Psychedelics and the Mind from edX

Professor David Presti draws upon decades of teaching his top-ranked course at the University of California, Berkeley, to share with the edX community. Presti skillfully navigates the science, culture, and history of psychedelics for both the novice learner and the curious expert interested in fact-based learning surrounding visionary substances.

In this 8-module course we will explore:

the scientific world of psychedelic substances and the mind
plant medicines and hallucinogenic compounds
opportunities to deepen your own understanding of mind

In becoming a more informed citizen vis-à-vis psychedelics, you will have an opportunity to become better acquainted with your own brain and nervous system, understand the science related to organisms and molecules having psychedelic properties, gain historical and contemporary context surrounding factors that influence public opinion and law, and appreciate something of the rapidly evolving contemporary clinical research with these materials. While human relationships with what are called psychedelics are very old, they may offer wellness opportunities for our modern day, as well as profound insights into the nature of mind and world.

This course features conversations with a community of experts in the field, including Raquel Bennett, Susana Bustos, Gül Dölen, Andrea Gomez, Ayize Jama-Everett, Bob Jesse, Dacher Keltner, Mariavittoria Mangini, Jennifer Mitchell, Michael Pollan, Sylvestre Quevedo, and Forrest Tahdooahnippah.

For a limited time this course is discounted to $85. It is valued at $135.

“Psychedelics and the Mind” was developed with generous support from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The chemical impact and/or influence of psychedelic compounds on the mind.
Trusted scientific and journalistic sources presenting fact-based research.
The growing culture of psychedelic use and the importance of harm reduction.

Key developments in psychedelics research.
The historical and contemporary role of psychedelics in society.

The chemical impact and/or influence of psychedelic compounds on the mind.
Trusted scientific and journalistic sources presenting fact-based research.
The growing culture of psychedelic use and the importance of harm reduction.
Key developments in psychedelics research.
The historical and contemporary role of psychedelics in society.

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to Psychedelics

Module 2: Foundational Concepts in the Neurobiology of Psychedelics

Module 3: LSD

Module 4: Psilocybin Mushrooms

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the history and culture of psychedelics, which helps learners understand their traditional uses and modern-day applications

Taught by David Presti, an experienced professor who has taught a top-ranked course on psychedelics at UC Berkeley

Examines the scientific and cultural implications of psychedelics, which helps learners develop a balanced understanding of their potential benefits and risks

Develops foundational knowledge in the neurobiology of psychedelics, which helps learners comprehend the effects of these substances on the brain and nervous system

Covers a wide range of topics, including the history, science, and therapeutic applications of psychedelics, which provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of the field

Reviews summary

Psychedelics and the mind: a balanced scientific exploration

According to students, "Psychedelics and the Mind" is a largely positive and highly informative course, providing a comprehensive, fact-based understanding of visionary substances. Learners consistently praise Professor David Presti's engaging, balanced, and clear instruction, which makes complex topics accessible to both novice and curious expert learners. The course's balanced perspective, covering history, culture, science, and harm reduction without sensationalism, is a recurring highlight. Many appreciate the valuable expert interviews and the thought-provoking content that deepens understanding of the mind and current research.

Features insightful conversations with leading field experts.

"The interviews with various experts add immense value and different perspectives that you wouldn't get elsewhere."

"I truly enjoyed hearing from the diverse range of voices in the field; it made the content even richer."

"Guest speakers contributed greatly to the richness and depth of the course, enhancing my learning experience significantly."

Accessible for beginners yet enriching for knowledgeable learners.

"This course is perfect for both beginners and those with some existing knowledge on the subject. I learned so much."

"As someone new to the topic, I found it incredibly easy to follow and understand complex ideas without feeling overwhelmed."

"It deepened my understanding significantly, even with prior reading on psychedelics. The synthesis was excellent."

"The content struck a good balance, not too basic and not overly academic jargon, which was perfect for me."

Offers a nuanced, evidence-based view of psychedelics.

"The course provides a very balanced and scientific view of the topic, avoiding sensationalism and focusing on facts."

"I appreciated the historical, cultural, and scientific aspects covered in a very objective manner. It was truly informative."

"This is a comprehensive overview, well-researched, and suitable for anyone curious about the subject from an academic standpoint."

"I really valued the harm reduction focus alongside the scientific and historical context. It gave me a complete picture."

Professor Presti's clarity and balance are widely lauded.

"Professor Presti is an outstanding teacher; he is clear, concise, balanced, and engaging. His knowledge is immense..."

"His passion and knowledge shine through, making complex topics incredibly accessible. I found his lectures captivating."

"The instructor's balanced and non-judgmental approach was exactly what I needed to grasp this sensitive topic effectively."

"I found Professor Presti's lecturing style to be very engaging and thoughtful, always presenting information impartially."

Some desired more scientific depth or found the pace slow.

"Sometimes the pace felt a bit slow, especially if you already have some background knowledge about psychedelics."

"I would have loved even more in-depth neurobiological explanations, although the current coverage was good."

"While comprehensive, I occasionally wished for a deeper dive into certain molecular mechanisms or clinical applications."

"For someone well-versed in the topic, some parts might feel a little basic, but it's great for newcomers."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Psychedelics and the Mind with these activities:

Psychedelic Knowledge Quiz

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This activity will help you to reinforce your understanding of the key concepts and terminology used in the study of psychedelics.

Browse courses on Terminology

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Take a quiz that covers the basic concepts of psychedelic science
Review the answers and identify any areas where you need to improve your understanding
Retake the quiz until you achieve a satisfactory score

Virtual Reality Meditation for Psychedelic Preparation

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This activity will guide you through a virtual reality meditation that is specifically designed to prepare you for a psychedelic experience, which can increase your understanding of the benefits and risks of psychedelics.

Browse courses on Meditation

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Find a quiet and comfortable place to sit or lie down
Put on your VR headset and start the meditation
Follow the instructions of the meditation guide

Mind Map of Psychedelic Effects

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This activity will help you to visualize and understand the wide range of psychedelic effects, and how they can impact your mind and body.

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Brainstorm a list of all the different psychedelic effects that you can think of
Create a mind map or diagram that connects the different effects to each other
Use different colors or symbols to represent different categories of effects

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

The Psychedelic Experience

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This book provides a framework for understanding the psychedelic experience and its potential for personal growth and transformation, which will help you in your journey through this course.

View The Psychedelic Experience on Amazon

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Read the Introduction and Chapters 1-3
Listen to the audio recordings of Leary's lectures on the book
Write a summary of the main points of each chapter

Psychedelic Experience Sharing Circle

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This activity will provide you with a safe and supportive space to share your psychedelic experiences with others, which can help you to process and integrate your experiences.

Browse courses on Integration

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Find a group of people who have also had psychedelic experiences
Meet regularly to share your experiences and support each other
Listen to each other's stories with empathy and respect

Personal Psychedelic Journey Log

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This project will give you the opportunity to document and reflect on your own psychedelic experiences, which will help you to integrate the lessons you learn in this course into your own life.

Browse courses on Self-Reflection

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Create a journal or notebook to record your psychedelic experiences
After each psychedelic experience, write down everything you can remember about it, including the setting, the dose, the effects, and your thoughts and feelings
Review your journal entries regularly and reflect on what you have learned

Psychedelic Research Presentation

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This project will allow you to explore and present your findings on current research into the therapeutic applications of psychedelics, deepening your understanding of the potential benefits and risks of these substances.

Browse courses on Clinical Trials

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Choose a specific area of psychedelic research that interests you
Research the latest scientific literature on the topic
Create a presentation that summarizes your findings
Present your research to the class

Career center

Learners who complete Psychedelics and the Mind will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts develop and evaluate public policies. This course may be useful, as it provides information on the history and current status of psychedelic drug policy. This knowledge may be helpful in developing new policies on this topic.

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Science Writer

Science Writers communicate scientific information to the public. This course may be useful, as it provides an overview of the neurobiological effects of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in writing articles and books about this topic.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. This course may be useful, as it provides an overview of the neurobiological effects of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in developing new courses and research projects on this topic.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research in a variety of fields, including medicine, science, and engineering. This course may be useful, as it provides an overview of the neurobiological effects of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in developing new treatments for mental health conditions and other medical conditions.

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Medical Doctor

Medical Doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions. This course may be useful, as it provides information on the clinical uses of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in developing new treatments for mental health conditions and other medical conditions.

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Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants provide medical care under the supervision of a physician. This course may be useful, as it provides information on the clinical uses of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in providing safe and effective care to patients who are using these compounds.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients in a variety of settings. This course may be useful, as it provides information on the clinical uses of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in providing safe and effective care to patients who are using these compounds.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people with a variety of social and emotional problems. This course may be useful, as it provides information on the clinical uses of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in developing new treatments for mental health conditions.

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Addiction Counselor

Addiction Counselors help people overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol. This course may be useful, as it provides information on the neurobiological effects of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in developing new treatments for addiction.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and provide information on their use. This course may be useful, as it provides information on the pharmacology of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in ensuring the safe and effective use of these compounds.

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Neuroscientist

Neuroscientists study the brain and nervous system. This course may be useful, as it provides an overview of the neurobiological effects of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in understanding how these compounds affect the brain.

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Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. This course may be useful, as it provides information on the clinical uses of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in developing new treatments for mental health conditions.

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Clinical Psychologist

Clinical Psychologists help people with mental health issues. This course may be useful, as it provides information on the clinical uses of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in developing new treatments for mental health conditions.

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Toxicologist

Toxicologists study the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms. This course may be useful, as it provides information on the toxicology of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in developing safety guidelines for the use of these compounds.

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Pharmaceutical Researcher

As a Pharmaceutical Researcher, you will be responsible for the discovery and development of new drugs. This course may be useful, as it provides an overview of the neurobiological effects of psychedelic substances. This knowledge may be helpful in understanding the potential therapeutic applications of these compounds.

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