From Egoism to Ecoism: Psychedelics and Nature Connection | Sam Gandy | TEDxOxford

Dr Sam Gandy works on the cutting edge of psychedelic research, as Scientific Assistant to the Director of the Beckley Foundation, and as a collaborator with the Psychedelic Research Group at Imperial College London. Having a lifelong love of nature, an academic background in ecological science and a strong interest in psychedelics, his talk will focus on the capacity of psychedelic substances to enhance human-nature connection, and the implications this has for human wellbeing and the biosphere at a time of growing disconnection and ecological destruction.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx Dr Sam Gandy works on the cutting edge of psychedelic research, as Scientific Assistant to the Director of the Beckley Foundation, and as a collaborator with the Psychedelic Research Group at Imperial College London. Having a lifelong love of nature, an academic background in ecological science and a strong interest in psychedelics, his talk will focus on the capacity of psychedelic substances to enhance human-nature connection, and the implications this has for human wellbeing and the biosphere at a time of growing disconnection and ecological destruction. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@mpiana3]

Why does this video not have at least a million views?

[@compostjohn]

I 'accidentally' had a huge dose of mushrooms aged 18. Afterwards I was subtly different - I went vegetarian, and over the following years got into environmentalism and lived an 'eco-conscious' life. I very deliberately and carefully chose the greenest, eco-friendliest and lowest carbon choices in life - and in 2008 entered the Oxfam Carbon Footprint Competition - and won it, with the lowest carbon footprint of all the people who entered, a footprint less than a twelfth of the UK average. I continue to work hard to keep my footprint small and my positive impact high. I feel very strongly that my mushroom trip was an epiphany, an awakening, letting me see the truth about my position in the Universe, both as a tiny, irrelevant speck of matter, but also as a potentially important teacher, community member, friend, lover and active citizen. I realised my individual actions could affect people, the impact could radiate outwards indefinitely. I felt, and feel 'connected' to people and nature. So, my trip was 35 years ago, but the learning from it stays with me always. Like Dr. Gandy, I believe the world would be a better place if we had an acceptance of the benefits that this enhanced consciousness can bring. Should anyone enjoy reading a bit of fiction, a lovely Utopian vision, check out Aldous Huxley's 'Island', which imagines a community with a 'coming of age' ceremony involving a psychedelic experience. I just wish we all lived on the island of Pala.....

[@freebear7323]

Hey John! I had heard you on extinction radio, so I was kind of a wreck already ;) but then I had "the experience" and I do not regret it, do not get me wrong, but being connected to our dying Mother is not painless, right? Not much of a reader but I've read News From Nowhere, gotta read some Aldous Huxley before reading glasses are a thing of the past...

[@compostjohn]

@@freebear7323 Good to read this and hear of another person who's 'Experienced'. It is indeed painful to be so intimately connected to the Earth and to see how we're treating it.... but with me it drives me to try to do the right thing, to repair, to honour, to love. I will die knowing I've tried pretty hard, although I don't feel successful, as things fall apart around us.

[@schoenbaard]

That's amazing, man.

[@compostjohn]

@@schoenbaard Thank you.

[@sharonjervis9347]

Excellent and appropriate for all that is happening on our precious planet right now. Eloquent words, get out into nature today, feel its power and enjoy its presence!

[@MorganWilliamshornyhombre]

Inspiring - I first experimented with mushrooms in 1971 and the experience changed my life. I now have a very profound relationship with the natural world. Thank you Sam for putting into very eloquent words how the connection between psychedelics and our urgent need to re-connect with nature

[@lopezbill6132]

I just did it a couple months ago. Changed my life in 100 ways so amazing. The connection to nature make me feel more human then I've ever felt

[@Nerfgunninja]

Very thankful for everyone working on this

[@joanprinaris9939]

I find it interesting that we're on the cusp of accepting the validity and effectiveness of this particular plant medicine that would help to heal the developed world's sickness for planet destruction. It's as if the plants are urging us to heal ourselves, hence healing our earth.

[@rachellevi6401]

Great talk. As an ecotherapist it all makes great sense.

[@midgicus1]

Great work Sam.

[@HughFromAlice]

Very good talk!!!

[@mariecnp4284]

So interesting! While i didn’t go vegan and get more conscious because of drugs, now i do wonder even more how that psychological switch happened back then!

[@waltersemerenko8124]

Harveyplex posted this... listening now

[@BalramKanwat]

Serious subjects and total silence. Dangerous.