Santiago Psychedelic Research Symposium

The IRL group from the Research Centre on Intelligent Technologies (CiTIUS) are organising a symposium on Tuesday, May 20, focused on the scientific and interdisciplinary exploration of psychedelics. The event will bring together international experts to examine how these substances are reshaping our understanding of health, consciousness, and human experience, with a particular emphasis on their therapeutic, cognitive and social potential.

The session will begin with a talk by Professor Pedro Teixeira (University of Lisbon), titled Psychedelics and Public Health. Teixeira, a specialist in behavioural sciences, will present emerging evidence suggesting that psychedelics —even outside clinical contexts— can foster sustained improvements in lifestyle behaviours such as diet, exercise, sleep, and meditation. These findings support a growing field of research: Psychedelics and Public Health.

The event is organised by the Intangible Realities Lab, based at CiTIUS.

Next, Dr. Débora González (Universidad Isabel I / FSJD) will present her clinical research in a talk titled Ayahuasca-Assisted Meaning Reconstruction Therapy as an Early Resource for Bereavement. Her pioneering study examines the effectiveness of ayahuasca-assisted therapy for individuals experiencing severe grief, showing superior outcomes in grief symptoms, quality of life, and post-traumatic growth compared to conventional approaches.

The final speaker will be Dr. Chris Timmermann (University College London), a leading researcher in psychedelic neuroscience. His lecture, The fertile void, will explore how DMT and 5-MeO-DMT deconstruct our sense of self, time and space, enabling powerful transformative experiences. He will also discuss findings that reveal deep similarities with advanced meditative states.

The session will conclude with an open roundtable discussion moderated by CiTIUS affiliated researcher David Glowacki, offering a chance for attendees to engage directly with the speakers.

The event will take place at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Santiago de Compostela, from 16:00 to 19:00. Attendance is free, but registration is required through the official form:

More information on the official symposium website.