Mindful Wisdom: From Ancient Mushroom to Modern Gadget

In this talk I’ll review what we miss out on when we overly simplify how we think about young people, smartphones, social media, and online games. I’ll cover what popular press books get wrong on teens and tech and highlight what we can gain by breaking out of a fear-based mindset. There are risks and opportunities for families in the digital world, but no one will thrive if we stick our heads in the sand.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is gaining momentum as a novel approach to treat mental health, with psilocybin—found in magic mushrooms—showing promise for depression, anxiety, and addiction. But how does it actually work? Does it therapeutically change brain chemistry, or do the strange experiences it induces play a crucial role? We’ll explore what is known, what remains uncertain, and what responsible next steps should look like. Whether you are intrigued by the neuroscience, the therapeutic potential, or the societal implications, this talk offers a nuanced and thought-provoking perspective.