Norsk
Dr. John H. Halpern
Hallucinogens and Ecstasy (MDMA): Harms, possibilities and research
Dr. Halpern will present information about the harmful effects resulting from the illegal use of hallucinogens and ecstasy, data from therapeutic studies and longitudinal data from studies of traditional groups where hallucinogens are used within a cultural and religious context and setting.
Dr. Halpern is an internationally leading researcher within the field of hallucinogens. With the aid of digital animation, video and open discussion he will create an exciting and insightful seminar.
Clinical research investigating the therapeutic use of hallucinogens and ecstasy (MDMA) within controlled human studies is currently underway in Switzerland, Israel, Spain, and the USA, after 40 years of lying dormant. Media coverage focusing on these studies will increase, both internationally and in Norway. It is therefore important that professionals currently involved in the drug field participate and contribute to this debate. Here it is especially critical to communicate clearly that there is a difference between the risks involved with uncontrolled recreational use compared to guided therapeutic sessions. This seminar therefore presents an excellent opportunity to gain updated expert knowledge within a field that has been rapidly evolving in the past decade.
Objective
To present participants with updated knowledge about:
- The subjective effects of hallucinogens and ecstasy
- The psychological effects of chronic use
- User groups and patterns of use
- Brain damage? Hallucinogens and cognitive functioning
- Hallucinogens and culture (symbols and identity)
- Practical advice on how to communicate risk within prevention and treatment
- Hallucinogenic Persisting Perception Disorder ("Flashbacks")
- Spirituality and hallucinogens: Peyote, psilocybin and ayahuasca
- An update on "medically assisted psychotherapy": why and for which conditions?
- Discussion about prevention and treatment development: "entering the paradox"
Resource Page (Registered users only) »
|
John H. Halpern, M.D. Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA and Associate Director of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Research, Biological Psychiatry Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA. Dr. Halpern is currently conducting a multi-year study investigating the neurocognitive consequences of ecstasy-abuse, financed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), USA. Dr. Halpern is also leading a clinical trial of MDMA-assisted therapy for anxiety, and he has conducted a controlled longitudinal study of neurocognitive- and psychosocial consequences of the legal, spiritual use of peyote (mescaline) by Native Americans. |
Target group:
This seminar is relevant for clinical work with youths, with drug prevention and public awareness, or research dealing with drugs and addiction. Experts in public health management, translational researchers in psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, toxicology and neuropsychology.
Dr. Halpern is conducting the first clinical trial in the world of MDMA ("Ecstasy") for treatment resistant anxiety disorders associated with end of life issues.
Specialization- and education credits:
The seminar was approved by the Norwegian Psychological association (NPF), the Norwegian Medical Association (Dnlf), The Norwegian Nurses Council (NSF) and the joint association of social educators, child welfare specialists and social workers (FO).
Time and place:
Dr. Halpern got excellent feedback from the attendees of the workshop. Research feature articles in the national newspapers, interviews with BBC4 Radio, and Norwegian public tv, covered Dr. Halpern's research and Norway visit.
Dr. Halpern's resource-page contains a updated collection of articles and book chapters on Hallucinogens, MDMA, Ecstasy, Government reports, News, Editorials, Videos, Harm Reduction and Educational resources.
