Lectures & Interviews
Our lab members present their research at scientific conferences, but also in podcasts and interviews for a more general audience. Browse a selection of talks and interviews from our lab below.
Lectures
LSD Neuroscience Research in Fribourg
Prof. Gregor Hasler at the ALPS Forum 2022
Adverse effects of psychedelics: are they all part of the therapeutic process?
Prof. Gregor Hasler at the ALPS Conference, 2021
In medicine, an adverse effect is an undesired harmful effect resulting from a medication or other intervention. In psychedelics research and therapy, the term “adverse effects” is rarely used because there is the assumption that all negative, unpleasant effects are part of the therapeutic process.
Is this really true? The minority of psychedelic studies that systematically assess this show that unpleasant effects are very common and that anxiety, nausea and headaches are the most prevalent ones. Are these symptoms part of the therapeutic process? Are they side effects related to the main therapeutic effect? Or are they adverse effects in the strict sense of the term which we should systematically assess and document? In my talk, I want to initiate a discussion about these important questions.
Understanding negative effects from psychedelics
Abigail Calder at the ALPS Conference, 2023
For decades, most rhetoric about psychedelics focused on their negative effects. This might make it seem like we know all there is to know about bad reactions to psychedelics – but how much do we really know? In this talk, I aim to separate fact from fiction and give an update on the unwanted, negative effects that can occur with psychedelics, in all settings.
Despite the gloomy subject, I hope to end on an optimistic note and leave you with an idea of how researchers, clinicians, and everyone else involved with this young field can help prevent and cope with the reality of adverse reactions to psychedelics in the future.
The Psychedelic Renaissance – Introductory talk
David Elmiger at the ALPS Forum 2023
At the introduction speech of the ALPS Forum 2023, David Elmiger talked about the psychedelic renaissance and the role Switzerland plays in it. He starts by telling the story of the origins of the Psychedelic Research Organization of Bern (PROBe) and then moves on to put the ALPS Forum into a broader context, highlighting the importance of the place and time this is all happening at.
Podcasts
Psychedelic Research with Prof. Gregor Hasler
ALPS Conference 2021
Understanding negative effects of psychedelics
ALPS Conference 2023
Ambivalence in the Psychedelic Experience
Your Brain on Science
Alaina is joined by fellow PhD candidate Abigail Calder to discuss her ongoing work on psychedelics including neuroplasticity and how we can measure that in humans, as well as the importance in understanding how subjective effects can be positive, negative, both or neither.
