The sole overarching purpose of the society is to provide scientific networking and advancement of empirical science regarding classic psychedelics, which are drugs with a primary 5-HT2A-mediated mechanism including, for example, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin. Although classic psychedelics will be the primary unifying focus of the Society and its meetings, auxiliary foci may include other substances that are more broadly defined as psychedelic (e.g., 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA], ketamine, phencyclidine, ibogaine, and Salvia divinorum).
The primary mechanism for achieving this purpose is through the organization of regular (e.g., annual or bi-annual) meetings for the presentation of empirically-based quantitative research.
Although members of the Society may be involved with policy agendas regarding psychedelics (for example: clinical development of psychedelics as approved medicines; criminal prohibition of novel psychedelic compounds), the purpose of the Society is explicitly separate from such policy agendas. Although empirical research may be presented and discussed at Society meetings that is relevant to such agendas, and individual Society members and Society meeting attendees may discuss or advocate for such agendas, the Society itself will not take official positions on such policy issues, or provide for policy-oriented forums at society meetings.
