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    psicodélicos España Fuertedélica Fuertedelica

    Fuertedélica, International Gathering on Science and Mental Health

    05.12.2024
    Igor Domsac | December 5, 2024

    On the sunny island of Fuerteventura, located on the eastern side of the Canary Islands, hundreds of professionals from various parts of the world gathered from November 22 to 24 at the municipal auditorium of Corralejo to celebrate Fuertedélica, the third edition of an international conference that has already become a global reference in the field of psychedelics and their potential to alleviate mental health disorders. Organized by the Psychedelic Association Fuerteventura in collaboration with ICEERS, the event marked a reunion with old friends and the creation of new professional connections.

     

    Fuertedélica, beyond science

    After the initial preparations, the first day of Fuertedélica began shortly after eleven in the morning, with a free roundtable session where we had the opportunity to hear the latest discoveries from a select group of young researchers, who are making a strong impact and already leaving their indelible mark on the scientific literature of the new millennium. Javier Hidalgo Jiménez, a graduate in Biomedicine with a master’s degree in Neuroscience, unpacked the potential functions of DMT, which is found endogenously in the brains of mammals. Later, Javier Quintana Arosa, founder of Fractalma, speculated on the role of serotonin receptors in the human brain, while Marta Pérez Carmona shared the research they are conducting with 5-MeO-DMT. Mateo Sánchez Petrement then delivered a fascinating dissertation on psychedelics in modern times.

    After the initial appetizer, the screening of the documentary The Science of Ayahuasca, directed by Iñaki Berazaluce, was scheduled. However, it had to be postponed due to time constraints, and attendees were invited to watch the content via YouTube instead. Thus, we headed for lunch, surprising local businesses with the massive influx of hundreds of people attending the conference.

    Back at the auditorium, the afternoon session of Fuertedélica began with a sound journey by HighVibeTribe, who delighted our senses with a hypnotic blend of exotic soundscapes to take us inward. At 3:00 PM, the Hungarian-born researcher Dóra Révész, the event’s main organizer, delivered the keynote lecture titled “Between the Sacred and the Scientific: The Essential Journey of Psychedelics in Our Society,” in which she explained some of the challenges these substances face in today’s world.

    Dóra Révész psicodélicos Fuertedélica conferencia The Hungarian-born researcher Dóra Révész, at the opening lecture.

     

    Psychedelics in Spain

    At 3:45 PM, we gathered at the same roundtable several representatives from some of the most prominent organizations working with psychedelics and master plants in Spain. Juan París outlined the activities of the Spanish Society for Psychedelic Medicine, and Dr. Iker Puente presented his Integrative Transpersonal Institute, while Òscar Parés, Deputy Director of ICEERS, outlined the goals of the newly created Federation Red Micelio (FERM), a meeting point for organizations dedicated to the study and work with entheogens, contributing to the end of policies based on prohibition, ignorance, and stigma. Following this, engineer and entrepreneur Carlos Alonso, founder of INAWE, explained the work of this nonprofit organization focused on developing the psychedelic therapy ecosystem. The Scientific Psychedelic Association, based in the Canary Islands, was also represented by its president, neuropsychologist Lucas Fernández Borkel.

    Next, Joan Manel Vilaseca presented the Mandragora Foundation, an intriguing project dedicated to the recovery of native psychoactive and medicinal plants. This project not only contributes to the conservation of biodiversity but also seeks to revitalize ancestral practices related to healing and knowledge.

    The second roundtable of the day was titled “MDMA: From the Party to the Couch.” Raúl del Pino, with his focus on the use of MDMA in sex and tantra practices, offered a novel perspective on the potential of this substance. Next, Fernando Caudevilla, better known as Doctor X, a doctor and expert in psychedelic interactions, shared his view on the medicine and culture historically surrounding MDMA. Finally, José Carlos Bouso, scientific director of ICEERS, discussed the medical uses of MDMA and its future in the treatment of mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

    The evening culminated in a keynote lecture by Giorgio Samorini, who offered a fascinating exploration of the iboga cults in Equatorial Africa, sharing his experience with one of the lesser-known master plants in the Western world, but one of profound spiritual and therapeutic significance for African communities.

    MDMA Bouso Caudevilla Raúl éxtasis Fuertedélica José Carlos Bouso, Fernando Caudevilla (Doctor X), and Raúl del Pino at the roundtable on MDMA.

     

    Catamaran adventure

    Saturday morning, November 23, began at Fuertedelica with a catamaran adventure to Lobos Island, a perfect setting for informal dialogues with the speakers. Attendees had the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the islands before continuing with the conferences.

    Saturday afternoon began with the presentation of the book Hallucinogens in Mental Health: From Basic Research to Clinical Studies, edited by researchers Rafael Guimarães dos Santos and Jaime Eduardo Cecilio Hallak, which highlights the latest research on psychedelics in the treatment of mental health.

    The third roundtable, titled “Clinical Studies with Psychedelics,” brought together various experts who shared the most recent results from clinical trials with some of the most promising substances. Antoniu Llort presented the qualitative results from our clinical trial with ibogaine for the treatment of methadone dependency, while Lorena Terene discussed the use of ayahuasca in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Rafael Guimarães dos Santos, for his part, presented his research with ayahuasca, ketamine, and ibogaine at the University of São Paulo, emphasizing the importance of these treatments in contemporary mental health.

    Fuertedélica Roundtable about clinical studies with psychedelics.

    Psychedelics and mental health

    The screening of the teaser for a documentary on psychedelics and mental health, directed by Hokusai Films and presented by Marta Molina and Christophe Sion, allowed the audience to delve into the research process behind the production of this visual work. Following this, the fourth roundtable, titled “Out of the Hole: Ketamine and Mental Health,” focused on the use of ketamine as a treatment for depression and other disorders. Estefanía Moreno from Synaptica Clinic, Celia Morgan, and Eduardo Hidalgo shared their research and perspectives on this substance, exploring both its therapeutic benefits and the risks associated with its use.

    Fuertedélica continued with the presentation of the Ulises journal by Paula Sol and Israel Sales, offering a window to explore the experiences and visions that these tools for inner exploration can provide from both personal and collective perspectives.

    The Saturday session closed with a roundtable on “Ayahuasca: Ancestral Wisdom,” where Walter López (President of ASOMASHK), Juan Carlos de la Cal (President of the Plantaforma para la Defensa de la Ayahuasca), and Slovenian researcher Maja Kohek, a colleague from ICEERS, shared their knowledge of the indigenous communities that use this traditional medicine in their spiritual rituals.

    Later, the general debate and closing of the event provided a space for reflection and exchange between attendees and speakers, emphasizing the importance of continuing to advocate for the responsible integration of these plants and substances into society and therapeutic contexts.

    The evening concluded with a brief celebration in the company of various artists, such as Doctor X, Kenairah, Walter Drop, Igor Domsac, Dragon Fungi, and Alter Consciens. A holotropic breathwork session on Sunday marked the final touch to an event that left a profound mark on all those present. Fuertedélica thus reaffirmed itself as an essential meeting point for those fighting for the integration of psychedelics and master plants into modern society, always seeking a more just, sustainable, and respectful future for ancestral traditions.

    This gathering not only provided an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences but also to strengthen collaboration networks, explore new healing approaches, and advocate for the central role that plants and psychedelic substances can play in transforming mental health on a global scale.

     

     

    Photos: Iñaki Berazaluce.

    Categories: Noticias , EVENTS , NEWS
    Tags: psychoactive plants , mental health , ketamine , Fuerteventura , conferencia , psychedelics , conference