Psychonautics: A Comic's Exploration of Psychedelics – movie screening and panel discussion in Helsinki, Tue Feb 25h

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Comedian and science podcaster Shane Mauss has done quite a bit of psychedelic traveling, and breaking down stigmas surrounding psychedelics through factual information is a cause he holds dear. A new avenue for this opens as he is set to star in a documentary about the topic. Things, however, take an unexpected turn when his use of psychedelics triggers a psychotic episode featuring intense paranoia, aliens, telepathic waves crossing the boundaries of space-time, gangsters, and Pink Floyd's Roger Waters. After two manic weeks of going without sleep, Mauss ends up in a psychiatric ward. Returning to shared reality requires a lot of honest self-reflection (and some more traditional medication).

Out of this experience emerges a unique documentary that vividly and candidly explores the different aspects of psychedelics and mental health. Psykedeelisen sivistyksen liitto (Association for Finnish Psychedelic Education & Culture) presents this film in collaboration with the Pro Lapinlahti mielenterveysseura (Pro Lapinlahti mental health association) and Lapinlahden Lähde on Tuesday, February 25, at Lapinlahden Lähde’s auditorium.

After the screening, a panel discussion will address stigmas related to psychoactive substances and mental health. The discussion will be held in Finnish. The panelists are Nonni Mäkikärki, executive director of Pro Lapinlahti mielenterveysseura ry, Timo-Veikko Pasanen, chair of Humaania päihdepolitiikkaa ry and project worker at Stop Huumeille ry, and Viljami Lehtonen, body therapist and podcast host. The discussion will be moderated by Henry Soinnunmaa, chair of Psykedeelisen sivistyksen liitto ry.

Schedule:

17:00 Doors open
17:30 Movie (81min)
19:00 Panel discussion (~60min)

The movie is shown with Finnish subtitles. The venue is wheelchair accessible.

Address: Lapinlahden Lähde, auditorio, Lapinlahdenpolku 8, Helsinki.

Low income 0 € – register here
Standard ticket 10 € – buy: MobilePay / Holvi (payment card)
Support ticket 15 € – buy: MobilePay / Holvi (payment card)
Support ticket 20 € – buy: MobilePay / Holvi (payment card)

Seats are limited, so even if you choose the €0 free access, it is recommended to register in advance – you can try your luck at the door, but we cannot guarantee availability.

About the speakers:

Nonni Mäkikärki is the executive director at Pro Lapinlahti mielenterveysseura (Pro Lapinlahti Mental Health Association). For over two decades, she has been working to reduce stigma, particularly in mental health, disability, and HIV organizations. She believes that while stigma is often imposed externally by society, the key to enabling societal change lies in amplifying the voices and experiences of the communities themselves.

Timo-Veikko Pasanen is an idealist who dreams of a better world. He serves as the chair of the Humaania päihdepolitiikkaa ry (Finnish Association for Humane Drug Policy) and works as a project worker at Stop Huumeille ry (Stop Drugs Association), where he supports former substance users. He wrote his Master’s thesis on psychedelic literature.

Viljami Lehtonen is a body therapist, family constellation coach, and the host of the Miehen mieli podcast. He has spent half his life exploring the deep structures of human existence, a journey profoundly influenced by his own experience of mental fragmentation in his youth in the form of a psychotic episode triggered by cannabis use. This personal history has given him a unique perspective on the workings of the human mind.

Henry Soinnunmaa is the chair of Psykedeelisen sivistyksen liitto ry (Association for Finnish Psychedelic Education & Culture). Psychedelics and mental health are themes that have fascinated him throughout his adult life. He aspires to promote the more responsible handling of psychedelics and foster conversations with a diversity of different voices, experiences and opinions. Henry is also a father, husband, musician, writer, deepener, and host of the Ihmisiä, siis eläimiä and Curious on Earth podcasts.