Zoom Link: https://ucl.zoom.us/j/99342982623

Abstract:

One of many things that differentiates the current psychedelic renaissance from 20th century research is a greater focus on neuroscience. During the multi-decade hiatus of psychedelic research, neuroscience as a discipline grew by leaps and bounds – spearheaded by extensive technological, methodological, and analytical developments. One subfield of neuroscience in particular that has received much attention in the psychedelic space is human neuroimaging. The application of human neuroimaging – using modalities such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) – to psychedelics has offered an unprecedented window into the functional brain changes underlying the acute psychedelic experience. In this talk, I’ll survey the current state of knowledge in the exciting fledgling field of psychedelic neuroimaging – highlighting core findings, limitations, contentions, and possible paths forward.

Bio:

Dr. Manesh Girn is a postdoctoral neuroscientist specializing in psychedelic drugs at the University of California, San Francisco. Working closely with psychedelic research pioneer Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, he conducts research on the neural mechanisms underlying the psychedelic experience and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. He has been lead or co-author of over 20 peer-reviewed publications to date on topics including psychedelics, the default mode network, abstract cognitive processes, and brain network organization. Manesh also runs a popular digital platform on YouTube and Instagram called "The Psychedelic Scientist”, where he disseminates the latest findings and developments in psychedelic science in a layperson friendly manner. Finally, Manesh serves as the Chief Research Officer at EntheoTech Bioscience, a pioneering Canadian bioscience company focused on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and multidisciplinary mental health solutions.