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The Polish Psychedelic Society is an initiative established for the purpose of reform the law which would enable the use of psychedelics in medicine and science. We want to initiate in Poland a material debate on psychedelics, a debate free from fears, myths, and falsehoods. We believe that only by acting together will we achieve this goal, so we need your support!

The Polish Psychedelic Society

ABOUT US

The Polish Psychedelic Society (PTP) is an initiative formed by Polish Drug Policy Network to popularize and support scientific research on psychedelic substances (psychedelics) and to provide space for essential debate regarding their potential application in science, medicine, psychotherapy and culture, which might positively contribute to the development of society. The Polish Psychedelic Society brings together experts representing multiple areas of science and numerous professions, including: activists, social anthropologists, artists, biologists, chemists, journalists, ethnobotanists, pharmacists, doctors, lawyers, psychologists, sociologists and herbalists, as well as individuals interested in supporting the development of science and debate on psychedelics in Poland.

 

OUR GOALS

01

Establishing a multidisciplinary platform for cooperation between professionals working on the subject of psychedelics.

02

Supporting scientific research on psychedelics, with particular emphasis on their therapeutic potential.

03

Educating society by providing objective information based on scientific research, including positive and negative consequences concerning the use of psychedelics, both in therapeutic and recreational settings.

04

Integrating the psychedelic community in Poland. Establishing a platform facilitating an exchange of psychedelic-related experiences. Collecting, categorising, and promoting scientific knowledge about psychedelics.

 

05

Decriminalising psychedelics and providing legal assistance to defendants in criminal cases for possession of psychedelics for personal use.

 

06

Preventing and reducing damages related to the recreational use of psychedelics through education and party working initiatives.

07

Changing the legal status of psychedelics by moving them within the List of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances from Group I-P (substances with no medical use and a high potential for abuse) to Group IV-P (substances with essential medical uses and low potential for abuse that can be used for medical, scientific, and industrial purposes).

08

Promoting the idea of the production of medical marijuana in Poland, which may contribute to lowering its price, increasing its availability for patients and support the Polish economy.

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WHAT ARE PSYCHEDELICS?

Psychedelics (Greek: psyche – soul; delos – reveal, manifest) are a group of psychoactive substances (partly including dissociatives and deliriants) altering (consciousness), the manner of thinking, and how emotions are experienced. What sets psychedelics apart from other psychoactive substances (stimulants, depressants) is their ability to alter the state and content of consciousness (Bayne & Carter, 2018). Experiences they induce are often compared to altered states of consciousness such as dreams (Kraehenmann, 2017; Millière et al., 2018), hypnosis (Lemercier & Terhune, 2018) and meditation (Millière, Carhart-Harris, Roseman, Trautwein, & Berkovich-Ohana, 2018). The classic psychedelics include psilocybin (psilocybin-containing mushrooms), DMT (e.g. ayahuasca), mescaline (cacti such as San Pedro and peyote) and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide; Johnson, Hendricks, Barrett, & Griffiths, 2019). Psychedelics may positively impact the psychological well-being of patients and healthy subjects (Nichols, Johnson, & Nichols, 2017; MacLean, Johnson, & Griffiths, 2011). For instance, during a study at the John Hopkins School of Medicine, 58% of participants rated the psilocybin-occasioned experience as being among the five most personally meaningful ones. The majority of them emphasized that this experience allowed them to better understand themselves and have more compassion and patience towards other people (Griffiths, Richards, Johnson, McCann, & Jesse, 2008). A subsequent study confirmed that even a single intake of psilocybin can lead to permanent changes in personality, resulting in increased openness (MacLean et al., 2011). At the same time, it should be noted that psychedelic substances taken in uncontrolled conditions (outside the research and medical environment) can lead to negative psychological effects and risky behaviours (Carbonaro et al., 2016; Johnson, Richards, & Griffiths, 2008).

WHY PSYCHEDELICS?

Psychedelics have been known to humankind since the dawn of time. Nowadays, some native cultures continue to use them in rites of passage and healing ceremonies (Winkelman, 2014). In our opinion, scientific research on psychedelics was significantly limited in the second half of the 20th century due to political reasons. Psychedelic substances were classified as dangerous and addictive drugs and consequently prohibited by law. Contemporary scientific research shows their therapeutic potential and that when psychedelics are used responsibly they are safe, non-addictive and may have a positive impact on human life or even provide life-saving benefits. Moreover, we presume that research into psychedelics may expand scientific knowledge about the brain, in particular, related to the mechanisms underlying perception and subjective experience. We believe that changing the law, increasing the number of scientific research on psychedelics, as well as reaching out to media and society with reliable information concerning potential benefits and actual risks of using psychedelics, may bring numerous benefits to society.

Currently, we are faced with multiple challenges in the area of mental health. According to WHO by the year 2020 depression will be the second among the most prevalent disorders in the world and by the year 2030 the first. In Poland, depression affects approximately 1.5 million people. Depression often leads to suicide attempts, and the number of fatal suicides in Poland has increased from over 4,000 in the year 2012 to over 5.5 thousand in the year 2018 (Radio Gdańsk). Among factors leading to suicide, another substantial one is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research indicates that nearly a quarter of suicides in the United States is related to PTSD (Tull, Weiss, & McDermott, 2016). The prevalence of PTSD in the general population is estimated at 3-6% (Kessler et al., 2005). Unfortunately, the available drugs for depression and PTSD still possess relatively low efficacy (Cipriani et al., 2009; Kessler et al., 2005). Therefore, we are dealing with a real problem associated with high individual, social and economic costs, which modern medicine is unable to handle, and for which psychedelic substances can be an answer.

ARE PSYCHEDELICS DANGEROUS?

In DrugScience research, supervised by prof. David Nutt, on the harmfulness of the 20 most popular psychoactive substances, psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin-containing mushrooms were classified as substances with the least negative impact on the users and society. The legal ethanol (ethyl alcohol) was ranked first, tobacco sixth, whereas marijuana eighth (Nutt, King, & Phillips, 2010). Classic psychedelics do not lead to physiological addiction and only anecdotal cases of psychological addiction are known to date (Johansen & Krebs, 2015). Moreover, they have extremely low toxicity compared to other psychoactive substances, including commonly used medicines (Gable, 2004). Nevertheless, the psychological experiences associated with their use may be very intense. For this reason, it is of utmost importance for users to have access to full information regarding the safety and harm reduction procedures related to the use of psychedelics.

WHAT IS THE MEDICAL POTENTIAL OF PSYCHEDELICS?

In the mid-twentieth century saw the beginning of the research into the medical potential of psychedelics in the treatment of mental disorders (Carhart-Harris & Goodwin, 2017). Among the pioneers of psychedelic research, it is worth mentioning Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann and Czech psychiatrist Stanislav Grof. The research was significantly restricted in the wake of the UN Convention of 1971. In recent years, we witness a renaissance of research on psychedelics and new data regarding their therapeutic potential is being revealed. The current research results suggest that psychedelics may be a breakthrough treatment in multiple mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (Kyzar, Nichols, Gainetdinov, Nichols, & Kalueff, 2017; Vollenweider & Kometer , 2010) and support palliative care (Griffiths et al., 2016; Ross et al. 2016; Rosenbaum et al., 2019). Importantly, they may play a role in treating addictions to alcohol (Bogenschutz et al., 2015; Tófoli & de Araujo, 2016) or cigarettes (Johnson, Garcia-Romeu, Johnson, & Griffiths, 2017).

HAVE PSYCHEDELICS ALWAYS BEEN ILLEGAL?

The criminalisation of psychedelics is a relatively new phenomenon in the world. Their production and possession were banned by the UN in the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances (United Nations, 2009). For almost fifty years, in most of the world’s countries, substances used by humanity for thousands of years have been banned based on arbitrary decisions, not scientific evidence (Elsey, 2017; Gardner, Carter, O’Brien, & Seear, 2019; Walsh, 2016). Currently, only several countries in the world (e.g. Brazil, Jamaica, Bulgaria, Samoa) allow the cultivation, sale and possession of psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Despite the prevailing criminalization, some countries have ceased to prosecute possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms (e.g. Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Canada) and in which research on their medical applications is actively ongoing (e.g. United States, Australia, Switzerland, United Kingdom). Grassroots initiatives spring up, with Decriminalize Denver as a good example, wherein a recent referendum (2019) the city of Denver’s citizens voted in favour of decriminalisation of possession of psilocybin-containing mushrooms.

WHO WE ARE?

THE TEAM

THE POLISH PSYCHEDELIC SOCIETY

AllScientific CouncilManagement BoardConsultants
Biologist, neuropharmacologist

Krystyna Gołembiowska, Professor

Chemist

Ryszard Kozłowski, Professor

Lawyer, sociologist

Krzysztof Krajerwski, Professor

Neuropharmacologist

Andrzej Pilc, Professor

Psychiatrist

Marek Balicki, MD

Michał Bola, PhD

Psychologist, psychotherapist, neuroscientist

Mateusz Gola, PhD, DSc

Neuropsychopharmacologist, pharmacist, neuroscientist

Adam Hamed, PhD

Psychiatrist, sexologist, psychotherpist

Justyna Holka-Pokorska, MD Ph.D

Physician, specialist in anaesthesiology and palliative medicine

Jerzy Jarosz, MD, PhD

PhD in neurochemistry

Joanna Podgórska, PhD

Physician, senior lecturer

Dorota Rogowska-Szadkowska, MD, PhD

Historian of philosophy

Kamil Sipowicz, PhD

Voivodship Expert for Information on Drugs and Drug Addiction

Justyna Syroka, PhD

Neuroscientist

Justyna Hobot

Sociologist, writer, journalist

Maciej Lorenc

Lawyer, drug policy expert

Agnieszka Sieniawska

Activist, influencer

Damian „Mestosław” Sobczyk

Psychologist

Mariusz Bąberski

Scientist

Alicja Bińkowska, PhD

Drug policy expert

Magdalena Dąbkowska

Filip Duski
Barrister

Filip Duski, PhD

Psychologist, psychotherapist

Elżbieta Fidler

Psychologist, addiction psychotherapist

Joanna Flis

Psychotherapist, researcher, trainer

Dr Jakub Greń

Psychologist

Norbert Jamróz

Psychologist

Izabela Jung

Scientist

Grzegorz Kazek

Holotropic Breathwork facilitator, coach

Tomasz Kwieciński

Psychotherapist

Michał Lasocik

Psychiatrist in training

Piotr Matyja

Co-director of The Psychedelic Society UK

Anya Oleksiuk

Cognitive scientist

Paweł Orłowski

Psychologist, addiction psychotherapist

Stanisław Pawlak

Szymon Pluta
Psychologist, educator, addiction psychotherapist

Szymon Pluta

Specialist for drug addiction treatment

Elżbieta Stawecka

Psychologist, individual and group psychotherapist

Beata Szulik-Bomba

Neuroscientis, statistician, programmer

Jan Szczypiński, MD

Marta Łukowska
Psychologist, scientist

Marta Łukowska, PhD

Berenika_Halicka
Educator, IFS Practitioner, Digital Marketing Coordinator

Berenika Halicka

Edyta Halicka
Educator, IFS Practitioner, Training Coordinator at Brainspotting Ireland

Edyta Halicka

MPharm

Joanna Stefaniuk

Julia Marek
Psychologist, therapist

Julia Marek

Tomasz Wieczorek
psychiatrist, psychotherapist in training

Tomasz Wieczorek, MD

Michał Jasinski
Psychologist, psychotherapist, teacher of psychotherapy

Michał Jasiński, PhD

Katarzyna Kowara
Psychologist, psychotherapist

Katarzyna Kowara

Psychologist, psychotherapist

Bartosz Kleszcz

Cultural expert, project manager

Aleksandra Pałaszewska

Biologist, neuropharmacologist

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.

Chemist

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.

Lawyer, sociologist

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.

Neuropharmacologist

Andrzej Pilc, Professor

Psychiatrist

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

Psychologist, psychotherapist, neuroscientist

Mateusz Gola, PhD, DSc

Neuropsychopharmacologist, pharmacist, neuroscientist

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.

Psychiatrist, sexologist, psychotherpist

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).

Physician, specialist in anaesthesiology and palliative medicine

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.

PhD in neurochemistry

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).

Physician, senior lecturer

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.

Historian of philosophy

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.. 

Voivodship Expert for Information on Drugs and Drug Addiction

Justyna Syroka, PhD

Neuroscientist

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.

Sociologist, writer, journalist

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.

Lawyer, drug policy expert

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.

Activist, influencer

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.

Psychologist

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.

Scientist

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.

Drug policy expert

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.

Barrister

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.

Psychologist, psychotherapist

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. 

Psychologist, addiction psychotherapist

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.

Psychotherapist, researcher, trainer

Dr Jakub Greń

Clinical psychologist, doctor of medical sciences, certified addiction psychotherapist, Fulbright Program scholar, researcher at the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw, Poland. He completed MAPS training in MDMA-Assisted Therapy (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2023), and Fluence training in Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (New York and Oregon, USA, 2023-2024). Served as an educator and tripsitter during many local and international festivals of psychedelic culture. He runs a private clinical practice focused on the integration of psychedelic experiences and psychotherapy of addictive behavior. His research explores effective ways to reduce the risks and harms associated with the use of various psychoactive substances, including psychedelics. He has authored or co-authored more than a dozen scientific and popular science publications in this area. He also co-founded the educational initiative LIMINAL.

Psychologist

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.

Psychologist

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.

Scientist

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.

Holotropic Breathwork facilitator, coach

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.

Psychotherapist

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.

Psychiatrist in training

Piotr Matyja

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

Co-director of The Psychedelic Society UK

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.

Cognitive scientist

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.

Psychologist, addiction psychotherapist

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.

Psychologist, educator, addiction psychotherapist

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.

Specialist for drug addiction treatment

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.

Psychologist, individual and group psychotherapist

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].

Neuroscientis, statistician, programmer

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.

Psychologist, scientist

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.

Educator, IFS Practitioner, Digital Marketing Coordinator

Berenika Halicka

Master’s degree in English Philology (UAM in Poznań). Certified massage therapist, continually fascinated by various bodywork and psychotherapy modalities and their integration. She completed IFS Level 1 training in 2020 and provides workshops on psychedelic integration with the use of this modality. Co-founder of Terapia Psychodeliczna.info online store and Newsblotter – Polish newsletter on psychedelic science & culture. Digital marketing passionate, works in MedTech industry and runs an Instagram profile @somatic__healing about psychosomatics and bodywork

Educator, IFS Practitioner, Training Coordinator at Brainspotting Ireland

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-creator of Terapia Psychodeliczna.info online store and Newsblotter, Polish psychedelic newsletter. She shares her interests and explorations regarding practices of supporting the mind and the body on Somatic Healing Instagram account. Professionally she supports the development of Brainspotting trainings in Poland and Ireland.

MPharm

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.

Psychologist, therapist

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.

psychiatrist, psychotherapist in training

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.

Psychologist, psychotherapist, teacher of psychotherapy

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.

Psychologist, psychotherapist

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.

Psychologist, psychotherapist

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.

Cultural expert, project manager

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.