Irish Doctors for Psychedelic Assisted Therapy and Trinity College Dublin Psychedelic Research Group were proud to host Ireland's first ever Psychedelic Research Conference which took place in the Ed Burke Theatre Trinity College Dublin on October 25th 2024.
6 of the world's leading experts delivered inspiring talks and answered questions from the 360 conference attendees.
DR DAVID ERRITZOE
David Erritzoe is Clinical Director of Imperial College London’s Centre for Psychedelic Research. He is a consultant psychiatrist at St Charles Hospital where he leads a ground-breaking research initiative that aims to unlock new therapies for mental health and neuroscience. His focus is on experimental psychopharmacology, specifically investigating the effects of classic psychedelics and ketamine in healthy and psychiatric populations. By using cutting-edge imaging methods such as PET, MRI, and EEG, David hopes to uncover the compounds' therapeutic potential and mechanisms, including brain plasticity and psychological flexibility.
PROF. PETER HENDRICKS
Peter Hendricks is Professor at University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA. Peter is currently researching the use of psilocybin to see if it will help individuals addicted to cocaine stop using the harmful drug. He theorizes that psilocybin, which is the active compound found in Psilocybe mushrooms, also known as “magic mushrooms,” will work from various angles: biochemical, psychological and transcendental/spiritual. Peter will talk about his research as well as novel and more effective treatments for substance abuse dependence, with specific areas of focus on tobacco, cocaine and polysubstance abuse in vulnerable populations.
DR ROBERTA MURPHY
Dr Roberta Murphy is an Irish psychiatrist based in London. She is currently training as a medical psychotherapist in South West London and St George’s NHS Trust. She is a member of the Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research. She worked as a study doctor and therapy guide on trials of psilocybin for healthy volunteers, severe depression and eating disorders. She has helped to train other research teams and offers support around issues pertaining to screening. Her research focuses on the importance of the psychotherapeutic relationship to achieve the best clinical outcomes in psychedelic therapy.
DR DAVID LUKE
Dr David Luke is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Greenwich. He is currently a module leader of the Psychology of Exceptional Human Experience. Dr Luke is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London. He is a lecturer on the MSc Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology where he leads and teaches a module on Psychedelics and Entheogens. David's particular interest is in transpersonal experiences, anomalous phenomena and altered states of consciousness. He has published over 100 academic papers and 10 books in this field.
TIMMY DAVIS
Timmy Davis is the Policy Director at the Psilocybin Access Rights (#PAR) campaign and manages the Psilocybin Rescheduling Project at the Centre for Evidence-Based Drug Policy. He is a contributing member of Drug Science's Medical Psychedelics Working Group and a guide on the psilocybin for treatment resistant depression trials at Kings College London, as well as a welfare and harm reduction manager at music festivals in the UK and abroad. He holds an MA in Psychoanalytic Studies and a BA Hons in Philosophy and Religion from the university of Kent, where he was president of the UKC Psychedelic Society for three years.
DR GUILLAUME THUERY
Guillaume Thuery is a postdoctoral researcher at Trinity College Dublin, where he investigates the immuno-modulatory and antidepressant effects of psychedelics. He holds a PhD in Neurogenetics from TCD. Guillaume uses a variety of techniques, such as microscopy, molecular biology, and behavioral assays, to understand the mechanisms and effects of these compounds on the brain and the immune system.
Feedback from Conference Attendees:
What did you like most about the conference?
The fact that it happened..!!! Im in my second year of psychotherapy and ive been questioning where my niche is and if im doing the right thing (as its an expensive course) but i was electrified from start to finish of the conference. I could feel my golden thread pinging like crazy! I am so motivated now to hone in on specific research topics and can actially see a future for myself now.
It was all just so well organised and thought out, even down to the finer details of the way we were called back with the singing/sound bowl, and the music at the break. The speakers were amazing, looking at it all from slightly different angles. My brain was set to WOW all day.
The varied range of speakers of such high calibre.
Multidisciplinary, good variety of topics.
I particularly enjoyed the high quality speakers, it was clear they had really prepared for the sessions. In particular, I learned a lot from Timmy Davis and Peter Hendricks. I also really enjoyed David Luke's talk. I very much enjoyed the drinks in the Market Bar.
A good range of speakers, appealing to the 'science' side and the 'therapy' side. A good overview of what's going on in psychedelic research and plans for the future.
The mix of perspectives (chemical, neuro, therapeutic, psychedelic weirdness).
A historic day, well done to all involved!
The balance between the aspects of psychedelic therapy, both from a western and indigenous perspective and the conservative yet hopeful perspective taken by speakers and audience members.
That it took place congrats! Research information, convivial audience, David Luke.
The vast knowledge from the speakers very well explained both enjoyable and educational.
Very interested in the speakers.
I really enjoyed the different perspectives that were brought and the opportunities to ask questions at the end of each talk. The atmosphere created was my favourite thing about the conference.
All of it!
The vibe!
Organised very well and lived up to expectations. Venue excellent and speakers spot on.
Interdisciplinary, high-quality and diverse perspectives.
High quality and relevance.
The atmosphere, delighted to see such an array of people gathered to support the movement.
The variety of the subject matter/speakers. Also a sense of a gathering of similar minds. And just the event itself, a groundbreaking moment it felt like and Trinity seemed to be the best venue from that perspective.
Variety of speakers; duration of talks; frequent breaks!
The variety of speakers and overall positive energy of the day.
The amount of people there who want to push this subject forward.
The great information - positive and energetic atmosphere.
Content of talks.
Variety of talks and calibre of speakers.
Very well run and comprehensive.
It was very informative, a wide berth of perspectives.
The variety of speakers was excellent. The venue give it prestige.
Learned a lot from experts from all around the world.
An open and fruitful atmosphere. Speakers keen to invite questions.
The quest speakers you had were excellent and they gave a really good all encompassing view of PAP as a whole.
The atmosphere, the community, the expertise and the quality and standard of the posters and research.
The good energy and positive attitude of the speakers.
I enjoyed the scope and depth of information and research presented and discussed, highly informative and interesting!!
Chance to mingle and meet so many people.
Inclusive and accessible at all levels.
Subject matter. Good organisation. Coffee and lunch supplied. Great communication regarding keeping (us) informed via emails etc.
All of it but in the end the speakers & the content of their presentations is the core of the day.Everything else was spot on and this supports the enjoyment of the day.
Everything! That all of the speakers and content was accessible.
Very interesting topic, great diversity of speeches!! Brilliant atomosphere. Brilliant structure and organisation.
And highly appreciate the oat milk :)
Good mix of speakers. great to see research posters.
The variety of topics covered by the speakers, the wide demographic of attendees, the atmosphere.
That it was breaking new ground.
Long breaks to meet people.
The different areas covered such as psychotherapy, neuroscience, metaphysical was excellent.
Join us again in October 2025 for a mind-expanding event where researchers, healthcare workers, policymakers, and curious minds come together to explore the world of psychedelics. We are proud to host leading experts from around the world to discuss the latest findings, breakthroughs, and talking points in the field of psychedelic research. The talks will present cutting-edge research while still being accessible to the public. There will be a panel discussion at the end of the day which will allow our audience the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and broaden your horizons!
This conference is approved for 7 CPD points by the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
We will have a poster presentation outside the lecture hall on the day. We invite all those with psychedelic research to send in an abstract to irishdoctors4pat@gmail.com. Please e-mail us for further details on poster guidelines.
We look forward to seeing you there!
IDPAT