Dr. Pascal Michael is a lecturer at the University of Greenwich and program lead of ALEF Trust’s certificate in psychedelics, teaching & researching psychedelics and exceptional human experiences. He is is a Schmeidler Outstanding Student awardee, has been invited to private symposia like the Tyringham Initiative, and to give keynotes such as for the Institute of Psychedelic Therapy, published multiple journal articles, and has recently been named as a top 25 emerging psychedelic thinker.

How to ground the psychedelic UFO: The pivotal potential of exceptional experience, from spiritual risk to ecology of practice

Exceptional Human Experiences (EHEs), including "alien abductions", have transformative potential but risk disconnection with immanent reality, leading to spiritual bypassing or conspirituality. Psychedelics, particularly DMT, can simulate such phenomena, intensifying their psychological impact, especially metaphysical shifts. As such, they provoke ontological shock, resulting in trauma, but also potentially post-traumatic growth, depending on context and approach. Despite risks, they offer such profound opportunities as alleviations of existential anxiety, elevated prosociality, and, ultimately, well-being. With intentional preparation and integration practices, these encounters can be reoriented toward eudaimonia, fostering meaning, equanimity, and love as pillars of a grounded awakening, embracing the transpersonal without sacrificing the inter/personal.