Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022 from 12:00-1:30pm PST

As psychedelics become increasingly accepted into medical/therapeutic practices, and as they gain traction in the mainstream as a whole, we hear a lot about the positive benefits of using these medicines. However, as with anything that is consumed, it is important to consider all of the adverse effects that may occur. Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is one of these adverse effects which can occur after consuming hallucinogenic substances. What do we know (and not know) about HPPD? What is it like to develop HPPD and serious adverse effects while being, or having once been, an advocate for the drugs? What could be the unintended consequences of raising the profile of HPPD? What lessons could the story of HPPD hold for the role of medical and disorder-based thinking and approaches for the adverse effects of HPPD? What are some things that researchers might be neglecting about HPPD right now? What can be done to ensure more harm reduction around HPPD? What is the role of the medical model in making sense of the risks and side-effects of psychedelics? Edward Oliver Prideaux, who is a UK-based journalist and Master's student in Psychology who works with the Perception Restoration Foundation, will answer all of these questions and more in this conversation moderated by Liana Sananda Gillooly, who is MAPS’ Strategy Officer, Chairman of the Board of North Star and sits on Chacruna’s board.

Ed Prideaux is a UK-based journalist and Master’s student in Psychology who works with the Perception Restoration Foundation. With ongoing personal experience with LSD-induced Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) and Depersonalisation-Derealisation Disorder (DP/DR), Ed is keen to motivate conversations about safety and the meaningful resolution of the difficulties that arise with powerful psychedelic experiences.

Liana Sananda Gillooly is a lifelong advocate for social justice, drug policy reform, ending war, and environmental protection. Liana has worked as a gallerist, art curator, event producer, and held management positions at Greenpeace and Essential Living Foods. Before joining MAPS, she worked as Outreach & Partnerships Manager for a prominent cannabis investment and market research firm, The Arcview Group, where she helped grow the accredited investor network, advocated for legalization, and supported the work of Marijuana Policy Project. It was through her experience witnessing the exponential growth of the cannabis industry that she became inspired to co-found the non-profit North Star, working to integrate psychedelic wisdom into emerging industry surrounding the field of psychedelics, and Auryn Project, non-profit incubator for organizations building equitable, affordable, and accessible psychedelic medicine for all. Liana is a member of Chacruna’s Board of Directors. She is a movement builder deeply committed to collective liberation, and works to build “the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible” by intersecting with movements in humane tech, regenerative ecology, indigenous protection, and purpose driven economics. She enjoys building connection with change-makers, and wrangling the resources needed to transform our world. She has been a featured speaker at numerous events, lobbied Congress, lectured MBA students, given a TedX talk, and is a member of the Summit and TED communities. She a trained death midwife, vipassana meditator, and immersive artist.

This talk will be recorded and immediately available for rewatch for all attendees.

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Let’s Talk about HPPD: The Dark Sides and Side Effects of Psychedelics