The Polish Psychedelic Society

Krystyna Gołembiowska, Professor

Biologist, neuropharmacologist, specialist in medical biology. Research field focused on mechanism of new neuroprotective, antidepressant, antipsychotic drugs, the role of oxidative stress in brain neurodegeneration.

Lately, investigates the effects of psychoactive drugs, the so called ‘legal highs’ (in particular psychodelics, psychostimulants) on brain neurotransmission and behavior in animal models and their possible neurotoxicity.

Ryszard Kozłowski, Professor

Graduate of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań in the field of applied chemistry, holder of a PhD degree in chemical technology, professor of technical sciences, recipient of Honoris Causa Professorship at the Pontifical Catholic University in Ibarra (Ecuador). Deputy Director for Scientific Research at the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants (1976-1987; 2016-2018). Director of the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants in Poznań (1987-2008). Since 1989, the Coordinator of the UN FAO ESCORENA Agenda. Author of more than fifteen books released by the world’s leading publishing houses. Author and co-author of more than fourteen international and world patents, inventor. Member of Scientific Committees of many world scientific journals.

Krzysztof Krajerwski, Professor

The Head of the Chair of Criminology at the Jagiellonian University Faculty of Law and Administration. Member of the Scientific Committee of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Author of numerous publications on criminal law’s approach to drugs and drug addiction in Polish legislation against the background of drug regulation models in other countries, among others such as: Sens i bezsens prohibicji [Sense and Nonsense of Prohibition]. In the years 2009-2011, he led a team of fifteen experts working on the amendment to the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction which came into force in December 2011.

Andrzej Pilc, Professor

Marek Balicki, MD

In 1978, he graduated from the Medical Academy Faculty of Medicine in Gdańsk. He obtained specialization in anaesthesiology and psychiatry. Before 1989, democratic opposition activist, imprisoned during the martial law. Politician, Minister of Health in the cabinets of Leszek Miller and Marek Belka, Member of the Sejm of the 1st, 2nd, and 6th terms, senator of the 5th term. In October 2015, appointed a member of the National Development Council by President Andrzej Duda. Shortly afterwards, he took over the leadership of the National Mental Health Programme pilot office within which the creation of outpatient psychiatric care centres was planned. In July 2019, he was appointed the Plenipotentiary of the Minister of Health for the Reform in Psychiatry.

Michał Bola, PhD

Mateusz Gola, PhD, DSc

Adam Hamed, PhD

He is a neuropsychopharmacologist, pharmacist, and neuroscientist, currently a researcher at the Laboratory of Spatial Memory of the Institute of Experimental Biology PAS. For many years he has been a scientific employee of the Department of Neurochemistry at the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology and the Department and Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology at the Medical University of Warsaw. His leading research is related to individual differences in the activation of the reward system, controlled by the emission of ultrasonic vocalization and the biological and neurochemical basis of this phenomenon.

Justyna Holka-Pokorska, MD Ph.D

As a clinician and scientist for many years associated with the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw. The chairwoman of the Mazovian Chapter of the Polish Psychiatric Association (2019-2022). She created preventive programs in the field of mental health of adolescents and young adults. Founder of the Climate Psychiatry Committee at the Polish Psychiatric Association. Interested in the ethical aspects of implementing new pharmacologically assisted psychotherapy technologies (with the use of psychedelics).

Jerzy Jarosz, MD, PhD

Graduate of the Medical University of Warsaw. Founder of the Pain Management Clinic at the Oncology Centre and then the Department of Palliative Medicine. Also headed the Department of Anaesthesiology at the Oncology Centre in Warsaw. Co-founder of the Oncological Hospice in Warsaw. Since 2013, he has run the Pain Management and Palliative Care Clinic as well as the Science and Didactics Centre at the Oncological Hospice in Warsaw. Since July 2015, within the framework of the Clinic, he has organized and run the first Medical Marijuana Consultation Point in Poland. Since 2012, he has participated in international missions as the World Health Organization expert in the field of palliative care.

Joanna Podgórska, PhD

Doctor of biological sciences with a specialization in neurochemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences. She graduated from the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology in Warsaw (Neurobiology Center). She had completed postgraduate studies in Psychosomatics and Somatopsychology (SWPS Warsaw), Sports Nutrition (AWF Warsaw) and Conducting and Monitoring Clinical Research (Kozminski University in Warsaw). She is an academic lecturer at the SWPS University, an educator at the PsycheSomaPolis Association, a creator of brain-supporting supplements (HealthLabs).

Dorota Rogowska-Szadkowska, MD, PhD

Co-founder of one of the first Polish wards for people with HIV/AIDS. Honorary member of the Polish AIDS Society and such NGOs as the Association of Volunteers for AIDS „Bądź z nami” [“Be With Us”] and the Zjednoczenie Pozytywni w Tęczy. Author of more than one hundred scientific and popular publications on HIV/AIDS and the book entitled Medyczna marihuana. Historia hipokryzji [Medical Marijuana. History of Hypocrisy]. Works in Białystok at the Medical University Department of Family Medicine and Community Nursing.

Kamil Sipowicz, PhD

Born on 23 July 1953 in Otwock. Studied in Warsaw, Munich, and West Berlin. Author of many publications, among others Zagadnienie nieautentyczności i degeneracji w filozofii Martina Heideggera [The Issue of Authenticity and Degeneration in Martin Heidegger’s Philosophy], Hipisi w PRL-u [Hippies in the People’s Republic of Poland], Czy marihuana jest z konopi [Is Marijuana Made of Cannabis?], Encyklopedia polskiej psychodelii [Encyclopedia of Polish Psychedelia], Tajemnicze dzieje pierwiastków [Mysterious History of Elements], Choroby kartezjańskie [Cartesian Diseases]. In 1999, the editor-in-chief of the Max magazine. Since 2000, the President of the DNA Research Institute. Writer, artist.. 

Justyna Syroka, PhD

Justyna Hobot

Holder of the Master’s degree in neurobiology and philosophy, specialises in cognitive science and philosophy of mind. PhD student at the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University and the international program in cognitive neuroscience at the Jagiellonian University Institute of Psychology. Works at the Consciousness Research Laboratory (C-LAB), supervises activities of the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Laboratory at the Jagiellonian University. Member of the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness.

Maciej Lorenc

Sociology graduate of the University of Warsaw Faculty of Applied Social Sciences and Resocialization, author of two books entitled „Czy psychodeliki uratują świat?” Will Psychedelics Save the World? and „Grzybobranie. Kulturowa historia psylocybiny” The Mushroom Hunting. The cultural History of Psilocybin, the host of „Psychodelicje” broadcast on Newonce radio. Translator of many books on psychedelic substances, written by such authors as Michael Pollan, David Nutt, Albert Hofmann, Julie Holland, Stanislav Grof, James Fadiman, Alan Watts, and Rick Strassman.

Agnieszka Sieniawska

Graduate of the University of Warsaw Faculty of Law and Administration. Since 2011, President of the Polish Drug Policy Network. Member and co-founder of Koalicja Medycznej Marihuany [Medical Marijuana Coalition]. Consultant of the European Drug Policy Initiative programme run by the Hungarian organization The Rights Reporter Foundation. Participated in the works aimed at changing drug laws which yielded a fruit in the form of an amendment to have entered into force in December 2011. Author of reports and publications on drug laws and Polish drug policy.

Damian „Mestosław” Sobczyk

Graduate of European Studies and Pedagogical Studies at the University of Warsaw where he defended his Master’s thesis on drug policies in the European Union. He creates two YouTube channels: the social and lifestyle “Mestosław” (122,000 subscribers) and the educational “Wiem co ćpiem” (143,000 subscribers). Since February 2018, he has been associated with the Polish Drug Network Policy, where he handles promotion, strategy, and co-organization of projects related to psychedelics, harm reduction, and prevention.

Mariusz Bąberski

Graduate of psychology at the Academy of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw. Member of the Polish Association for EMDR Therapy. Deals with therapy of trauma, depressive states, anxiety, and integration of psychedelic experiences. In the field of psychedelics, he works in two areas. One of them is proper preparation and verification of the goal of and approach to a psychedelic experience. The second one is the understanding and integrating of the content in subjects following a psychedelic experience.

Alicja Bińkowska, PhD

Post doctoral researcher at the SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw, the head of WeedTeam at the Centre for Neurocognitive Research. Conducts research into the influence of cannabis use on cognitive and brain functions in humans. Interested in influence of psychoactive substances on the on human body and behaviour.

Magdalena Dąbkowska

Associated with the Global Drug Policy Program in the Open Society Foundations (since 2008), during the last decade she has also cooperated with a number of national, such as the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, as well as international organizations, e.g. AFEW International. Graduate of the Polish Academy of Sciences Drug Policy Seminar Series (2011) and the Drug Policy and Human Rights Course at the Central European Summer University in Budapest (2013). Founding member of the Polish Drug Policy Network.

Filip Duski, PhD

He graduated from the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Jagiellonian University, where in 2018 he defended his doctoral dissertation entitled „Drugs. Axiological and legal basis for criminalization „, prepared under the scientific guidance of prof. K. Krajewski. A member of the Krakow Bar Association since 2011. 
Since 2015, he has been running his own law office. He provides legal advice as part of the Krakow Monar Drop-in project. Interested in creating assumptions and solutions of the expected law reform regarding psychoactive substances, including psychedelics.

Elżbieta Fidler

Psychologist, psychodynamic psychotherapist. She conducts individual, group and couples psychotherapy focusing on authentic and deep contact. She graduated from social prevention and resocialization at the University of Warsaw, psychology at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, a comprehensive four-year training in psychotherapy at Laboratorium Psychoedukacji, School of Group Psychotherapy and a training in couples therapy. She has several years of experience. She has been interested in the use of psychedelics in psychotherapy for many years. 

Joanna Flis

Psychologist and addiction psychotherapist working with addicts for 10 years. She is involved in scientific research and popularization of knowledge in the field of addiction. She runs a private practice. Author of articles and co-author of books. Trainer.

Jakub Greń

He is a clinical psychologist (Master’s degree at Warsaw’s SWPS University), during PhD program at the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw, and during the Specialized Training for Drug Addiction Therapy and Rehabilitation (at the Institute of Health Psychology in Warsaw). His current research work is dedicated to investigating effective risk and harm reduction strategies associated with the psychoactive substances use. As part of working in Social Drug Policy Initaitive (SIN), as well as internship and cooperation with two Portuguese NGOs – Kosmicare. Harm Reduction & Psychedelic Research and APDES – he worked as a tripsitter, outreach and partyworker at many festivals (i.a. at BOOM and Goadupa).

Norbert Jamróz

Completed master’s studies in clinical psychology at the SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities and in international economic relations at the Poznań University of Economics. Graduate of MBA studies (Poznań University of Economics and Nottingham Trent University, UK). A member of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science, ACBS Polska, and MIND European Foundation for Psychedelic Science.

Izabela Jung

Psychology graduate of the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw and with a degree in clinical sexology obtained from the Medical University of Warsaw. Graduate of the Warsaw TROP Group School of Business Trainers. For 8 years, she conducted personal competences trainings. In 2006, co-created the first online psychological counselling centre in Poland. Since then, she has been providing online assistance to Poles scattered around the world. Spiritual development and integration of psychedelic experiences play an important role in her work.

Grzegorz Kazek

Scientist at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University – Collegium Medicum. He has expertise in in vitro experimental pharmacology and conducts translational research in psychiatry. Post-graduate alumnus of SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Interested in group methods and expressive techniques in integration of psychedelic experiences and new paradigms in prevention and therapy of psychoactive substance use disorders.

Urszula Kozłowska, PhD

A graduate of biotechnology at University of Opole and Wroclaw University of Technology, she obtained PhD in biological sciences at the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy Polish Academy of Sciences in Wroclaw. Her main area of interest is stem cells biology and their potential applications in the therapies of body diseases and injuries. Particularly interested in the processes of degeneration and regeneration of the nervous system in the context of developing new therapeutic solutions for potential use in regenerative medicine. Currently investigating the effects of psychedelics on the regulation of neuroimmunological processes in vitro.

Tomasz Kwieciński

Finished philosophy on Warsaw University, defending thesis on epistemology of different types of mystical experiences. First Pole to finish Grof Transpersonal Training- school founded by Stanislav Grof in which you basically study how to guide people in expanded states of consciousness and help to integrate them. Since 2019 a member of GTT Staff- a group of most experienced holotropic facilitators in the world. For over 10 year organizer and leader of many workshops and lectures in many countries on relationships, emotions and personal development and change. Certified by House of Coaching (Izba Coachingu). Working individually with people on daily basis.

Michał Lasocik

Psychotherapist, member of the Polish Process Psychology Society, MA of sociology, Warsaw University graduate in the Department of Applied Social Science and Resocialization. He works in private therapeutic facilities in Warsaw and realizes social and educational programs in cooperation with several NGOs aiming to promote mental health and social inclusiveness.Member of the Polish Psychedelic Society, psychedelic integration therapist, and harm reduction educator. Co-founder of the LIMINAL initiative, which educates on psychedelic integration, especially for mental health professionals.
Privately, a visual artist, nature seeker and sci-fi enthusiast.

Piotr Matyja

Psychiatry in training. Medical University of Warsaw lecturer. Interested in research into the use of psychedelics in the field of psychiatry.

Anya Oleksiuk

Co-Director of the Psychedelic Society UK, leading on video production and campaigning for the decriminalisation of psychedelic plants and mushrooms. Love of documentary films and music videos led Anya to study MA Documentary and Experimental Filmmaking. In 2018 she founded Triptika Studios, which is a collective of independent filmmakers. She is the director and producer of the „The Psychedelic Renaissance” – a documentary about the re-emergence of the psychedelic movement and the crucial role of psychedelics substances in human culture.

Paweł Orłowski

A cognitive scientist working on neuroscientific research at the Laboratory of Brain Imaging of Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences. Involved in research on the neural basis of consciousness and the relationship between the use of psychedelics and changes in the processing of emotions and self-related stimuli.

Stanisław Pawlak

He completed master’s studies in clinical psychology at SWPS University in Poznań, a two-year psychotherapy study at the Institute of Process Psychology and study of Motivational Interviewing. He is a graduate of the CARE BROK School of Addiction Psychotherapy. He is interested in the psychedelic perspective in dealing with difficulties such as addictions and existential crises. He works as an addiction psychotherapist, partyworker and popularizing knowledge about psychedelics and harm reduction.

Szymon Pluta

Psychologist (SWPS University in Katowice), Certified Addiction Specialist (KCPU certificate) and member of the Polish Psychiatric Association. Currently a participant in a comprehensive psychotherapy course at the Kontekst Foundation (accredited by PTP). Lecturer at the SWPS University in Katowice. Supervisor of the scientific club uNiezależnieni (unAddicted) (SWPS University) dealing with drug policy and addiction therapy. As part of his educational activities, he also educates young people in the field of harm reduction. Associated with the Social Drug Policy Initiative and the Polish Psychedelic Society.

Anastazja Ruban

Cognitive Neuroscientist, PhD student at Doctoral School of Humanistic and Social Sciences at SWPS University. Currently working on the PhD project on psychophysiological characteristic of individuals using psychedelic drugs. Additionaly, collaborating with research teams conducting studies on functioning of individuals with mood disorders (MoodTeam) and psychoactive substance users (WeedTeam) in EEG Lab at SWPS University.

Elżbieta Stawecka

Graduated Prevention and therapy for drug addiction treatment. For last years involved in drug policy. She used to work in National Bureau for Drug Prevention. Participated in expert meetings organized by Pompidou Group Council of Europe. She cooperate with local ngo’s.

Beata Szulik-Bomba

She has completed a Master’s degree in Psychology at the University of SWPS in Warsaw, postgraduate Study of Psychotherapy and The School of Group Psychotherapy in the Laboratory of Psychoeducation [Laboratorium Psychoedukacji], institute of training and psychotherapy, which has a recommendation of the Psychotherapy Section of the Polish Psychological Society and the approval of the Polish Psychiatric Society. The founder of the Simple Psychotherapy Centre [Centrum Prosta Psychoterapia].

Jan Szczypiński, MD

He pursued his doctorate at the Department of Psychiatry of Warsaw Medical University and the Laboratory of Brain Imaging of the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of PAS. He is the recipient of numerous NCN grants and fellowships. His research interests include neural correlates of mental disorders, theory of mind, and interactions of emotions and cognitive functions. His current research focuses on emotional and cognitive processes among users of psychedelic substances. Psychedelic science communicator.

Marta Łukowska, PhD

She obtained PhD in psychology from the Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University. Currently, she works in Trauma, Health, and Eating THrivE Lab at University of Silesia in Katowice. She is a member of the Consciousness Lab C-Lab at Jagiellonian University in Kraków. She collaborated with Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives (EPFL) and the Sackler Center for Consciousness Science. She investigates body awareness, trauma, altered states of bodily consciousness, interoception, and sensory substitution. Recently, she became interested in the influence of altered states of consciousness on pro-ecological attitudes and behaviours. Ecopsychologist, ecological farmer, climate activist.

Berenika Halicka

Master’s degree in English Philology (UAM in Poznań). A certified massage therapist, continually fascinated by various bodywork and psychotherapy modalities and their integration. She completed the IFS Level 1 training and provides workshops on psychedelic integration with the use of IFS. Co-creator of NewsBlotter – a Polish psychedelic newsletter and co-founder of the Psychedelic Therapy and Integration Facebook group in Poland. On a daily basis, she works in digital marketing in MedTech industry and runs an Instagram profile @somatic__healing.

Edyta Halicka

Graduated from English Philology at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, a former masseuse, for many years has been exploring the connections between the body, emotions and mind. She completed IFS Level 1 training and is expanding her interest in various methods of trauma therapy. She cooperated with the Psychedelic Somatic Institute, an organization training therapists in somatic, cannabis and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Co-founder of the Psychedelic Therapy and Integration Polish Facebook group and co-creator of Newsblotter, a Polish psychedelic newsletter. Professionally she supports the development of Brainspotting trainings in Poland and Ireland.

Joanna Stefaniuk

Master of Pharmacy, graduate of the Piastów Śląskich Medical University in Wroclaw and postgraduate studies in Addiction Psychology at SWPS University. Implementer of research projects in cooperation with the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology („Drugs, Mental Health and Harm Reduction”), partyworking actions (SIN, Safe Space) and drug education activities (leaflet projects, education in schools). Co-founder of the organization of pharmacists PWZF. Currently working in the area of cannabis companies regulation.

Julia Marek

Psychology graduate of University of Silesia. Professionally, she deals with psychotherapy as well as psychedelic integration and conducts workshops for young people, teachers and parents about the use of psychoactive substances in the spitit of harm reduction. Her scientific activities revolve around health in the context of psychoactive substance use. Partyworker and medical student by passion.

Tomasz Wieczorek, MD

A graduate of the Wroclaw Medical University, he completed his specialization in psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry of this university, he is also pursuing his doctorate there. He is training as a psychotherapist at the Jagiellonian University and in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapies and integration of psychedelic experiences at the MIND Foundation in Berlin.
Involved in research in the field of brain neurostimulation and sleep medicine, he teaches at the Wroclaw Medical University and at the SWPS University (branch in Wrocław). His hobby is radio music journalism.

Michał Jasiński, PhD

PhD in psychology, psychotherapist, film expert, philologist. Lecturer at the SWPS University in Sopot from 2016 to 2023. He runs a therapeutic practice in Barcelona and is involved in psychedelic integration in the Hermanosis Association. He specializes in constructivist psychotherapies, with coherence therapy at the forefront. He is a certified teacher of this approach and a research associate of the Coherence Psychology Institute, on behalf of which he conducts workshops and promotes knowledge about the process of memory reconsolidation in psychotherapy.

Katarzyna Kowara

Psychologist, certified psychotherapist of the Polish Psychiatric Association, sexologist in process of training. She began training in Jungian analysis. She practices individual psychotherapy and the integration of psychedelic experiences – both as a clinician and a trainer in these fields. Katarzyna co-runs the Bez Klamek Foundation and the Nurty Psychotherapy and Psychoeducation Center in Krakow.

Bartosz Kleszcz

Focused on providing psychotherapy, training, supervision, research and organizing conferences related to acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and similar third-wave behavioral therapies. Committed to promoting evidence-based approaches to therapy in Poland and abroad, member of Associaton for Contextual Behavioral Sciences, founder of Uczę się ACT and a co-founder of Behawioralnie school of psychotherapy.

Aleksandra Pałaszewska

Master of cultural studies with specialisation in project management at SWPS University. Since 2020, she has been a member of the Polish Drug Policy Network, where she coordinates the harm reduction project 'Safe Space’ and carries out projects related to drug policy and human rights. She co-organised the 'Psychedelic Science’ Conference. She is the social media manager and author of the newsletter of Polish Psychedelic Society.