The inaugural Central California Psychedelic Summit (CCPS) will take place March 23-24 at the Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts. It will explore the expanding role of psychedelic drugs in clinical settings as well as occupational team building. Photo by Jaime Lopes on unsplash.com

An upcoming summit in Fresno will give guests the opportunity to learn about the impacts of psychedelics on mental health and creativity and what it could mean for the business world.

The inaugural Central California Psychedelic Summit (CCPS) will take place March 23-24 at the Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts.

The event is being organized by Advanced Behavioral Concepts, a mental health and behavioral solutions nonprofit in Fresno.

The summit will feature lectures, panels and workshops providing attendees evidence-based and community-focused education, dialogue and networking opportunities centered around the effects of psychedelics on mental health, spirituality, creativity and personal growth.

The event will also host gatherings for clinicians, therapists, medical providers, wellness and healing professionals and veterans to build community amongst like-minded individuals.

The CCPS will not be a place to find, sell or consume illegal drugs of any kind.

Jason Williams, founder of Fresno’s Brain Wise Solutions, a consulting company providing neuro-informed training and consultation for professional and personal development, is also a board member at Advanced Behavioral Concepts.

The economic impact of psychedelic drugs is also starting to be recognized. The current global market value is estimated at $2.9 billion, but is expected to reach $8.7 billion by 2033, according to research by Spherical Insights.

 

Psychedelics in the workplace?

Williams comes from a 20-year background in nonprofits and founded Brain Wise Solutions in 2020 to train professionals and community members about toxic stress, child development, brain development and neuroscience to explore how their earliest experiences shape who children are as adults.

“If we utilize these things with this awareness of what it’s actually doing to our brains biologically, there could be a lot of benefits,” Williams said.

Williams said studies have shown psychedelic substances change how different brain networks interact with each other.

Some psychedelic substances have an impact on the brain’s serotonin levels, which is our “connection” chemical, with many people who have used them reporting social connection and acceptance of themselves and other people.

“If you took a small dose of MDMA when you’re doing some teambuilding exercises, you potentially could get through some work trauma you’ve experienced and really reconnect with folks and be a stronger team together,” Williams said.

Though it may not be advised to take a small dosage of psychedelics while on the job, Williams said that instead of a work group having beers at a bar after work, they could instead have a session where the team takes a low dose of MDMA (also known as ecstasy) or psylocibin (magic mushrooms).

He said it’s important to remember it’s not just about consuming the substances, but also talking about their thoughts during the experience and integrating that into their everyday work life and relationships.

While there should be concerns about employee history with addiction, Williams said, psychedelic substances have been shown to be far less addicting than other drugs such as alcohol and nicotine.

Research is also exploring a role for psychedelics in treating addiction.

Williams said that psychedelics could be utilized by the mental health industry, but also other industries like construction and manufacturing, where many workers might be struggling with addiction.

“To include this in a health care plan would be phenomenal instead of maybe sending someone to therapy for Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and four years down the road are still on a daily struggle,” he said.

Humans have been using psychoactive substances for thousands of years, with many cultures tying the use to religious and spiritual ceremonies.

The U.S. government’s War on Drugs eventually led to such drugs being listed as Schedule 1 narcotics.

Williams said that in the last 10 years, the government has been allowing for more medical and scientific research, using the psychoactive substances to help with issues like depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and anxiety.

Last year, Gov. Newsom vetoed a bill that aimed to decriminalize the possession and personal use of several hallucinogens, including psychedelic mushrooms.

Oakland has passed local laws around psilocybin for its use as a plant medicine. Williams said a similar law could be proposed and implemented in Fresno County.

In Oakland, the Church of Ambrosia, the nation’s largest psychedelic church, will host its 4^th annual Spirituality and Beyond Conference. The event will include speakers addressing research and the benefits of psychedelic plants.

Williams said that the U.S. is on the cusp of several of the psychedelic substances being legalized on a federal level.

He said there is still a great stigma against psychedelic substances in the community, but he hopes events such as the CCPS will educate and sway more people into being opened minded about them.

“Try it for yourself and see how it goes,” Williams said. “The benefits far outweigh the risks.”