Doors open

Introductory remarks

Opening Keynote

An overview of the last year's findings, and studies to watch in the next year.

Latest developments in clinical studies of psilocybin for depression

Depression continues as a major unmet medical need in the US and globally. However, the majority of these patients do not receive adequate improvement from currently available medications – with only a third of patients with major depression receiving a full response to a first antidepressant and a third who fail to adequately respond to multiple medications given either concurrently or sequentially. Those who do respond to medication often lose the effect over time or develop side effects that impair quality of life, and when patients discontinue these medications, they are at very high risk of having the symptoms of depression return. In addition to these disappointing outcomes, mental health-related costs are a substantial impact on our economic system and society. Psychedelic therapies have the potential to change our current approach to mental health care. Current research suggests that new treatments, such as psilocybin, could have a significant and positive impact on major depressive disorder. And follow-up studies after therapy have also shown lasting benefits. In this session, we will draw on the latest developments in clinical research to prompt the audience to consider key questions, challenges, and opportunities as we move into a new era of mental health treatment with psychedelic therapies in treatment of depression.

A Historical Lens & Clinical Trial Findings: Ibogaine's Role in Methadone Treatment

Methadone is an opioid with an exceptionally long half-life, commonly used in the treatment of opioid dependence, such as heroin or fentanyl. Europe experienced a pervasive heroin epidemic from the 1970s through the 2000s. A substantial number of individuals with heroin use disorder entered Methadone Maintenance Programs (MMPs) as a means to taper off the drug. Remarkably, a significant proportion of individuals who previously had heroin use disorder remained enrolled in MMPs for years. In some cases, they were on methadone for decades and inadvertently developed iatrogenic dependence.

The reasons that prevented further research on ibogaine were, in the beginning of the 20th century, probably related to the stigma that hallucinations were carrying, as well as the racism that likely hindered the expansion of use of an African drug. These societal biases stifled the serious scientific investigation of ibogaine's potential to address substance use disorders.

In the recent decades, it is also true that after the serendipitous re-discovery of the anti-addictive effects of ibogaine, a patent fight was started between different actors. This legal battle created significant roadblocks and limited further and expanded research into ibogaine's potential as a treatment for methadone dependence. Such conflicts divert resources and create legal barriers, hindering progress in the field.

ICEERS has recognized these historical and contemporary obstacles and is committed to addressing them. We have developed an ibogaine-based treatment protocol tailored to individuals who wish to discontinue methadone. My talk will present historical anecdotes regarding the obscure early clinical utilization of ibogaine, shedding light on how societal biases have influenced research priorities. Subsequently, I will evaluate the evidence supporting ibogaine's efficacy in treating methadone dependence, despite the challenges it has faced. I will then provide an overview of our protocol and preliminary findings from our Phase II clinical trial, demonstrating our dedication to advancing research in this area. I will conclude by highlighting results from other research that explores the subjective effects of ibogaine in greater depth, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to substance use disorder treatment in the face of historical and contemporary challenges.

Mid-morning break

Designing a state-funded, open-label psilocybin trial for diverse populations in the United States

In this brief presentation, Dr. Terence Ching will unveil the rationale and development process for a state-funded, open-label psilocybin trial for diverse populations in the United States. Specifically, he will cover key eligibility criteria and culturally attuned study design motivations for this first-of-its-kind trial that the Emerging and Novel Applications for Consciousness-Altering Therapeutics (ENACT) Lab and the Yale Program for Psychedelic Science, as co-directed by Dr. Jamila Hokanson, Dr. Ben Kelmendi and Dr. Chirstopher Pittenger, will spearhead in Connecticut.

Perspective on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Adolescent Populations

In this brief presentation, Dr. Jamila Hokanson, will provide a perspective on Adolescent mental health from both a psychiatric and public health lens and discuss the potential risk and benefits of using psychedelic-assisted therapies in minors. She will also review a potential research design to determine the safety and feasibility of psychedelic-assisted therapy in an Adolescent population.

Emerging indications for psychedelic therapies

In the last fifteen years, psychedelics have been primarily investigated for treatment of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. More recently, research programs are exploring psychedelic therapies for other psychological and neurological disorders and illnesses, including obsessive compulsive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, Lyme disease, adjustment disorder, and eating disorders. Join us to learn more about the new frontiers of clinical applications for psychedelics.

The varieties of psychedelic neuroscience

As the profile of psychedelics continues to grow in both clinical discourse and popular culture, the quest for the underlying mechanisms of their effects has arrived as a matter of public interest. Over the last decade, a series of findings from neuroimaging studies has yielded a variety of interpretations of the source of their therapeautic potential. These theories have often been breathlessly reported by the press and industry in service of advancing the plausibility of psychedelic medicine. However, no consensus exists among the neuroscience community as to the origins of psychedelics effects and benefits, and neuroimaging is only one tool among many for investigating further. In this session, we will hear from a panel of neuroscientists working towards a better understanding of underlying mechanisms about how to better consider and interpret the state of psychedelic neuroscience.



Lunch

The enigma of psychedelic trial design

Psychedelics are a sui generis class of drugs whose effects and best practices were not anticipated by typical regulatory assumptions and trial designs. What lessons have scientists learned from decades of research and data, and how will the next generation of trials and studies offer more robust findings and valuable data? Join us to consider how researchers are innovating and moving the field forward.

Mid-afternoon break

Therapy, therapeutics, and psychedelics

After nearly two decades of renewed study of psychedelics based on methodologies whose roots stretch back to midcentury psychologists, new dialogues are emerging about how to best unlock and understand the therapeautic potential of psychedelics. Alongside a renewed focus on investigating mechanisms of action, the development of psychedelic-inspired non-visionary drugs, and the challenges of pursuing a novel drug+therapy combination treatment, new questions are now being raised as to the centrality of psychotherapy in the healing process. Join us as we hear from therapists and scientists who are seeking to decipher the essential elements of psychedelic therapy.

Grand panel

The day's speakers answers questions from the audience and offer final thoughts.

Closing remarks

Adjourn

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

part of the fifteenth annual horizons conference

presented by horizons pbc, a public benefit corporation

horizons

the psychedelics business forum

wednesday, october 12, 2022
thursday, october 13, 2022

the new york academy of medicine
new york city

horizons

psychedelics in research

friday, october 14, 2022

the great hall at the cooper union
new york city

horizons

classes and workshops

wednesday, October 12, 2022
thursday, October 13, 2022

the new york academy of medicine
new york city

horizons

psychedelics in medicine

saturday, october 15, 2022

the great hall at the cooper union
new york city

horizons

psychedelics in the world

sunday, october 16, 2022

the great hall at the cooper union
new york city