What if psychedelics could be the key to reigniting creativity and solving our biggest challenges? 

This webinar dives into the cutting-edge science of psychedelics and their untapped potential to enhance insight, problem-solving, and innovation.

Led by thought leaders like Dr. Bruce Damer, Dr. Manesh Girn, Dr. Manoj Doss, and Jake Thiede, we’ll explore groundbreaking theories, tackle persistent myths, and imagine how psychedelics can reshape fields from healthcare to technology. Whether you're a curious thinker or a seasoned expert, this is your chance to explore the frontiers of psychedelic science and creativity.

Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking journey into the future of innovation!

▶️ Can’t make the live event? Register now and we’ll send you the replay.

Intro to a New Frontier In Research: Dr. Bruce Damer + Intro by Jake Thiede (20 Min)

Explore the challenges stalling innovation in healthcare and psychedelic science, and discover how MINDS and Ways2Well are paving a path forward. Join MINDS' Co-Founder and President, Dr. Bruce Damer and Ways2Well's VP and Head of Product, Jake Thiede as they delve into the history of altered-state innovation and groundbreaking ideas to reignite creativity and drive breakthroughs for humanity's most pressing challenges.

Session 1: Debunking the Myths: The Science of Psychedelics and Creativity - Dr. Manesh Girn (20 Min)

The idea that psychedelics enhance creativity seems almost intuitive—a powerful tool to unlock the mind's deepest reservoirs of imagination. Yet, when we turn to empirical evidence, the results are far from clear. While some studies suggest psychedelics can boost creative thinking, others reveal little to no effect, and in some cases, even impairments. At the same time, anecdotal accounts abound, with individuals claiming that psychedelics were the catalyst for their most groundbreaking ideas.

In this talk, Dr. Manesh Girn (UCSF Postdoctoral Scholar, Neurology) will provide an overview of the scientific findings to date on how psychedelics influence creativity. He will highlight the difficulties associated with studying psychedelics and creativity in the lab, and describe ways in which psychedelics might enhance creativity, and where their effects might be detrimental. By untangling these threads, we can begin to understand the nuanced relationship between psychedelics and creative problem-solving and identify the real opportunities for future scientific exploration.

Session 2: Mind FLUX Unveiled: A New Hypothesis in Creative Science - Dr. Manoj Doss -  (20 Min)

How do psychedelics influence the mind’s ability to generate creative insights? Enter the FLUX hypothesis, a groundbreaking model that redefines how we understand the intersection of psychedelics and creativity.

Developed by Dr. Manoj Doss, the FLUX hypothesis posits that psychedelics enhance processing fluency—the ease with which information flows through the brain. By disrupting rigid patterns of thought and facilitating novel connections, psychedelics may open doors to types of creativity that thrive on flexibility and integration. But how does this process work at a cognitive and neural level?

In this talk, Dr. Doss (insert credentials and affiliation) will break down the science behind processing fluency, explain how it might be the missing link in understanding psychedelic creativity, and discuss what this means for real-world problem-solving. Attendees will gain insights into a cutting-edge theory that could reshape not only how we think about creativity but also how we harness it in practice.

Session 3: What Comes Next? The Evolving Science of Psychedelic Creativity - Dr. Bruce Damer, Dr. Manoj Doss, Dr. Manesh Girn (40 Min)

As the scientific understanding of psychedelics continues to expand, one question looms large: what does the future hold for their role in creativity? Despite promising theories and anecdotal breakthroughs, the research is still in its infancy. Measuring creativity is complex, and the ways psychedelics might enhance—or inhibit—it depend on numerous factors, from the type of task to the dose and setting.

In this forward-looking discussion, a panel of leading experts will explore the cutting-edge science of psychedelic creativity and its potential applications. Together, they’ll address key questions:

-What are the most exciting frontiers for research?

-How can we navigate the challenges of studying such a complex and subjective phenomenon?

-What practical insights could emerge for fields ranging from technology and design to education and the arts?

We will then conclude the session with a rapid fire Q+A.

Join us as we chart the path ahead, discovering how psychedelics might unlock new dimensions of human ingenuity and innovation.

PSYCHEDELICS AND THE CREATIVE MIND: Science at the Frontier of Creative Problem-Solving