Hi, my name is

PEDRAM DARA

Founder and Director of
Psychedelic Lived Experiences

Pedram Dara

Community Builder

Lived Experience Expert

Psychedelic Research Advocate

Reshaping psychedelic care by bridging clinical science and lived experience expertise.

I’m a cross-functional media and tech leader turned psychedelic treatment advocate after participating in MDMA-assisted therapy clinical trials in 2019. With over 15 years of experience producing media, building products, navigating complexity, and connecting people across disciplines, I now bring that same rigor and empathy to transforming mental health care.

As the founder and director of Psychedelic Lived Experiences, I’m pioneering a new model that bridges clinical science and lived expertise. With one foot in grassroots advocacy and the other in systems design, I integrate qualitative research, educational initiatives, and community events to shift models of care and policy—ensuring that those most impacted by psychedelic treatments help shape how they’re developed and delivered.

Join me in building the infrastructure for a more human-centered, equitable, and evidence-informed future in psychedelic care.


Organizations I’ve HELPED

Since 2019 I’ve been at the forefront of psychedelic research, treatment, and policy by working with leading organizations in Europe and North America.

Psychedelic Lived Experiences Summit

Join the first-ever Psychedelic Lived Experiences Summit. Hear from 30+ patients, trial participants, therapists, and researchers as they share lived wisdom and expert insights. Explore the potential and limits of psychedelic treatments with raw stories that move beyond hype and fear, highlight true complexity, and deepen understanding.

Online on November 21–23, 2025

Where I Come From

From 2008 to 2018, I worked in media and tech—producing blockbusters like Tron and Thor, leading video marketing for Silicon Valley startups and building software for YouTube content of brands like the NBA and Sony.

Cross-functional Leadership

Led teams across product, ops, events, and media to deliver high-impact results in complex environments.

Product Management and Operations

Built and scaled solutions across tech, wellness, and research—driving efficiency, clarity, and sustainable growth.

Technology and Media Production

Developed software, created digital content, and produced immersive experiences for startups and global brands.

Where I’M GOING

Since 2019, I’ve advocated for patient safety and treatment efficacy, speaking at major forums such as the European Parliament and the FDA, and at leading conferences like ICPR, Breaking Convention, and Psychedelic Science.

Lived Experience Advocacy

Elevating patient and trial participant voices to inform psychedelic research, care, and policy reform.

Psychedelic Care Systems Thinking

Bridging insight across therapy, research, and lived experience to shape safer, more responsive care systems.

Research, Education, and Events

Organizing summits, programs, and trainings that center real-world knowledge and lived expertise in psychedelics.

Why I’m Building Psychedelic Lived Experiences

After years of leading cross-functional teams across tech, events, and product development, I shifted focus toward advocacy in psychedelic healthcare — a field where clinical science often overlooks lived wisdom. Today, I’m working to elevate lived experience expertise as a core part of psychedelic research, treatment, and policy. Through events, education, and systems change, I aim to center the voices of those most impacted.

Experience

2024-present

Psychedelic Lived Experiences

Founder and Director

2021-2023

OPEN FOUNDATION

Head of Product and Operations

2016-2020

PRODUCT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

Supporting Health and Wellness Brands

Education

2015-2016

MONTREAL ENGLISH SCHOOL BOARD

Health & Wellness Business Development

2008-2009

Vancouver Film School

3D Animation and Visual Effects

2001-2004

Shamsipour Technical University

Bachelor of Computer Science

01.

Soft Skills

Problem-solving, cross-functional leadership, emotional intelligence, time management, effective communication, adaptability, community engagement, strategic planning, and partnerships.

02.

Technical Skills

Product management, digital marketing, operations, AI integration and automation, front-end development, software and media production, event planning, budgeting, and logistics.

03.

Languages

English (fluent)

Persian/Farsi (fluent)

Spanish (intermediate)

French (basic)

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