Psychedelia
ALLOCATION EXHAUSTED – Please join the waitlist here.
Adam Bayes I Rebecca Huntley I Norman Swan
Since early 2023, MDMA has been authorised for use in Australia to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
Still, it remains a controversial treatment publicly and among experts. Adam Bayes from the Black Dog Institute and researcher Rebecca Huntley, whose book Sassafras: A memoir of love, loss and MDMA Therapy recounts her experience of using MDMA to treat trauma, discuss the personal and medical cases for (and against) psychedelics.
Learn more about this contentious treatment and hear Adam and Rebecca’s perspectives, in conversation with Norman Swan.
This event is presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
UNSW SYDNEY X SYDNEY WRITERS' FESTIVAL
UNSW Sydney is the exclusive university sponsor and proud Premier Partner of the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Featuring UNSW academics and researchers on Sydney Writers’ Festival stages, this partnership brings together a shared vision of creativity, curiosity and thought leadership.
TICKETS & VENUE INFORMATION
Ticket Prices
Adult – $30
Concession – $20
Wheelchair User – $20
*plus booking fees
Venue Information
This event will take place live at Carriageworks. For all venue and visitor safety information, please visit Sydney Writers' Festival.
ACCESS
Wheelchair Access
All Festival venues are accessible, and provide wheelchair and level access. To book accessible seats at Carriageworks, please contact the Sydney Writers' Festival Box Office on 02 9256 4200 or email ticketing@swf.org.au.
Accessible Parking
Accessible parking is available at Carriageworks. Please call 02 8571 9099 for more information.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT & PARKING
Carriageworks is located at 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh. This is a 10 minute walk from Redfern Station, City Road bus stops and Macdonaldtown Station. Catching public transport is strongly recommended as residential parking in the area is strictly limited, and the Sydney Writers' Festival offers shuttle bus services from Redfern Station at selected times. For more information on transport, visit swf.org.au or visit transportnsw.info.
CONTACT
Sydney Writers' Festival
For all event enquiries, contact the Sydney Writers' Festival on 02 9256 4200 or email ticketing@swf.org.au.
UNSW Centre for Ideas
For all other enquiries, contact the UNSW Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485 or email centreforideas@unsw.edu.au.
National Relay Service
The UNSW Centre for Ideas and Sydney Writers' Festival are happy to receive phone calls via the National Relay Service. TTY users, phone 133 677, then ask for the applicable organisations phone number (listed above). Speak and Listen users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for applicable organisations phone number (listed above). Internet relay users, visit relayservice.gov.au, then ask for applicable organisations phone number (listed above).
Adam Bayes
Dr Bayes is a clinical academic psychiatrist with a special interest in mood disorders (depressive and bipolar conditions) including their diagnosis, classification and treatment – with the latter focusing on interventional psychiatry (e.g. rapidly acting antidepressants) and novel neurostimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation; TMS). Adam works at the interface of research and clinical application, and has an interest in developing models of care most recently establishing the BDI Ketamine Treatment Program which arose out of a clinical trial. In addition to spending half of his time managing patients as a psychiatrist, he is actively engaged in teaching and mentoring medical students, psychiatry registrars, higher degree researchers as well as contributing to treatment guidelines and conducting workshops for psychiatrists and GPs. Adam currently works at UNSW Sydney.
Rebecca Huntley
Dr Rebecca Huntley is a social research and writer. Her latest book is Sassafras: a memoir of love, loss and MDMA therapy.
Norman Swan
Dr Norman Swan is a physician and journalist who co-hosts the ABC's Health Report and What's That Rash. He also reports for 7.30 and has won multiple awards including the most prestigious in Australian journalism – the Gold Walkley. He has three best selling books: So You Think You Know What's Good For You, So You Want To Live Younger Longer and, the latest, So You Want to Know What's Good For Your Kids, which covers the critical years between birth and age ten. In 2023, Norman was awarded an Order of Australia in the 2023 Australia Day Honours.