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Have you ever wondered whether LSD or magic mushrooms were good for you? Do you think you have rubbish memory of life events? If so, tonight's talks are sure to leave a lasting impression. Join us for an evening of mind-altering talks from our experts as they delve into the experiences of microdosing for mental health, and the link between mental health and memory deficits.
Small may be better? Can tiny doses of psychedelics support wellbeing and mental health?
Dr Andrew Fox, Dr Rebecca Ryan and Professor Alex Copello
(Clinical psychologists and lecturers, University of Birmingham)
Psychedelic drugs and their potential in treating mental health disorders and addiction was an area of research which came to an end with the prohibition of psychedelics in many Western countries by the 1970s. More recently, this area of research has recommenced with studies exploring the effects of taking low doses of psychedelic substances such as psilocybin (‘magic mushrooms’) or LSD, also referred to as ‘microdosing’. This talk will reveal how a group of people who microdosed psychedelics to support their mental health and wellbeing got on!
(No) thanks for the memories: autobiographical memory and mental health
Dr Nathan Ridout
(Senior Lecturer, Aston University)
Autobiographical memory refers to the recollection of personally experienced events from one’s past. In this talk Nathan will examine the links between psychological distress (depression, trauma and disordered eating) and deficits in autobiographical memory - in particular the tendency to produce overgeneral memories (lacking detail of time and place). This talk will also look at the negative consequences (such as impaired problem solving) and clinical implications (poorer prognosis) of poor memory functioning.
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