UCL Society for the Application of Psychedelics and King’s Psychedelic Research Society are hosting our second annual one-day symposium on the 31st May 2025.
For the cost of entry, you'll be treated to day of fascinating psychedelic science and knowledge from 8+ speakers! Join us to hear from a multidisciplinary lineup including both experts and students working in the field of psychedelic research - capped off with a drinks social just around the corner at The Vault bar, and a special afterparty at Brixton Jamm!
Event Details:
Ticket price: £5 for students, £10 for non-students (+ fees)
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-psychedelic-science-symposium-2025-tickets-1351837565549?aff=oddtdtcreator
Tickets get you access to everything: the conference, drinks social and the afterparty!
Conference:
Date: Saturday 31st of May
Time: 10am-7pm
Location: Edmond J. Safra Lecture Theatre, Strand Campus, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
Drinks social:
Date: Saturday 31st of May
Time: 7pm-10pm
Location: The Vault, Bush House, South East Wing, Floor -1
Afterparty:
Date: Saturday 31st of May
Time: 10:30pm-4am
Location: Brixton Jamm, 261 Brixton Rd, London SW9 6LH
Speaker Lineup:
Short talks:
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Bio:
Alex is a PhD student on the UCL Wellcome PhD in Mental Health Science programme and Director of Research at the Centre for Evidence-Based Drug Policy. For the past three years in his role at the Centre he has been actively advocating for more effective and equitable drug policy. His work at the Centre focuses on reducing the harms associated with prohibition and strengthening drug policy governance in the UK.
Abstract:
This talk will delve into the evolving landscape of drug policy with a focus on developments in psychedelic legislation. We will explore the UK’s current regulatory frameworks, examine how groundbreaking clinical trials involving substances like psilocybin and MDMA are influencing putative legislative changes. The presentation will address the significant challenges in balancing political expediency, public interests and scientific findings in a rapidly evolving field, highlighting the regulatory hurdles that impede the transition from research to therapeutic application. Furthermore, we will discuss the critical pathway of translating scientific evidence into effective drug policy, advocating for a foundation built on rigorous, data-driven methodologies. Lastly, predictions about future trends in psychedelic policy will be offered, underscoring the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach that includes cooperation among scientists, policymakers, and community advocates to foster an environment where policy innovation aligns with public health and scientific integrity. -
Bio:
Tommaso Barba is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, supervised by Dr. David Erritzoe, Prof. David Nutt, Dr. Chris Timmermann, and Dr. Kate Godfrey. With a background in neuroscience and psychoanalysis, he graduated cum laude from Maastricht University with a Master of Research in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience. Since September 2020, Tommaso has been with the Centre for Psychedelic Research, initially as a research assistant and now as a PhD scholar, focusing on neuropsychopharmacological and basic science projects.
Tommaso's research centers on the brain effects of short-acting psychedelics such as DMT and 5-MeO-DMT, currently conducting the first neuroimaging trials of these compound in laboratory settings with Dr Timmermann. He also explores the potential role of psychedelics in treating depression and enhancing well-being. Tommaso has published over ten scientific papers, including five as the first author, in journals such as The Lancet EClinical Medicine and Nature Scientific Reports. Tommaso’s work has been widely recognised and covered by prominent media outlets, including Forbes USA, The Times, The Telegraph, Rolling Stone, and CNN.
Tommaso has received prestigious awards, including the Public Engagement Prize from Imperial College London, the Poster Award from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP), and the British Journal of Psychiatry Award for his study "Effects of psilocybin versus escitalopram on rumination and thought suppression in depression."
His interests also include the impact of psychedelics and MDMA on couples' intimacy, advocating for their potential in improving couples' connection within therapeutic settings. Additionally, Tommaso collaborates with universities and startups in Italy and the USA.
Abstract:
This talk delves into the cutting-edge pharmacological and neuroscientific research comparing psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, with classic antidepressants in the treatment of depression. It will explore the distinct mechanisms of action, their brain effects based on recent neuroimaging data, and long-term outcomes of these two therapeutic approaches. By examining recent clinical trial data and advancements in neuroimaging, the session will provide insights into how psilocybin may address depression compared to classical treatments. Key ethical considerations and the evolving regulatory landscape will also be discussed, situating this research in the broader context of mental health innovation.
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Bio:
Orla is a cognitive neuroscientist at the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, where she is a recipient of the President’s PhD Scholarship. She leads the neuroimaging arm of the PsilOpioid trial, which is the UK’s first clinical trial integrating psychedelics into the treatment of opioid dependence. Her research explores how psilocybin may reshape addiction circuitry in the brain and whether enhancing our sense of social connection—what she calls "social reward"—might be a key ingredient in lasting recovery.
She has also spent the past two years deep in the woods of microdosing research - trying to untangle whether consistent therapeutic patterns emerge and how we might meaningfully study a practice that evolved outside the boundaries of conventional medicine. For her, the real work lies in bridging rigorous science with the lived realities and complexities of human experience.
Abstract:
Microdosing is everywhere—on podcasts, in group chats, and at the fringes of mental health conversations. This self-medicating practice has garnered a large community of followers who report a broad range of health benefits including improvements in mood, pain relief, and concentration. However, despite the buzz, the science behind the practice is… well, a little underwhelming.
So, what’s the full story of microdosing?
During this talk, we’ll take a visual stroll through the entire body of scientific evidence on psychedelic microdosing—exploring the topic from two sides: what the research tells us, and what people continue to report in the wild. Along the way, we’ll ask whether these effects could be explained by placebo, whether our current tools are sensitive enough to detect what’s really happening, and what it might take to properly evaluate the subtle—and often slippery—potential of this much-loved wellness ritual. Designed to provoke further conversations, we’ll be sitting with the questions of what microdosing is, what it isn’t, and what it might one day be.
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Bio:
Dr. Zulfiqar Khan is a leading expert in psychedelic and consciousness research, internationally recognised for his work on the safe and effective use of compounds such as psilocybin, DMT, and LSD.
In collaboration with experts based in the United States, he is involved with developing personalised, science-driven treatments for psychiatric and behavioural disorders, including PTSD, mood, and substance use conditions.
Dr. Khan’s research demonstrates that, under carefully controlled clinical conditions, psychedelics can temporarily alter brain function to provide relief from emotional and psychological distress. His work also explores the benefits of psychedelics in healthy individuals, aiming to enhance mental well-being, creativity, and human potential.
Through his pioneering efforts, Dr. Khan is not only advancing the future of mental health care but also working to break the stigma surrounding the therapeutic use of psychedelics.
Abstract:
Dr. Khan’s talk will explore the clinical application of psychedelics, particularly Psilocybin and DMT, with a strong emphasis on ethical frameworks, patient safety, regulatory challenges, and emerging clinical outcomes.
He will also highlight his current work with trauma-affected populations, including Ukrainian veterans facing PTSD and depression.
Long Talks:
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Bio:
Leor Roseman is a Senior Lecturer and Psychedelic researcher at the University of Exeter. He has previously worked at the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, under the mentorship of Prof. Robin Carhart-Harris and Prof. David Nutt, supporting the foundational work of a remerging research field. His interdisciplinary research covers neuroscience, psychology, phenomenology, anthropology and conflict resolution, using various research methods such as fMRI, quantitative, qualitative, microphenomenology, ethnographic, and participatory research. Leor co-developed and teaches the new Master’s degree – Psychedelics: Mind, Medicine and Culture. Also, Leor co-founded Ripples – a non-profit dedicated to peacebuilding supported by psychedelics.
Abstract:
In the spring of 2022, three groups of Palestinians and Israelis were invited to participate in an ayahuasca peacebuilding program. The invitation was to explore the ceremonial and healing space of ayahuasca through a collective intention: to ground the transformative spiritual practice in the political reality of conflict and oppression; to heal collective trauma and liberate from rigid narratives and ethos; to invite revelations and transform them into actions of co-resistance; to create a community of solidarity and care; and to celebrate life and good music together.
In this lecture performance, Leor will share results, stories, revelations, reflections, and updates from this unique program.
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Bio:
Anjali Bhat is a Research Fellow in computational and cognitive neuroscience at King’s College London. Her research bridges in vivo, in vitro and in silico techniques to explore the effects of psychedelics on the brain and the aetiology of psychosis. Some of her other areas of research include synthetic biological intelligence, neuroimmunology, and psychotherapy.
Abstract:
This talk will overview the nuances of trying to understand the profound changes in subjective experience under psychedelics and what happens to the brain during these experiences. I will overview the development of a new project to map – in more detail than ever before – the neural correlates of the subjective experience under LSD. This new study leverages recent developments in precision neuroimaging to explore the effects of LSD on information processing in the brain, and uses a novel approach to probe the arc of the experience as it unfolds over its entire ten-hour duration.
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Bio:
Matt Wall is a psychologist, neuroscientist, and specialist in neuroimaging, particularly functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the human brain. He completed his PhD at Cambridge, post-doctoral positions at Royal Holloway and UCL, and is currently Associate Director of Translational MRI at Perceptive London, plus an honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London. He has authored more than 90 scientific publications, and his research currently focuses on psychedelics, cannabis, sex hormones, and methods-development for fMRI.
Abstract:
Neuroimaging (mostly with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging; fMRI) has been a keystone method of modern psychedelic research and has provided fundamental data informing our current understanding of psychedelic drug action. This talk will cover the current state of knowledge in the neuroscience of psychedelic drug action, will discuss current issues and challenges in the field, and how neuroimaging methods can contribute to the further development of psychedelic-based treatments.
Programme:
Registration
Time: 09:30 - 10:30
Duration: 1 hour
Opening Ceremony
Time: 10:30 - 10:35
Duration: 5 minutes
Precision mapping of the neural correlates of psychedelic experiences
Speakers: Anjali Bhat
Time: 10:35 - 11:45
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
Navigating psychedelic policy: challenges, changes & opportunities
Speaker: Alex Piot
Time: 11:45 - 12:10
Duration: 25 minutes
Lunch Announcement
Time: 12:10 - 12:15
Duration: 5 minutes
Lunch break
Unfortunately, as a student-run event with a limited budget we are unable to provide lunch for attendees. We recommend bringing your own, or using the break to walk just five minutes down to Kingsway where you choose from various restaurants and stores.
Time: 12:15 - 13:15
Duration: 1 hour
Grace Blest-Hopley
Speaker: Grace Blest-Hopley
Time: 13:15 - 14:25
Duration: 25 minutes
Microdosing: The Small Dose with a Big Old Reputation
Speaker: Orla Mallon
Time: 14:25 - 14:50
Duration: 25 minutes
Break
Time: 14:50 - 15:05
Duration: 15 minutes
Psilocybin vs. classic antidepressants: a pharmacological and neuroscientific exploration in depression treatment
Speaker: Tommaso Barba
Time: 15:05 - 15:30
Duration: 25 minutes
Ethical frameworks, patient safety & regulatory challenges in psychedelic research
Speaker: Zulfiqar Khan
Time: 15:30 - 15:55
Duration: 25 minutes
Break
Time: 15:55 - 16:10
Duration: 15 minutes
Psychedelic neuroscience: Current results and future challenges
Speaker: Matthew Wall
Time: 16:10 - 17:20
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
Break
Time: 17:20 - 17:35
Duration: 15 minutes
Collective Liberation and Peacebuilding – with psychedelics - among Palestinians and Israelis
Speaker: Leor Roseman
Time: 17:35 - 18:45
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
Closing Ceremony
Time: 18:45 - 18:50
Duration: 5 minutes
Drinks social
Time: 19:00 - 22:00
Location : The Vault Bar
AFTERPARTY!!!
Time: 22:30 - 04:00 (+1)
Location : Brixton Jamm, 261 Brixton Rd, London SW9 6LH