The Future of Drugs

Psychoactive drugs for better health? Fact or furphy?

Are you curious about the explosion of interest in psychedelics? How do you navigate the latest debates around decriminalisation, legislation and medicalisation of illicit drugs? Join three of Australia’s leading experts as they unpack the latest therapeutic breakthroughs and research into psychoactive medicine.

Hear from the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative and Professor of Psychopharmacology Professor Iain McGregor and his colleague Dr Samuel Bannister on the potential benefits of medicinal cannabis for addiction-related issues, mental health and treating neurological disorders. The pair investigate why pharmaceutical psychiatric drug production has plummeted over the past decade and how 'Big Pharma' is now changing its tune on the therapeutic use of currently illicit psychoactive plants and drugs.

You’ll also hear from St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne’s Lead Therapist and Chief Principal Investigator Dr Margaret Ross who is running Australia’s first psychedelic clinical trial using psilocybin (the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms) to help shift terminally ill patients’ perspectives on life, and death.

This mind-expanding session is moderated by Jenny Valentish, a journalist, author and advocate with a deep interest in mental health, addiction and substance abuse.

Come prepared to be stimulated. There will be plenty of time for questions, so join the conversation about the future of drugs and discover how they could benefit you and many others.