Hi there,

Most nicotine users don’t need another reason to stop. They know the risks, have calculated the cost, and have probably made more than a few promises to themselves. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances out there and there's a reason relapse rates sit between 80-91%. So the idea that a single psychedelic session could help break the pattern is a pretty intriguing one…

In a Johns Hopkins trial published earlier this year, people received either one supervised dose of psilocybin or a course of nicotine patches, alongside the same programme of talking therapy. Six months later, those who'd taken psilocybin were four times as likely to achieve sustained abstinence from smoking at six months as those given nicotine patches.

What helped them change? People interviewed in an earlier study described, among other revelations, simply seeing smoking differently. They also spoke about connection, preparation and their own altered self-image. It raises an interesting possibility: perhaps a craving doesn’t have to disappear for someone to respond to it differently. We explore the research and what it might mean in our latest blog post,

And on Tuesday 29 September, we get to ask the researcher himself. Professor Matthew Johnson joins us live online, bringing more than 20 years of psychedelic research and a wealth of experience studying addiction and behaviour change. You may have heard him on Huberman Lab or the Lex Fridman Podcast; this time, you can bring your own questions. We’re looking forward to hearing what surprised him, what participants experienced, and where the research goes next. Can’t make it live? Every ticket includes the recording.

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Longing for more meaningful connection?

Dr Rosalind Watts spent years exploring why connection to ourselves, each other, and the natural world feels so nourishing, why it is so essential to our wellbeing, and why it can be so difficult to maintain in modern life.

ACER is our way of bringing connection back. It's a year-long online container built on real community; a space to speak honestly, be witnessed, and not carry things alone. Whether you're processing a psychedelic experience or simply want more community in your life, ACER offers structure, belonging, live expert talks, Q&As, creative practices, and a rich resource library available anytime.

If you're craving that kind of connection, apply to join ACER today. We start October 1st.

APPLY NOW : 20% off discount code: PSYSOC20

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We fund our work in community-building and psychedelic education primarily through our membership program.

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

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