Remembering Roland Griffiths
The Scientist Behind Psilocybin's Scientific Resurgence
This week, we bid farewell to a pioneering spirit, a compassionate researcher, and a man whose work has forever changed the landscape of well-being and consciousness.
Roland Griffiths, the founding director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, passed away last week at age 77.
But this edition of Weekly Mind Watering isn’t about his passing. It’s about celebrating his legacy of innovation, openness, and profound curiosity.
I hope you’ll join me.
A Pioneer in Psychopharmacology
Roland Griffiths solidified his reputation as a meticulous and innovative researcher in psychopharmacology decades before his segue to psilocybin.
He conducted extensive research into the mechanisms of mood-altering substances, including alcohol, opiates, and caffeine.
But then, at age 53, Griffiths made a daring transition.
He redirected his focus towards the study of psychedelics—a field that, at the time, hadn’t existed for almost 40 years.
His unwavering confidence in the scientific method and reputation for rigorous, objective research, made him the ideal candidate to spearhead an unexpected renaissance in psychedelic science.
In November 2021, Roland Griffiths was diagnosed with Stage Four colon cancer.
True to form, he approached his new journey with the same openness and contemplative spirit that characterized his life’s work.
He began to speak a bit more freely, sharing personal insights, lessons, and hopes about the mysteries of existence and gift of consciousness.
– “If I had a regret, it’s that I didn’t wake up as much as I have without a cancer diagnosis. It’s been incredible.”
– “I found myself to be present, aware, astonished, and deeply grateful for the gift of existence.”
– “It’s the practice of the absolute wonder that we are these highly evolved sentient creatures who can hear and see and taste and locomote and build things.”
– “I want everyone to appreciate the joy and wonder of every single moment of their lives.”
Roland passed away at his home in Baltimore.
He is survived by his wife, Marla Weiner; children Sylvie Grahan, Jennie Otis and Morgan Griffiths; and five grandchildren.
The Roland R. Griffiths, Ph.D Professorship Fund:
In Psychedelic Research On Secular Spirituality And Well-Being
Following his diagnosis, Roland established his charity – a one-of-a-kind endowment dedicted to,
“Establishing a world class program of research with psychedelic substances to advance understanding of well-being and spirituality in the service of human flourishing for generations to come.”
In Roland’s words:
“I, and I suspect we, dearly want humankind to awaken with gratitude to the precious gift of awareness.
Although it might sound like an overstatement, I truly believe this line of research may be critical to the survival of our species.”
