The Role of Psychedelics: Trends, Benefits, Challenges

Psychedelics had not only an invaluable impact in developing electronic music, but also throughout the history of wo*mankind. The variety of psychedelics has grown extremely in the last decade, but also patterns of use have changed over the years. At the same time, psilocybin, LSD and MDMA are close to being authorized for medical use (again), whilst ketamine has been approved for treatment of major depressions just recently. However, psychedelic states of mind can also be difficult to cope with. What practices were used in particular in ancient Greece, which rituals, mythologies, deities were associated to „divine madness“? How can we benefit from it today? And which were the social and political reactions? What are recent trends, what do we need to know about it? How can we make sure that not only the well-established and privileged benefit from the chances that psychedelics offer today? And how to support people in difficult experiences?

Our psychedelics panel is hosted by SONAR – Safer Nightlife Berlin. SONAR stands for health and well-being in nightlife settings with the aim to reduce risks to leave more space for pleasure.

Chiara Baldini : ALTERED STATES AT THE DAWN OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION

The practice to alter one’s consciousness has been used for millennia by cultures all around the planet and Europe was no exception. In this intervention we will hear which practices were used in particular in ancient Greece, which rituals, mythologies, deities were associated to „divine madness“? And which were the social and political reactions?

Participants/ Lectures:
Xoan Carbon | Energy Control Barcelona: The role of psychedelics in nightlife
Chiara Baldini | Portugal/Italy: Altered states at the dawn of Western civilization
Galia Tanay | University of Haifa: Reclaiming our Spirits – Reintroducing Altered States into Society
Gabriel Amezcua | eclipse Berlin: The political side of Psychedelics: conflict, asymmetry and power in the psychedelic social world

Moderation:
Kira Weir | Crew2000

Language: English