An Exploration of Psychedelics & Nature
Connectedness with Dr. Sam Gandy

There appears to be a growing disconnection between humans and their natural environments which has been linked to poor mental health and environmental destruction. Nature connectedness, or relatedness, encompasses an awareness of being part of a larger interconnected web of life that makes up the natural world, and has been linked to well-being and happiness, in addition to pro-nature attitudes and behaviours.

A growing body of evidence shows that use of psychedelic substances is associated with catalysing positive shifts in people’s relationships with nature, and can evoke enduring increases in nature connectedness post experience. How does this occur, and what are the potential implications of this at a time of growing mental health and ecological crises? What overlap is there between how psychedelics and contact with nature affect our mental state, and how can we maximise this synergy between nature and psychedelics to improve mental health?

Doors Open 6.45pm, Talk Starts 7.30pm. Come down early to grab a good seat!

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Sam is a PhD ecologist and independent researcher. He has varied experience of working within the psychedelic field, including as a past scientific assistant to the director of the Beckley Foundation and as a research assistant with the Synthesis Institute. His work has also involved science communication, including a past role as a senior science writer for Wavepaths. A lifelong nature lover, he has a research interest in the capacity of psychedelics to influence human relationships with nature, and is a collaborator with the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London. His main work focus is within the ecological field, working as Innovation Team Leader with environmental consultancy Ecosulis.