Excited to continue exploring these questions and more via rigorous scientific approaches.

Science is a powerful source of discovery and innovation to expand our knowledge and improve our lives.

How can non-pharmacological (awe, meditation) and pharmacological (psychedelics) improve our health and well-being? What external and internal factors influence these states?

🌎 This project is the culmination of enormous effort across multiple outstanding researchers, including Nathan Sepeda, Samantha Hilbert, Bilal Bari, @fredbarrettphd.bsky.social, @existwell.bsky.social, and Sandeep Nayak.

These data span decades & several clinical trials
@jhpsychedelics.bsky.social--the largest dataset of its kind.

Is this only for Berkeley-affiliated applicants?

✨Proud to have led this paper, with Peter Hendricks, @scipsychedelics.bsky.social's Dacher Keltner, and @existwell.bsky.social. Looking forward to continuing to blend my PhD work on awe/emotions with my @jhpsychedelics.bsky.social postdoc on clinical trials of psychedelics!

💡We argue that better capturing positive emotions during/from the trip can improve our understanding of psychedelics’ therapeutic benefits, possibly leading to more precise and effective psychedelic interventions (keeping in mind negative/challenging feelings can also occur).

🔬Emotions like awe, compassion, and gratitude are tied to a host of unique cognitive and behavioral effects.
They can decrease stress & boost generosity, social connection, generosity, and meaning — important components of well-being. e.g., journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

🧠Psychedelics are known for their many subjective effects, like strong emotions. But, despite extensive research on emotions, distinct positive emotions in psychedelics are often overlooked. We argue that such emotions could help underlie psychedelics’ therapeutic potential.