© 2021 Arizona Psychedelic Conference 2019 by ERA
February 10, 8:00 AM – 8:50 AM
SCNM Community Commons Lobby @ 8:00 AM – 8:50 AM
Candace Lewis, Ph.D. CC150/160 (CE Credit)
Traumatic experiences increase vulnerability to common mental health problems such mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. The current resurgence of psychedelic assisted therapy has demonstrated long lasting clinical reduction of psychiatric symptoms after 1-2 sessions. We will explore possible molecular, brain, and subjective experiences driving these extraordinary results. I take the audience on a journey from cutting-edge genomic science to the profound experience of psychedelics. Connecting these two divergent fields may usher in a new era of more efficacious prevention and treatment of common mental illnesses.
Matt “River” Baldwin, MFT AB7/8 (CE Credit)
This talk encapsulates perspectives from The Chacruna Institute’s Psychedelic Therapy Music Forum; providing a brief history of the use of music in psychedelic work, theoretical information on the structure of playlists and clear practical steps on how to create musical playlists for psychedelic work, both within and outside of a research setting. It will cover a variety of points, including: 1. The different multiphase models for musically-driven psychedelic journeys 2. Technical audio issues and ways to maintain sound quality 3. Fixed vs more flexible playlist approaches 4. The usefulness and appropriateness of different styles of music for psychedelic playlists 5. How to individualize playlists for each listener. The talk ultimately makes a case for psychedelic therapy being a form of music therapy, with the depth and power of the music selected being one of the most important factors in play. You can find River’s playlist for psilocybin therapy here.
Tiffany O’Rourke Yoga Room @ 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
Breath work is soul work. Come and tap into the spirit within during this Kundalini Yoga class. This will include a series of pranayama, light movement, and meditation to set the day off in divine flow. Please wear comfortable clothing.
Albert Garcia-Romeu, Ph.D. CC150/160 (CE Credit)
Over the past 18 years, researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and other academic institutions around the world have conducted numerous studies on the psychological and neurological effects of psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic found in over 100 species of mushrooms. Initial findings have shown robust antidepressant, anxiolytic, anti-addictive therapeutic effects of psilocybin across a range of clinical populations, as well as intriguing neurobiological correlates. Dr. Garcia-Romeu will provide a brief overview of contemporary clinical research with psilocybin, and discuss future directions for research and clinical applications of psilocybin.
Matthew Kent and Annie Zapf of Peyote Way Church AB7-8
Belinda Eriacho Garden @ 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
In this session we will review the basic philosophy of herbalism from a Dine’ (Navajo) perspective. This session will provide an overview of the use herbs in medicinal and ceremonial uses, rules surrounding the use of plants, and the protocols for harvesting plants.
Alexander Sherwood, PhD. CC150/160
Understanding the effects of psychedelic molecules on the mind and body is a multifaceted challenge requiring an interdisciplinary and collaborative effort. Both ancient traditions and modern clinical trials have indicated that certain psychedelic molecules may help in the alleviation of mental suffering. As we collectively begin to navigate the path towards understanding how psychedelics may be used in a safe and therapeutic way, evidence-based empirical science can play a meaningful role. The reality is that there are still many questions around the basic science of psychedelic molecules, including those of the often lesser-known tryptamines such as 5-MeO-DMT, and their potentially therapeutic properties. We are at an exciting moment in history where the tools, technology, and support are becoming available to address those questions.
Natalie Metz, ND AB7/8 (CE/CME Credit)
Integration is an essential aspect of the exploration of new frontiers, and often overlooked and under-emphasized in the psychedelic community. Integration is the process by which the material accessed and insights gained in a psychedelic experience are incorporated into one’s life over time in a way that has meaning and benefit for an individual and their community. It is an ever-evolving journey beyond the journey which supports the cartography of new landscapes for lasting change. Join us as we explore principles and practices to support the integration process and optimize the benefit of psychedelic experiences.
Chloe Bee CC230
A cautious ambassador’s perspective, experience, history, and facts connecting a local community of humans to Kratom as an alternative to pharmaceutical opiates and alcohol. Dosage, education, intention, strain, and source are all factors to consider thoughtfully so that Kratom can safely offer life-changing opportunities to those living with debilitating anxiety, drug-dependence, chronic pain, and physical trauma recovery.
Payton Curry, Teaching Kitchen @ 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM
Join an Exploratory Chef in the teaching kitchen and gain access to formulation techniques that will allow you to build trust in the medicinal kitchen. This educational demonstration will display the structures and techniques that can be used to safely and properly integrate cannabinoids into food.
CC150/160 (CE Credit)
Moderator: Joe Tafur, MD
Panel: Saj Razvi, LPC, Sue Sisley, MD, Sam Ko, MD, Candace Lewis, PhD.
Description: Psychological trauma can play a major causal role in countless mental and physical disease states. Entheogens are powerful tools that can allow patients to confront and process the trauma at the roots of their ailments, creating powerful opportunities for true healing of the whole self. What are the potential mechanisms underlying the psychedelic treatment of trauma? Are some entheogens better suited than others in the treatment of trauma-related ailments? What types of treatment models have been studied, are currently being used, or could be utilized in the future as the trend toward legalization opens these doors to an increasing number of patients in need?
Kenneth Proefrock, NMD AB7-8 (CE Credit)
Indigenous Central and South American consumption of mescaline-containing cacti can be traced back thousands of years. Besides the psychoactive effects of plants like Peyote or San Pedro cactus there are other clinically important aspects that are intriguing, for example, it was recently discovered that such cacti exert an antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus species. This discussion springs from the premise that empathogenic and entheogenic substances are able to facilitate a dissolving of the intra-psychic separation between spirit, mind and body. This temporary state change in an individual’s consciousness is conducive to a change in attitude towards one’s ‘self’, physical and etheric, facilitating the body’s healing and regenerative processes. The psychological problem solving that results from this radical shift in perspective can help reframe beliefs with deep spiritual implications that are often profoundly healing. Here we discuss a deep history of connection between humans and magical cacti as well as methods of administering cacti for therapeutic effect. We discuss safety and ethics, with considerations towards pre-existing conditions in participants and dosing strategies. We cover specific ways to facilitate a positive outcome through a controlled, safe space and setting.
Hamid Jabbar, JD Yoga Room @ 12:20 PM – 1:30 PM
This experience uses a combination of guided meditation, breathwork, vocalization, ecstatic drumming, and deep sound meditation to take participants into an altered state of awareness. In this transcendental state of consciousness, the automatic programs of the subconscious and emotional memories of the body can be experienced, processed, and released. A range of instruments are used in this practice, including gongs, singing bowls, vocalization, flutes, percussion and other traditional instruments. This practice revitalizes the body and includes an extended period of restoration to fully integrate the deep work. Participants will be lying down for most of class so we suggest wearing warm and comfortable clothing.
1:30 PM – 2:50 PM
CC150/160 (CE/CME Credit)
Moderator: Amanda Ryskowski
Panel: Kenneth Proefrock, NMD, Paul Saunders, PhD, ND, Natalie Metz, ND, Amalia Baca, NMD
Description: Naturopathic medicine is distinguished from conventional medicine by its philosophy, with a practice grounded in principles such as treating the root cause, treating the whole person, and utilizing the healing power of nature. How does psychedelic medicine fit within these principles? Could psychedelic therapies someday be incorporated into a Naturopathic Medical Doctor’s practice?
Joe Tafur, MD AB7-8 (CE Credit)
Dr. Tafur will review the growing body of evidence indicating that emotional trauma leads, in many cases, to lasting epigenetic change and that such epigenetic change is susceptible to subsequent therapeutic modification. Epigenetic responses to trauma have been observed in both animal and human research, including investigations into transgenerational trauma and childhood maltreatment. These changes are showing correlations to mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Laboratory analysis of such epigenetic changes now allows for biological analysis of psychological healing observed in response to antidepressants, psychotherapy, meditation and psychedelic medicines.
Nicholas V. Cozzi, Ph.D. AB7-8 (CE Credit)
Psilocybin is a psychedelic tryptamine produced by Psilocybe mexicana Heim and other species of mushrooms. The psychoactive effects produced by these mushrooms have led them to be used for shamanic or spiritual healing purposes by the Mazateca people of Mexico for many centuries. Recent clinical data indicates that, with appropriate preparation, the psychedelic effects produced by synthetic psilocybin can be effective in alleviating existential anxiety and depression associated with a diagnosis of terminal disease. These data have stimulated renewed interest in using psilocybin as a therapeutic agent, and medical research organizations have announced plans to advance psilocybin through the drug approval process to treat depression, addiction, post-traumatic fear, and other mental health ailments. This presentation will survey modern research into the clinical pharmacology and potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin.
Brad Burge, MA, Kate Hawke, MA, Veronika Gold, MA, LMFT, Timothy Crespi, LPC, CADC CC150/160 (CE Credit)
– What is Expanded Access, and what does it mean for practitioners and patients?
– What are the requirement for running an Expanded Access center?
– What has been the experience of people who are already working to set up Expanded Access sites?
– Who is currently planning to offer Expanded Access with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, and where?
– What does the timeline look like?
– Where can we find additional resources?
Esteban Yepes, Teaching Kitchen @ 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM
Join us for this workshop in the teaching kitchen to learn how to use chocolate as medicine carrier. Learn to prepare homemade herbal teas, concoctions, and infused waters to enhance chocolate´s heart centered nature. Learn about the growing body of research on the therapeutic benefits of Chocolate, with a discussion on some of the potential uses of chocolate, such as:
All while enjoying tastings of the versatile, polychromatic & bittersweet essence of the world most beloved food: chocolate!
Rael Cahn, MD, Ph.D. CC150/160 (CE/CME Credit)
Dr. Cahn will provide an overview on the neurophysiology of meditative and psychedelic states of mind and the relation between these mind-brain states and healing mechanisms for anxiety, depression, obsessionality, and existential suffering. He will present his research findings assessing the effects of both meditation and the psychedelic agent psilocybin on the brain correlates of sensory and cognitive processing, highlighting areas of similarity and differences. He will also summarize the related recent neurophysiologic findings which provide a growing literature base from which to draw hypotheses and conclusions about the potential of these approaches to provide relief from suffering in people with significant psychological suffering as well as the development of greater well-being and psychological flexibility.
Hamid Jabbar, JD AB7-8 (CE Credit) @ 5:00 PM
Every entheogenic tradition uses sound and music in the experience, but each provides its own reasons. Modern research into the effects of sound on the mind and body shed light on how sound and certain types of music work hand-in-hand with entheogenic medicines to bring about physiological and psychological healing. What can we learn about the use of sound in these experiences from similar traditions that have long abandoned the use of entheogenic plants, like the Indian mantra system, the ecstatic drumming traditions of Africa, the Native American traditions? Many believe sound is doing the work. This presentation will present the latest research into the effects of sound on the mind and body, with advice for practitioners on how to select appropriate sound and music in their work with patients.
Amanda Ryskowski, Belinda Eriacho
© 2021 Arizona Psychedelic Conference 2019 by ERA
DISCLAIMER: While Entheogenic Research Awareness (ERA) supports research on therapeutic applications of psychedelics and cannabis, ERA by no means promotes or condones the use of any illegal substance. Information conveyed during the conference is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be used as treatment advice.
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