Disabling the Movement: Psychedelic Censorship

PsyAware

A panel discussion on censorship of psychedelic content by social media companies: a threat to research, harm reduction and policy reform

In recent weeks, Meta (Facebook / Instagram) has removed the accounts of several UK organisations involved in psychedelic research, policy, and harm reduction. Additionally, they have banned or suspended the personal accounts of individuals working in this field.Affected organisations include PsyAware, Breaking Convention, Psilocybin Access Rights (PAR), The Psychedelic Society, and the documentary film page for The Psychedelic Chronicles, amongst others. Numerous individuals linked to these associations have also had their pages removed.A particularly challenging aspect is the lack of an appeal process. In many cases, organisations and individuals are either denied the right to appeal or have their appeals decided instantly by artificial intelligence. It is evident that these decisions are made by algorithms and AI, rather than by humans who understand the nuances and societal importance of harm reduction and drug policy debates.Fortunately, due to connections we have at Meta, we have been able to have many of the accounts re-instated. However, it is still problematic, in that organisations have lost their accounts for days / weeks, but furthermore, the system should be equitable for all, and not rely on connections to people working in the company. In response, we have convened a panel to discuss how such social media actions harm psychedelic science, research, and harm reduction. Additionally, we will explore steps the community can take to protect ourselves against this type of censorship.Join us for an evening panel discussion, where we will address the problems this has caused and collectively focus on solutions to ensure that psychedelic research and harm reduction are safeguarded against algorithms and artificial intelligence.We have written an Open Letter to Meta, which we would encourage you to sign and share within your networks. <a href="https://www.psyaware.org/open-letter-meta" title="https://www.psyaware.org/open-letter-meta" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">PLEASE SIGN HERE</a> Featuring on this panel are:Adam Waugh (<a href="https://www.psyaware.org/" title="https://www.psyaware.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">PsyAware</a>)Steve Rolles (<a href="https://transformdrugs.org/" title="https://transformdrugs.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Transform Drug Policy Foundation</a>)Aimee Tollan (<a href="https://www.breakingconvention.co.uk/" title="https://www.breakingconvention.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Breaking Convention</a>)Rosalind Watts (<a href="https://acerintegration.com/" title="https://acerintegration.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">ACER Integration</a>)The panel, hosted by Anya Oleksiuk, will last 90 minutes and include time for audience questions. Tickets are free, but we encourage donations and the funds raised will be ring-fenced for future educational talks and panels about harm reduction, drug policy and safeguarding the psychedelic community. ABOUT PsyAware:We are a not-for-profit organisation providing essential education and support systems in the psychedelic space. Our goal is to empower individuals and communities to enhance our collective wellbeing through better understanding and responsible psychedelic practices.<a href="https://www.psyaware.org/" title="https://www.psyaware.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Visit our website</a>, and join our mailing list where we are building a more aware, connected, and caring psychedelic culture.

<h3>SPEAKERS</h3> <h4>Adam Waugh - PsyAware</h4>

Adam is currently a Director and co-founder of <a href="https://www.psyaware.org/" title="https://www.psyaware.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">PsyAware</a>, a psychedelic safety and harm reduction organisation. His work focuses on drug policy and harm reduction, especially in relation to psychedelics and other club drugs. He also works for <a href="https://wearetheloop.org/" title="https://wearetheloop.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Loop Drug Checking Service</a>, where he leads on their drug training programme, as well as media and communication. He was previously a manager of <a href="https://www.psycareuk.org/" title="https://www.psycareuk.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">PsyCare UK</a> for nearly 5 years, where he oversaw the delivery of welfare, harm reduction and trip-sitting services at around 30 UK music festivals. His Master's degree dissertation from Durham University focused on psychedelic harm reduction.

<h4>Steve Rolles - Transform Drug Policy Foundation</h4>

Steve Rolles is Senior Policy Analyst for<a href="https://transformdrugs.org/" title="https://transformdrugs.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> Transform Drug Policy Foundation</a>, a UK based think tank and charity engaged in drug policy analysis and advocacy, where he has worked for over 20 years. Steve is the co-author of several guides to drug regulation including the transforms recent 'How to regulate psychedelics; A practical guide'; and has served as an adviser for the a number of Governments on cannabis regulation; has contributed expert testimony during numerous UN and other multilateral fora, and was lead drafter and technical coordinator for two reports for the Global Commission on Drug Policy.

<h4>Aimée Tollan - Breaking Convention</h4>

Aimée has been involved in the psychedelic community for over a decade. She joined <a href="https://www.breakingconvention.co.uk/" title="https://www.breakingconvention.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Breaking Convention</a> as a Director in 2014 and also sits on the board as a Trustee. She manages the day-to-day running of the charity, curates the academic programme, manages the social media account and is the lead editor on the current edition of The Breaking Convention Collection of Essays. Previously, she has worked as Director of Screening at The Synthesis Institute where she managed the screening team. This team ensure the safety of every retreat attendee by assessing the possible contraindications with psilocybin truffles depending on the clients' physical and mental health histories. Aimée holds a BSc in anthropology from The University of Kent, and an MSc in psychology from The University of Greenwich, where she was also President of The University of Greenwich Psychedelic Society. She has conducted research into drug policy, and the cannabis-induced altered state of consciousness. She currently resides in East London.

<h4>Rosalind Watts - ACER Integration</h4>

Dr Rosalind Watts is a clinical psychologist and an influential voice in the psychedelic field. Her research focuses on how psychedelic therapy can increase ‘Connectedness to Self, Others and World’. Her 2017 Ted talk about psychedelic therapy had more than a million views but she has critiqued her earlier ideas, realising that these ways of working cannot be safe or effective until we create community infrastructure of care around them.In order to start building a web of connectedness for people after psychedelic sessions, she co-founded a global online community, <a href="http://acerintegration.com/" title="http://acerintegration.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">ACER Integration </a>(‘Accept, Connect, Embody, Restore’) which takes a collective approach to personal growth, and encourages re-alignment to the wisdom of nature.<a href="http://drrosalindwatts.com/" title="http://drrosalindwatts.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">drrosalindwatts.com</a>

<h3>HOST</h3> <h4>Anya Oleksiuk - Psyaware</h4>

Anya Oleksiuk is a documentary filmmaker, event organiser, and educator. She is a co-founder and co-director of <a href="https://www.psyaware.org/" title="https://www.psyaware.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">PsyAware</a>, a not-for-profit organisation providing essential education and support systems in the psychedelic space. From 2018 to 2024, she co-directed the <a href="https://psychedelicsociety.org.uk/" title="https://psychedelicsociety.org.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Psychedelic Society UK</a>, leading education and harm reduction initiatives. She managed strategic planning, administration, and finances, and as a safeguarding officer, she played a crucial role in handling reports and establishing safe practice guidelines. She is a consultant for the Polish Psychedelic Society and an official advisor to the <a href="https://globalpsychedelic.org/" title="https://globalpsychedelic.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Global Psychedelic Society</a>. She is also a director and producer of the <a href="https://psychedelicchronicles.earth/" title="https://psychedelicchronicles.earth/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Psychedelic Chronicles documentary</a>.

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Disabling the Movement: Psychedelic Censorship

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