The Story Behind ESPD (Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs) and What's Next at ESPD55

TL;DR

The ESPD50 conference commemorated the 50th anniversary of the ethnopharmacology search for psychoactive drugs, and now the ESPT55 conference continues the exploration of obscure corners of ethnopharmacology, including topics like coca, marine sponges, and Chinese medicine.

Transcript

espd is stands for ethnopharmacologic search for psychoactive drugs and in 1967 the national institute of mental health sponsored a conference in san francisco by that name and it was a closed conference the only thing the taxpayers ever got out of it was this book that they published the proceedings of the conference well somehow or other that cam... Read More

Key Insights

• 💋 The ESPD50 conference marked the 50th anniversary of the original ESPD conference and provided valuable insights into the field of ethnopharmacology.
• 🍉 Cocaine and coca are distinguished in terms of their benefits and harms, with coca being a potentially beneficial nutraceutical and traditional medicine.
• 🙂 ESPT55 aims to explore obscure corners of ethnopharmacology, shedding light on topics like marine sponge psychedelics and the use of psychoactive plants in Chinese medicine.
• 🧡 The conference offers a diverse range of sessions with renowned speakers, covering subjects like kratom, sustainable ayahuasca production, and the cultural significance of cacti like wachuma.
• 🌱 ESPT55 addresses the unintended consequences of ayahuasca tourism, focusing on species depletion and finding solutions to preserve these sacred plants.
• 👨‍🔬 The conference highlights the need for further research and analysis of ethnopharmacological topics, including the cultural practices and beliefs associated with psychoactive substances.
• 🏑 The ESPT conferences aim to offer a unique perspective in the field, exploring lesser-known areas and fostering collaboration between different disciplines such as ethnography, chemistry, and pharmacology.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the significance of the original ESPD conference in 1967?

The original ESPD conference opened up the field of ethnopharmacology and provided valuable knowledge through the publication of the conference proceedings book.

Q: Why did the government fail to have follow-up events after the ESPD conference?

The government's lack of follow-up can be attributed to the embarrassment caused by the war on drugs and the failure to address the exploration of psychoactive drugs.

Q: What were the highlights of the ESPD50 conference in 2017?

The ESPD50 conference focused on exploring the fringes and unexplored areas of ethnopharmacology, including topics like marine sponge psychedelics, destigmatizing coca, and the history of psychoactive plants in Chinese medicine.

Q: What are some interesting topics that will be covered in the ESPT55 conference?

The ESPT55 conference will cover topics such as kratom, sustainable development of ayahuasca production, psychedelic fauna, hunting medicines among indigenous tribes, and the phytochemical profiling of wachuma.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 1967, the National Institute of Mental Health sponsored the first Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs (ESPD) conference, which opened the world of ethnopharmacology for many.

• The government failed to follow up on the conference due to the war on drugs, but in 2017, the ESPD50 conference successfully commemorated the 50th anniversary and published a box set of books.

• ESPT55, the five-year follow-up conference, explores various topics in ethnopharmacology, including psychedelics in sponges, destigmatizing coca, kratom, Chinese medicine, and more.