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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Attendees included leadership from APA, psychiatrists, trialists - and benefited from guidance and generous support from senior advisor @drkeisharay.bsky.social

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Meeting with scientists, clinicians, and bioethicists in DC to discuss practical ethical guidelines for clinical applications of psychedelics. Meeting led by @eddietalksdrugs.bsky.social & @katherinecheung.bsky.social with @briandavidearp.bsky.social and I glad to see HOPE doing some applied work

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Behaviors showed a variety of dose-response profiles in male/female rats. HTR (/WDS) was roughly bell-shaped (which I did not know!), immobility went up with dose, rearing & grooming reduced, sniffing/digging declined at higher doses, and circling varied by dose and sex:

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Preclinical psychedelic research often focuses on HTR. This is of course useful, but worth measuring additional spontaneous behaviors in rodents:

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

New paper led by Dr. Praachi Tiwari, a former postdoc in Yaden Lab at @jhpsychedelics.bsky.social, now faculty at Div of Behavioral Bio (also w/ @cassiemoorephd.bsky.social, Brian Jenkins, me, @eliseweerts.bsky.social). How psilocybin affects a set of spontaneous behaviors in rats beyond HTR...

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

From 144(!) items, to just 14 plus three stand-alone items. We validated this using factor analysis (initial factor structure did not replicate), qualitative procedures to ensure participants understand items, and getting near identical results b/w long and short form in trials

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

In order to adjust safeguards based on data on risks and benefits, evidence needs to be collected - and collected well, that is, in a standardized manner and comparable to other treatments and substances!

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Representing The Yaden Lab at @jhpsychedelics.bsky.social & HOPE at @fda.gov. Postdoc Eddie Jacobs @eddietalksdrugs.bsky.social spoke to how the evidence on psychedelic treatments comes from clinical trials, so those safeguards should be used for initial roll-out, to be adjusted based on data…

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Great article in Scientific American on the Hopkins Post Psychedelic Difficulties Clinic! www.scientificamerican.com/article/firs...

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

What does psychedelic science have to learn from social sciences and humanities? We were concerned about reinventing the wheel, but now also about importing historical baggage through outdated theories and under-validated measures. Book event Wednesday in Washington, DC + Zoom

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Society for Philosophy and Psychology @socphilpsych.bsky.social at @jhu.edu this weekend. Stanton award winner @levelsof.bsky.social gave an extraordinary address on her work addressing the question: “when does thought begin?” Elegant experiments with deep implications about how the mind might work

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

The Biden administration before and now the Trump administration signed support for psychedelic research. As a scientist, I think psychedelics are an essential subject of research––but I think it is important they not be conflated with other cultural/political/religious agendas:

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

My book just came out in a Japanese translation. I’d be happy to speak to any classes or groups who happen to read it-

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

I’ll be at Harvard on March 25 talking psychedelics, culture, and the science–humanities divide with Nicolas Langlitz of the New School. Organized by Amadeus Harte of Princeton at Harvard's Mahindra Humanities Center:

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Context for my quote in @newyorker.com on researching compounds w/o a psychedelic experience that may not be obvious outside of science culture…I am glad for work by Olson et al on this subject & hope it leads to more understanding. Scientists should be skeptical of their own theories!

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

It's fitting that the book symposium (collection of reviews & responses) on my book is out this week in Brain, Religion, and Behavior, as I've been lecturing on and discussing it at a meeting in Italy. Grateful for the generous words & constructive critiques from the reviewers! 🧵

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Now out in BMJ - State of the Art on Psychedelic Medicine. Led by Eddie Jacobs w/ Zarmeen Zahid, Sandeep Nayak, Jared Hinkle, and myself. Looks across compounds at therapeutic signal, potential mechanisms (physio & psych), risks, and highlights limitations and challenges- www.bmj.com/content/392/...

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

The specific substance and indication under discussion matter here! For example, psychotherapy is extensive in MDMA for PTSD but typically absent in ketamine for depression... Classic psychedelics will fall somewhere in-between:

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Announcing a new Coursera on Psychedelic Science and Medicine! From @jhpsychedelics.bsky.social, it provides info on psychedelic science, history, risks, benefits, trials, neuro, & more. Taught by Drs. @fredbarrettphd.bsky.social, Garcia-Romeu, Nayak, Sayali, Tiwari, Yaden, & special guests-

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Lots of discussion of the cross-sectional, retrospective survey showing evidence for metaphysical belief change after psychedelic experiences... (picture on left) But few know of the better quality prospective longitudinal study showing NO evidence for belief change! (picture on right)

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity We are looking for excellent MD Psychiatrist applicants to work & train at the CPCR at Johns Hopkins @jhpsychedelics.bsky.social, the largest and most comprehensive psychedelic research program in the world. Email Dr. Sandeep Nayak smn@jhmi.edu

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

On the second anniversary of Roland Griffiths' death, I'm taking the opportunity to reflect on the value of scientific curiosity and the virtue of constant curiosity about life in general that he seemed to me to so consistently embody.

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

We conclude by reiterating our appreciation for the topic Feltz & Cokely have raised. We find it frankly bizarre that it isn't more discussed! They have done great empirical work and nice review of parts of the xphi lit. We view the implications discussion as an important one-

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Notably, in our survey of professional philosophers, most (~68%) of the sample thought that these kinds of associations between psychological factors and beliefs would have philosophical implications

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

New in Philosophical Psychology: Derek Anderson & I review Feltz & Cokely’s Diversity and Disagreement (OUP, 2024). We applaud their empirical rigor linking personality & philosophical views, but question their (to our minds) overly hasty and sweeping philosophical conclusions.🧵

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Back from fantastic conferences and talks at Oxford and a visit to Edinburgh while writing up new work at Uehiro! My book just came out today on paperback and on sale in the UK 🇬🇧 www.amazon.co.uk/Varieties-Sp...

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

On sale now at Amazon and from Oxford: www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0197...

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

My book is now out in paperback in the US! It reviews the history + current research (mostly psych) on altered states of consciousness. If curious about the science of ASC, you may find it useful–and it's now in a more accessible form. Grateful for @sbkaufman.bsky.social's generous words:

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Here are instructions & response options for Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ) & Eleven Dimensional Altered State of Consciousness Scale (11D-ASC; EDI is similar to this one): Ignoring the (problematic) items, which instructions and response options seem better and why?

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

On sale now on Amazon and at Oxford University Press! - Oxford: global.oup.com/academic/pro... - Amazon: amazon.com/Varieties-Sp...

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Susan Cain @susancain.bsky.social on my book, coming out in paperback this Friday! In many ways, my book is a bland assessment of the current state of research literature (with William James's brilliant insights throughout). But if you're interested in this topic, it's a very thorough overview-

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Interested in what psychology, neuroscience, and psychopharmacology know ––and don't know––about intense & meaningful altered states of consciousness? The paperback version of: The Varieties of Spiritual Experience: 21st Century Research and Perspectives is available from OUP:

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

If you’re teaching my book in a course, I’ll try to join you on Zoom to discuss. If your book club is reading the paperback of the book (out next week), I’ll try to guest-visit your class for Q&A. I’d love to join some conversations! Just let me know-

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

In terms of historical psychologists: - Almost everyone has heard of Freud - Many have heard of Jung - But relatively few know about William James I wish that were reversed. WJ's thought provides a far better foundation for the science of the mind going forward! WJ's life was fascinating:

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Published "Responding to a Variety of Comments on The Varieties,” engaging w/ thoughtful critiques that sharpened arguments and clarified ideas. Grateful for the exchange. The paperback of The Varieties of Spiritual Experience is out soon—most accessible (cheapest) edition yet!

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Does this book offer groundbreaking research? No. A life-changing self-help plan? No. A workable taxonomy of spiritual experience? Still no. The most comprehensive review of the state of the science so far? Quite possibly... If interested, pre-order paperback at reduced price!

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

A truly great event - thanks especially to @seanmcarroll.bsky.social for organizing!

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Deadline TODAY to apply to Psychedelic Science Postdoctoral Fellowship at @jhpsychedelics.bsky.social w/me & Sandeep Nayak. Dual degrees (MD/PhD) preferred–but all excellent candidates considered. Salary is low and work is hard, but opportunity to conduct novel & rigorous science extraordinary.

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

CPCR Postdoc Sean Goldy presenting at University College London!

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

🚨 Postdoc Opportunity in Psychedelic Science Join a leading psychedelic research team at Johns Hopkins @jhpsychedelics.bsky.social. Design and lead experimental studies & clinical trials. Work with David Yaden, PhD & Sandeep Nayak, MD & others -Salary: Middling -Apply: dyaden1@jh.edu -Pls share!

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Next up in what is turning out to be our lecture series in computational psychiatry and psychedelics - Bilal Bari presented today at @jhpsychedelics.bsky.social on an information theoretic view of psychopathology: “psychopathology as a rational consequence of cognitive resource limitations”

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Tremendous talk by @philcorlett.bsky.social here at @jhpsychedelics.bsky.social yesterday! There is so much work to be done in psychedelic science - especially in learning from more mature sciences areas of science about relevant methods and potential mechanisms.

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

We call for: 1. A psychedelic standards & solutions committee (PSSC) to provide standardized guidance across a range of issues. This could be a public-private partnership 2. NIH support for the large-scale, unbiased, rigorous scientific research that is necessary on this subject

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

We’re happy to share the Hub at Oxford for Psychedelic Ethics (HOPE) response to the PATH Caucus’s Request for Information (RFI) on psychedelics. Our response, linked below, highlights key considerations for the field.

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Do you know the story of how scientists at Johns Hopkins developed technology that helped win WW2? Have you heard of the proximity fuze? This book is about that history (and a page-turner): @jhu.edu

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Excited to announce a clinic for individuals experiencing difficulties following a psychedelic experience. I believe this is the first clinic of its kind in the US and is right here at @HopkinsMedicine , where we aim to learn about & address the benefits & risks of psychedelics 🧵

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Enjoyed speaking about psychedelic science for @profsandpints.bsky.social at Guilford Hall Brewery in Baltimore! Our lab aims to get out to do more public science communication on psychedelics facts and research findings. Thanks for all the great questions 🍻

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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

We analyzed 2 decades of materials used in psilocybin trials. We examined how “set and setting” is communicated to participants before psychedelic sessions. Most of the content is about bio, psych, and social safety––but we also draw attention to some potentially unintentional expectancies:

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