Michael Albert - Psychopharmacology in an Age of Planetary Crisis

Planetary crises, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and economic instability, are discussed as foundational challenges for the contemporary psychedelic movement. Rather than viewing the current psychedelic renaissance solely through a clinical or wellness lens, this talk emphasizes the need for a shift towards radical social and political engagement. Psychedelics may foster new forms of subjectivity and consciousness that effectively challenge dominant systems of extraction and consumption. The psychedelic community is encouraged to move beyond individualist healing and instead address systemic injustices, such as the exploitation of indigenous communities from whom much psychedelic plant knowledge originates. By adopting frameworks like Deep Adaptation, those involved can work to build resilience and foster restoration, ensuring that psychedelic practices remain grounded in a commitment to ecological and social justice rather than becoming just another commodity for profit-driven industries.