Key details
Professor David Luke
Professor of Exceptional Experience
David Luke joined the Department of Psychology and Counselling at the University of Greenwich in October 2008. He completed his PhD in psychology at the University of Northampton in 2007, and his BSc Psychology at the University of Westminster in 1997.
Prof Luke is currently the lead of Psychedelic and Exceptional Experience Lab (PEEL) within the Centre for Mental Health and he is also a Perrott-Warrick Senior Researcher, via Trinity College, Cambridge and directs the Lucid Dream Precognition Project. Currently focusing on research, he began and then led the Psychology of Exceptional Human Experience module between 2009-2025, and also taught on various other modules including Introduction to Psychology, and Criminology and Forensic Psychology, and was Link Tutor on the BSc Psychology at NYC Athens for 5 years.
Prof Luke also currently supervises PhD students both at UoG and via Liverpool John Moores University for Alef Trust, where he was until recently a lecturer on the MSc Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology and led the module on Psychedelics and Entheogens. He was President of the Parapsychological Association between 2009-2011, and received both an Early Career Research Excellence Award (2011) and the Faculty's first Inspirational Teaching Award (2016) from the University of Greenwich.
In 2010 he cofounded Breaking Convention: International Conference on Psychedelic Consciousness, which continues as a registered educational charity that he codirected until 2022, when he became a trustee. He is an Associate Fellow and Media Spokesperson for the British Psychological Society.
Posts held previously:
- 2019-2023, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College
- 2017-2025, 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
- 2003-2004, Visiting Lecturer in Psychology, University of Greenwich
- 2000-2001, Assistant Lecturer in Psychology, University of Northampton
- 1997-2004, Visiting Lecturer in Psychology, University of Westminster
Responsibilities within the university
- Lead of the Psychedelic and Exceptional Experience Lab (PEEL)
- Perrott-Warrick Senior Researcher on the Lucid Dream Precognition Project
- PhD supervisor
Recognition
- 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 (& Co-founder), Breaking Convention: Psychedelic Research Foundation, 2010-2022
- Honorary Member, Institute of Psychedelic Therapy
- Scientific Committee Member, Medical Psychedelics Working Group at Drug Science
- Core Faculty Member, International Jungian Psychedelic Association
- Expert Witness Psychologist at Old Bailey Crown Court and Bristol Crown Court
- International grant reviewer for Dutch Research Council; Poland National Science Centre; Austrian Science Fund; Chile National Commission for Scientific & Technological Investigation
- 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
- Frontiers in Psychiatry 2021-present
- Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2020-present
- Frontiers in Pharmacology 2020-present
- Brain Sciences 2020-present
- Spirituality in Clinical Practice 2020-present
- 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 psychology, exceptional experiences and altered states of consciousness, especially via psychedelics, having published over 100 academic papers in this field, including thirteen books, making him one of the leading researchers in this specialist area. He is very much interested in the intersection between traditional indigenous and ecological epistemologies and ontologies, especially those termed shamanic, and ‘Global North’ science and how this exchange may be utilised for better mental health and a more decolonised and nature connected world.
Key funded projects
- Perrott-Warrick Fund grant: Experimental lucid dream precognition research, 2025
- Bial Foundation grant: Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and epileptic-like activity as contributors to the near-death experience, 2019
- Tyringham Institute grant: Experimental and phenomenological field research into DMT and exceptional experience, 2018
- 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
Nutt, David J. , Erritzoe, David, Schlag, Anna, Luke, David , Mash, Deborah C. , Uchida, Hiroyuki , Aday, Jacob S. , Rucker, James , Galindo, Liliana , Sweeney, Mark (2025), Editorial: A lexicon for psychedelic research and treatment. SAGE. In: , , , . SAGE, Drug Science, Policy and Law, 11 . pp. 1-8 ISSN: 2050-3245 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/20503245251380511).
Argyri, Eirini K. , Evans, Jules, Luke, David, Michael, Pascal , Michelle, Katrina , Rohani-Shukla, Cyrus , Suseelan, Shayam , Prideaux, Ed , McAlpine, Rosalind , Murphy-Beiner, Ashleigh (2025), Navigating groundlessness: an interview study on dealing with ontological shock and existential distress following psychedelic experiences. Public Library of Science (PLoS). In: , , , . Public Library of Science (PLoS), PLoS ONE, 20: e0322501 (5) 1932-6203 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322501).
Michael, Pascal , Luke, David, Robinson, Oliver (2025), An encounter with death: a comparative thematic and content analysis of naturalistic DMT experiences and the near-death experience. Frontiers Media. In: , , , . Frontiers Media, Frontiers in Psychology, 16: 1532937 1664-1078 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1532937).
Loh, Nadine and , Luke, David (2025), Exploring the role of psychedelic experiences on wellbeing and symptoms of disordered eating. MDPI. In: , , , . MDPI, Psychoactives, 4: 7 (1) . pp. 1-39 2813-1851 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/psychoactives4010007).
Evans, Jules , Aixalà, Marc, Anderson, Brian T., Brennan, William , Bremler, Rebecka , Breeksema, Joost J. , Burback, Lisa , Calder, Abigail E. , Carhart‐Harris, Robin L. , Cheung, Katherine (2025), On minimizing risk and harm in the use of psychedelics. Wiley. In: , , , . Wiley, Psychiatric Research & Clinical Practice 2575-5609 (Online) (doi: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.prcp.20240128).
Irvine, Alexander , Luke, David, Harrild, Freya, Gandy, Sam , Watts, Ros , Luke, David (2024), Correction: Irvine et al. Transpersonal Ecodelia: Surveying Psychedelically Induced Biophilia. Psychoactives 2023, 2, 174–193. MDPI. In: , , , . MDPI, Psychoactives, 3: 611 2813-1851 (Online) (doi: https://www.mdpi.com/2813-1851/3/4/34).
Robinson, Oliver C. , Evans, Jules, McAlpine, Rosalind, Argyri, Eirini , Luke, David (2024), An investigation into the varieties of extended difficulties following psychedelic drug use: duration, severity and helpful coping strategies. Akadémiai Kiadó (AK). In: , , , . Akadémiai Kiadó (AK), Journal of Psychedelic Studies . pp. 1-9 2559-9283 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2024.00420).
Ferreira, Ana Sofia , Martindale, Sharon, Luke, David (2024), Change in occupational burnout measures in emergency medical service workers after a psychedelic experience induced by a single self-administered dose of psilocybin mushrooms. AK Journals. In: , , , . AK Journals, Journal of Psychedelic Studies . pp. 1-11 2559-9283 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2024.00368).
Robinson, Oliver , Evans, Jules, Luke, David, McAlpine, Rosalind , Sahely, Aneta , Fisher, Amy , Sundeman, Stian , Argyri, Eirini Ketzitzidou , Murphy-Beiner, Ashleigh , Michelle, Katrina (2024), Coming back together: a qualitative survey study of coping and support strategies used by people to cope with extended difficulties after the use of psychedelic drugs. Frontiers Media. In: , , , . Frontiers Media, Frontiers in Psychology, 15: 1369715 . pp. 1-13 1664-1078 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1369715).
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).
Book section
Brown, David Jay and , Luke, David (2024), Psychedelics, psychic phenomena, and encounters with non-human entities. Park Street Press. In: , , In: David Jay Brown (ed.), Psychedelics and the coming singularity. Park Street Press, Rochester, VT (1st) . pp. 320-339 . ISBN: 9781644117989 (doi: https://www.innertraditions.com/books/psychedelics-and-the-coming-singularity).
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/).
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).