Sketches from Discovery Sessions 2024 - Day 2

Sketches and Reflections from Discovery Sessions 2024

I had the privilege of attending two days of psychedelic celebration, conversation, and collaboration at the Midway in San Francisco last week…directly followed by virtually attending Breaking Convention via Zoom link on Saturday!

Normally 3 days of conferencing would leave me depleted; instead, I find myself a little tired…but mostly inspired.

Here are some sketches and reflections from Day 2 (Fri 19 April 2024) of the Discovery Sessions conference.

My Intentions

1.    Connect with at least two new people

2.    Stay present and open

Macro Dose

 Many people have paid a high price in energy, time, work, persecution to enable the current state of the psychedelic field. I feel a responsibility, an obligation to support those who are still with us and who may still be persecuted. A debt of gratitude and acknowledgement, but also a debt of actual financial, legal, physical, and psychological support.

Microdoses of Insight

• Maria Mangini: when we ask elders for their advice or wisdom, it’s customary to remunerate them in some way
  

• Manesh Girin: neuroplasticity is neutral…the new pathways we create depend on what we repeat in the opened critical learning period
  

• Human trials for non-hallucinogenic “psychedelics” are starting now in the Netherlands

Reflections and Questions

• Is it the neuroplasticity that leads to positive outcomes? The mystical experience? Something else? What role does talk therapy and integration play?
  

• Why is it always “the psychedelic space” as opposed to “industry”? Are we pretending that money doesn’t matter? I like psychedelic “field”, which belies my academic history and identity.
  

• Should we simply legalize all drugs? Would that cause more or fewer problems? 
  

• Can we remember that psychedelics can also be fun?
  

Highlights and Memories

• Seeing how participants responded when others were moved to tears: the power of holding space
  

• Starting the day with movement, drums, dance, and prayer with Maya Jaguar