Cyberdelic Letter
Where Humane Technology, Creativity and Altered States Converge
Hello Cyberdelic Enthusiasts!As we wave goodbye to 2023 and welcome the exciting prospects of 2024, it’s time for our annual roundup and a sneak peek into what the future holds for our vibrant community. This year has been a kaleidoscope of innovation, art, and groundbreaking experiences in the cyberdelic realm. Let’s dive into the highlights and upcoming plans! Breaking Convention insights.In the first quarter of the year, we had the great honor to participate at the biggest psychedelic research conference in Europe. We were extremely happy to see this lovely community come back together and share the latest insights on psychedelic science and culture. It was amazing to witness the growth in the amount of cyberdelic experiences exploring the intersection between technology, altered states, wellbeing, art and psychedelics. A big shout out of gratitude to the artist from our lineup, and also massive respect to all the other artists showcasing their amazing work at Breaking Convention.
Cyberdelic Showcase LineupOther cyberdelic artists at Breaking ConventionMAPS Conference InsightsNext, we delve into the insights gained from Melissa at the MAPS Psychedelic Science Conference in June. She had the chance to visit this fascinating event which serve as a melting pot of ideas, discussions and explorations into the multidimensional aspects of the psychedelic movement. Some of her key takeaways include: Key cyberdelics projects to watch:
Melissa had the pleasure of meeting Zues Tipado PhD candidate at Maastrich University investigating neuroimaging, XR and DMT. You can read more about why Zues wants us to do DMT in virtual reality here.
Melissa had the pleasure of experiencing David and teams cyberdelics Visitations in Deep Space, an immersive art space at the MAPS conference. The Light Clinic team have released their cyberdelics in a number of ketamine clinics around the globe
Anne Shulgin Memorial EventFurthermore, while Melissa was visiting San Francisco this July, she was invited to share Desert Rose at the Anne Shulgin memorial event. Desert Rose is Cyberdelic Labs first meditation adventure that has received a vote of approval from Buddhist monk Mike Crowley author of Secret Drugs of Buddhism and Paul Daly, founder of the Shulgin Research Institute. She mentioned that “It was a nourishing experience to show friends of Sasha and Anne the possibility of therapeutic VR.” Desert Rose was also exhibited at a fundraising event to support the Shulgin Foundation in December where $70,000 USS was raised by the XX team to preserve the Shulgin lab and house. Cyberdelics Labs will be teaming up the with The Shulgin Foundation to create some Shulgin inspired cyberdelics experiences soon. Watch this space! In case you dont know, Anne Shulgin was a pioneering psychedelic therapist which teamed up with her husband Sasha to unveil the mind-expanding potential of MDMA, sparking a revolution in mental health exploration. Through her therapeutic insights and co-authored sagas like “PiHKAL” and “TiHKAL,” she continues to illuminate the transformative power of psychedelics. Virtual Rituality at OccultureA special opportunity this year was to reconnect with our good friends at Occulture Conference in Berlin. The last time the cyberdelic society was there happened in 2019, where I (Jose) shared along with the imaginarium theater and Ritual Maya an experience named “Re:Remembering: Xibalba” which explored an immersive death practice through the Mayan underworld by merging Ritual and Virtual Reality (Rituality). Occulture esoteric focus provides a perfect backdrop for exploring the intersection of ritual and virtual reality. For this iteration we decided to bring back the same experience with lots of upgrades under a new collective named: Virtual Rituality. Seeing the powerful effects of combining these elements was a great reminder of how the use of VR in ritualistic practices opens new dimensions of spiritual and esoteric exploration, demonstrating the profound potential of technology in enhancing traditional practices. Special thanks to Ruben Vucubcame Yon’ton “Origin Te Yonton”, a Mexican ritual artist who guided members into the doors of the Mayan uderworld. Games Ground Berlin: A Digital OdysseyOur last showcase of the year happened at Games Ground Berlin Event. At this gathering we showcased an exquisite array of cyberdelic experiences exploring a diverse range and styles of transformative games, stories and tools . Here’s a glimpse of the artists and experiences that left us in awe: Realms of Flow by EpicScapes (Marc Zimmermann) ‘Realms of Flow’ offers a unique and immersive experience that truly sets it apart from other meditative apps. As someone who values relaxation and mental wellness, I found this game to be a refreshing take on mindfulness and meditation. The high-framerate stereoscopic 180° video creates a visually stunning environment that immediately draws you in, making it easy to drift into a state of calm. It also offers a high degree of customizable experiences, with options to personalize your session by choosing your scenery, types of guidance, breathing tempo, session timing, voice humming, brainwave entrainment and much more, Realms of Flow allows you to have a tailored meditative journey. Strands of Mind by Adrian Meyer ‘Strands of Mind’ is a mesmerizing cinematic VR experience that takes storytelling, music, and visuals to an extraordinary level. As a viewer, I was thoroughly captivated by the journey into a world that defies human perception, filled with mystery, beauty, and luminous darkness. The storytelling is immersive, drawing you deeper into its woven narrative. The music, crafted by Paul Keilhau, complements the visuals perfectly, enhancing the overall experience. Shout out to Adrian Meyer who created and directed this experience, the visuals are a true standout, blending surreal and dark elements that create a profound emotional impact. This experience is not just entertainment; it’s an artistic exploration of existence that leaves a lasting impression. For more details, visit the official website. Squingle SQUINGLE is a psychedelic VR puzzle game that combines focus and coordination to induce states of flow. Navigating the entrancing 3D mazes demands a balance of concentration and fluidity, creating a meditative, immersive experience. The game’s unique design, rooted in psychedelic experiences, added a profound connection to the creator’s vision Ben Outram. Its visually stunning and mentally stimulating, transcending typical gaming experiences. For more info check out the latest interview with Ben in Ruff Talk VR Podcast: Interview with Ben Outram - Developer of Squingle Desert Rose by Paths XR ‘Desert Rose’ is a 30-minute virtual reality experience designed to be used as a a tool for self-discovery and empowerment, as well to for applications in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. This experience embarks you on a metaphorical journey, drawing inspiration from the resilience and adaptability of the desert rose. This experience aims to facilitate personal transformation, challenging users to find courage and embrace uncertainty. Trailer Skybox Labs As part of the cyberdelic showcase we shared at Games Ground in Berlin, Blockade Labs’ ability to create 360 panoramic worlds truly stood out. This tool revolutionizes VR and game development, allowing for the construction of expansive, immersive environments. The latest feature for creating 3D meshes has added a new dimension of realism and intricacy, receiving high praise from the gaming community. It’s an essential tool for anyone in creative digital realms. For further details, you can visit Blockade Labs’ website. We are extremelly grateful to the team at Games Ground and their vibrant and growing community for having us there, we look forward to growing our partnership and our fingerprint showed so much interest to cyberdelics and Sensory Reality at Mind Institute BerlinAnother fun side mission in Berlin was with CEO of Sensiks Fred Galstaun. We met with Neuroscientist Prateep Beed a leading Neurscientist at the Mind Institute in Berlin to install new, cutting-edge cyberdelic experiences like Realms of Flow and Strands of Mind in the Sensiks sensory pod. Prateep has created Immersia Lab, which are committed to creating innovative solutions that can have a positive impact on mental health We look forward to nurture this collaboration as Sensory Reality marks a significant leap in immersive experiences. Museum of Consciousness - Exploring ASC through sound.The MoC is another exciting project emerging from a co-founder of the Cyberdelic Society Carl H. Smith. This innovative endeavor, under Smith’s guidance, invites artists to induce altered states of consciousness in audiences using sound. Featuring about 100 artists, including Jon Hopkins and Lisa Lashes, the museum employs a unique process involving Transmission, Integration, and Feedback. This creative exploration in sound and consciousness has seen events in various cities like New York, London, Oxford, Berlin, and others. To find out more about this sonic exploration check out the following links: Publication: The Museum of Consciousness: Interactive, audio-based exhibits for cultivating altered states of consciousness Website: The Museum of Consciousness What’s on the Horizon?Looking ahead, we have some thrilling plans We are thrilled to share some exciting updates and future plans for our organization. As we continue to grow and embrace new opportunities, we’re implementing significant changes to enhance our operations and governance. Introducing a New Growth Plan and Governance Protocols
A New Organizational Structure: The Cyberdelic Nexus
Our Vision: A Platform for Collaboration, Innovation, and Education
Here is a chart that aims to explain in detail what each will do and how they all interconnect Cybedelic Nexus DatabaseGet ready to dive into the most extensive digital repository of cyberdelic experiences! Our upcoming database will feature a vast array of immersive experiences, including VR, AR, MR, and sensory-enhancing mediums like Sound, Haptics, Photic Stimulation and more. Expect detailed categorizations by genre, platform, medium, release status, age ratings, duration, interactivity, and intensity metrics. Whether you’re an enthusiast, researcher, or user, this will be your go-to resource for exploring the fascinating nexus of technology, consciousness, and altered states. Stay tuned! Web RevampWe’re gearing up to enhance our website with new features and optimizations, all designed to deliver more value to you and our global community. Got a feature in mind you’d love to see? Let us know – your input is invaluable to us! Join the ConversationDive into the heart of the cyberdelic world by joining our ever-expanding community on Discord. This is your space to connect, share insights, and journey alongside fellow cyberdelic enthusiasts. Your passion and active participation are the driving forces behind the cyberdelic movement, and we’re thrilled to have you with us on this extraordinary adventure. We also want to extend a heartfelt apology to those who have reached out and haven’t received a response yet. Your inquiries and feedback are incredibly important to us, and we regret any delay in communication. Please rest assured, we are diligently working to catch up and will respond to your needs and listen to your suggestions as promptly as we can. And to end this round up of news, check out Jason Silva’s latest video, “We Are Cyberdelic.” This visual and intellectual masterpiece encapsulates the essence of what is cyberdelic. Stay Cyberdelic Jose Montemayor Alba Co-Director @ Cyberdelic Nexus |
Cyberdelic Letter
Where Humane Technology, Creativity and Altered States Converge