To explore the multifaceted aspects of psychedelics and other consciousness-expanding tools, their potential therapeutic benefits and risks, and their broader impact on public health and well-being. The conference "New Approaches in Regulating Psycho-Emotional States: Perspectives from Human and Life Sciences" aims to highlight the need for rational drug policies and the safe availability of psychedelic-assisted therapy as a complementary approach to addressing mental disorders and other health challenges.
As research has shown, psychedelics and other consciousness-expanding techniques are promising and effective tools for the treatment of various psychiatric disorders, addictions and other diseases. Especially in a context where, according to the World Health Organization, new tools are vitally needed to tackle the mental health pandemic. At the same time, it is not a simple solution for all and involves both benefits and risks.
Research over the past few decades has demonstrated the potential of psychedelics to alter consciousness by producing lasting neurological effects in the brain – helping one to gain new perspectives and insights, leading to significant and lasting improvements in mental health. The unique pharmacological effects of psychedelics promote cognitive plasticity as well as creative approaches to problem solving. In addition, they deepen our phenomenological understanding of consciousness and thereby embody promising therapeutic potential.
At the same time, this new paradigm – which also includes a more holistic approach to mental health problems – raises the need for careful regulation and high ethical criteria in the therapeutic use of psychedelics.
Initiated by the association Veselīga Latvija (Latvian: “Healthy Latvia”) in collaboration with the University of Latvia, this is the second conference in a series of discussions focusing on modern integrative methods in medicine – especially in cases of mental and oncological disease, palliative care, and addiction treatment – using consciousness transforming methods and psychedelic substances. The first one took place on 17 May 2023 and featured a total of 14 renowned international and local experts. Among them were Paul Stamets, Dennis McKenna, David Nutt, Ethan Nadelmann, Mendel Kaelen and Indriķis Muižnieks.
David Nutt David Nutt is currently the Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology and director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit in the Division of Brain Sciences.
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Ethan Nadelmann Ethan Nadelmann is host of the weekly podcast, PSYCHOACTIVE, as well as founder and former executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), the nation’s leading drug policy reform organization.
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Wim van den Brink Wim van den Brink is Emeritus Professor of Addiction Psychiatry at the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam and used to be the Director of the Amsterdam Institute for Addiction Research (AIAR).
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Rick Strassman Dr. Rick Strassman is a Clinical Associate professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.
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Gitte Moos Knudsen Gitte Moos Knudsen, Professor in neurobiology, neurologist, Chair Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. Director of BrainDrugs Alliance.
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Vents Sīlis Dr. Vents Sīlis is an Associate Professor at Riga Stradiņš University (RSU), a philosopher, and a sociologist specializing in health and medical sociology, research ethics, bioethics, and philosophical anthropology.
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Kaspars Eihmanis Kaspars Eihmanis is a philosopher, Buddhologist and sinologist. He holds a PhD in Philosophy from National Taiwan Genji Chengchi University.
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Baiba Jansone Baiba Jansone, Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Latvia (UL). From 2025, Head of the Department of Neuromedicine and Neurosciences at the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences.
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Viljar Veede Viljar Veede is an Estonian psychiatrist with a long-term interest in the therapeutic use of psychedelics for mental disorders.
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12.00 – 12.20 (GMT + 2)
Arrival & Registration
1220 – 12:30 (GMT + 2)
Conference opening speach
Prof. Kristaps Jaunzems
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Latvia
Session 1
12:30 – 12.35 (GMT + 2)
Opening Speech.
Professor Valdis Pīrāgs (Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia)
12.35 – 13.00 (GMT + 2)
Substances that affect the CNS.
Professor Baiba Jansone (Head of the Department of Neuromedicine and Neurosciences at the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences).
13:00 – 13:30 (GMT + 2)
Why is it so challenging to overcome societal stigma around drug policy and psychedelics, particularly in the context of ethical considerations?
Ethan Nadelmann (USA, Drug Policy Alliance).
13:30 – 14:15 (GMT + 2)
Psychedelic-assisted treatment in addiction.
Professor Wim van den Brink (Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry and Addiction at the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam).
14:15 – 15.00 (GMT + 2)
Are so-called non-hallucinogenic compounds really non-psychedelic?
Professor Gitte Moos Knudsen (Chief neurologist at Dept Neurology and chairman at the Neurobiology Research Unit (NRU), Rigshospitalet, and Director of Center for Experimental Medicine Neuropharmacology (NeuroPharm). Professor in Clinical Neurobiology at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH).
15.00 – 15.25 (GMT + 2)
Early stages of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Estonia
Viljar Veede
Psychiatrist; founding member of Foundation for Therapeutic Advancement and Innovation with Psychedelics (TAIP), Estonia
15:25 – 15:50 (GMT + 2)
Coffee Break
Session 2
15.50 – 16.00 (GMT + 2)
Opening Speech
Professor Mārcis Auziņš (Chair of the University of Latvia Council, Head of the Department of Experimental Physics of the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Optometry, University of Latvia)
16.00 – 16.30 (GMT + 2)
Psychedelics and philosophy: de-mystification and intellectual legitimization
Kaspars Eihmanis, PhD (Faculty of Humanities, University of Latvia).
16.30 – 17.00 (GMT + 2)
Can psychedelic experiences serve as a catalyst for the process of individuation as understood by C.G. Jung?
Asoc. prof. Vents Sīlis (Faculty of Social Sciences, Riga Stradins University).
17.00 – 17.45 (GMT + 2)
The Potential to Treat Mental Health Disorders with Psychedelics.
Professor David Nutt (Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology and director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit in the Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London).
17.45 – 18.30 (GMT + 2)
Why do we seek out altered states of consciousness, what happens to us during these experiences, and how can we understand and integrate their meaning?
Dr. Rick Strassman (Clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine).
18.30.... (GMT + 2)
Conclusions, discussions
The main intended audience for the conference is a constructive mix of medical professionals, psychotherapists, educators, law enforcement representatives and others who are interested in new ways for therapy and harm reduction.
The conference will be held in English at the House of Nature at the University of Latvia, Jelgavas iela 1 (in person) and live-streamed via the “Veselīga Latvija” Facebook platform. Attendance will be free of charge for all interested parties.
The conference is organized by the NGO “Veselīga Latvija” in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Latvia.
It is part of the 83rd International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia.