The Great Return: Breaking Convention 2023
The Psychedelic Society preview post for this 2023's Breaking Convention, Europe's largest conference on psychedelic research - learn more about one of the most important gatherings for our community.
It's incredible to think about how far our once little community has travelled in the last 12 years; how much scientific research on psychedelics has been published; how many new challenges have arisen; and how many old problems remain. Breaking Convention has been there throughout all the break-neck-speed developments in Psychedelic medicine and culture. The only exception, of course, is the pandemic years. It's been a while since the community came together - so #BC23 is undoubtedly a big deal!
The Flower Toss at the end of #BC19 - this is our community! Photographer: Jonathan Greet
In 2011, a group of like-minded academics brought together an ambitious conference - existing on what was, at the time, the very edge of medical and psychiatric interest. They gathered over 80 speakers, inviting over 600 delegates worldwide to discuss and explore psychedelic medicines in an interdisciplinary context. It was a resounding success, uniting disparate academic and cultural communities and sharing knowledge. More importantly, it inspired hope for a better, more compassionate, healing world. Breaking Convention 2023, 20-22 April, will be a three-day event and is the sixth edition of Europe's largest conference on psychedelic research.
Every conference is marked by the publication of a 'Breaking Convention' collection of essays from many of the speakers - all of which chart the history, ethnography, archaeology and clinical efficacy of psychedelic substances around the world, bringing to light much of what decades of the war on drugs had buried. As one commenter on the book's first edition put it, the authors and speakers of those early conventions represented the vanguard of the 'second golden age' of psychedelic research.
In a relatively short period, we've seen a massive shift in public attitudes toward psychedelics - the arrival of large volumes of money, the shadows that come with it, and the growing movement addressing the spectre of colonialism and Western chauvinism that currently dominate the space. Even our notions of calling this period the 'psychedelic renaissance' have problematic historical and cultural connotations. Issues of indigenous respect and reciprocity, the commodification of healthcare, ethics in treatment, and the ongoing financialisation of the sector are now subjects at the head of the conversation.
BC co-founder Dr David Luke (r) with speaker and patron, Bruce Parry.
But this is the very nature of Breaking Convention - to challenge what is known within a community dedicated to scientific, ethical and philosophical rigour. As with every year, this year's conference will conclude with the publication of a new collection of essays, once again setting a milestone for our community.
This year's event will be hosted at the University of Exeter, home of The Philosophy and Psychedelics Exeter Research Group. Keynote speakers include the legendary mycologist Paul Stamets; David Erritzoe (Clinical Director of the Centre of Psychedelic Research at London Imperial); addiction specialist Dr Carl Hart (Columbia University); author Graham Hancock, Dr Saj Razvi (founder and Director of Education at PSI), Rick Doblin (founder of MAPs), and many Psychedelic Society collaborators including Chris Timmermann, Amanda Feilding, Frederike Meckel-Fischer, neurobiologist and chemist William Leonard Pickard, along with many others.
A selection of the speakers at #BC23 (L-R, T-B): Christine Hauskeller, Susan Blackmore, Rick Doblin, Paul Stamets, Kirran Ahmad, Carl Hart, Celia Morgan, Graham Hancock, Jonathan Ott, Ben Sessa, Amanda Feilding, and Acacea Sherman-Lewis
You can expect to meet over 200 presenters from the forefront of different disciplines; exciting emerging postgraduate students, leading lights of the research world, philosophers, celebrity chemists, clinicians, therapists, historians, legal professionals, business people, musicians, cultural practitioners and theorists, artists, keen enthusiasts and harm reduction advocates.
The university has four dedicated lecture rooms, a cinema and two workshop spaces for the event. Expect lots of excellent talks and workshops; an innovative art exhibition including live painting; interactive installations; psychedelic cinema; stalls selling psychedelic wares from books to jewellery to clothes and beyond; evening events including book launches; and on Saturday, a spectacular afterparty, with live music from renowned DJs.
A previous PsySocial Psychedelic Storytelling gathering, London, 2022
The Psychedelic Society will attend, as it has been since the beginning. We'll be hosting a special edition of our PsySocial' Psychedelic Storytelling' - which we're very much looking forward to. Our co-director, Martha Allitt, has been interviewing various speakers and board members of Breaking Convention. We'll be covering as much action as possible on our social media - so you should give us a follow.
However, the best way to experience Breaking Convention is to attend in person. Tickets are still available. Plus, Psychedelic Society members and followers can get a discount using code PSBC10 at the checkout!
Breaking Convention is an incredible opportunity to strengthen our community and collectively address the challenges we face with compassion and strength. We look forward to seeing you there!
Breaking Convention: 3 Day Conference on Psychedelic Research and Consciousness
20-22 April, University of Exeter EX4 4QJ
Learn more and get your ticket via the link button below.
