Horizons is the longest-running annual gathering of the psychedelic community in the world, according to event organizers.
The 16th Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics conference will take place this week in New York City.
Horizons is the longest-running annual gathering of the psychedelic community in the world, according to the Horizons Center PBC, which organizes the event.
With the potential for the FDA to approve MDMA-assisted therapy as soon as August, this year’s conference “comes at a crucial time for the industry to gather and engage,” Horizons said in a news release.
“This is the essential year to accelerate preparations for regulated access to psychedelics,” said Kevin Balktick, founder and director of Horizons. “The responsible integration of psychedelics into medicine and society holds great promise, but its success and safety will require new coordinated communitywide efforts over the next few years. Now is the time to get started.”
The conference is scheduled for May 8 through May 11 at the New York Academy of Medicine.
Among the anticipated highlights, Thursday’s Business Forum will feature executives from top finance, healthcare and philanthropic organizations including Lykos, Cowen, Guggenheim, BCG, Anthem and the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation.
On Friday, researchers will present preliminary data from new studies at Yale School of Medicine for the treatment of OCD, and from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for treatment of demoralization in cancer patients facing end-of-life diagnoses.
Saturday’s agenda includes the leaders of numerous statewide initiatives for regulated access to psychedelic experiences, including New York state Sen. Nathalia Fernandez, as well as facilitators of joint Palestinian/Israeli ayahuasca ceremonies.
More than 60 speakers are on the conference schedule, and some 2,500 people are expected to attend.
This year’s conference is sponsored by Healing Breakthrough, as well as MAPS, Dr. Bronner’s, Fluence, RiverStyx Foundation, Psychedelic Health Equity Initiative, JLS Fund and the California Institute of Integral Studies.