A Day of Psychedelic Perspectives

An annual gathering exploring psychedelics through science, story, culture, and lived experience.

Please note: The daytime symposium (9.00–17.30) and the evening Closing Ritual (19.30–21.30) are ticketed separately. Day ticket holders receive £5-off booking the evening.

How do psychedelics shape the way we understand ourselves and the world around us? What can we learn from the research, traditions, rituals, and stories that surround them? And how might places like Hastings grow thoughtful, safe, and connected psychedelic culture together?

Psychedelic Perspectives brings together a rare mix of practitioners, ritualists, activists, and integration specialists, each offering a distinct lens on psychedelic experience spanning science and psychology, ancestral lineages, embodied practice, and community care.

Expect thoughtful talks, conversational panels, space for questions , and gentle invitations to reflect on your own relationship to insight, healing, and connection.

This is an accessible, community-minded gathering for anyone curious about psychedelics whether you’re completely new, actively integrating an experience , or already working within a related field. Designed to be welcoming and down-to-earth, it offers something both for first-timers and for those with years of experience who are still curious, still learning, and still asking good questions.

What to Expect

Expect a rich, thoughtful day of talks, conversational panels, open Q&A, and reflective moments that invite you to consider your own relationship to insight, healing, and connection.

This is the first gathering of its kind in Hastings, bringing together local voices and respected visiting speakers to explore psychedelics in a way that is grounded, nuanced, and rooted in community. It’s a chance to be part of something new : a day of shared inquiry that feels both intimate and expansive, connected to place while in conversation with wider cultural, scientific, and ancestral perspectives.

Across the day, we’ll explore psychedelics from multiple angles, including scientific and psychological perspectives; ancestral, ritual, and lineage-based traditions (including iboga and Bwiti); politics, policy, harm reduction, and access; sexuality, intimacy, embodiment, and relational practice; and integration, somatics, and community care.

Alongside the talks and panels, the space will host a small selection of local makers and community stalls, inviting moments to browse, connect, and support creative, ethical projects rooted in the local area. The venue will also feature art installations by Alex Hatjouliis https://alexhat.weebly.com/, whose work explores perception, symbolism, and altered ways of seeing, subtly woven through the programme and the space itself.

The programme will weave together talks, panel discussions, Q&A, and reflective moments throughout the day. A detailed schedule will be shared with ticketholders closer to the event.

Doors open at 9am , with sessions running from 9.30am to 5.30pm. There will be regular breaks, time to eat, and space to rest and connect with others. Session timings will be released in early February.

Programme

09.00–09.30 Arrivals

09.30–09.45 Welcome

09.45–10.45 Julian Vayne

The Psychedelic Human: Julian Vayne explores how psychedelic states have been celebrated, suppressed, and rediscovered across human history, considering their potential as allies in individual experience and their wider social and cultural impacts .

10.45–11.15 Sarah Janes

The Dream Mysteries of Elefsis: Alchemical Essence: A mythic and experiential exploration of the Eleusinian Mysteries, examining sacred sleep and dream healing as early practices of transformation, and concluding with a guided hypnagogic meditation inspired by the Telesterion, the inner hall of the Eleusinian Mysteries .

11.15–11.45 Refreshment Break

11.45–12.15 Rohan Narse

Iboga and the Bwiti Tradition- Medicine for the Long Dark: An exploration of Iboga and the Bwiti tradition, drawing on lived experience and reflecting on medicine, truth, and collective uncertainty.

12.15–12.45 Feona Attwood

Psychedelic Sexualities: Research, Relationships, and the Intimate Self: Feona Attwood explores emerging research into psychedelic sexualities, examining how psychedelics feature in sexual and intimate encounters, and what this reveals about embodiment, identity, relationships, and human connection.

12.45–13.15 Witness session

A facilitated session in which three members of the public share personal reflections on their lived experiences. Offered as listening rather than debate, this session centres first-hand testimony, presence, and collective witnessing.

**13.15–14.15 Lunch **

A delicious local vegetarian & vegan lunch will be available to purchase on the day.

14.15–14.45 Sharon Fox

The Scottish Ambulance Service: Psychedelics, Nature, and New Ways of Healing: An exploration of innovative approaches to wellbeing within the Scottish Ambulance Service, examining how psychedelics and nature-based healing are opening new conversations about resilience, care, and institutional change.

14.45–15.15 Claire Cordell and Liz Greenaway

Integration and Community: From Psychedelic Insight to Real Life : An exploration of psychedelic integration, focusing on how insights can be safely and meaningfully woven into everyday life through community, harm reduction, and embodied practices.

15.15–16.00 Tara Austin

Why the UK needs Psilocybin Access Rights: An exploration of why psilocybin remains a Schedule 1 substance in the UK, despite growing scientific evidence of its therapeutic value, and how the Psilocybin Access Rights campaign is working to change this through lawful, evidence-based advocacy.
16.00–16.30 Refreshment Break

16.30 –17.15 Panel

A facilitated panel bringing together speakers from across the day to reflect on emerging psychedelic cultures, policy, practice, and lived experience, followed by audience questions.

17.00–17.15 Close & Thanks

19.30-21.30 (Separate Ticketed Event)

**Evening Closing Ritual: The Sound Apothecary **

To close the day, we gather for an immersive cacao and sound ritual led by Maria Christofi, founder of The Sound Apothecary. Rooted in both shamanic tradition and contemporary sound therapy, this guided journey entwines drum, sun gong, rattles and singing bowls to invite a softened, reflective state. We will share pure Peruvian Criolla cacao, traditionally regarded as a heart-opening plant ally, as a gentle companion to the evening.

In the words of María Sabina, Mazatec shaman and poet: “Hug yourself with the cocoa bean and a touch of cinnamon.”

Across cultures, rhythm and resonance have long been used to shift consciousness and support inner exploration. Repetitive drumming patterns and sustained tones can encourage deep relaxation, imagery and access to the liminal space between waking and dreaming , a space often associated with integration and insight.

Maria brings over 25 years of experience in Classical Acupuncture, Daoist healing and Sound Therapy. Her work bridges clinical practice and creative ritual, holding space with both grounded presence and mythic sensibility.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU READ THE CONTRAINDICATIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EVENT PAGE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK THE EVENING RITUAL.

Who Is This For?

This gathering is open to anyone aged 18+ who is curious about psychedelics whether you’re completely new, actively integrating a past experience, or deeply experienced in this field.

It’s designed to be accessible, welcoming, and grounded. Experienced practitioners, therapists, researchers, and facilitators can also expect to encounter fresh perspectives, thoughtful challenge, and new ways of thinking alongside the chance to connect with others working at the edges of this evolving field.

SPEAKERS

Julian Vayne


Julian is one of Britain’s most respected psychedelic thinkers and ritual practitioners, with over forty years immersed in magic, meditation, and entheogenic ceremony. A leading voice in contemporary occultism and co-organiser of Breaking Convention, Julian bridges deep tradition with modern psychedelic culture.

He is the acclaimed author of many works, including the celebrated Getting Higher and his newest book, Trip Sitting. Julian teaches internationally, mentors practitioners, and leads ceremony informed by chaos magic, tantra, and earth based spirituality. His work invites curiosity, creativity, and grounded exploration, offering a rare blend of scholarship, lived experience, and visionary insight Website: https://julianvayne.com/

**Tara Austin **


Tara is one of the most energetic and creative voices pushing for safe, legal access to psilocybin in the UK. She co founded PAR (the Campaign for Psilocybin Access Rights ) in 2021 and has since helped spark national conversations through petitions, public campaigns and imaginative outreach, all grounded in her belief that psilocybin has genuine healing potential.

Her work aims to make this medicine available to people who could benefit from it, within a safe and regulated framework.Alongside her advocacy, Tara is a Partner in Ogilvy Consulting’s Behavioural Science Practice and host of Nudgestock, where she brings together psychology, creativity and social change. Website: www.par.global

Sarah Janes

Sarah runs workshops and events as Dream Mysteries and is co-founder of Dream Palace Athens , where she curated a 10-day artist residency, lecture series, workshops, and performances in 2023. Her work explores dreaming as a visionary practice, drawing on ancient incubation traditions, pilgrimage, and ritual approaches to insight and healing.

She has collaborated with Rupert Sheldrake and the British Pilgrimage Trust to revive dream incubation at sacred sites across the UK. Sarah currently leads retreats in ancient Mediterranean incubation sanctuaries and is based between the UK, Istanbul, and Archaia Epidavros in the Peloponnese, living along a historic pilgrimage route to the healing temples of Asklepios.

Her research situates dreaming alongside other initiatory states such as the Eleusinian Mysteries, within a wider psychedelic lineage of consciousness exploration, where meaning arises through ritual, symbol, and altered perception. Website: https://themysteries.org/

Sharon Fox


Sharon is a paramedic with the Scottish Ambulance Service and a recently appointed Green Champion ambassador, supporting sustainability and exploring complementary and nature based approaches to healing. She is also an ambassador for Heroic Hearts UK , supporting work around trauma recovery for military veterans.

She has a strong interest in mental health and wellbeing and holds a professional certificate in Psychedelics, Altered States and Transpersonal Psychology from the ALEF Trust , completed under the guidance of Dr David Luke. Sharon is particularly committed to raising awareness and supporting research into the potential role of psychedelics and altered states in supporting emergency workers, with the aim of improving wellbeing, resilience, and quality of care.

Alongside her clinical work, Sharon has spent over 25 years as a professional tattooist, bringing creativity, presence, and deep listening into her practice.

Dr. Feona Attwood

Feona is a writer and researcher whose work explores how people make sense of sex, intimacy and identity in contemporary culture. She edits the journals Sexualities, Journal of Gender Studies and Porn Studies, and is known for opening up conversations that are thoughtful, gentle and deeply human. With over three decades of experience in gender and sexuality studies, she brings valuable insight into questions of embodiment, vulnerability and meaning, themes that sit alongside many psychedelic experiences. Her work helps widen the conversation beyond substances, placing psychedelic inquiry within the broader terrain of relationships, culture and lived experience. Website: **https://www.feonaattwood.net/**

Rohan Narse


Rohan is a guide and facilitator who works at the thresholds- places where uncertainty, transition and endings can become openings for clarity, depth and renewal. A former investment banker, he left that world behind to devote himself to inner work, grief tending and earth based spirituality. He is the co-founder of Shining Darkness, a sanctuary for grief and communal healing.Initiated into the Bwiti tradition in Gabon in 2018, Rohan returns each year to study with his spiritual guide Okomo Minko. He also accompanies others who feel called to meet iboga at its source. **Website: ** **https://www.rohann.co.uk/**

Claire Cordell


Claire is a Psychedelic Practitioner and Integration Coach who supports people through times of change and into a deeper connection with themselves. Her 13 years in local community leadership within the not-for-profit sector, together with her own transformative experiences, made her increasingly curious about what truly supports healing, connection and wellbeing. Claire trained as a Psychedelic Practitioner with Synthesis Institute, and Alef Trust and continues her studies within Grof Legacy Training. She co-founded Hastings’ first psychedelic integration circle in 2024 and is passionate about psychedelic integration, transpersonal development and harm and communities. Claire is also the co curator of Psychedelic Perspectives. Website: **https://www.themedicinecoaches.com/**

Dr Liz Greenaway

Liz is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and facilitator working at the intersection of psyche, somatics, and emergent leadership. Based in Hastings, she co-runs a thriving community psychedelic integration group and is on faculty with the Institute for Conversational Leadership (David Whyte). Liz’s work weaves Internal Family Systems, systemic practice, and ritual to support people returning to their inner ground after transformative experiences. Having completed training in psychedelic-assisted therapy with PsyEdu , she brings a grounded, relational approach to altered-state integration. She is also the creator of Six Chambers, a women’s leadership journey for the post-patriarchal era, centring depth, embodiment, and humane connection. Website: **www.sixchambers.uk **

**Maria Christofi **

Maria Christofi is the founder of The Sound Apothecary a space for transformation and deep listening rooted in the medicinal power of sound.

A graduate of the British Academy of Sound, the London College of Traditional Acupuncture and Central Saint Martins, she works at the intersection of healing and creative arts, creating ritual with sound and plant medicine informed by mythological and shamanic traditions.

A practitioner of Classical Acupuncture, Daoist healing and Sound Therapy with 25 years of clinical experience, Maria has supported hundreds through fertility, pregnancy loss, birth and emotional transitions.

Further information: @the_soundapothecary

YOUR HOSTS

Freesia Bassett

With a background in community arts, youth work and festival production, Freesia likes to bring people together in imaginative and authentic ways, especially those often overlooked or excluded from mainstream spaces.

She curates The Psychedelic Society’s gatherings in Hastings, celebrating the town’s creative spirit while opening new conversations about consciousness and community. Freesia also leads SisterWood, a nature-based programme for girls, and explores consciousness through Reiki and sound practice, weaving together art, nature and embodied awareness.

Psychedelics have been among her greatest teachers, informing her inquiry into connection with nature and self, and how we might honour the lineages that hold these understandings. She is studying for an MSc in Mind, Medicine & Culture: Psychedelics at the University of Exeter, examining how altered states of consciousness shape creativity, connection and collective understanding. She’s passionate about collaboration, open dialogue and shared learning.

Claire Cordell


As co-host of Hastings’ first psychedelic conference, Claire is excited to open up conversations, explore what research and history tell us so far, and invite the local community into a thoughtful dialogue about how psychedelics might support wellbeing, connection, and creative growth.

She hopes the event will offer a space for curiosity and shared learning. At the heart of her work is a simple intention: to help people feel more connected to themselves and each other, and to trust their own inner healing intelligence.

Contraindications for Sound & Cacao Ritual:

•Epilepsy at any point in your life.
•Pace maker or cochlear implant
•Severe diagnosed mental health conditions.
•Metal implants - sound vibrations may be felt in implants or joint replacements.
•Severe Tinnitus

Health considerations in relation to cacao ( you are still welcome to attend if you are unable/
unsure about drinking any cacao).
Antidepressants:
SSRI antidepressants and anti-psychotics are incompatible with the Monoamine Oxidase
Inhibitors in cacao which can interfere with medication. However, a micro dose of cacao can
be well tolerated with lower dose of medications.

Heart Rate:
It is the nature of cacao’s blood circulation boosting properties to slightly raise the heart rate.
Please check with your Dr if you have any pre existing heart conditions where an increase in
heart rate could could be problematic medically.
Substance use
Cacao boosts blood flow to the brain by 30-40% amplifying other substances in your blood
so it is not advisable to drink Cacao alongside other substances/ alcohol.
Please reach out to Maria on 07970794367 if you would like to discuss suitabilit