A packed lecture hall where you could have heard a pin drop – that’s how intently the participants followed the fifteen presentations on both days of this year’s ESI Systems Neuroscience Conference.

The overarching theme of this year’s conference was: What changes in our brain when our consciousness changes? Renowned international experts in this field shared their insights into the neural mechanisms of altered states of consciousness and provided valuable insights into the effects of psychedelic substances, as well as the effects of targeted breathing exercises and meditation practices.

Exciting discussion rounds and compact poster sessions provided the perfect setting for an intensive exchange on the results presented.

The participants agreed that this year’s ESI SyNC, with its methodologically broad and high-quality results, offered a clear distinction from the obscure and thus a first-class forum for a field of research with real opportunities, not least for the sustainable further development of therapeutic approaches in psychiatry.