Screening of ‘DMT: The Spirit Molecule’ – 19/10/2011
Wednesday 19/10/2011 – 6PM in Darwin lecture theatre 1, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
The Spirit Molecule investigates dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an endogenous psychoactive compound, which exists in humans and numerous species of plants and animals. The documentary traces Dr. Rick Strassman’s government-sanctioned, human DMT research and its many trials, tribulations, and inconceivable realizations. A closer examination of DMT’s effects through the lens of two traditionally opposed concepts, science and spirituality, The Spirit Molecule explores the connections between cutting-edge neuroscience, quantum physics, and human spirituality. Strassman’s research, and the experiences of the human test subjects before, during, and after the intense clinical trials, raises many intriguing questions. A variety of experts voice their unique thoughts and experiences with DMT within their respective fields. As Strassman’s story unfolds, the contributors weigh in on his remarkable theories
Cannabinoid control of Multiple Sclerosis
Prof. David Baker (david.baker@qmul.ac.uk)
Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London
Wednesday 16th March, 2011. 18:00 – 19:30. Darwin Lecture Theatre 2, UKC.
Multiple sclerosis is the major cause of non-traumatic neurological disability in young adults and can affect up to 1:500 people in certain areas of the United Kingdom. Autoimmune disease induces conduction block, demyelination, axonal, neuronal and synapse loss that serves to impair normal neurotransmission. This results in the development of a variety of neurological symptoms, including spasticity (muscle stiffness), which are poorly controlled. This has prompted some people to use and perceive benefit from taking cannabis. Through investigating experimental models of multiple sclerosis, we have demonstrated how and why cannabinoid compounds may be involved in symptom control and regulation of other disease processes during multiple sclerosis. This has underpinned subsequent clinical studies that have lead to the recent licensing of medicinal cannabis extracts for symptom control in spasticity. Through exploring cannabinoid biology, we have identified ways to exploit the therapeutic potential of the cannabinoid system, whilst limiting the psychedelic side-effects associated with cannabis use.
Healing with Psychedelics
I am an anthropologist, and I’m studying psychedelic culture and the users of psychedelics. Feel free to check out my first article by downloading it here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6GW56YCO. Please accept my apologies for this form letter as I need to make sure everyone I contact gets the same info.
I’m contacting you to ask that you help with my new article. Psychedelics are often mentioned in the context of medicine or healing. I am very interested in this aspect of the use of psychedelics and think it is one aspect that deserves a wider audience which I hope to provide with my article.
I’m doing this research on my own time and with my own funds as I think it is important and waiting for funding agencies to see its value would unnecessarily delay the work. If I’m able to get a core of 3-4 articles it would underscore the value of this study, making it more likely that myself and others interested in this culture will be supported to get the word out that psychedelics are often good for us, and that the good can outweigh the bad. In other words, I do not work under the rubric of harm minimization, but rather benefit maximization.
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