On episode 17 of A Chat with Uma, I provide a full recap of my experience at the Psychedelic Science 2023 conference in Denver, hosted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)! PS2023 was the world’s largest-EVER gathering focused on psychedelic research and medicine, with over 12,000 attendees from across the globe. This episode provides a recap of my experience at the conference, ranging from research updates, OCD advocacy and awareness, my presentation experiences, key takeaways from sessions, and general meta updates from the psychedelic science field. This robust episode goes deep into the human experience of not only this conference, but the full-circle experience of finding myself in this space, participating in this way.

I also speak in depth about the Intercollegiate Psychedelics Network (IPN), the premier student and youth-led psychedelic organization, where we empower, develop, and connect the next generation of students & rising professionals in the psychedelic ecosystem. IPN provides high-impact and interdisciplinary programming geared toward professional development, mentorship, and accessibility for members worldwide, and I provide context on my involvement as co-director and how our work contributed to the PS 2023 conference. Finally, I share my reflections and resolutions for moving forward beyond this conference.

Topics Discussed (+ timestamps):

(00:00:00 ) Intro:

• Check-in


• Introducing Psychedelic Science 2023

(00:08:36 ): Background on my path to the psychedelic field + this conference

• Contextual episodes:

1. 01. My Full Story: 0 to 26


2. 05. Yes, I've Done Psychedelics: From Psychonaut to Researcher


3. 06. The Ketamine Diaries, Pt. 1


4. 07. The Ketamine Diaries, Pt. 2

• How my lived experience led me to Psychedelic Science 2019


• How PS2019 influenced me going back to school


• The full-circle nature of sharing my own research at PS2023

(00:27:22 ): All about the Intercollegiate Psychedelics Network (IPN)

• What IPN is


• How it changed my life


• Winning PsychedelX 2022


• Becoming IPN's co-director

(00:41:32 ): IPN's contribution to Psychedelic Science 2023

• Exhibiting Sponsor Booth


• "So, You Want To Be A Psychedelic Professional?" panel


• Students & Rising Professionals Mixer

(00:49:28 ): RECAP: Psychedelic research funding from the NIH (& National Institute of Drug Abuse [NIDA])

(01:04:14 ): RECAP: Changing the paradigm of research collaboration vs. competition in psychedelic science; recommendations from experts

(01:09:33 ): RECAP: Keynote from Dr. Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab Podcast) - Shutting down animal work post psychedelic treatments; Contributions of students

(01:19:26 ): RECAP: Launch of the ⁠Psychedelics & Pain Association (PPA)⁠; Psychedelics & Pain Symposium | July 15-16 (USE CODE 'umapod20' for 20% off tickets!)

(01:27:21 ): RECAP: Updates from Yale Psilocybin & OCD trial(s)

(01:31:59 ): RECAP: OCD advocacy & awareness through presenting my research

(01:38:47 ): RECAP: IPN panel + mixer; Advocating for non-traditional + underrepresented students in the psychedelic ecosystem; Experiencing the next generation of the psychedelic field!

Links mentioned in episode:

• Intercollegiate Psychedelics Network (IPN): Become a member for FREE!


• PsychedelX 2023 Tickets: Free + donation-based


• Psychedelics & Pain Symposium | July 15-16: USE CODE 'umapod20' for 20% off tickets!


• Psychedelics & Pain Association (PPA)

Connect with me!

• My website⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠umarchatterjee.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


• ⁠Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@UmaRChatterjee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


• Twitter:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@UmaRChatterjee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


• TikTok:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@UmaRChatterjee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


• Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@umarchatterjee.com⁠⁠⁠⁠


• Have a guest you want on the show? Fill out the ⁠⁠⁠Guest Suggestion Form!⁠