Spinoza &
Science

Our organization’s name is a tribute to the philosopher Benedict de Spinoza, who lived and worked in Amsterdam. In his most influential work, Ethica, he places significant emphasis on the importance of reason and evidence in the pursuit of knowledge. His way of reasoning has been essential to the establishment of modern science.

Like Spinoza, we highly value scientific research and base our protocols, programs and products on facts and objective observations as much as we can. And, to continuously improve the safety and efficacy of our offering, we closely monitor the increasing amount of scientific psilocybin studies done around the world. And, we are conducting our own research too.

First of all, we are monitoring the long term well-being of all our participants, in partnership with Cambridge University. So we understand and improve the lasting impact of our programs. Secondly, we are collaborating with several universities on a range of important psilocybin studies.

As such, we are all contributing to a better understanding of the safety and efficacy of psilocybin. Because that is critical to safeguard the responsible integration of psilocybin in society. To speak in the words of our favourite philosopher:

The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free.

So let’s start learning! In this Science section, we’ll delve into what has been researched and what is known to date. We’ll discuss characteristics of proper scientific research and also why that is sometimes difficult in psilocybin studies. And of course we’ll tell you all about our own psilocybin research and partnerships.

Research partners

Cambridge University
Buenos Aires University

Join Our Research

This study seeks to explore how guided psilocybin experiences can support improvements in mood, thinking, and overall mental health. It’s a unique opportunity to contribute to pioneering research that could expand our understanding of wellbeing.

Studies on behavioural change and mental states

Inclusion criteria:
Participant in Spinoza retreat, 25-70 yrs, no major neurological or psychiatric conditions

Effort:
Study 1: 3 online sessions (60 minutes total) over a 5 week period
Study 2: 3 online sessions (varying from 30 to 105 minutes each) over a 5 week period

Compensation:
GBP 6 / hour

LEAD: Valerie Voon

Valerie is a Professor of Neuropsychiatry and Neuromodulation in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge and a Distinguished Professor at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.

CURRENT STATE OF Psilocybin RESEARCH

Since the 2000s, there has been a notable resurgence in psilocybin research, as evidenced by the increase in reported publications.

And rightly so, as advancements in psilocybin research have reinforced the promise of psilocybin substances as a powerful tool for personal transformation and improving the overall cognitive function. Moreover, there is mounting evidence of psilocybin as a safe, effective and sometimes superior alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals for a variety of mental and psychiatric conditions.

However, it is also important to acknowledge that further research is needed and that the quality of current research differs.

So let’s delve into what has been researched and what is known to date. In this section, we have carefully selected findings based on the level of scientific rigor. We present results from systematic reviews, meta-analyses and from individual studies conducted by renowned scientific institutions and published in respected journals.

Recent studies have highlighted the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for various mental health conditions:

Depression

A 2022 study by Johns Hopkins University found that two doses of psilocybin, combined with supportive psychotherapy, led to significant reductions in depressive symptoms, with effects lasting up to a year for many participants.
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Addiction

Research by New York University and Johns Hopkins University in 2022 found that psilocybin-assisted therapy shows promise in treating addictions, including alcohol and tobacco dependence. Participants reported improvements in life quality, with a renewed sense of purpose and motivation to sustain healthier habits.
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PTSD

A 2020 review from Imperial College London explored psilocybin’s potential in PTSD treatment, suggesting it may aid in emotional processing and fear extinction. Findings indicated that psilocybin could help PTSD patients experience breakthroughs, contributing to improved emotional wellbeing and resilience.
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Purpose

Research from Imperial College London in 2022 demonstrated that individuals undergoing psilocybin therapy reported a heightened sense of meaning and purpose in life, with effects persisting for several months post-treatment.
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