est. 2019

Our Spring 2025 Art Show is here! The biggest, most interactive, psychedelic-est one yet. Can you hear it?

We’re excited to announce our musicians, Handsome Boys Pickin’ Band and Rick Zhou. Come for the music, stay for the art, refreshments, and vibes.

Please join us for a screening of Embrace of the Serpent, a profound film that takes place in the Colombian Amazons. Sam Weil ‘25 will offer some opening remarks about this “sacred text” of her thesis.

DOUBLE-FEATURE CAPSTONE — (L)et’s (S)it (D)own: A Comedic Psychedelics Panel AND A Trip Down Comedy Lane

Psychedelic Week is coming to a close, and we are pleased to have comedians Shane Mauss, Opey Olagbaju, and Biniam Bizuneh helping us go out with a bang! Featured on Conan, Comedy Central, HBO and more, these three comedians are bound to make you laugh, consider your consciousness, and learn about psychedelics.

Our panel consists of researchers in the psychedelic-adjacent space, hosted by Shane Mauss. Panelists include Tristan Angieri, Tara Deonauth, Osiris González Romero, and Florian Engert. You won’t want to miss it! In order to guarantee a seat, RSVP at the link in our bio! This event is open to the public.

A very special thank you to @moguapothecary for helping make this event possible.

Psychedelic Week Event 7 — Singing as Plants: Sonic Agency in Shipibo-style Ayahuasca Ceremonies

In Shipibo cosmology, medicinal plants are known as masters, doctors, teachers, and gods. A living tradition of establishing direct relationships with these plants allows them to be summoned through song to heal others, such as in the context of ayahuasca ceremonies. This presentation considers three interrelated aspects of Shipibo medicine songs: 1) their emergence from non-human materialities; 2) forms and methods of vocal masking; and 3) protocols for calling forth plants as spiritual agents and vocally manifesting them.

Michelle (she/they) studies song as a transformative act. Her dissertation focuses on three cases: Jewish recitations for the dead, Hindu mantras for the dying, and Shipibo medicine songs for healing non-natives. Their methodology emphasizes experience as a bridge between scholarship and practice, and their research is informed by ongoing work in end-of-life, trauma care, and ceremonial settings.

Psychedelic Week Event 6 — Psychedelic Chaplaincy: A Novel Approach to Spiritual Care for Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression

Expert Tara Deonauth and her student Paula Ortiz delve into how a psychedelic or ketamine chaplain integrates spiritual care with clinical treatment, addressing the deeper emotional and existential aspects of depression. Drawing on Tara’s diverse background, this discussion aims to illuminate how compassionate, story-driven care can enrich the therapeutic journey of patients facing challenging mental health conditions.

Tara Deonauth, M.Div., received her master’s degree at Harvard Divinity School and she completed her clinical training at Boston Medical Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Beverly Hospital and UNC Health Care. At Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital Tara oversaw spiritual care services and served as a member of the Ethics Consult, Palliative Care, Bereavement and Resuscitation Committees and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. She has specialized training in supporting palliative care, psychiatric, pediatric and oncology patients and is certified in dementia care through the Alzheimer’s Association. She also serves as a mediator in Massachusetts courts through the Harvard Mediation Program. Previously, Tara worked as a high school teacher in Lawrence, MA and later as a director of data analytics for an education nonprofit. This mélange of interest and experience, combined with her insatiable love for storytelling, draw her to the field of chaplaincy.

Psychedelic Week Event 5 — The Current and Future Landscape of Psychedelic Research

Dr. Kenneth Shinozuka ‘20 is the Harvard Undergraduate Psychedelics Club’s Co-Founder. After his time at Harvard, Dr. Shinozuka obtained his PhD from the University of Oxford where he was also President of the Oxford Psychedelic Society. He has sought to synthesize research on phenomenology, neuroimaging, and the pharmacology of psychedelics. With background work alongside Robin Carhart-Harris and at the Qualia Research Institute, we are extremely excited to hear Dr. Shinozuka’s insight on the exciting forefront of psychedelics. Stay tuned for information on a livestream for this talk!

Psychedelic Week Event 4 — Cognitive Liberty and the Psychedelic Humanities

Osiris González Romero holds many degrees, including a BA and PhD in philosophy, the latter from Leiden University in the Netherlands. His doctoral dissertation, “Tlamatiliztli: The Wisdom of the Nahua People” explores intercultural philosophy and land rights, and was published by the Leiden University Press.

This talk aims to conceptualize cognitive liberty and the psychedelic humanities by examining their constitutive elements. Firstly, an analysis will be carried out of the constitutive elements of cognitive liberty. Secondly, this talk will address some
arguments for the philosophical and cultural uses of psychedelics. Finally, this talk will discuss the scope and significance of psychedelic humanities as a vein of research. Cognitive liberty is a crucial concept for the psychedelic humanities, likely to broaden our understanding of consciousness studies and reflect on epistemological, ethical and social issues related to scientific research. Cognitive liberty is an update of freedom of thought according to the challenges of the 21st century.

Psychedelic Week Event 3 — Spiritual and Cosmological Frames as Contexts for Psychedelic Integration

Join us on Tuesday afternoon for a wild one! Dr. Nicholas Collura, Director of MIT’s Radius and chaplain for MIT’s Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life, will host a conversation about how particular cosmologies (ranging from religious cosmologies to the dominant contemporary cosmology of technocapitalism) serve as frameworks for interpreting psychedelic experiences. The modality of spiritual direction will be explored as one potential context for such exploration. How we integrate psychedelic journeys is a matter of political interest given their popularly with the so-called “tech oligarchy” and a matter of public health interest given the fact that some people have challenging experiences — but it is also a matter of rich spiritual interest more broadly.

Psychedelic Week Event 2: A Discussion with Tristan Angieri on Psychedelics and Aesthetics

Join us on Monday for a conversation with Tristan Angieri on the overarching theme of psychedelics and aesthetics. The synthesis of historical context, artistic evolution, and scientific inquiry provides an outline of how psychedelics have not only altered individual perceptions, but also reshaped the broader aesthetic landscape.

Tristan Angieri is a writer, artist, and Master of Theological Studies candidate with a focus on psychedelic studies. Their research explores the intersections of psychedelics and spirituality, with a particular attention to perceptual and material dimensions. Tristan brings over a decade of professional experience in education, software engineering, and architecture to their interdisciplinary work.

Psychedelic Week Event 1: Collaborative Poetry with Aidan Fitzsimons

Since it was so popular last time, @aidan.ventures is moderating collaborative poetry again! Come help us kick off Psychedelic Week by riffing lines, making friends & art, and enjoying refreshments.

Are you returning from Spring break and want to enjoy a relaxing evening of art, libations, and psychedelic conversation? Join us this Saturday for a paint n sip with members of Students for Sensible Drug Policy! All supplies included. 

Are you interested in learning about psychedelics in education and academia? Join us for a night of discussion with Dr. J Christian Greer of Stanford University as we delve into the living history of these special substances. This event is open to the public!

Harvard Undergraduate Psychedelics Club Co-President Chase Bourbon ‘27 demystifies the modern conversation on psychedelic policy. Cover art by Dr. Christian Greer.

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Link to the Harvard Independent Article: https://harvardindependent.com/the-controversy-of-altered-consciousness/

The HUPC Fall ‘24 Art Show 🎨! Come look at (and hopefully purchase) art and poetry submitted by our members, followers, and friends. With performances from @boomboomsauceband and DJ @danielasoliss, it is not one to be missed! This event is open to ALL!!

Our first HPC collaborative poetry event! Co-create with beginner and expert poets alike! Riff lines and experiment with words. The environment will be casual, curious, and encouraging. We hope you create many brilliant new works of art that are yours forever!

Along the way, we’ll learn to think in new ways about philosophy, the mind, and language itself.

An enlightening discussion on Question 4, a citizen-initiated ballot aimed at establishing a regulated framework for the therapeutic use of psychedelics.

Dr. Jay Olson talks about his research and the relationship between placebo related factors and psychedelic effects. Monday, October 14th 2024,
7-8:30PM ET, Boylston Hall

Our semi-annual collaborative art exhibition featuring psychedelic-inspired works, live music, and refreshments at The Harvard Advocate.

Musicians: Boom Boom Sauce (insta: @boomboomsauceband)

A film screening of Terry Gilliam's 1998 movie, offering a psychedelic journey through Las Vegas, with refreshments and open attendance. 

A live and virtual lecture featuring Dr. David Nichols, a pioneering researcher in psychedelic pharmacology and chemistry, discussing his groundbreaking work and the therapeutic potentials of psychedelics.

A discussion with Jeffrey Breau, a researcher from Harvard Divinity School, exploring the spiritual use of psychedelics at Burning Man.

A moderated discussion with Ángel Japón, an intercultural educator from the Kichwa Saraguro community specializing in Andean philosophy.

Co-Sponsors: Natives at Harvard College, Quechua Initiative on Global Indigeneity, Harvard University Native American Program 

Our semi-annual collaborative art exhibition featuring psychedelic-inspired works, live music, and refreshments at The Harvard Advocate.

An open discussion featuring Andrew Askaripour, a ceremonialist and multidisciplinary artist, on the importance of using plant medicines within ceremonial contexts. 

A screening of Rob Harper’s 2019 film exploring psychedelic experiences, with refreshments and open attendance. 

A guest lecture by Jeffrey A. Breau, discussing the nuances of difficult psychedelic experiences and the role of chaplaincy in harm reduction.

Our semi-annual collaborative art exhibition featuring psychedelic-inspired works, live music, and refreshments at The Harvard Signet.

A panel discussion featuring experts on the resurgence of psychedelic research and its implications across legal, medical, and spiritual fields, including audience Q&A.

Panelists: Dr. Christian Greer (Harvard Divinity School Religious Studies), Dr. Mason Marks, (Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation (POPLAR) at Harvard Law School), Dr. Roxanne Sholevar MD (Psychiatrist, Harvard Medical School & Dana Farber Institute), Dr. Sharmin Ghaznavi MD (Harvard Medical School & Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics)

Delve into the lesser-known aspects of Harvard's psychedelic culture from the 1960s in this lecture and discussion session with Paul Gillis Smith, a researcher from Harvard Divinity School.

Join Dr. King, Director of Education and Training at the Mass General Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics, as he shares insights on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and current clinical research.

Co-Host: Northeastern Psychedelics Club

Our semi-annual collaborative art exhibition featuring psychedelic-inspired works, live music, and refreshments at The Harvard Advocate.

Musicians: Harry Lee-Rubin (Bandcamp: https://colwarren.bandcamp.com/); Sophie Garrigus (insta: @sophiegarrigus); 123funyayaya and Jon Download (insta: @annabondolo @jondownload); Kaia “Chaia” Berman Peters (insta: @chaialeh)

An evening of community art-making with supplies and refreshments provided. 

A film screening of Louie Schwartzberg's exploration of the magical world of fungi, with refreshments and open attendance.

A semi-formal evening featuring a catered dinner, refreshments, music, and a special performance by Onyx Ewa presenting “Sonder,” a film and performance exploring individuals’ vivid inner lives through art, beauty, and joy.

Sonder is a film and performance that explores individuals’ vivid inner lives through a series of interviews about art, beauty, and joy accompanied by a contemplative performance by Onyx Ewa. This piece weaves together individuals’ responses to a series of three questions and establishes a beautiful portrait of people’s rich relationships with art, beauty, and joy. Through this performance, the artist hopes to strengthen their own connection to the pursuit of joy, and to encourage others to do the same.

Our semi-annual collaborative art exhibition featuring psychedelic-inspired works, live music, and refreshments.

Musicians: Somesh and Greyson (insta: @someshdasmusic @astralmajestyband) from Berklee, Kaia (insta: @chaialeh) from Harvard/NEC. 

A lecture by Christian Greer from Harvard Divinity School, exploring the historical context and development of the psychedelic church movement.

An evening to discover more about HPC, connect with members, and address application inquiries, with refreshments.