Winston-Salem, NC-based Lindsey Galbo (29) has observed how psychedelics have altered the behavior of individuals, for better and worse, which led her to seek a higher understanding of neurophysiologic and behavioral effects of psychedelics. She is pursuing a PhD in Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and working in the laboratory of behavioral pharmacologist and neuroscientist Dr. Paul Czoty on the behavioral pharmacology of drugs of abuse and their effects on cognition and putative pharmacotherapies for substance-use disorders.

“I imagine a post-prohibition world in which we may be able to explore the therapeutic value of psychedelics scientifically, clinically and spiritually,” says Lindsey, who believes categorizing psychedelics as Schedule I drugs severely limits scientists seeking a better understanding of how psychedelics work at a cellular, molecular, and behavioral level. Without basic research and knowledge of the neurophysiologic function of psychedelics, she says, our government leaves millions of people no other option than largely ineffective pharmacotherapies. This renders individuals “the target of a broken criminal justice system” where they can be penalized for seeking medicine and/or therapy. Additionally, people have been voided the ability to utilize psychedelics in a spiritual manner, she believes.

Lindsey has a strong professional background in pre-clinical research and an educational background in biology and psychological science.

The Cosmic Sister Emerging Voices Award (CS EVA) increases visibility for talented newcomers who demonstrate potential in the field of psychedelics. We are pleased to announce the very first CS EVA recipients, in partnership with The Sleeping Octopus Assembly on Psychedelics (@pittsburghsoap) in Pittsburgh, PA, Sep 27-29, 2019.