Psychedelic Salon

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Grief is one of the most universal yet isolating experiences we endure—and psychedelics may offer a path through it. This Salon explores how substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and 5-MeO-DMT are being used to support those navigating loss, whether from death, identity shifts, or life transitions. This session sheds light on how altered states can help us reconnect to love, soften the sharp edges of sorrow, and reorient to a life forever changed. Attendees will gain insight into the science and integration practices that support emotional processing and meaning-making in the context of grief.

Dr. Sunil Aggarwal is a physician in hospice and palliative medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and a medical geographer. Dr. Aggarwal’s primary clinical work is as an Integrative Pain, Palliative Care, and Rehabilitation Physician in private practice at the AIMS Institute in Seattle, Washington, and as an on-call Palliative and Hospice Physician within a Puget Sound–based healthcare system. He has a petition to reschedule psilocybin that is currently under review at the US Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Aggarwal’s medical geography scholarship focuses on the geographies of access, delivery, and development of cannabinologic and psychedelic integrative medicine—particularly as these relate to pain management, hospice and palliative medicine, and rehabilitation services.

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A conversation about the emerging potential of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, in addressing eating disorders—a psychiatric area marked by persistent treatment challenges. This Salon dives into groundbreaking research showing how psychedelics disrupt entrenched thought patterns, ease cognitive rigidity, and foster self-compassion and emotional reconnection. April Pride and invited experts will discuss the limitations of current treatments and how psychedelic therapies could offer new hope. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how psychedelic-assisted therapy might revolutionize the path to healing for those struggling with disordered eating.

Dr. Amanda Downey is a pediatrician and psychiatrist who cares for adolescents and young adults with eating disorders. She works with patients and their families to develop a treatment plan that honors their unique strengths and challenges. Through education, advocacy, and research, she strives to dismantle the systems that increase risk for eating disorders and improve evidence-based eating disorder treatments. She is the assistant medical director of the UCSF Eating Disorders Program and a member of the UCSF Translational Psychedelic Research Program (TrPR).

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Psychedelic therapy is rapidly gaining traction as a promising approach for addressing substance use disorders—from alcohol and opioids to nicotine and beyond. This session will explore how psychedelic compounds like ibogaine, ketamine, and psilocybin may help interrupt compulsive cycles, uncover root causes of addiction, and support sustained recovery.

Featuring Dr. Nathan Sackett of the UW Center for Novel Therapeutics in Addiction Psychiatry, this conversation will examine how pairing psychedelic compounds with evidence-based behavioral interventions could transform the treatment of addiction. Drawing on his team’s cautious, research-driven approach, Dr. Sackett will discuss what’s known, what remains to be discovered, and how rigorous clinical study can help bring safe, effective psychedelic-assisted therapies to those who need them most.

Nathan Sackett, MD, MS, is an addiction psychiatrist and Founding Director of the UW Center for Novel Therapeutics in Addiction Psychiatry. He completed medical and nursing school at UCSF, graduate studies at UC Berkeley, and residency and fellowship training in psychiatry and addiction psychiatry at the University of Washington, where he is now a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. His research explores how psychedelics can enhance psychotherapy and support lasting behavioral change.

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As life expectancy increases, so does the need for mental, emotional, and spiritual support in later years. This Salon delves into the ways older adults are exploring psychedelics for healing, spiritual deepening, meaning-making, joyful intimacy and making peace with mortality. With insights from geriatric practitioners, researchers, and individuals with lived experience, we’ll examine how today’s older psychonauts are rewriting the narrative around aging.

Scott Paul Wright is a filmmaker and screenwriter based in Paris and New Orleans. His adventures in film followed previous careers as a radio personality, record business executive, and award-winning winemaker. He’s written five feature films, and made two documentaries that are now in international distribution. He took his first psychedelic journey at age 68 – resulting in his new documentary – Psychedelics for Seniors, which is now in post-production and scheduled for release in June 2026.

Abbie Rosner is a writer and cultural observer exploring how the modern psychedelic renaissance is reshaping our understanding of aging—individually and collectively. Her forthcoming book, Psychedelics and the Counterculture of Aging (Park Street Press, July 2026), examines how baby boomers are once again intersecting with psychedelics, this time with the insight and perspective of a lifetime behind them. Through her Substack ELDEREVOLUTION, Rosner documents the experiences of older adults turning to psychedelics for healing, growth, and spiritual exploration—revealing how later life can become a profound period of renewal and meaning. Rosner’s work has been featured in Forbes, Next Avenue, DoubleBlind, and other publications. She regularly speaks on the intersection of psychedelics and aging, and closely follows emerging research and evolving frameworks for legal and spiritual access to psychedelics.

Dr. Emily Whinkin (she/they) is a naturopathic physician and integrative mental health specialist blending psychedelic and entheogenic medicine with mental, reproductive, and generative health. Trained at the National University of Natural Medicine and the AIMS Institute in Seattle, she is a board-certified Fellow of the Psychiatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians and holds certifications in perinatal mental health (PMH-C) and Holistic Pelvic Care™. Her work centers on community, belonging, and social justice, weaving somatic therapy and botanical medicine into care for people of all genders across the lifespan. Dr. Whinkin is licensed in Oregon and Washington, provides global consultation, and is dedicated to research, education, and individualized integrative mental health. Learn more at emilywhinkin.com.

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Seattle’s 2021 ordinance decriminalized entheogens — plants and fungi that contain psychoactive indolamines, tryptamines, or phenethylamines—such as psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, mescaline cacti, and iboga. This Salon weaves together two threads: the little-known plant and fungal allies often left off the psychedelic main stage, and the laws that shape how we can (and cannot) work with them today. Legal experts Perry Salzhauer and Daniel Shortt explore what this ordinance means in practice, including how it shapes access, cultivation, and community use of approved entheogenic plants and fungi. Key to this discussion is analyzing the parameters of what decriminalization allows and, more importantly, does not allow. The Salon will cover the interplay between local, state, and federal law and share insights from Perry and Daniel’s work in the field. Attendees will gain practical insight into the evolving legal and cultural landscape of entheogens in Seattle and beyond.

Perry Salzhauer is a corporate transactions attorney with extensive experience advising businesses in highly regulated and emerging industries, including cannabis and psychedelics. He co-founded Green Light Law Group, a boutique firm focused on cannabis and psychedelics, and has served as both outside and in-house counsel to corporations, investors, and government agencies. His background encompasses securities, environmental compliance, and corporate governance, providing clients with a strategic advantage in navigating complex regulatory frameworks.

Daniel Shortt is a regulatory and corporate attorney who advises clients across cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics. His work spans federal agencies, multinational corporations, and entrepreneurial startups, with expertise in transactions, compliance, and regulatory frameworks. A frequent commentator in national outlets like The Washington Post and Bloomberg, Daniel also teaches cannabis law at the University of Washington School of Law. Recognized as a Top 200 Cannabis Lawyer and a Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” Daniel bridges legal intricacies with pragmatic business insight in emerging psychedelic markets.

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Audience Q&A > YouTube | Spotify

Featuring co-authors Dr. Patricia Singh, psychotherapist and psychedelic integration specialist, and Kelly McGinty, nurse practitioner specializing in hormonal and integrative wellness, discussing a groundbreaking exploration of menopause as a transformative threshold. This session will delve into how psychedelics, especially psilocybin, offer a radical new perspective, easing cognitive rigidity, reducing internal narratives of decline, and fostering emotional and spiritual growth. Attendees will gain fresh insights on navigating midlife with strength, clarity, and empowerment.

About Mycelopause: Uncovering the Magic of Menopause with Psilocybin

Co-authored by Dr. Trish Singh, PhD, LPCC and Kelly McGinty, CNP, MSN, Mycelopause is not your typical menopause guide. It’s a rebellious, witty, and deeply insightful journey into the intersection of psychedelics, perimenopause, and personal transformation. Combining science, storytelling, and satirical humor, we explore how psilocybin and other holistic tools can help reframe menopause from a crisis to a rite of passage.

Kelly McGinty is a nurse practitioner accredited by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, with a Master’s in Nursing from Gonzaga University. After over a decade as an emergency department NP, Kelly sought holistic approaches to address pandemic-related burnout and mental health crises. Her transformative experiences with psychedelics led her to study psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Kelly integrates Reiki, herbology, and Druidic traditions to help clients—particularly first responders, end-of-life patients, and those with treatment-resistant conditions—achieve holistic wellness in mind, body, and spirit.

Dr. Patricia Singh, Ph.D., LPCC, is an independently licensed mental health counselor in New Mexico and California with over 25 years of experience in behavioral health. She holds a doctorate in Mind-Body Medicine with a specialization in Integrative Mental Health and is certified in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy through the California Institute of Integral Studies. Dr. Singh integrates Ayurvedic principles, trauma-informed care, and psychedelic preparation and integration into her clinical work, where she focuses on post-traumatic stress, addiction, and family trauma. She is the founder of A New Awakening Counseling, a progressive rehabilitation facility serving individuals reentering society after incarceration. Her current research centers on holistic weight loss strategies for menopausal women. Dr. Singh splits her time between Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Oxnard, California.

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With decades of experience guiding women in transformational work, Sand Symes brings a perspective that blends spiritual and practical insights. Rather than focusing on theory alone, she shares her experiences of how these medicines are understood and integrated in different contexts.

This gathering invites participants to engage with stories, reflections, and perspectives on the experiential aspects of psychedelics—elements that may not always be captured in research but are deeply felt by those who explore them.

With over 40 years of experience, Sand Symes mentors visionary leaders, pioneers, and C-suite executives, blending ancient wisdom and modern science. She integrates Sacred Medicine practices, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and trauma research to unlock potential and foster leadership alignment. Specializing in women’s transformation, Sand helps clients align with their core values, break limiting patterns, and expand their impact. Her approach combines personalized mentoring and psychedelic integration, supporting profound breakthroughs and leadership growth. Sand has empowered women leaders for over four decades, creating ripple effects transforming industries and communities.

As research into psychedelic-assisted therapy accelerates, evidence points to more positive mental health outcomes, particularly for depression. This session will explore the latest clinical findings on psychedelics as a treatment for major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, post-partum, and PMDD. Local experts will present the latest research and discuss the therapeutic mechanisms behind psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA. This session will provide attendees with a deeper understanding of how these novel treatments are reshaping the mental health landscape.

After a decade at Google, Facebook, and Pinterest, Galyn Burke pursued a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy to explore human suffering and healing. Now a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA) and Mental Health Counselor (WA), Galyn works with adults facing anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Passionate about connecting people to resources for healing, she supports individuals through therapy, advocacy, and advising organizations that challenge systemic trauma and outdated models of suffering. 

Darcy Constans MD runs a holistic mental health practice in Seattle offering psychiatric medication management, mindfulness therapy, and ketamine-assisted therapy. She is a clinical researcher on a number of local psychedelic medicine trials investigating the safety and efficacy of psychedelics for the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD and alcohol use disorder. She sits on the community advisory board for the University of Washington’s Center for Novel Therapeutics in Addiction Psychiatry and serves with the Board of Psychedelic Medicine and Therapies, the organization that will certify psychedelic medicine providers to ensure the competent, safe and ethical delivery of psychedelic medicine.

Have you wondered how psychedelics are being intentionally used by artists, writers, musicians, and other creatives to push the boundaries of their craft? This session kicks off our series with a panel of esteemed Seattle artists who will discuss the role of psychedelics in Seattle's countercultural movements and how they influence artistic expression. Expect a candid conversation on the relationship between altered states and creativity, with insights from prominent Seattle creatives known for their experimentation. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how psychedelics can be used as a tool for creative flow and self-expression.

Rachel Demy is a Seattle fine art photographer, writer, and educator. Her first photography book, Between, Everywhere coverstouring Death Cab for Cutie.

www.racheldemy.com | @racheldemy

Tim Keck is the co-founding journalist of newspapers that have become cultural institutions, including The Onion and The Stranger of Seattle. His print and digital media contributions reflect his deep commitment to innovative, independent journalism. Tim hosts the Mush Love podcast about all things mushrooms and is sponsored by Wunderground. 

on x @timothykeck