Roland Griffiths: Johns Hopkins Psilocybin Project - Implications for Spirituality & Therapeutics

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Roland Griffiths, PhD
Johns Hopkins Psilocybin Research Project:
Studies of Mystical Experience, Adverse Effects, Meditation
in Healthy Volunteers, and Palliative Effects in Cancer
Patients-Implications for Spirituality and Therapeutics
Psychedelic Science 2017
2017.psychedelicscience.org
A six-day global gathering of the international scientific community in Oakland, California to explore new research into the benefits and risks of MDMA, LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca, ketamine, ibogaine, medical marijuana, and more.

[@persephonelabs2754]

Was there in person for this, and the whole conference was incredible, but there was one line that Dr. Griffiths said at the very end that could sum it all up best, and I will remember when he said this because it kind of changed my life: "What I really want to underscore is that because these mystical experiences give rise to these trait level changes in spirituality and altruism, gratitude, forgiveness, interpersonal closeness, they really appear to be foundational to our very deepest ethical and moral understandings...this pro-social impulse for mutual care-taking...and therefore further research into the causes and consequences of these absolutely extraordinary experiences is very likely to be crucial ultimately to the very survival of our species."

[@edoss5302]

Wow, nice.

[@iveno_]

Oh MAPS thank you guys for putting this up, thanks to all the people making this happen. I am so glad I am part of MAPS in Vancouver :D I love Roland Griffiths talks, always very informative!

[@mrlds3202]

Very cool that Vancouver has a MAPS location, had no idea!

[@michaelcorbin]

Dr. Griffiths was not entirely correct when he stated around 22:00 that Buddhist traditions prohibit the use of Psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Both Buddhist meditation and Taoist meditation/Qigong have employed Psilocybe and other mushrooms such as Ling Chi (also called Reishi or Ganoderma Lucidum) and Lion's Mane.
Many Hindu scholars point to the blue color of many of their Gods (i.e. Krishna, Shiva) - in deference to the blueing of Psilocybe mushrooms when damaged, and to the sacred reverence of the cow (these mushrooms are often found fruiting from cow-patties).
Chinese Taoist practices, especially from Wudan, have used Psilocybe mushrooms to heighten one's connection to the Tao and future sight (ESP or deja vu) among others. Additionally, mushrooms are used in conjunction with light deprivation (meditating in dark caves for weeks/months at a time) which is known to increase the body's natural production of DMT.
Central American civilizations such as the Toltec, Maya and Mazatec also used Psilocybe mushrooms for meditation, manipulating awareness, and healing.
Long story short, Psilocybin has been used in conjunction with meditation for thousands of years. The bias against these mushrooms is largely a U.S. construct following the attempted weaponization of hallucinogens (mainly LSD) from 1953 to 1973 and the subsequent Schedule I ban.
The efficacy of Psilocybin for the treatment of Depression, Anxiety and PTSD/S is simply amazing, even at low daily dosages (2 to 3 mg/70kg, or ~250mg of dried mushroom).

[@Milkshakman]

Michael Corbin Thanks for this, very fascinating information. Any reading recommendations around this stuff?

[@jaygerlach6884]

In the survery of N=1602 - I wonder how many are actually getting to the 30mg level dose the lab participants got?

[@CFB6855]

What exactly is a Mystical Experience?

[@michaelcorbin]

Craig A - That's a great question. Watch the video at 33:00, the study did a good job defining what a "mystical experience" is.
Neural pathways in our brains can diminish due to physical trauma (TBI, concussion), emotionally traumatic experiences, ingestion of substances (alcohol, drugs, environmental toxins), age, etc.
When these pathways shut down (often like the tripping of a circuit breaker), we experience symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, PTSD/S, which include a lack of connectedness to the world around us, self-isolation, a lack of hope, and diminished spirituality.
Psilocybin opens/reopens the neural pathways in the brain and reverses the symptoms described above. The effects can be profound, especially at higher dosages. You feel/become aware of/experience the connectedness of 'everything', including your part in the world/universe. You "feel" this "greater plan"/"higher power"/"ultimate reality"/'God", etc.
This is what is defined as the "Mystical Experience". It's difficult to describe in words or conceptualize, especially if you suffer from depression or diminished neural connections. But, like porn, you'll know it when you experience it.

[@adolfelmarjukic9133]

Your last sentence is a killer ...

[@paulbrocklehurst5873]

What can be defined as 'porn' is totally subjective & isn't science as the guy in this video is attempting to claim.

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

I can see the benefits of psychedelics for therapeutics, but spirituality? More of an argument against in this case I think.