Functional brain imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to study affective touch and pain; neural mechanisms of pleasant touch, deep pressure, and endogenous opioid modulation; massage, osteopathic manipulation, guided imagery, and weighted blanket interventions for pain.
Laura Case, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego. Her research uses functional brain imaging, pharmacology, and sensory and behavioral testing to probe peripheral and central mechanisms of pleasant touch and pain perception. She is PI of an NCCIH R01 on mechanisms of affective touch perception, Co-I on the Neurons_MATTR U24 grant to advance the neuroscience of massage and manual therapies, and PI of a VA MERIT Award on weighted blankets for pain and sleep.
Bio
Laura Case, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego, where she directs the CASE (Case Affective and Somatosensory Experience) Lab. Her lab uses cognitive and affective neuroscience methods to understand how we experience touch as pleasant or painful, using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), fMRI, and psychophysical testing to identify the brain areas causally involved in perceiving the affective components of C-tactile touch.
Dr. Case's research has demonstrated a role for endogenous opioids in modulating pleasant touch perception and characterized the pathways involved in affective perception of pressure, as found in hugs and massage. Her current research examines the modulatory effects of affective touch and pressure on perception of acute and chronic pain. She is PI of an NCCIH R01 on mechanisms of affective touch perception, Co-I on the Neurons_MATTR U24 grant to advance the neuroscience of massage and manual therapies, and PI of a VA MERIT Award studying weighted blankets for pain and sleep in Veterans with chronic pain.
Dr. Case is very interested in mechanisms of mind-body and touch-based therapies including massage, OMT, bioenergy healing, and guided imagery, and has a strong desire to contribute to bridging the worlds of research and complementary/integrative health practices. She received her PhD in Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Science from UC San Diego and completed postdoctoral training at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), NIH.
Mindful Preparation and Integration for Psychedelic Interventions is an 8-week course that blends mindfulness training with education on the science of psychedelics. Participants learn to use mindfulness as a foundation for approaching professionally led psychedelic experiences with clarity, presence, and intention.
The course provides practical tools for preparation and integration, supporting stress reduction, inner exploration, and personal growth. Sessions combine mindfulness practices with evidence-based education to help participants make meaning from insights and apply them to daily life.
What You’ll Learn
Build practical skills for self-reflection, emotional regulation, and mindfulness.
Learn integration strategies to safely and effectively apply insights to personal growth.
Understand benefits, risks, and harm reduction considerations related to psychedelic use.
Develop greater self-awareness of emotions, beliefs, and behavior patterns.
Explore cultural, societal, and ethical factors that shape choices and experiences.
Who Should Participate
People interested in mindfulness-based interventions and their relationship with classical psychedelic plant medicine.
People contemplating psychedelic-assisted therapy who want skills to manage perceptions and emotions.
People seeking ways to sustain the impact of psychedelic-assisted therapies through integration practices.
Legal and Ethical Education
This course strictly adheres to all relevant local, national, and international laws regarding controlled substances. Educational content about substances such as psilocybin is provided for informational and academic purposes only and does not constitute encouragement or promotion of illegal use.
The curriculum emphasizes factual, evidence-based information and ethical decision-making, prioritizing safety, well-being, and legal compliance.
Schedule and Registration
Note: CFM requires a minimum of 10 registrants per program. Classes with fewer than 10 registrants will be cancelled and provided a refund. Please be aware of this when making arrangements to attend this program.
Dr. Jennifer Miller is a senior meditation teacher, licensed clinical psychologist, and certified MBSR instructor who teaches mindfulness and self-compassion programs while contributing to research on mindfulness and pain. She also leads a clinical practice in mindful psychology and founded a free weekly virtual meditation group, Mindful Monday.
Continuing Education
Additional $50 fee for CE credits. Continuing education credits are awarded in the following categories: American Psychological Association and Board of Registered Nursing.
Psychologists
UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 20.0 CE credit.
California Licensed MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, LCSWs
This activity is an approved continuing education program by the American Psychological Association. Credit hours may be applied to your license renewal through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. 20.0 CE credit.
Nurses
UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing to sponsor continuing education. Provider Number CEP16351. 24.0 contact hours.
Cancellation Policy
A refund (minus your $50 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit) will be made for cancellations submitted in writing up to 7 days prior to the event start date by emailing mindfulness@.ucsd.edu. No refunds will be allowed within 6 days of the event start date.
Please be aware that the registration fee, deposits, and funds are non-transferable to other programs.
In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee. In regards to in-person programs, the center is not responsible for any refunds to transportation, hotel accommodations, or any miscellaneous expenses.
Refunds are processed using the same method as the original payment (unless past 180 days).
An 8-week online course blending mindfulness training with psychedelic science to build skills for preparation, emotional regulation, and integration, grounded in legal and ethical education.
Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
Explain benefits, risks, and legal and ethical guidelines related to psychedelic use.
Use mindfulness and contemplative practices to support self-reflection and emotional regulation.
Apply integration techniques to make meaning from experiences and support positive life changes.
Describe how culture, society, lived experience, and personal and generational trauma can shape choices and outcomes.
Engage in supportive, non-judgmental community learning and discussion.
