Just a Stone's Throw Away: An Evening with UT's Center for Psychedelic Research & Therapy

Research on psychedelics in Texas is gearing up at The University of Texas at Austin's Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy!  As conventional therapies prove woefully inadequate and rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD spike, more and more people are turning to psychedelics for healing and transformation. Researchers, including some in our very own Lonestar state, are advancing the field of psychedelic science and studying the impact, efficacy, and potential of these long stigmatized, mind-bending compounds.

In this fascinating talk, Dr. Manoj Doss, who recently joined the Center from Johns Hopkins University's Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, will discuss his work on the basic cognitive and neural mechanisms of psychedelic drug action. He will also delve into a recent set of findings that highlights a truly unique effect of psychedelics on memory. Dr. Greg Fonzo will then discuss psychedelic treatment research at UT Austin, including ongoing observational studies of off-site psychedelic retreats and new on-site clinical trials of psilocybin (see link) administered with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression and eating disorders. You can find out more about the studies and you, friends, or loved ones can enroll.

Come learn about the emerging field of psychedelic science, the promise it holds, how it could change the way we conceptualize and treat mental illness, and how you can be a part of the movement and research. There will be time for Q & A afterwards!

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Greg Fonzo, PhD, Co-Director

Dr. Fonzo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School.  He is also Co-Director of UT's newly launched Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Georgia Honors Program in 2005 with a dual bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology in 2013 from the San Diego State University/University of California-San Diego Joint Doctoral Program. He completed his postdoctoral research fellowship at the Stanford University School of Medicine.  Dr. Fonzo’s research focuses broadly on utilizing non-invasive neuroscience tools to understand mechanisms of affective disorder psychopathology and treatment and leveraging this understanding to improve clinical care and patient outcomes with neuromodulatory, psychotherapeutic, and psychedelic approaches.

Manoj Doss, PhD

Dr. Doss is a cognitive neuropsychopharmacologist in the Department of Psychiatry and the Center for Psychedelic Research & Therapy at The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School. He received a bachelor's degree in psychology from The University of Texas at Austin in 2010, a master's degree in cognitive neuroscience from University College London in 2011, and he studied the cognitive neuroscience of episodic memory as a research assistant at the University of California, Davis from 2011-2013. He received his doctorate in psychology from the University of Chicago in 2018 where he researched mechanisms of memory distortion and the impact of psychoactive drugs on emotional memory and false memory. He investigated psychedelics as a postdoctoral scholar at the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine from 2018-2023 before returning to The University of Texas at Austin as a research fellow. Dr. Doss is broadly interested in the acute and persisting effects of psychoactive drugs on cognition and brain function with focuses on hallucinogens and episodic memory. He utilizes complex cognitive paradigms, neuroimaging, and computational modeling to explore what makes 5-HT2A psychedelics unique compared to other classes of psychoactive drugs in terms of their basic effects and their therapeutic mechanisms. Although he is optimistic that psychedelics will be useful tools in psychiatry, he remains cautious of exaggerated benefits and negligence to potential harms.

TICKETS:

A limited number of Early Bird Tickets are available until Monday, Jan 29 or until they sell out. The ticket cost will cover fees for renting the event space,  A/V equipment, and beverages.  We appreciate your generosity and willingness to further psychedelic community, education, and scientific research!

Please RSVP before this one-of-a-kind event fills up!

SCHEDULE:

6:30pm - Doors open

6:30pm - 7:00pm - Networking & connection. Non-alcoholic, sparkling refreshments will be served.

7:00pm - 8:00pm - Presentation

8:00 - 8:30pm - Q & A

8:30 - 9:00pm - Mingling, wrap-up

PsyT Disclaimer: Version September 2023

PsyT does not hold ceremonies or promote illegal activities during our events. This is not a place to seek, encourage, or participate in the procurement of controlled substances. You agree that you will not contact us for such things and will not engage in any such activities in your participation in any PsyT event. We provide a platform to discuss experiences that offer transformation in our personal and professional lives. You acknowledge that any information we provide is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

**Please do not use our space to promote or source substance and retreats**