The Science of Psychedelics with Dr David Luke

Tue Nov 18 2025 at 07:00 pm to 09:30 pm UTC+00:00

Somerset County Cricket Club | Taunton

JAW Talks & Events
Publisher/HostJAW Talks & Events
The Science of Psychedelics with Dr David Luke Join us for an in-depth examination of traditional + modern psychedelics, including their benefits for mental health. Followed by Q+A.
About this Event

The traditional use of psychoactive plants and fungi for spiritual and shamanic rituals has occurred for thousands of years, whereas the Western scientific research of these substances has only been explored in the last 100 years, and prohibition stalled the last 50 years of this.

In this talk you will be introduced to the science of these traditional psychedelics along with their modern counterparts first synthesised in the 20th century. Dr. Luke will also touch upon the mental health applications for these drugs.

Now that scientific research is resuming, what do psychedelics tell us about the weirder side of human consciousness, and what can be learned from the traditional shamanic practices with these substances? Find this out and more in this enlightening talk.

Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7.30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!

Follow us on IG @seedtalks

Dr David Luke is Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Greenwich. His research focuses on transpersonal experiences, anomalous phenomena and altered states of consciousness, especially via psychedelics, having published more than 100 academic papers in this area, including ten books, most recently Otherworlds: Psychedelics and Exceptional Human Experience. When he is not running clinical drug trials with LSD, conducting DMT field experiments or observing apparent weather control with Mexican shamans he directs the Ecology, Cosmos and Consciousness salon and is a cofounder and director of Breaking Convention: International Conference on Psychedelic Consciousness.

Testimonials from our guests

The talk was well paced, funny and engaging. I left with several book suggestions and was very happy with the talk. - Bobby R 

Expertly run, talks are always super informative and a lot of fun! Couldn’t recommend these enough! 5 star. - Owen S

His excellent oratory skills, sense of humour and the subject matter made for a highly enjoyable two hours - Andrew I 



Agenda

🕑: 07:00 PM
Doors Open
🕑: 07:30 PM
Talk Starts

Event Venue

Somerset County Cricket Club, Saint James Street, Taunton, United Kingdom

Tickets

GBP 6.00 to GBP 32.00

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Taunton

Taunton Deane Divas WI Meeting - Craft Evening
Mon, 17 Nov at 07:00 pm Taunton Deane Divas WI Meeting - Craft Evening

St James Church Hall St James Street, TA1 1JS Taunton, United Kingdom

Discover Scuba Diving\/PADI Reactivate session
Tue, 18 Nov at 07:15 pm Discover Scuba Diving/PADI Reactivate session

King's College Taunton - OAs and Friends

November Regular meeting - likely to be an initiation ceremony.
Thu, 20 Nov at 06:30 pm November Regular meeting - likely to be an initiation ceremony.

Emergency Services Lodge No 9391

Multiple Candidate Initiation Ceremony
Thu, 20 Nov at 06:30 pm Multiple Candidate Initiation Ceremony

Masonic Hall, Taunton

Live & Let Dine
Thu, 20 Nov at 07:00 pm Live & Let Dine

The Cooper Associates County Ground, St. James Street, TA1 1JT Taunton, United Kingdom

We Three Kings of Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roll
Thu, 20 Nov at 07:30 pm We Three Kings of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre

Acoustic Music Club at CICCIC, Taunton
Thu, 20 Nov at 07:30 pm Acoustic Music Club at CICCIC, Taunton

Creative Innovation Centre CIC

Taunton is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Taunton Events