LSD, ecstacy, cannabis and similar substances have fascinating effects on our minds and show promising medical potential. Paradoxically, scientific progress is slow—it has become at odds with politics.

Cannabis, LSD, ecstacy and similar drugs have an interesting history in science. Due to their potent psychological effects, they have been used as a means of mind control, to amplify the effects of talk therapy and to augment our understanding of the human mind. They show much promise in the treatment of PTSD, depressions and anxiety. Despite this, we find that this area of research has grown stagnant. What happened?

Professor David Nutt is a prominent psychiatrist and director of the Unit of Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London, a forerunner of psychedelic research. He believes politics are interfering with scientific progress: strict regulation of psychedelic drugs and cannabis persuades us to consider them more harmful than what scientific evidence suggests. We are very proud to have him as our guest at this extraordinary Upop meeting.