The Mind on Mushrooms

People who struggle with different mental disorders such as severe depression, appear to benefit from therapeutic use of psilocybin: the ‘magic’ in mushrooms. Research into the therapeutic uses of psychedelics - think: LSD, MDMA, ketamine, and magic mushrooms - was dormant for decades but has been revived and absorbed by pharmaceutical companies over the past years.

Joost Breeksema, who researches psychedelics at the UMCG, has been advocating for rigorous scientific research for two decades. But now that hype seems to outpace scientific curiosity, he urges caution and respect for these powerful substances. What are the latest clinical insights into the role of psychedelics in psychiatry? And can these substances—beyond the big promises— be used responsibly in clinical practice?

The evening will be opened by Esmé van der Boom and Sander Koning who will share a short preview of their theater performance All Real Living Is Meeting in which they explore what we can learn from fungal networks and how expectations shape reality.

Joost Breeksema is a postdoctoral researcher at the UMCG and works on Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. He focuses on patients’ experiences with psychedelic treatments. He is director of the OPEN Foundation, an independent organization dedicated to the safe and responsible integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies into mental health care.

Esmé van den Boom writes poetry, stories, and songs. Her work always revolves around fascination and discovery—and the exploration of the familiar. From 2024 to 2025 she was city poet of the city of Groningen.

Sander Koning is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. He is a co-founder and member of the interdisciplinary artists' collective Het Kanaal.

Photography: Vasilis Kokkoris