In the Berkeley Talks episode 195, UC Berkeley professors delved into the fascinating topic of psychedelic substances and their impact on the human brain and mind. Gül Dölen, a psychology professor with an endowed chair in psychology, psychedelics, and neuroscience, was one of the panelists who shared her insights on this subject.
Dölen emphasized the importance of understanding the state of susceptibility and vulnerability that occurs during psychedelic trips. She likened this experience to childhood learning experiences, highlighting how critical it is to integrate the insights gained from these trips into long-term memory networks that support learned behaviors. Dölen stressed the importance of providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals during this critical period to ensure that they can fully benefit from their psychedelic experiences.
The event was moderated by Imran Khan, executive director of the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP). The panel also included Daniela Kaufer, Noah Whiteman, and Michael Silver. Kaufer is a professor in both integrative biology and neuroscience at UC Berkeley as well as an associate dean of biological sciences. Whiteman serves as faculty director of the Essig Museum of Entomology while also being a professor of integrative biology and molecular cell biology at UC Berkeley. Silver is a professor in both optometry and neuroscience at UC Berkeley as well as faculty director of BCSP.
During this insightful discussion, Dölen shared her expertise on psychedelics and their potential therapeutic role in treating mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and addiction. She also discussed some challenges associated with using psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.
Overall, this episode provided valuable insights into the evolution of psychedelic substances and their effects on our brains and minds. It highlighted some important considerations when using these substances for therapeutic purposes while also emphasizing the need for further research to fully understand their potential benefits.
In conclusion, Gül Dölen’s contributions were particularly noteworthy in this discussion as she provided valuable insights into how we can make sense of our experiences during psychedelic trips to improve our overall well-being. Her emphasis on providing a safe environment during this critical period was particularly important given that many people may be vulnerable to negative consequences if they are not properly supported during their journey towards healing through psychedelics.