The Countess of Consciousness: Honoring Amanda Feilding's Psychedelic Legacy

Amanda Feilding, Countess of Wemyss and March, passed away on May 22, 2025, at her ancestral home of Beckley Park in Oxfordshire. She was 82. A visionary in psychedelic science and drug policy reform, Feilding's life's work transformed the global understanding of consciousness and its therapeutic potential.

I first heard her on a podcast years ago, where her discussion about LSD fascinated me and also educated me on its profound effects on the brain. She has done so much for the expansion of knowledge on psychedelics that I think many people who are engaging in practices with psychedelics partially owe their introduction of

their knowledge to Amanda Feilding even if they don't realize it.

A Life of Curiosity and Courage

Born on January 30, 1943, into British aristocracy, Amanda Claire Marian Charteris was raised in an environment that fostered intellectual exploration. Her early fascination with altered states of consciousness led her to study comparative religion and mysticism at Oxford. In her twenties, a profound LSD experience ignited a lifelong quest to understand and harness the mind's capabilities.

The Beckley Foundation: Pioneering Psychedelic Research

In 1998, Feilding founded the Beckley Foundation, a UK-based think tank and UN-accredited NGO dedicated to scientific research and drug policy reform. Under her leadership, the foundation collaborated with leading institutions such as Imperial College London and Johns Hopkins University to conduct groundbreaking studies on substances like LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and DMT.

Notable achievements include the first brain imaging study of LSD and research demonstrating psilocybin's efficacy in treating depression and addiction. These studies provided empirical evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and challenged longstanding stigmas.

Illuminating the Brain on LSD

In 2016, Feilding co-led a landmark study with Imperial College London that produced the first-ever brain images of individuals under the influence of LSD. Using advanced neuroimaging techniques, including fMRI and MEG, the research revealed that LSD disrupts the brain's default mode network (DMN)—a system associated with self-referential thought and ego. This disruption leads to increased global connectivity across brain regions, correlating with experiences of "ego dissolution" and a sense of unity. The study provided a neuroscientific basis for understanding the profound effects of psychedelics and their potential therapeutic applications.

Amanda Feilding Exploring the Benefits of LSD

Feilding's research extended beyond full-dose LSD experiences to include microdosing—taking sub-hallucinogenic doses of the substance. She initiated studies to investigate the potential benefits of LSD microdosing on mood, cognition, and neuroplasticity. One such study explored the effects of microdosing on individuals with Alzheimer's disease, aiming to assess improvements in cognitive function and quality of life.

Additionally, Feilding's work examined the impact of LSD on cerebral blood flow, hypothesizing that changes in blood supply to the brain could underlie the altered states of consciousness induced by psychedelics.

Advocacy for Rational Drug Policies

Feilding was a staunch advocate for evidence-based drug policies. She argued that the prohibition of psychedelics hindered scientific progress and exacerbated mental health issues. Through the Beckley Foundation, she convened international seminars and collaborated with policymakers to promote reforms grounded in scientific research.

Her efforts contributed to a global shift in the perception of psychedelics, paving the way for their integration into mainstream medical practice.

A Legacy of Transformation

Amanda Feilding's unwavering dedication to exploring the frontiers of consciousness and advocating for rational drug policies has left an indelible mark on science and society. Her work continues to inspire researchers, policymakers, and individuals seeking to understand the mind's potential.

As we remember her contributions, we honor a trailblazer whose courage and vision expanded the boundaries of human knowledge and compassion.

Sources:

 Research & Foundation Work

1. Beckley Foundation – The Brain on LSD RevealedDetails the 2016 brain imaging study using fMRI and MEG scans. https://www.beckleyfoundation.org/the-brain-on-lsd-revealed-first-scans-show-how-the-drug-affects-the-brain

2. Beckley/Imperial Psychedelic Research Programme OverviewComprehensive overview of Amanda’s collaboration with Imperial College London. https://www.beckleyfoundation.org/science/collaborations/the-beckley-imperial-psychedelic-research-programme

3. Beckley Foundation – LSD Microdosing for Alzheimer’s StudyA study investigating microdosing LSD as a treatment for cognitive decline. https://www.beckleyfoundation.org/lsd-microdosing-for-alzheimers-disease

4. Amanda Feilding Talks – Blood Flow & Consciousness Insights into Amanda’s theory linking cerebral blood flow to altered consciousness.https://www.beckleyfoundation.org/amanda-feilding-talks