On April 29, the 3rd The Clinic of Change Scientific Conference will take place. This event has already become a leading forum for presenting and discussing advances in the study of psychedelics and their effects on mental health.
Under the theme “Innovation and Scientific Evidence: The Impact of Psychedelics on Mental Health”, a panel of international and national speakers promises to explore the latest confirmed scientific data in this area and how it could help thousands of people treat conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance dependence, including alcohol.
> INSCREVA-SE PARA ASSISTIR À CONFERÊNCIA ONLINE<
Starting at 2:00 p.m., the PLMJ Auditorium in Lisbon will host these discussions on science and mental health. Leading the program will be David J. Nutt, Professor at Imperial College London; Celia Morgan, Professor at the University of Exeter, also in the United Kingdom; Victor Amorim Rodrigues, Clinical Director of The Clinic of Change; and José Rodrigues dos Santos, one of the leading figures in television journalism in Portugal and a published novelist. The conference will also feature António Vaz Carneiro, President of ISBE and Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, as well as António J. Santos, Professor of Psychopathology.
Now that the venue has reached capacity, registration is now open to watch the conference online. Find out how HERE.
At this conference, which is aimed at professionals in the field as well as anyone interested in this area of research, speakers will have the opportunity to present the latest scientific evidence on the study of psychedelics—including ketamine and esketamine—and their effects on the human mind, as well as emerging therapeutic approaches in the field of mental health.
The panel will examine the current international context, taking into account key policies and regulatory measures regarding psychedelic-assisted treatments. There will also be an opportunity to discuss clinical cases related to the treatment of conditions that are currently public health priorities, including treatment-resistant depression and alcohol dependence.
In summary, these are the topics that will be covered at the conference:
- Presentation of the latest scientific evidence in the study of psychedelic substances, including ketamine and esketamine;
- An overview of new therapeutic approaches and their effects on the human mind;
- Analysis of the international context and regulatory policies regarding psychedelic-assisted treatments;
- Sharing and discussion of clinical cases involving the treatment of treatment-resistant depression and alcohol dependence.
Meet the keynote speakers at the 3rd Scientific Conference of The Clinic of Change
Who is David J. Nutt?
David J. Nutt is a leading British psychiatrist and neuropsychopharmacologist, a professor at Imperial College London, recognized for his groundbreaking research on the effects of drugs on the brain. Throughout his career, he has focused on understanding addiction, psychopharmacology, and the therapeutic potential of psychoactive substances, gaining international recognition for his scientific approach to drug policy and mental health.
As a former chair of the UK’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, Nutt has challenged conventional wisdom by advocating for policies based on scientific evidence. He continues to teach, publish extensively, and lead pioneering research projects that explore innovative treatments for psychiatric disorders, particularly those involving the use of psychedelics in therapy.
Who is José Rodrigues dos Santos?
José Rodrigues dos Santos is one of Portugal’s most renowned journalists and the main anchor of RTP’s Telejornal for over 30 years. His career spans nearly 40 years, during which he has served as a war correspondent and university professor, and holds two doctorates in the field of communication.
At the same time, he established himself as the best-selling author in Portugal, with a vast body of work that includes more than 20 published novels, translated into 40 countries. In his most recent novel, The Sixth Sense (2025), the author delves into the mysteries of consciousness and explores the rebirth of psychedelic science. Through fiction grounded in real research, the work addresses how substances such as psilocybin and LSD are revolutionizing the treatment of mental illness by allowing deep access to the “self” and the healing of trauma.
Who is Celia Morgan?
Celia Morgan is a professor at the University of Exeter and a renowned researcher in the field of psychedelics and their therapeutic potential in the treatment of addiction, particularly alcohol addiction. Her research focuses on understanding the neurobiological and clinical effects of these substances, combining scientific rigor with an innovative approach to mental health.
Throughout her career, Celia Morgan has published numerous influential studies and participated in international conferences, contributing to the advancement of knowledge regarding therapeutic interventions with psychedelics. Her work is distinguished by its balance between solid scientific evidence and attention to the ethical and clinical implications of addiction treatment. In 2022, she was named by Insider as one of the 16 most influential women in psychedelic medicine worldwide.
Who is Victor Amorim Rodrigues?
Victor Amorim Rodrigues is a psychiatrist, holding the titles of Specialist and Consultant in Psychiatry and Mental Health within the Hospital Medical Career Track. He is a professor of Psychopathology and Psychotherapy at ISPA – University Institute, and also serves as Clinical Director of The Clinic of Change.
He completed his training in psychiatry at Miguel Bombarda Hospital and served as a visiting fellow at Mount Sinai Hospital and the Personality Disorders Institute at New York Hospital. He was also a co-founder and coordinator of the Therapeutic Program for Personality Disorders, part of the Specialized Activities Unit at Miguel Bombarda Hospital. In 2000, he became Director of the Navarro de Paiva Medical-Psychological Institute at the Ministry of Justice. Subsequently, he worked at Júlio de Matos Hospital and the Institute for Drug and Substance Abuse.
Who is António Vaz Carneiro?
António Vaz Carneiro is a Specialist in Internal Medicine, Nephrology, and Clinical Pharmacology and a Retired Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, where he founded the Institute of Evidence-Based Health (ISBE), which he currently chairs. In Portugal, as well as in the United States, his career has focused on the critical evaluation of scientific evidence, the quality of clinical research, and the rigorous application of data to medical practice, with a particular focus on contexts of uncertainty and clinical complexity.
He is a clinical researcher with a special interest in secondary research (systematic reviews and meta-analyses), as well as methodologies for translating knowledge into practice, the overuse of healthcare resources, applications of artificial intelligence in medicine, and research in precision medicine and big data.
Who is António José dos Santos?
António José dos Santos holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the Université du Québec à Montréal in Canada and a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from ISPA. He was a visiting professor at Auburn University and principal investigator on several projects funded by the FCT. He is a founding member of the Portuguese societies of Ethology and Primatology, as well as a member of international scientific associations, including the Society for Research in Child Development.
Throughout his career, he has published in leading scientific journals such as *Child Development*, *Developmental Psychology*, and *Social Development*, and has also presented papers at major international conferences and served as a consultant on research projects in Canada and the United States. His research focuses on the social development of children and adolescents, with a particular emphasis on peer relationships.
On April 29, these and other speakers will come together to discuss scientific advances in the field of psychedelics and mental health. Since the venue has reached capacity, registration is now open to watch the conference online. Find out how HERE.
