What have you got wrong about psychedelics? The good, bad and unknown

What you'll learn

What are Psychedelics?

You'll learn what psychedelics are exactly and their classification within pharmacology. This includes differentiating between various types of psychedelics and their unique properties.

What do they do? Suggested psychological and neurobiological mechanisms

You'll delve into the scientific mechanisms through which psychedelics affect the brain and body. This includes understanding how these substances interact with neurotransmitter systems, alter brain connectivity, and induce altered states of consciousness. What do we really know at this stage?

The clinical potential

Discuss the latest on psychedelic clinical trials using psychedelics for treating disorders with a focus on depression data. You'll learn about the therapeutic protocols, outcomes, and potential for treatments.

Reimagining Mental Health and Disorder Concepts

You'll explore how psychedelics have made us re-evaluate traditional views on mental health and disorders. Learn how psychedelics challenge conventional psychiatric paradigms. Where is this field moving? And what are the key challenges?

The Speaker

Dr David Erritzoe

Dr. David Erritzoe, MD, PhD, MRCPsych, is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist. He holds a Clinical Associate Professorship in Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry in Imperial's Division of Psychiatry, Dept of Brain Sciences. David is a highly cited scientist (top 0.1% globally in 2025, Clarivate), and in 2025 received Imperial’s President Award for Excellence in Research, and his team has received several additional awards in recent years.

David and his team have been awarded competitive grant & fellowship funding, hereunder from MRC/UKRI, NIHR and Welcome Trust. David has published 150+ scientific papers, contributed to 7 books and per Dec 2025 has a Scopus h-index of 54 and 19k+ citations.

At Imperial’s Hammersmith Hospital campus, David heads the , and at St Charles Hospital campus he set up (in 2021) and is Director of the NHS-based CNWL-Imperial Psychopharmacology and Psychedelic Research Clinic, the . Across these two sites, David - together with his CPR team and colleagues from CNWL - runs experimental neuroscience-focused studies, clinical trials, and clinical service pilots – with a focus on novel interventions in psychiatry.

A central focus of his research is the neuromechanisms and therapeutic effects of MDMA, ketamine and classic psychedelics (i.e. psilocybin, DMT, 5MEO-DMT). Clinical conditions that he and the team are studying with psychedelic therapy include Depression, OCD, Anorexia Nervosa and Chronic Pain, Opioid Use Disorder and Gambling Disorder.

David has together with CNWL and international colleagues launched a ketamine therapy pilot program in the CIPPRes Clinic at St Charles. The model being piloted is inspired by Montreal Model and uses an integrative biomedical-psychedelic approach to use ketamine therapy for (treatment-resistant) depression, and is named “CIM-KeT” ( = CNWL-Imperial-Montreal Ketamine Therapy).

The Agenda

18:30-19:30 - Arrivals & structured networking/ice-breakers

Arrive, mingle and grab drinks. You'll have more time than ever before to meet others. You'll be moving between tables in small groups discussing intriguing discussion/ice-breaker questions (optional). If you want to meet like-minded professionals you're welcome to join. This part of the event's ideal for anyone who works (or aspires to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields.

19:30-20:20- 'TED style' talk

Learn something new. You'll get printed handouts from the Powerpoint slides and ticket holders will get a recording of the talk after the event (subject to agreement from the speaker/capacity in our team).

20:10 - 20:40 - Q and A

Question time - the chance to ask your questions about this topic and anything else you'd like to know with our expert speaker.

20:40 - 22:00 - Networking mingle

Informally meet our speaker and other likeminded people, continuing conversations, drinks, sharing knowledge and reflections. Whether you've got a personal or professional interest, anyone who wants to connect is welcome to join! This is a great way to expand your social and professional network.

The Venue

You'll have exclusive use of the private 'Green Room' (upstairs) at the Star of Kings pub - just a 5 minute walk from Kings Cross train/tube station. Further details about the pub can be found here.

This pub has a lovely array of craft beers, cocktails and soft drinks. The pub recently updated its menu to include a range of burgers from award-winning 'Filthy Buns'. You'll also be a short stroll from a number of restaurants around Kings Cross.

One of the few traditional pubs in Kings Cross, the Star of Kings boasts a large beer garden and classic arcade games downstairs.

FAQs – Pub psychology events

Who attends these events?

This event is open to anyone regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. Many attendees have a professional interest working (or aspiring to work) in psychology, neuroscience, healthcare, counselling, wellness and wellbeing, education or related fields. You're also welcome to come along if you have a personal interest in the subject matter. This is an ideal way to expand your social and professional network.

Will you sell tickets on the door?

No! All our tickets are sold before the event so please don't arrive on the day without a ticket as you'll be turned away. Pub psychology events are popular and tend to sell-out. Please get a ticket in advance!

I’m not sure if I’ll arrive in time after work. Should I still come?

Yes! If you have a ticket, please come whenever you can (ideally before the talk begins). For pub psychology events, most talks begin 30-45 minutes after the scheduled start time. This gives you time to settle in, network with others and grab a drink or food. Please double check the event agenda on Ticket Tailor (the platform we use to sell tickets) as times vary depending on the event.

Will I be able to network?

Yes! You're welcome to come along if you've got a personal or professional interest and/or want to meet new people. Based on feedback, we’ve added loads of new opportunities for mingling. Many people attend alone and please do reach out if you want to be introduced to anyone or need support. For pub psychology events, we recommend arriving early for ice breakers. We’ll also have a pub psychology quiz arranged in groups and there’s always a friendly group of us who’ll stay for drinks afterwards.

Can I come just for the talk?

Absolutely! If you'd prefer to come along for just the expert 'TED style' talk (skipping the networking/mingling bits) you're more than welcome to arrive later and before the talk begins. Please keep in mind all seats are unreserved.

Are you on social media?

Yes - we are! Join our Whatsapp group to hear about the latest events: WhatsApp Group Invite

You can also follow us on Instagram: @Conn8cting

How can I get tickets for more than one event? Is there a deal?

. This guarantees your spot for each event in the series (just 25 available) and is the best value option.

About us

Want to learn about psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience and healthcare while meeting like-minded people in London? You're in the right place. Exclusive educational talks and mingling events for professionals. Conn8cting 'TED style' talks are ideal for anyone with a professional or personal interest in the topics and want to meet likeminded people.

Our talks cover every topic you can think of. From the psychology of laughter, happiness, decision-making and regret to psychosis, narcissism, incels, drugs and psychopaths. You'll learn interesting stuff delivered by experts, in-person.

Learn something new, meet someone new.🧠

Info: Arrive, mingle and grab drinks. You'll be in small groups discussing intriguing discussion/ice-breaker questions (optional). If you want to meet like-minded young professionals you're welcome to join. This part of the event's ideal for anyone who works (or aspires to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. We'll also have an interactive pub psychology quiz in groups using your mobile phone.

Info: Learn something new.

Info: Question time - the chance to ask your questions about this topic and anything else you'd like to know with our expert speaker.

Info: Informally meet our speaker and other likeminded people, continuing conversations, drinks, sharing knowledge and reflections. Whether you've got a personal or professional interest, anyone who wants to connect with professionals is welcome to join! This is a great way to expand your social and professional network.

Event Venue

The Star of Kings, 126 York Way, London, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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