In 2022 Astrobiologist Dr. Bruce Damer disclosed how ayahuasca catalyzed a profound insight into the question of how life began. Published and tested, this visionary experience generated a leading hypothesis in science. In 2023 he co-founded the Center for MINDS to support research into how psychedelics can be more widely employed for breakthrough insights in science, tech, design, and leadership, asking the question: “can the medicines of healing also serve as elixirs of discovery?”

Psychedelic-Catalyzed Insight, a New Path for Research and Practice

This plenary will explore the re-emerging field of psychedelic-catalyzed insight, a research direction first envisioned in 1953 by Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond. After decades of dormancy, research teams at leading institutions and underground practitioners alike are once again investigating the potential of these substances to catalyze creative breakthroughs in science, technology, design, leadership, and beyond. In 2022, Astrobiologist Dr. Bruce Damer publicly disclosed his personal practice of ayahuasca-assisted insight which led to a significant discovery regarding the origin of life on Earth. This led to the 2023 founding of the Austin-based Center for MINDS. Modeled on MAPS, MINDS is committed to supporting research, raising public awareness, fostering collaboration, and promoting best practices as safe and effective protocols are proposed, tested, and valorized as tools for society.