Psychedelics in therapy

Psychedelics for mental health? Combining these terms doesn’t have to be an oxymoron! Take a step into the unknown with us, which can open up a new universe of possibilities. The stigma that research into these substances carried until recently has now been replaced in developed societies by a fascination with the possibilities that psychedelics offer.

In what ways can they be useful and which diseases do they address? Which substances are most commonly studied and what are the results of historical and recent studies? Can their responsible use contribute to self-development and what is their personality-transformative potential? Can they really change minds?

The 1970s and the hippie era brought them to the top, then they were banned, and today mainstream societies are re-evaluating them. But the truth is that psychedelics have been with us since time immemorial, and their status and importance in society is constantly changing.

Their research today is experiencing a worldwide renaissance, and we will therefore look at how they play a role in self-development.

Lecture by Mgr. Jaroslav Farkas, founder and director of the Psychonaut Academy project and lecturer in the university course “Experimental psychopharmacology, contemporary research on psychedelics and psychedelic psychotherapy” at the 3rd Medical Faculty of Charles University in Prague, will give us a comprehensive introduction to the use of these fascinating substances and outline some of the pitfalls associated with their integration into society.

In his lecture he will discuss:

– the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms behind the effects of psychedelics
– the latest results of current research in this field
– the therapeutic and transformative potential of the extraordinary states of consciousness induced by these substances
– the growing phenomenon of weekend shamanic ceremonies using substances such as ayahuasca or Bufo Alvarius
– the risks associated with the irresponsible use of psychedelics and ways to integrate challenging psychedelic experiences into everyday life 🍄🐛

Mgr. Jaroslav Farkaš

Graduated in psychology at the Faculty of Arts of the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava (2010) and currently helps clients in personal development. For more than two decades he has been interested in psychedelic substances, altered states of consciousness and their therapeutic and self-development potential. He is a graduate of a long-term training in biodynamic body-psychotherapy (a deep body-oriented approach). In his work with clients, he is also inspired by insights from psychoanalysis, transpersonal psychology, postmodern constructivist approaches and neurobiology. He is the founder and director of the Psychonaut Academy project and serves as one of the lecturers in the university course “Experimental Psychopharmacology, Contemporary Research on Psychedelics and Psychedelic Psychotherapy” at the 3rd Medical Faculty of Charles University in Prague. He is also a co-founder and member of the Czech Psychedelic Society, where he served on the board of the organization from 2016 to 2020. In the past, he worked as a psychologist in children’s homes, in a support centre for professional families, he also tried his hand at working in the spirit of the harm-reduction philosophy with drug users in a contact centre and co-initiated the establishment of the Psyon Psychedelic Clinic in Prague. 🌈 🐞

Venue: the National Enlightenment Centre / V-Club, SNP Square, Bratislava
Date: Monday, 14.04.2025
Start: at 19:00 – 21:00
Admission: 10 – 12 €

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