Philosophical Issues in Psychedelic Drug Use

There is a growing literature on the effects of psychedelic drugs such as LSD and psilocybin on the brain. There have been a number of recent high profile publications which have studied the nature of the LSD experience and accompanying changes in the brain revealed by functional neuroimaging.

There have been trials of treatment with these drugs in a range of conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder, depression, addictions and “existential anxiety” in terminally ill patients. It is likely that clinical use of these drugs will grow in the next few years.

A conference which looks at the philosophical and ethical issues arising from use of psychedelics is therefore timely. The impact of these drugs on the brain also brings into focus important issues in the philosophy of mind.

Professor Roland Griffiths, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore has kindly agreed to attend the conference as one of our keynote speakers.

The conference is not confined to psychiatrists and is open to anyone with an academic, professional or personal interest in this area. We hope to bring together speakers from different backgrounds with the aim of promoting an eclectic, multi-professional approach to the topic of the conference.