Ethics in Psychedelic Therapy and Research

Event Description

Psychedelic substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine are increasingly used in research and clinical medicine. By their very nature, they put patients in a vulnerable position. The altered state of consciousness produced by psychedelics can promote insight and healing. However, unscrupulous practitioners can also exploit patients when they are under the influence of these substances. Reports of abuse by licensed and underground psychedelic facilitators highlight these concerns.

On November 18th, ethicists, health care providers, and academic researchers will gather to discuss these risks and broader concerns regarding ethics in psychedelic therapy and research.

Panelists

• Introduction: Carmel Shachar, Executive Director, The Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School
• Holly Fernandez Lynch, JD, MBE, John Russell Dickson, MD Presidential Assistant Professor of Medical Ethics and Assistant Professor of Law (secondary), University of Pennsylvania
• Alissa Bazinet, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Sequoia Collective; Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board
• Karin Gagnon, Research Associate, Social Neuroscience & Psychotherapy Lab, Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU)
• William R. Smith, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
• Moderator: Mason Marks, MD, JD, Assistant Professor of Law, University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law; Senior Fellow and Project Lead of the Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation (POPLAR) at the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School

Sponsored by the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School.