The international online conference. May 17, Riga
Join the first conference “Psychedelics: the game-changer in mental health and medical science” in Latvia and the Baltics to cover: the latest research in the field of therapeutic potential of psychedelics; the experience of various organisations and countries regarding harm reduction; and the urgent need for a new approach to mental health care.
Goal
The aim of the conference is to stimulate discussion about the integrative methods in medicine, especially in the fields of mental health, oncology, palliative care and addiction treatment, applaying mind altering methods and psychedelics. The conference will also launch a discussion on the approaches that various countries have used to implement harm reduction as well as promote public education on the subject.
Focus Areas
- the latest research in the field of the therapeutic potential of psychedelics (mental disorders, addictions, cancer patients, palliative care, etc.);
- the experience of different organisations and countries regarding harm reduction;
- and possibilities for cooperation among the Baltic countries in building a network for the development and harmonisation of policies and research on psychedelics.
Background
The need for such a discussion has been highlighted by the uncontrolled emergence in Latvia of new and particularly dangerous synthetic drugs and the increasing availability of narcotic drugs among adolescents – despite their inclusion on the list of banned substances. According to the Riga Psychiatry and Narcology Centre, the number of addicted patients in Latvia is increasing and waiting lists for treatment programmes are growing. At the same time, there is a drastic lack of comprehensive and professional discussion on psychedelics that would take an equally thorough look at both aspects – their potential therapeutic use based on modern scientific research, and their undeniable side effects.
Their banned status and the moral and criminal penalties that can be incurred from their use notwithstanding, the use of psychedelics and psychotropic substances is increasing. Moreover, the quality of these substances is questionable and often even life-threatening due to the lack of a standardised quality control system like the one in place for the pharmaceutical industry. This has created an absurd situation in which outright prohibition is only increasing the harm being done to the very society (and their mental/physical health state) that the criminalisation of the substances is supposedly trying to protect.
World-leading research institutions, such as the Johns Hopkins Center in the USA and Imperial College London, have published studies on the use of psychedelics (e.g. MDMA, psilocybin and ketamine) as a safe and effective treatment for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nicotine addiction, alcohol dependence, and end-of-life anxiety. These institutions and their research have also contributed greatly to the decriminalisation of a number of psychedelic substances in many countries around the world.
Speakers
David J Nutt, Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology, director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit in the Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London
Dennis McKenna, ethno-pharmacologist, research pharmacologist, and founder of the McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy
Ethan Nadelmann, founder of the Drug Policy Alliance in New York and a pioneer of drug policy reform in the US and worldwide
Paul Stamets, mycologist, medical researcher, author of six books, and an industry leader in research related to the use of fungi in improving both the planet's ecology and human health
Dr. Pamela Kryskow, physician and clinical instructor at the University of British Columbia, currently involved in research on the use of psilocybin, ketamine and MDMA in psychotherapy and the use of psychedelics in mental illness and chronic pain
Mendel Kaelen, neuroscientist, founder and CEO of Wavepaths.
Ieva Bite, Dr.psych., psychologist, Associate Professor, University of Latvia
Nils Konstantinovs, Head of the adolescent and youth Psychotherapy center, Latvia
Arnis Rītups, philosopher, publisher of “Rigas Laiks” magazine, Latvia
Vita Liberte, Honorary Consul of Uruguay in Latvia
Luīze Bankoviča, experience designer
The audience
The main intended audience for the conference is a constructive mix of medical professionals, psychotherapists, educators, law enforcement representatives and others who are interested in new ways for therapy and harm reduction.
How to attend
The conference will be held in English via Zoom and livestream at Veselīga Latvija Facebook platform, and will be free of charge for all interested parties.
Organisers
The conference is being organised by NGO Veselīga Latvija (A Healthy Latvia) and the culture and humanities portal Spiriterritory.com.
More information about the conference: https://veseligalatvija.lv/newpathformentalhealth/
