On August 21, 2025, NOMAD hosted Inner Worlds & Outer Futures, a Montreal gathering exploring the intersection of psychedelics, culture, and healing. Organized by Beyond Consulting, Triptyque, and the Montreal Mushroom Festival in collaboration with the Montreal Psychedelic Society, the evening brought together scientists, therapists, and cultural thinkers for an open conversation about the new psychedelic renaissance.
 

Among the speakers was Dr. Stephanie Karzon Abrams, a neuropharmacologist from Montreal now based in Los Angeles, whose work bridges neuroscience, trauma, and integrative medicine. In her talk, she traced the evolution of psychedelic research and policy in North America, from Oregon’s and Colorado’s decriminalization initiatives to the latest U.S. FDA and DEA developments surrounding psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine.

Beyond policy, Dr. Abrams focused on an often-overlooked dimension of the field: women’s health. She examined how hormonal cycles influence neurochemistry, especially serotonin and oxytocin systems, and how these interactions may affect the intensity and therapeutic outcomes of psychedelic experiences. Her research and clinical experience with ketamine-assisted therapy point toward new possibilities for conditions such as postpartum depression, PMDD, and trauma-related disorders, while also advocating for more inclusive, hormone-aware clinical studies.

With clarity and warmth, Dr. Abrams invited the audience to envision a future of personalized psychedelic medicine, one that integrates Western science with emotional and spiritual dimensions of healing. Her message underscored a central theme of the night: that inner transformation and social evolution are deeply intertwined.

Filmed live at NOMAD, 129 Van Horne, Montréal