LSD, ketamine, ayahuasca and pints: not the wild night out you would expect, but a subject of discussion at a lecture on the use of psychedelics in medicine in a North London pub.
Pints of Knowledge is a new public talks series in London, where experts, researchers, and big thinkers share ideas in pubs across London.
Dr Ayla Semaloglu, a specialist in psychedelics at the University of Cambridge, spoke from the 3 Locks Brewing Company in Camden about how these substances could be used in medicine to treat mental health conditions.
She said: “A single dose of ketamine has been shown to reduce suicidal ideations in test subjects for up to 10 days.
“If psychedelic medicine obtains approval, it will probably be used to treat depression, anxiety and PTSD.
“We’ve only just scratched the surface; they have huge potential, and I’m really looking forward to psychedelics coming into the mainstream of psychiatry.”
The lecture series, which has been running since June, covers a diverse range of topics, including science, politics, and the portrayal of werewolves in literature.
Attendees are encouraged to discuss the topic before the lecture and share their thoughts, with a Q&A following the talk.
Event founder Callum Campbell, who also organises student white-collar boxing events, said: “You should come along if you want to expand your mind and listen to experts in the cosy setting of a pub.
“We have something for everyone.”
Upcoming Pints of Knowledge events include From Wall Street to Wellness: Reinventing Hospitality on Monday, 3 November at Camden Town Brewery Beer Hall, and Many Facts You Probably Don’t Know About London on Tuesday, 4 November, at the same location.
Featured image credit: Pints of Knowledge
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