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Pedro Teixeira takes behavioural science to Portugal's landmark psychedelics symposium
The first SPACE Symposium — organised by the Sociedade Portuguesa de Aplicação Clínica de Enteógenos — brought together researchers, clinicians, and health professionals from across Portugal on 9–10 April 2026, at the Fundação Manuel António da Mota Auditorium in Porto, under the theme Psychedelics in the Clinic: from Science to Experience. Pedro J. Teixeira, professor at the Faculty of Human Kinetics of the University of Lisbon (FMH) and leader of the Behavioural Regulation research group at CIPER, delivered a presentation on the psychological mechanisms underlying health behaviour change mediated by psychedelic experiences.
The combination of exercise and psychedelics for the treatment of major depressive disorder
Fabiano, N., Stubbs, B., Lawrence, D. W., Rosenblat, J. D., Teixeira, P. J., Wong, S., Zhou, C., & Carhart-Harris, R. (2026). The combination of exercise and psychedelics for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Discover mental health, 6(1), 37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-026-00408-5
On the potential benefits of shared psychedelic experiences: Romantic dyads' co-use and shared understanding are associated with positive long-term changes
Cornelius, T., Moller, A., Encantado, J., Carvalho, L. C. P., Barba, T., & Teixeira, P. (in press). On the potential benefits of shared psychedelic experiences: Romantic dyads' co-use and shared understanding are associated with positive long-term changes. Journal of Humanistic Psychology.
Attitudes and perceptions of portuguese mental health professionals on the therapeutic use of psilocybin and MDMA
Encantado, J., Carvalho, L., Mota, P., Cunha, C., Garcia-Romeu, A., Johnson, M. W., & Teixeira, P. J. (2026). Attitudes and perceptions of portuguese mental health professionals on the therapeutic use of psilocybin and MDMA. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol 57(1), Feb 2026, 68-80. https://doi.apa.org/doi/10.1037/pro0000664
Ayahuasca and public health III: Health status of a sample of ayahuasca ceremony attenders in Portugal
Teixeira, P. J., Encantado, J., Amaro, H. D., Veiga, D., Carvalho, L. C., Alcázar-Córcoles, M. Á., Hallak, J., Guimarães dos Santos, R., Bouso, J. C., & Kohek, M. (2026). Ayahuasca and public health III: Health status of a sample of ayahuasca ceremony attenders in Portugal. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2026.2631378
Exploring self-reported health behavior change following naturalistic psychedelic use
Carvalho, L. C., Encantado, J., Moller, A., Cornelius, T., Marrouch, N., Johnson, M., Garcia-Romeu, A., Veiga, D., & Teixeira, P. J. (2025). Exploring self-reported health behavior change following naturalistic psychedelic use. Journal of Health Psychology. 13591053251392867. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053251392867
Exploring practitioners’ perceptions of health behavior changes associated with psychedelic experiences
Carvalho, L. C., Encantado, J., van Elk, M., Moller, A. C., Cornelius, T., Veiga, D., & Teixeira, P. J. (2025). Exploring practitioners’ perceptions of health behavior changes associated with psychedelic experiences. Scientific Reports, 15, 44731. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-33296-w
Pedro Teixeira presents talk on psychedelic education at TEDx Lagos
Researcher and professor Pedro Teixeira participated in TEDx Lagos, where he delivered a talk on psychedelic science and its role in contemporary mental health and behavioural studies. In his presentation, Teixeira discussed how substances such as psilocybin and DMT are being investigated for their potential to promote psychological insight and well-being when used in structured, therapeutic contexts.
Drawing on recent scientific findings, he addressed the importance of education, ethical frameworks, and public literacy in shaping future psychedelic-assisted care and research in Portugal and beyond.
“Where Is My Mind?” — Public Discussion Explores Psychedelics and the Frontiers of Consciousness
On March 25, 2025, the Coliseu do Porto Ageas hosted “Where Is My Mind? Psychedelics at the Frontier of Personal, Social, and Environmental Consciousness,” a public conversation examining how psychedelics influence perception, collective well-being, and our relationship with the planet.
The discussion brought together João Costa Ribeiro (psychiatrist), Maria Carmo Carvalho (psychologist and Boom Festival coordinator), and Pedro Teixeira (researcher at the University of Lisbon), under the moderation of Susana Peralta (economist and columnist).
The event formed part of the Mantras 2025 cultural program and aimed to bridge scientific, therapeutic, and ecological perspectives on the expanding field of psychedelic research and practice. Participants reflected on the social and ethical implications of consciousness-expanding experiences, as well as their potential role in promoting individual and collective transformation.
Roundtable on “Science and Therapy with Psychedelic Substances in the 21st Century” at FMH-ULisboa
On May 9, 2025, the Faculty of Human Kinetics at the University of Lisbon (FMH-ULisboa) hosted a roundtable titled “Science and Therapy with Psychedelic Substances in the 21st Century.” The event was part of the 4th FMH Career Forum, under the theme “Teaching and Research in Motion: Inspiration for the Future.”
The session gathered three professionals working at the intersection of psychology, psychiatry, and psychedelic research: Pedro Teixeira, professor at FMH-ULisboa and researcher at the CIPER–Self-Regulation group, focusing on the behavioral impacts of psychedelic experiences; Carolina Seybert, clinical psychologist at the Champalimaud Foundation, involved in studies on innovative therapeutic interventions; and Inês Figueiredo, psychiatrist at Liminal Minds, specialized in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
The discussion explored current scientific findings and therapeutic applications of substances such as psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine, followed by an open Q&A session. The event reflected the growing academic interest in psychedelic science in Portugal and provided an opportunity for students and professionals to engage with leading experts in this emerging field.