On 30 June – 2 July, 2017, the bi-annual psychedelic
conference ‘Breaking Convention 2017’ took place at Greenwich University,
London. This was the 3rd Breaking Convention following the success of the 2015
and 2013 one’s. The conference is organised by leading psychedelic researchers;
David Luke, Cameron Adams, Aimee Tollan, Dave King and Nikki Wyrd. During this
three-day weekend, numerous activities took place at the venue such as; academic
talks, psychedelic galleries, shamanic workshops and social networking. This
conference brings together academics, philosophers, artists, students, musicians,
psychedelic drug users and individuals who have just discovered this community.
The conference was mainly focused on disseminating the most recent findings out
of contemporary psychedelic research. The psychedelic drugs which were
discussed during this weekend were; 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA),
cannabis, psilocybin, ibogaine, ayahuasca and DMT to name a few. This
conference is a place for sharing and corroborating innovative ideas within the
psychedelic realm. As a PhD candidate studying ayahuasca, I came to this
conference to gather ideas and inspiration from these talks. What follows is a
summary of some of the key points I noted whilst attending this peculiar
conference.
Psychedelic Research is “Career Suicide”
Psychedelic research is often stigmatized by mainstream
scientists as ‘career suicide’ and is deemed irrelevant discussion. One of the
main goals of this conference is to display empirical and reliable evidence
which counteracts these socially created stereotypes. Many academics in
psychology, law and sociology within university institutions are reluctant to
allow their students to carry out psychedelic-based projects because of the
perceived irrelevancy of the topic area. Also, this topic area is often steered
clear due to the amount of effort required to gain ethical approval from these
types of studies. Many ethics boards across the United Kingdom simply do not
allow this type of research to gain clearance because of the fear the research
will not comply with research laws. Psychedelics also have negative labels
associated with psychosis and schizophrenic episodes. These labels are often
down to negative portrayals from mainstream media outlets which demonize these substances.
The CIA’s covert project in the 1950s ‘MK-ULTRA’ probably didn’t help the
psychedelic research community. This project involved the US government
administering LSD to unknowing participants to determine whether these
substances could be used as agents for chemical warfare during the Cold War
era. Thus, it is not surprising that psychedelic research is deemed ‘career
suicide’. Many hold the belief there is nothing of notable interest to research
and the jobs available for this type of research are non-existent.
However, this is simply not the case. Since the turn of the
21st century, psychedelic drug research has undergone a
‘renaissance’, i.e. a renewed scientific interest in these chemicals. Many
scientific foundations including MAPS, the Heffter institute and the Beckley
Foundation have been formed to support and promote psychedelic research. These
research organisations often grant funds to psychedelic researchers who consider
the therapeutic, neurological and psychological in their line of research
regarding hallucinogenic drug consumption. We now have many academics within
the United Kingdom, Western Europe and in North America willing to support
psychedelic drug dissertations at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The
growth in the psychedelic community has opened the avenue for psychedelic
researchers to share ideas, research and formulate new directions in this
field. The applications of psychedelic research reach into clinical psychology,
drug policy, neuroscience, history, parapsychology, transpersonal psychology,
philosophy, sociology and anthropology. There is consensus in this field that
we are only just beginning to uncover just some of the applications of these
drugs. The findings from this research field should not just be limited to
universities. There are many real-world consequences this research area has.
Psychedelic research may offer alternative ideas to real-world challenges we
are currently pressed with. Psychedelic research if applied and communicated effectively, can offer solutions to; environmental
destruction, developing spirituality, world peace and curing mental health
difficulties. Psychedelic research as opposed to being ‘career suicide’ for
many is now not only a feasible option, but an important career path for the
future of society and the planet.
We are Developing Artificial Intelligence that Simulates Psychedelic
Drug Ingestion
One of the challenges psychedelic researchers face is
gaining ethical approval to administer psychedelic drugs in a controlled
setting. However, a solution to this problem is to induce a
non-pharmacologically induced altered state of consciousness. One way this can
be achieved is through using computer simulations which safely simulate
psychedelic drug trips. The psychedelic imagery in these procedures would
typically be recreated using a virtual reality headset with the option for
audio effects. Due to enhancements in AI technology, we are now able to create
psychedelic worlds which are closely similar to the visions experienced on
hallucinogens. Complex fourth dimensional geometric patterns, fractal imagery
and vibrant colours can be produced in these algorithms. This is a positive
step forward for psychedelic research as we can now carry out experiments
whilst individuals are currently ‘tripping’ via safe and controlled means. One
useful application for this methodology could be for neuroscientists who might
be interested in studying brain patterns whilst the person is experiencing the
psychedelic imagery. Although, a limitation of this methodology is that it
lacks ecological validity as the individual is not actually under the influence
of psychoactive chemicals and so this makes these types of experiments less credible.
Nonetheless, this is a creative way to artificially induce a psychedelic
experience and much research can be done here. One of the other benefits about
this methodology is that we can use it on under 18s. Education psychologist Tom
Roberts formulated a programme named “mind-apps” which was described in immense
depth at the conference. This is just beginning of these types of developments
in the field of AI and we expect to see many more improvements on the realism
in the coming years.
The Useful Applications of ‘Micro-Dosing’
There has been a recent trend in the psychedelic movement
called ‘micro-dosing’. This is where an individual will consume a
proportionately smaller dose of a psychedelic drug (usually 5-20% of the
standard dosage) and then proceed to carry out mundane day-to-day activities.
Micro-doser’s can be found running, writing a book, attending a lecture at
university, swimming or pretty much any human activity that has some form of
flow state involved. The intention is that the individual can benefit from the
neurochemical whilst still being able to function effectively both in thinking,
speech and behaviour. The aim is to not enter a ‘trip’ but rather benefit from
the acute improvements from the drugs-enhancing properties. Examples of
micro-dose amplifications are; increased visual acuity (improved eye sight),
clearer thinking, the ability to comprehend more complex ideas, reduced
anxiety, reduced depression, improved concentration, and facilitation of flow like
experiences. Recently, it has emerged engineers, scientists and apprentices at
technology corporations use micro-dosing to improve their cognitive faculties.
Micro-dosing is prized for its ability to increase creative thought processes.
Thus, it is not surprising it is popular amongst social entrepreneurs. Social
enterprises are businesses which seek to increase profit margins whilst
contributing to the development of natural environments, working environments
and communities. Micro-dosing is rising in popularity in the psychedelic
community and may offer a useful altered state of consciousness for practical rather
than just recreational purposes. This method of changing one’s perception may
be linked with increased productivity and satisfaction in life however,
academic research is required to identity these links and more.
Ego-Dissolution can have Negative Psychological Consequences
One point which was drilled into breaking conventioneers was
that ‘ego-dissolution’ (the breaking down of your psychological barriers) is
not necessarily a positive experience for all psychedelic users. Psychedelic
drugs (if you go through enough trips) will tear apart your ego (or your sense
of self) and you are essentially left as an empty vessel of non-judgement and
an overwhelming sense of connectivity to all sentient beings. This process is
regarded as a forward step towards enlightenment and positive mental health by
the hardcore psychedelic community members on forums. However, for some it can
lead to post-traumatic stress disorder and long-lasting negative identity
issues. Ego-dissolution means you no longer take pride in your name,
nationality, job title and all the labels society hands to you. Instead, under
this realisation, it becomes increasingly obvious you are simply a living
breathing homo-sapien who is mortal in a world that is machinery and
capital-driven. You begin to become aware you are a sentient being trapped in
this soul-less economic system which we are under and that you are simply a
vessel for driving this capitalist machine. As you may imagine, ego-dissolution
is not for everyone and especially for those who attach themselves to the
consumerist lifestyle. In fact, ego-dissolution may not add any benefit to your
life or your intelligence. This change in consciousness can contradict your
career path and I strongly advise you to consider the adverse-effects of
consuming a high dose psychedelic drug if you want to avoid anxiety.
The Psychedelic Movement is a Collective and not Individualistic Effort
Nearly everyone I have encountered at breaking convention
shares the same goal; to grow, to spread awareness and to unify this field into
the public consciousness. At this conference/convention many individuals from
all levels of society attend; ‘trippy hippies’, neuroscientists, philosophers,
eager students, ‘psychonauts’, artists, musicians and any persons with a remote
interest in psychology and altered states of consciousness. This conference
appeals to a wide and unsuspecting audience precisely because the ideas put
forth at this conference are remarkable at the worst of times and paradigm
shifting at the best. Regarding the conference talks you are never quite sure
what you are going to get. It could be a double-blind placebo trial show-casing
the clinical effectiveness of psychedelic substances, it could be a shaman
describing their experiences under high doses of ayahuasca entering mystical
enchanted realms or it could be a policy worker informing the latest trends in
the political and legal sphere around psychedelic drugs. This conference brings
in many different individuals because the talks are always varied with a
different vantage point and paradigm. There is no one theory or train of
thought that is regarded as the ‘holy-grail’ of psychedelic discussion. Rather,
all ideas and perspectives around these substances are supported in a
passionate community whereby members only seek thorough discourse on the
subject. Nonetheless, there is an over-arching message which is echoed
throughout the venue, discussed on the grass outside the lecture halls and
celebrated around Greenwich. That message is; these substances produce
exceptional experiences, we have uncovered a sacred/sentient intelligence and
this experience is essential for humans. Here we can see why there are so many
approaches in the field (psychological, sociological, political, neurological
etc.) because there’s many ways academically we can approach this topic. As
scientists, free-thinkers, or shamans, we as a community are seeking to ‘try’
to make sense of these experiences, what they mean for individuals and how can
we possibly use these unorthodox tools for human and societal development.
Psychedelics offer startlingly better alternatives to the mainstream
psychological medicines available from capital-driven pharmaceutical companies.
Psychedelics re-connect us with nature and allow us to have greater empathy for
all sentient beings on the planet. These experiences allow us to access
unconscious parts of our mind and explore the infinite hyper-dimensional space
Terence McKenna referred too when he was taking 5 dried grams of magic
mushrooms in silent darkness. There drugs have been demonized for the last 50
years of human history. The psychedelic renaissance is an attempt to remove the
negative labels society (I’m talking governments here) have placed on
psychedelic drugs. The psychedelic community agrees these hallucinogens have
undergone a revived interest because of the failings of the current social
model. High levels of post-traumatic stress disorder, high levels of
depression, high levels of generalised social anxiety disorder and a
disconnection with the planet are symptoms of modern societies disconnection
with the planet and with themselves. Psychedelics allow us to assess ourselves
under a hyper-powerful microscope and re-examine ourselves. Psychedelics
dissolve our ego’s, allow us to re-invent our identities and develop our minds
in ways impossible with the use of these. To not have a psychedelic experience
before reaching the grave is the same as dying a virgin according to these
communities. It is essential we expose ourselves to this sacred and integral
experience which ultimately leads to greater self-awareness and possible
enlightenment.