Science, Nature & Collaborations

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Science

This section will be updated from time to time with interesting papers and articles about the current happenings within science and research that may interest and effect you.

For example, some of us recently attended Breaking Convention 17th – 19th April, at Exeter University. This is a biennial academic conference bringing together multiple disciplines (including medicine, psychology, anthropology, sociology, law, politics and the arts) associated with the promotion of research on psychedelic substances and the dissemination of the useful results of such research. Highlights for us included Pat Song's talk on Erotic Transference within the Psychedelic Space, Maria Papaspyrou & Tim Read's talk on the ethics of working dyadically as Psychedelic Assisted Therapists, Andy Letcher's curated series of talks about Amanita Muscaria, a series of talks on the social and political implications of the evolution of Rave Technologies & meeting the legendary ethnobotanist Kat Harrison.

Nature

Neuroscience research suggests psychedelics enhance neural integration, meaning there is increased communication between different brain regions. This heightened connectivity increases cognitive flexibility, allowing individuals to re-evaluate previously long-held beliefs, becoming more open to new ways of thinking (Carhart-Harris & Friston, 2019). In the context of nature, some Western individuals report psychedelics are fundamentally shifting their perspective on the natural world, altering how they see their place within it. Many describe a newfound feeling of ecological interconnectedness, expressing insights such as: “We’re all part of the same ecosystem” Or, “I could see how everything in nature depends on everything else”. These cognitive shifts may help explain why psychedelics have been associated with increased pro-environmental behaviour, as people develop a deeper appreciation for the value of the natural world and the role of people in maintaining its balance (Forstmann & Sagioglou, 2017).

Collaborations

As we develop our community, our facilitators will offer new services as appropriate and new information, which we hope will add to the support we offer you. We will begin to invite other professionals to collaborate with us in this space, encouraging partnerships and a wider network, rather like the Mycelial network itself. We believe that any deep dive inwards needs the balance of an equal and opposite reaching outwards into our world.