Dr David Luke PhD, CertTESOL, PGCertHE, BSc Hons, FHEA, CPsychol, AFBPsS

Associate Professor of Psychology

Dr David Luke is an Associate Professor of Psychology and joined the Department of Psychology and Counselling at the University of Greenwich in October 2008.

Dr Luke is currently a module leader of the Psychology of Exceptional Human Experience, which has been running since 2009, and also teaches on the Introduction to Psychology, and Criminology and Forensic Psychology modules.

Dr Luke is also currently an Honorary Senior Lecturer, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, and is a lecturer on the MSc Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology where he leads and teaches a module on Psychedelics and Entheogens for The Alef Trust via Liverpool John Moores University. He was President of the Parapsychological Association between 2009 and 2011, and received an Early Career Research Excellence Award (2011) and the Faculty's first Inspirational Teaching Award (2016) from the University of Greenwich.

Posts held previously:

  • 2017-2019, Guest Lecturer in Psychology, Buckingham New University
  • 2017-2018, Guest Lecturer, Schumacher College, Devon – MA Ecology & Spirituality
  • 2008-2009, Visiting Lecturer in Psychology, University of East London
  • 2007-2009, Research Associate, The Beckley Foundation, Oxford
  • 2004-2016, Guest Lecturer in Psychology, University of Northampton
  • 2000-2001, Assistant Lecturer in Psychology, University of Northampton
  • 1997-2004, Visiting Lecturer in Psychology, University of Westminster

Responsibilities within the university

  • Senior Lecturer, Psychology and Counselling, School of Human Sciences
  • Lecturer on BSc Hons Psychology
  • Module leader for Psychology of Exceptional Human Experience

Recognition

  • Honorary Senior Lecturer, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Authority (FHEA)
  • Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS)
  • Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol)
  • Member, Departmental Research Ethics Committee (Psychology and Counselling)
  • Director, Ecology, Cosmos and Consciousness invited lecture series, Institute of Ecotechnics, 2008-present
  • Chair, Breaking Convention: Psychedelic Research Foundation, 2017-2019
  • Director (& Co-founder), Breaking Convention: Psychedelic Research Foundation, 2011-present
  • Editorial Board Member: Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology
  • Review Board Member: Paranthropology: Journal of Anthropological Approaches to the Paranormal
  • Editorial Committee: European Journal of Ecopsychology
  • Editorial Board Member: Journal of Psychedelic Studies
  • Review Board Member: Journal of Exceptional Experiences in Psychology
  • Review Board Member: Journal of Parapsychology

Journal Reviewer

  • Sustainability 2020-present
  • Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology 2020-present
  • Drug Science, Policy and Law 2019-present
  • Journal of Psychopharmacology 2019-present
  • Perspectives on Psychological Science 2019-present*International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology 2019-present
  • International Journal of Clinical Psychiatry and Mental Health 2019-present
  • Journal of Exceptional Experiences and Psychology 2018-present
  • Explore: Journal of Science and Healing 2017-present
  • Threshold: Journal of Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies 2017-present
  • Consciousness and Cognition 2017-present
  • Journal of Psychedelic Studies 2017-present
  • Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research and Practice 2016-present
  • Time and Mind: Journal of Archaeology, Consciousness and Culture, 2015-present
  • Psychedelic Press UK Journal, 2014-present
  • Explore: Journal of Science and Healing, 2014-present
  • Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 2013-present
  • Anthropology of Consciousness, 2013-present
  • Frontiers in Psychology, 2013-present
  • Journal of Scientific Exploration, 2012-present
  • Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2012-present
  • Journal of Parapsychology, 2012-present
  • Paranthropology, 2011-present
  • European Journal of Ecopsychology, 2010-present
  • Drugs and Alcohol Today, 2007-present
  • Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, 2006-present
  • Personality and Individual Differences, 2006-present

Research / Scholarly interests

David's particular interest is in transpersonal experiences, anomalous phenomena and altered states of consciousness, having published over 100 academic papers, including ten books, in this field, making him one of the leading researchers in this specialist area.

Key funded projects

  • Bial Foundation Grant: Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and epileptic-like activity as contributors to the near-death experience, 2019
  • Bial Foundation Grant: Individual differences in psychosocial and neurological predictors of surveillance detection via extrasensory means, 2014
  • University of Greenwich Research and Enterprise grant: Survey exploring the neurochemical taxonomy of induced synaesthesia, 2011
  • University of Greenwich Research and Enterprise grant: Melatonin and dream psi research, 2010
  • Perrott-Warwick Fund (administered by Trinity College, Cambridge) grant: Dream psi research, 2009
  • Parapsychological Association Research Endowment grant: The effects of mescaline on precognition performance, 2008

Recent publications

Article

Michael, Pascal , Luke, David, Robinson, Oliver (2024), Smokable "vine of the dead": two case studies of experiencers of both changa and near-death experiences. International Transpersonal Association. In: , , , . International Transpersonal Association, International Journal of Transpersonal Studies: 94 . pp. 1-24 ISSN: 1321-0122 (Print), 1942-3241 (Online) (doi: https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/advance-archive/94).

Evans, Jules , Robinson, Oliver, Argyri, Eirini, Suseelan, Shayam , Murphy-Beiner, Ashleigh , McAlpine, Rosalind , Luke, David , Michelle, Katrina , Prideaux, Ed (2023), Extended difficulties following the use of psychedelic drugs: a mixed methods study. Public Library of Science (PLoS). In: , , , . Public Library of Science (PLoS), PLoS ONE, 18: e0293349 (10) . pp. 1-24 1932-6203 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293349).

Michael, Pascal , Luke, David, Robinson, Oliver (2023), This is your brain on death: a comparative analysis of a near-death experience and subsequent 5-Methoxy-DMT experience. Frontiers Media. In: , , , . Frontiers Media, Frontiers in Psychology, 14: 1083361 . pp. 1-17 1664-1078 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1083361).

Irvine, Alexander , Luke, David, Harrild, Freya, Gandy, Sam , Watts, Ros (2023), Transpersonal ecodelia: surveying psychedelically induced biophilia. MDPI. In: , , , . MDPI, Psychoactives, 2 (2) . pp. 174-193 ISSN: 2813-1851 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/psychoactives2020012).

Michael, Pascal , Luke, David, Robinson, Oliver (2023), An encounter with the self: a thematic and content analysis of the DMT experience from a naturalistic field study. Frontiers Media S.A.. In: , , , . Frontiers Media S.A., Frontiers in Psychology, 14: 1083356 . pp. 1-23 1664-1078 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1083356).

Forstmann, M , Kettner, HS, Sagioglou, C, Irvine, Alexander , Gandy, S , Carthart-Harris, R , Luke, David (2023), Among psychedelic-experienced users, only past use of psilocybin reliably predicts nature relatedness. SAGE Publications. In: , , , . SAGE Publications, Journal of Psychopharmacology, 37 (1) . pp. 93-106 ISSN: 0269-8811 (Print), 1461-7285 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811221146).

Irvine, Alexander and , Luke, David (2022), Apophenia, absorption and anxiety: evidence for individual differences in positive and negative experiences of Hallucinogen Persisting Perceptual Disorder. AK Journals. In: , , , . AK Journals, Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 6 (2) . pp. 1-16 ISSN: 2559-9283 (Print), 2559-9283 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2022.00195).

Hendricks, Peter , Copes, Heith, Family, Neiloufar, Williams, Luke , Luke, David , Raz, Shlomi (2022), Perceptions of safety, subjective effects, and beliefs about the clinical utility of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in healthy participants within a novel intervention paradigm: Qualitative results from a proof-of-concept study.. SAGE Publications. In: , , , . SAGE Publications, Journal of Psychopharmacology, 36 (3) . pp. 337-347 ISSN: 0269-8811 (Print), 1461-7285 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811211055855).

Luke, David , Lungu, Laura, Friday, Ross, Terhune, Devin (2022), The chemical induction of synaesthesia. Wiley - John Wiley and Sons [Former Publisher]. In: , , , . Wiley - John Wiley and Sons [Former Publisher], Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental: e2832 . pp. 1-13 ISSN: 0885-6222 (Print), 1099-1077 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2832).

Gandy, Sam , Bonnelle, Valerie, Jacobs, Edward, Luke, David (2022), Psychedelics as potential catalysts of scientific creativity and insight. Sage. In: , , , . Sage, Drug Science, Policy & Law, 8 . pp. 1-16 2050-3245 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/20503245221097649).

Michael, Pascal , Luke, David, Robinson, Oliver (2021), An encounter with the other: a thematic and content analysis of DMT experiences from a naturalistic field study. Frontiers Media S.A.. In: , , , . Frontiers Media S.A., Frontiers in Psychology, 12: 720717 . pp. 1-20 1664-1078 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.720717).

Bouse, Karel , Krippner, Stanley, Luke, David, Simmonds-Moore, Christine , Taylor, Steve , Roe, Chris , Sonnex, Charmaine , Schofield, Malcolm (2021), Preface: unrealized P=potentials, anomalous experiences, and humanistic psychology. SAGE. In: , , , . SAGE, Journal of Humanistic Psychology . pp. 1-8 ISSN: 0022-1678 (Print), 1552-650X (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/00221678211055034).

Bouse, Karel James , Krippner, Stanley, Luke, David, Simmonds-Moore, Christine , Taylor, Steve , Roe, Chris , Schofield, Malcolm (2021), Introduction by the editor: a most ingenious paradox. SAGE - Association for Humanistic Psychology. In: , , , . SAGE - Association for Humanistic Psychology, Journal of Humanistic Psychology . pp. 1-24 ISSN: 0022-1678 (Print), 1552-650X (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/00221678211055030).

Corneille, Jessica Sophie and , Luke, David (2021), Spontaneous spiritual awakenings: phenomenology, altered states, individual differences, and well-being. Frontiers Media S.A.. In: , , , . Frontiers Media S.A., Frontiers in Psychology, 12: 720579 ISSN: 1664-1078 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.720579).

Luke, Neiloufar , Hendricks, Peter, Williams, Luke, Luke, David , Krediet, Erwin , Maillet, Emeline , Raz, Shlomi (2021), Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and subjective effects of 50, 75, and 100 μg LSD in healthy participants within a novel intervention paradigm: A proof-of-concept study. SAGE Publications - British Association for Psychopharmacology. In: , , , . SAGE Publications - British Association for Psychopharmacology, Journal of Psychopharmacology, 36 (3) . pp. 321-326 ISSN: 0269-8811 (Print), 1461-7285 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811211069103).

Gandy, Sam , Forstmann, Matthias, Carhart-Harris, Robin, Timmermann, Chris , Luke, David , Watts, Rosalind (2020), The potential synergistic effects between psychedelic administration and nature contact for the improvement of mental health. SAGE Publishing. In: , , , . SAGE Publishing, Health Psychology Open, 7 (2) . pp. 1-21 2055-1029 (Online) (doi: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2055102920978123).

Yanakieva, Steliana , Polychroni, Naya, Family, Neiloufar, Williams, Luke T. J. , Luke, David P. , Terhune, Devin B. (2020), Correction to: The effects of microdose LSD on time perception: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Springer Nature. In: , , , . Springer Nature, Psychopharmacology ISSN: 0033-3158 (Print), 1432-2072 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-020-05682-x).

Harrild, Freya and , Luke, David (2020), An evaluation of the role of mystical experiences in transpersonal ecopsychology. British Psychological Society. In: , , , . British Psychological Society, Transpersonal Psychology Review, 22 (1) ISSN: 1366-6991 (Print), 2396-9636 (Online) (doi: ).

Luke, David and , (2020), Anomalous psychedelic experiences: at the neurochemical juncture of the humanistic and parapsychological. SAGE. In: , , , . SAGE, Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 62 (2) . pp. 257-297 ISSN: 0022-1678 (Print), 1552-650X (Online) (doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0022167820917767).

Lungu, Laura , Ryan, Stewart, Luke, David P., Terhune, Devin B. (2019), Primary visual cortex excitability is not atypical in acquired synaesthesia. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Brain Stimulation, 13 (2) . pp. 341-342 ISSN: 1935-861X (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2019.10.021).

Yanikieva, Steliana , Luke, David P., Jansari, Ashok, Terhune, Devin B. (2019), Acquired synaesthesia following 2C-B use. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. In: , , , . Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Psychopharmacology, 236 (7) . pp. 2287-2289 ISSN: 0033-3158 (Print), 1432-2072 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05242-y).

Luke, David and , (2018), Reply to “Ayahuasca turned on my mind’s eye”: A case of acquired versus congenital aphantasia, as evidenced with DMT use?. Akadémiai Kiadó. In: , , , . Akadémiai Kiadó, Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 2: 14 (2) . pp. 97-98 2559-9283 (Online) (doi: https://akademiai.com/loi/2054) NB Item availability restricted.

Yanakieva, Steliana , Polychroni, Naya, Family, Neiloufar, Williams, Luke , Luke, David , Terhune, Devin B. (2018), The effects of microdose LSD on time perception: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Springer. In: , , , . Springer, Psychopharmacology, 236 (4) . pp. 1159-1170 ISSN: 0033-3158 (Print), 1432-2072 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-018-5119-x).

Terune, Devin B. , Luke, David, Kaelen, Mendel, Bostridge, Mark , Feilding, Amanda , Nutt, David , Carhart-harris, Robin , Ward, Jamie (2016), A placebo-controlled investigation of synaesthesia-like experiences under LSD. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Neuropsychologia, 88 . pp. 28-34 ISSN: 0028-3932 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.04.005).

Book

Luke, David and , (2019), Otherworlds: Psychedelics and Exceptional Human Experience. Aeon Academic. In: , , , . Aeon Academic, London, UK (2nd) . ISBN: 9781916068964 (doi: https://www.aeonbooks.co.uk/product/otherworlds-psychedelics-and-exceptional-human-experience/94469/).

Luke, David and , (2017), Otherworlds: Psychedelics and Exceptional Human Experience. Muswell Hill Press. In: , , , . Muswell Hill Press, London & New York . ISBN: 9781908995148 (doi: http://www.muswellhillpress.co.uk/index.php/book-details?book_id=23).

Book section

Luke, David and , (2023), Disembodied eyes revisited: exploring entheogenic entity encounters. White Crow Books - August Night Press. In: , , In: Jack Hunter (ed.), Deep weird: The varieties of high strangeness experience. White Crow Books - August Night Press, United Kingdom (1st) . pp. 169-188 . ISBN: 9781786772244; 1786772248 (doi: https://whitecrowbooks.com/books/page/deep_weird_the_varieties_of_high_strangeness_experience/).

Luke, David and , (2019), Eco-consciousness, species connectedness and the psychedelic experience. White Crow Books. In: , , In: Jack Hunter (ed.), Greening the paranormal: Exploring the ecology of exceptional experience. White Crow Books, London . pp. 181-188 . ISBN: 9781786771094 (doi: http://whitecrowbooks.com/books/page/greening_the_paranormal_exploring_the_ecology_of_extraordinary_experience/).

Luke, David , Timmerman, C., Kaelen, M., Bell-Langford, B. (2018), The anechoic darkroom as a psychedelic state. Zabludowicz Collection. In: , , In: Haroon Mirza, Elizabeth Neilson (eds.), For a Partnership Society. Zabludowicz Collection, London . pp. 148-157 (doi: http://shop.zabludowiczcollection.com/product/haroon-mirza-for-a-partnership-society).

O'Bryan-Tear, A. , Luke, David, Mirza, H., Rowberry, K. (2018), Psychedelics panel. Zabludowicz Collection. In: , , In: Haroon Mirza, Elizabeth Neilson (eds.), For a Partnership Society. Zabludowicz Collection, London . pp. 132-139 (doi: http://shop.zabludowiczcollection.com/product/haroon-mirza-for-a-partnership-society).

Luke, David and , (2018), The big dream and archeo-geo-neuro-pharmaco-parapsychological theories. Psychoid Books. In: , , In: Mark A. Schroll (ed.), Ecology, Cosmos and Consciousness: Myths, Comicbook Lore, Dreams and inquiries into Various Other Radical Transpersonal Ecosophical States. Psychoid Books, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, UK . pp. 191-193 . ISBN: 9780244089849 (doi: http://www.lulu.com/gb/en/shop/mark-a-schroll/ecology-cosmos-and-consciousness/paperback/product-23672721.html).

Terhune, Devin B. , Cohen Kadosh, Roi, Luke, David P. (2017), The induction of synaesthesia in non-synaesthetes. Oxford University Press. In: , , In: Ophelia Deroy (ed.), Sensory blending: On synaesthesia and related phenomena. Oxford University Press, Oxford (1st) . pp. 215-247 . ISBN: 9780199688289 (doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780199688289.003.0012).

Luke, David and , (2016), Psychic dreams: Evidence, transformational process and magical thinking. Psychoid Press. In: , , In: Mark A. Schroll (ed.), Transpersonal Ecosophy, Vol. 1: Theory, Methods and Clinical Assessments. Psychoid Press, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, UK , 1 . pp. 321-327 . ISBN: 9781326401191 (doi: http://psychoidbooks.weebly.com/transpersonal-ecosophy.html).

Conference item

Luke, David and , (2019), Psi and the 'spirit molecule' DMT. In: 43rd International Society for Psychical Research Annual Conference, 20 - 22 Sep 2019, Leicester, UK , . , (doi: https://www.spr.ac.uk/sites/spr.ac.uk/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/files/Final%20Conf%20final%202019%20Leicester%20Prog(1).pdf).

Luke, David and , (2019), Hyperspatial journeys with your goods'elf: experimental DMT field research. In: Breaking Convention: The 5th International Conference on Psychedelic Consciousness, 16 - 18 Aug 2019, University of Greenwich , . , (doi: https://www.breakingconvention.co.uk/speaker-DavidLuke.html).

Luke, David , Timmermann, Chris, Kaelen, Mendel, Schwartman, David , Bell-Langford, Beth , Tollan, Aimee , Hadzhiyski, Viktor , Bergin-Cartwright, Gabriella (2019), Non-drug altered states as psychedelic experiences. In: Breaking Convention: The 5th International Conference on Psychedelic Consciousness,, 16 - 18 Aug 2019, University of Greenwich , . , (doi: https://www.breakingconvention.co.uk/speaker-DavidLuke.html).

Brusewitz, Goran and , Luke, David (2019), Attachment among twins, related to reporting having had an exceptional experience. In: 62nd Annual Convention of the Parapsychological Association, 04 - 06 Jul 2019, Paris, France , . , (doi: https://www.parapsych.org/articles/59/478/2019_pa_convention_program.aspx).

Yanakieva, Steliana , Luke, David, Jansari, Ashok, Terhune, Devin (2018), Acquired synaesthesia following 2C-B drug use. In: Bridging Senses: New Developments in Synaesthesia, 22 - 23 Oct 2018, London, UK , . , (doi: https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2018/10/Bridging-senses/).

Friday, Ross and , Luke, David (2018), Now see hear! Detecting being watched or listened to via extrasensory means. In: Exceptional Experiences - the 20th Annual Conference of the Consciousness and Experiential Psychology Section (of the British Psychological Society), 06 - 08 Sep 2018, London, UK , . , (doi: https://www1.bps.org.uk/system/files/user-files/Consciousness%20and%20Experiential%20Psychology%20Section/public/2018_annual_conference_exceptional_experiences.pdf).

Terhune, Devin and , Luke, David (2018), Acquired synaesthesia following the use of psychedelics. In: Exceptional Experiences - the 20th Annual Conference of the Consciousness and Experiential Psychology Section (of the British Psychological Society), 06 - 08 Sep 2018, London, UK , . , (doi: https://www1.bps.org.uk/system/files/user-files/Consciousness%20and%20Experiential%20Psychology%20Section/public/2018_annual_conference_exceptional_experiences.pdf).

Luke, David and , (2017), Psychedelomancy: controlled experiments in psychedelic precognition. In: Breaking Convention: 4th International Conference on Psychedelic Consciousness, 31 Jun - 02 Jul 2017, London, UK , . , (doi: ).

Luke, David and , (2016), Ecodelia: towards a transpersonal ecopsychology through psychedelics. In: Beyond Psychedelics, 30 Sep - 02 Oct 2016, Prague, Czech Republic , . , (doi: https://slideslive.com/38898554/ecodelia-towards-a-transpersonal-ecopsychology-through-psychedelics).

Edited book

Tollan, Amy , Wyrd, N, Wells, H, Beiner, A , Luke, David , Adams, C (2022), Breaking convention: a seismic shift in psychedelia. Strange Attractor. In: , , , . Strange Attractor, London , V (1st) . ISBN: 9781913689766 (doi: http://strangeattractor.co.uk/shoppe/breaking-convention-v/).

Luke, David and , Spowers, Rory (2021), DMT entity encounters: dialogues on the spirit molecule. Park Street Press. In: , , , . Park Street Press, Rochester, Vermont (2nd) . ISBN: 9781644112335 ; 1644112337 (doi: https://www.innertraditions.com/books/dmt-entity-encounters).

Wyrd, Nikki , Luke, David, Tollan, Aimee, Adams, Cameron , King, David (2019), Psychedelicacies: More Food For Thought From Breaking Convention. Strange Attractor / MIT Press. In: , , , Breaking Convention IV: Psychedelicacies. Strange Attractor / MIT Press, London, UK , 4 (1st) . ISBN: 9781907222887; 190722288X (doi: http://strangeattractor.co.uk/shoppe/breaking-convention-iv-psychedelicacies/).

Papaspyrou, Maria , Baldini, Chiara, Luke, David (2019), Psychedelic mysteries of the feminine: Creativity, ecstasy, healing. Park Street Press. In: , , , . Park Street Press, Rochester, Vermont, USA . ISBN: 9781620558027 (doi: https://www.innertraditions.com/psychedelic-mysteries-of-the-feminine.html).

Luke, David and , Spowers, Rory (2018), DMT Dialogues: Encounters with the Spirit Molecule. Park Street Press. In: , , , . Park Street Press, Rochester, VT, USA (1st) . ISBN: 9781620557471 (doi: https://www.innertraditions.com/dmt-dialogues.html).

Sessa, Ben , Luke, David, Adams, Cameron, Dave, King , Aimee, Tollan , Wyrd, Nikki (2017), Breaking Convention: Psychedelic Pharmacology for the 21st Century. Strange Attractor Press. In: , , , . Strange Attractor Press, London , 3 . ISBN: 9781907222559 (doi: http://strangeattractor.co.uk/news/psychedelic-pharmacology-21st-century-breaking-convention-vol-iii/).