Psychedelic Mysticism: Ritual, Religion, Weirdness and Integration
- Time
- 10pm - 5am
- Date
- 1 May 2026
- Duration
- 7 hour(s)
- Location
- Lapps Quay, Banking Hall
- Language
- English
- Presenters
Julian Vayne, Sophie Casey, Oliver Davis, Timmy Davis, Mark Elliott, Danny Forde, Jenny Butler, Patrick Everitt, Chris Read
- Category
- Symposium
- Cost
- Free
- Registration Required
- Yes
- Registration Information
/en/french/research/psychedelicmysticismworkshop/
- Organising Department
Department of French & Department of the Study of Religions
- Accessibility Facilities
- Wheelchair Accessible
The conversation will be focused around mysticism, spiritual exercises and 鈥榳eirdness鈥� (Erik Davis, 2019) and will explore the difficulties which users of psychedelics have in understanding mystical, religious, spiritual or simply weird sexual and other experiences occasioned by psychedelics. Mysticism is usually rather grudgingly acknowledged to be a significant facet of psychedelic experience by many of the biomedical researchers pioneering the ongoing 鈥榩sychedelic renaissance鈥� 鈥� the rediscovery of the potential of these substances to treat a wide range of the world鈥檚 most costly mental health problems. Indeed, it has long been acknowledged that psychedelic experiences which involve a mystical dimension are correlated with better treatment outcomes. Nevertheless, many biomedical researchers today seek to downplay the mystical dimension, assuming that this is a prerequisite for social and regulatory acceptance of psychedelics as medicines. This workshop, timed to coincide with Bealtaine, aims to show instead why psychedelic encounters with mysticism should instead be prized, while also welcoming critical voices and opposing views.