Hi there,

Autumn is here and we've got a bountiful harvest of exciting opportunities from our partners to share with you - plus your monthly news roundup and ways to get involved. In this month's announcements newsletter you'll find:

✨ Discount on the celebrated ACER Integration Program
✨ Our new blog post exploring psychedelics and psychosis
✨ Opportunities to get involved in psychedelic research
✨ A mushroom season sale on our Shroomshop masterclass
✨ Upcoming dates from our psychedelic retreat centre
✨ Discounts and offers from our partner organisations
✨ Headlines from this month's psychedelic news

Experience a mushroom retreat

There are new psilocybin retreats opening every day across the world and choosing one can be difficult. We offer offer legal psilocybin-assisted retreats in the Netherlands with Alalaho because of their holistic approach - offering not only the experience of the medicine but the personal guidance to prepare and to deeply integrate what you learn, over a nine month follow-up period, so you can make the lasting changes you need. On this retreat you will:

💁🏽‍♀️ Receive 1:1 guidance and support before, during and after the ceremony from expert facilitators
🧘🏼 Engage in preparation and integration activities before, during and after the retreat - approaches from the Western clinical model, somatic and transpersonal psychology, as well as from ancient wisdom traditions across different cultures and times
💞 Become part of a community by sharing the journey together with a group of like-minded individuals. If you're feeling the call, apply today.

Discount on renowned integration program with Dr Rosalind Watts

We are delighted to share the news that we have officially partnered with ACER Integration, an online, global community created and held by Dr Rosalind Watts. ACER stands for Accept, Connect, Embody, Restore, and is the culmination of Dr Watts’ research into psychedelic therapy outcomes. The ACER process contains 12 monthly modules for increasing connectedness to purpose, community and nature.

You will receive a 10% discount if you use this special link to apply.

ACER Integration is designed to help you connect more deeply to yourself, others, and the living world through bespoke materials created by Dr Watts, live sharing circles, breathwork, integration Q&As led by some of the most prominent voices in the psychedelic space, and monthly conversations with world-class psychologists such as Dick Schwartz, Ron Siegal and Terence Real. Together we journey through a cycle encompassing twelve lessons, each symbolised by a different tree, and culminating in a powerful guided imagery journey to embody the learning.

The community is opening to new members again, with the first tree module (Yew Tree) starting in November. If you're feeling called to connect to a community of purpose please apply. Or learn more in this info pack.

If you would like to get a taste of ACER, join us online at 7pm on 17th October, for “The Redwood: Connecting to our Inner Child, Surrounding Them with Care” with Dr Rosalind Watts and ACER participants.

BLOG: Psychedelics & psychosis

“While some aspects of drug-induced psychoses resemble some symptoms of schizophrenic reactions, the differences in many particulars and most of all in some are considerable.”

In psychedelic research today, people with a personal or family history of psychotic disorders can't participate in clinical trials - often excluding people who need it most. But several researchers are investigating the potential of psychedelics to treat disorders like bipolar and schizophrenia. And its risks. What's the real relationship between psychedelics and psychosis?

News: this month's roundup

Scientists are split over whether the benefits some microdosers experience are a placebo effect or something more. We're excited to have Dr Ben Malcolm with us offering a review of all the literature to date on the subject with us this Wed 4th Oct. Join us or see it recorded if you can't make it live.
MDMA therapy inches closer to approval in the US with the publication of MAPS' Phase 3 trial results for MDMA therapy for PTSD
Researchers call it “imprinting”— from Disney characters to Harry Potter, the media people consume online can easily make its way into psychedelic experiences.
The founder of a famous San Francisco clinic warns decriminalization of psychedelics for personal use should come after – not before – decriminalization for therapeutic use in California.
New research explores psychedelics' effect on menstruation and pregnancy. Anecdotal evidence points to remarkable effects.
Psychedelic philanthropy… Toms Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie shares his plans to give $100 million to psychedelic profits and non-profits

Shroomshop sale

It's mushroom season! In celebration we're offering a 30% off our ever-popular Shroomshop Masterclass with Darren Le Baron.

This on-demand course will give you all the information and step-by-step guidance you need to grow your own medicinal and gourmet mushrooms. Just use code SHROOMSEASON at checkout.

Research opportunities for you

The New School for Social Research in New York is offering $30 to participants for their study the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic use in naturalistic group-based settings (group ceremonies and raves, electronic music festivals, or other electronic dance music events, etc) for people with childhood trauma. The study consists of three online questionnaires. You can register your interest here.
A study at the University of East London is examining the role of Internal Family Systems therapy in psychedelic integration. They are seeking participants who have used psychedelics for healing purposes (as opposed to recreational) and have attended therapy (IFS or other modalities for contrast) as a way to reflect upon and “integrate” their experience. To participate, contact Sophie Sarrassat at u2039622@uel.ac.uk
Are you a therapist with knowledge of psychedelic-assisted therapy? A study at Teeside University is exploring the attitudes and beliefs of psychological professionals regarding psychedelic-assisted therapy within therapeutic settings. For more information contact Sofia Sanchez at B1019656@tees.ac.uk
Have you had a difficult or distressing psychedelic experience? This study from Brown University's Clinical and Affective Neuroscience Lab investigates difficult psychedelic experiences, how they might be better predicted, and the kinds of remedies and support that could be most helpful. Share your experience here.

Conducting a research study and looking for participants? Get in touch at lauren@psychedelicsociety.org.uk so we can share with the community

Futurecraft is back!

“I came with no expectations and left with a smorgasbord of ideas, healing, groundedness, confidence, knowledge, and filled with the love of a beautiful new family. I feel changed.”

Calling all current and aspiring solarpunks, lunarpunks, metamodernists, Soulcrafters, Homegrown Humans, systems thinkers, fermenters, chefs, botanists, forest bathers, dancers, swimmers, runners, meditators, photographers, filmmakers, writers, coders, poets, actors, musicians, clowns, fools, counsellors, mentors, facilitators, therapists and teachers… it's time to rethink this world of ours.

We invite you to be part of our second week-long Futurecraft residency exploring regenerative and resilient futures - this time taking place at the stunning Brave Earth in Costa Rica from 12th – 19th December 2023. This is an incredible opportunity to experience one of the most inspiring places on the planet with the most inspiring people we can gather together 🌎

Heroic Hearts recruiting volunteer

Heroic Hearts Project, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans with PTSD access effective and healing psychedelic programs, is seeking a volunteer research assistant for 4 hrs/week for 6 months. The organisation is deeply engaged in ongoing observational studies, focusing on gathering significant data from their operations to further their understanding of the potential benefits of psychedelics, especially for the unique challenges faced by military veterans and their communities.

Role responsibilities include: assisting with reviews for research publications and grant applications, contributing to the creation and implementation of research protocols, facilitating data collection, data entry and analysis, aiding in writing and editing research-related documents, prepping presentations, and ensuring readiness for publications. If this sounds like an opportunity you'd be keen to explore, please forward your CV and a brief cover letter to research@heroicheartsuk.com.

Join our membership community!

We fund our work in integration, education and harm reduction primarily through our membership program.

By becoming a member of The Psychedelic Society community, you get access to exclusive members-only events like the one above, a discount on events, and support the development of this alternative cultural space. Membership starts from just £5/month!