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There is no health without mental health and researchers are uncovering new and exciting ways to care for our brains. Join us as we discuss the lesser understood aspects and novel treatments of mental health disorders, such as depression and schizophrenia. Taking examples from pharmacological, animal, and human research, our speakers will dive into the science of sleep and psychedelics and their usefulness for protecting brain health.
The science of psychedelics: What can animals tell us?
Dasha Anderson
(PhD Student at the University of Bristol)
Despite depression being the most common psychiatric disorder worldwide, only 30-40% of patients reach remission with antidepressants. Recently we have seen great interest in using psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and LSD for treating depression. Psychedelics have been used for thousands of years in shamanic ceremonies, but we’ve only recently started to understand their potential therapeutic benefits and unravel their complex neurobiological mechanisms. In my talk, I’ll introduce the science behind these compounds, focusing on the importance of translating between human and animal research.
Don't sleep on your mental health
Dr Nick Donnelly
(Lecturer in General Adult Psychiatry at the University of Bristol)
With a keen interest in sleep and mental health, Nick has done clinical and preclinical research in a range of contexts. His recent work has been completed at the University of Bristol on sleep disturbances in patients at heightened risk of schizophrenia, ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. By studying the sleep patterns of these patients, Nick has gained valuable insight into the intersection between sleep hygiene and mental health, and will share this and more in this talk.
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