its core. In a recent study we explored the experiences of people who faced deep existential distress after a psychedelic journey—confusion about the meaning of life, identity, and their place in the world. These experiences affected their thoughts, emotions, relationships, and their physical well-being.

Participants shared the difficulties they encountered as well as what helped them navigate their challenges, including practices that anchored them back in their bodies, conversations that made their experiences feel ‘normal’, and support from understanding communities. Integration after a challenging psychedelic experience isn’t just about “getting back to normal”—it’s about finding a new, stable way to make sense of the world.

This talk will explore how psychedelic-induced ‘ontological shock’ can shake our foundational understanding of reality, and how integration practices and support systems can help rebuild a sense of stability and meaning.

Drawing from both research and personal experience, we will reflect on the complexities of this process and share insights on how care, curiosity, and connection can support the journey of integration. 

Speaker - Eirini Ketzitzidou Argyri 

Eirini Ketzitzidou Argyri is a researcher and writer with a background spanning psychology, education, and philosophy. Her PhD explores the double-edged sword inherent in the transformative potential of psychedelic experiences. She has conducted research on the challenges of post-trip distress, effective integration practices and meaning-making after challenging psychedelic experiences.

Beyond academia, she’s passionate about weaving creative expression, therapeutic insight, and community connection into her work.- Her creative projects delve into themes of identity, fate, and meaning. Committed to fostering community spaces for transformative learning and personal growth, she has been coordinating transdisciplinary psychedelic colloquia at the University of Exeter, volunteers with PsyCare UK, and co-founded a local ‘Holistic Integration’ group for those seeking to make sense of altered states and share integration practices with others.

Evening Schedule

• 7pm: Doors open
• 7.30pm: Talk begins
• 8.15pm: Q&A

Arrive early to grab a drink and connect with fellow consciousness explorers!

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