Center For Psychedelic Studies
The Center for Psychedelic Studies supports the development and integration of psychedelic studies at Naropa University and offers a range of public education opportunities focused on the unprecedented transformative healing potential within this emerging field.
After 50 Years of intellectual prohibition, a recent resurgence in science and research has demonstrated remarkably promising results for the use of psychedelic substances in the treatment of depression, end-of-life anxiety, addiction, and other mental health conditions. As a pioneer in the integration of contemplative training with counseling psychology, chaplaincy, eco-psychology and other therapeutic disciplines, Naropa is uniquely positioned to expand the unprecedented healing potential within this emerging field.
The work of the Center for Psychedelic Studies is supported in close collaboration with Naropa Extended Campus.
Current Offerings
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies Certificate
Steeped in mindfulness and compassion training, this Certificate program leverages Naropa University’s contemplative and psychotherapeutic expertise, further expanding the unprecedented transformative healing potential within this emerging field.
Psychedelic Alchemy Speaker Series
Psychedelic Alchemy is a speaker series dedicated to exploring the modern psychedelic landscape. Featuring prominent and emerging leaders in the field, these free public events investigate salient topics in the psychedelic space such as psychedelic-assisted therapy, science, social action, spirituality, healing integration and more.
Whether you’re a novice or well-researched expert, join us for this curated series of inspiring à la carte discussion panels, lectures, and interviews with galvanizing psychedelic luminaries.
Introduction to Psychedelic Therapies
This course is only for current Naropa graduate students, it is not open to the public. Contact your Academic Advisor for more information.
CNSG-799 Special Topics: Introduction to Psychedelic Therapies provides current Naropa graduate students with a foundational understanding of psychedelic medicines and their use in healing modalities. This course centers on harm reduction, safety concerns, ethical implications, and the benefits of psychedelic use in a variety of settings, and offers an overview of current psychedelic therapies in such areas as palliative care and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Students will approach the topic of psychedelic therapies from an interdisciplinary perspective, blending teachings from counseling psychology, religious studies, chaplaincy, and ecopsychology.
Past Offerings
Psychedelic Alchemy: Spring Washam
Psychedelic Alchemy: Erik Davis, PhD
Today’s psychedelic enthusiasts seem equally fascinated with ancient plant medicines and the latest pharmaceutical patents, but what about good old LSD? What if this substance is actually an alchemical sacrament, whose wild underground lineage offers precisely the sort of sacred values that might help guide us through the maelstrom of our moment?
The Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies was pleased to host author, teacher, and award-winning journalist Erik Davis as he wrestled with these questions, and explored the mythopoetic legacy of LSD!
What is the Role of "Therapy" in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy
There has been great enthusiasm surrounding the therapeutic potentials of psychedelic-assisted therapies. However, there is very little conversation about the therapy dimension. What does this therapy consist of? The collaborative forum between Chacruna Institute and the Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies strove to answer this question and more, covering topics such as psychological approaches and frameworks, mindfulness, trauma-specific skills, trauma healing, and neurobiological aspects.
Psychedelic Alchemy: Nicholas Powers, PhD
The Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies was elated to host professor, poet, novelist, and journalist Nicholas Powers for an inspiring Psychedelic Alchemy speaker event. Dr. Powers’ lecture, “Flowers in Gun Barrels: How the Psychedelic Renaissance Can Stop War” examined the ways in which patriarchy, militarism, and poverty distort self-image and censor consciousness, and how a re-imagined psychedelic social movement can begin to repair these damages.
The Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies was pleased to host author, teacher, and award-winning journalist Erik Davis as he wrestled with these questions, and explored the mythopoetic legacy of LSD!
Course in MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy
Sponsored Programs & Partner Offerings
The Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies is a proud Community Ally for the 2022 Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics conference in New York!
Use our discount code: NAROPA-NY-15 for a 15% discount on conference attendance.
The Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies is a proud Community Ally for the 2022 Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics conference in Oregon!
Use Discount Code: NAROPA-NW-10 for a 10% discount on attendance.
The Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies is a proud Community Partner for the 2023 Psychedelic Science conference in Denver!
Use Discount Code: NAU15 for a 15% discount on attendance.
The Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies is a proud sponsor of the 2022 Emergence Psychedelic Education Festival.
Emergence invites the public into a dialogue around psychedelic reform through education and community. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with a diverse group of psychedelic advocates, ranging from legal experts to social artists.Topics will include psychedelic-assisted therapies, spiritual exploration, plant medicine and ceremony, current policy initiatives, ethics and safety, equity and access, and evolving research and advocacy efforts. Presented by the Nowak Society, this festival combines educational booths, interactive workshops, speakers, vendors, music, and more.
Naropa is a proud sponsor of a new ethnographic project to preserve the legacy and archives of Maria Sabina and other Mazatec curanderas. The Mazatec people of Mexico shared their knowledge of the use of psilocybin mushrooms with the world.
Historias y Memorias Mazatecas is a project born from the dedication of a Mazatec family to preserve and celebrate their traditions and cultural heritage. Presented by Alma Institute and the Fungi Foundation, this new project launched this year with a special online event on Maria Sabina’s birthday, July 22.
Psychedelic Science 2023
The Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies is a proud Community Partner for the 2023 Psychedelic Science conference in Denver!
Use Discount Code: NAU15 for a 15% discount on attendance.
Historias Y Memorieas Mazatecas
Naropa is a proud sponsor of a new ethnographic project to preserve the legacy and archives of Maria Sabina and other Mazatec curanderas. The Mazatec people of Mexico shared their knowledge of the use of psilocybin mushrooms with the world.
Historias y Memorias Mazatecas is a project born from the dedication of a Mazatec family to preserve and celebrate their traditions and cultural heritage. Presented by Alma Institute and the Fungi Foundation, this new project launched this year with a special online event on Maria Sabina’s birthday, July 22.
Horizons New York 2022
The Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies was proud to be a Community Ally for the 2022 Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics conference in New York!
Horizons Northwest 2022
The Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies was proud to be a Community Ally for the 2022 Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics conference in Oregon!
Emergence: Psychedelic Education Festival 2022
The Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies was a proud sponsor of the 2022 Emergence Psychedelic Education Festival.
Emergence invited the public into a dialogue around psychedelic reform through education and community. Attendees had the opportunity to speak with a diverse group of psychedelic advocates, ranging from legal experts to social artists.
Topics included psychedelic-assisted therapies, spiritual exploration, plant medicine and ceremony, current policy initiatives, ethics and safety, equity and access, and evolving research and advocacy efforts. Presented by the Nowak Society, this festival combined educational booths, interactive workshops, speakers, vendors, music, and more.
