U Ask, UVA Answers Debuts with Dr. J. Kim Penberthy on Healing Through Consciousness

On September 14, the University of Virginia’s Office of the Vice President for Research launched its new speaker series, U Ask, UVA Answers. This monthly program brings UVA’s cutting-edge research to the Charlottesville community, highlighting innovation, collaboration, and public engagement.

The first event featured Dr. J. Kim Penberthy, Chester F. Carson Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences in the School of Medicine’s Division of Perceptual Studies (DOPS). She explored an intriguing question: Can altered states of consciousness help people suffering from psychological conditions such as Prolonged Grief Disorder and even open the door to communication with deceased loved ones?

Dr. Penberthy explained how practices such as meditation can support patients with Prolonged Grief Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, and physical illnesses like cancer and lupus. She also described how contemplative practices may foster extraordinary experiences of interconnectedness, sometimes perceived as after-death communications (ADCs). ADCs are described as spontaneous, direct messages from the deceased that often bring comfort to those who receive them. According to the Pew Research Center, 81% of people who reported an ADC described it as emotionally healing, and 84% considered it important to their grieving process.

Looking ahead, Dr. Penberthy and her colleagues at DOPS are preparing to launch the first clinical UVA study on psilocybin therapy for patients with Prolonged Grief Disorder. The trial, beginning this fall, will explore how psychedelics may help disrupt rigid patterns of thought and allow for healing experiences such as ADCs. The goal is to ease the grief journey and reduce stigma around these experiences.

Dr. Penberthy’s presentation offered the community a clear and compassionate window into her complex research, sparking meaningful discussion and curiosity. You can watch news coverage of the event here.

U Ask, UVA Answers will be held on the second Sunday of each month at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library’s Downtown Branch. Each session will feature a new topic showcasing the exciting research taking place at UVA.

Upcoming events include:

• October 12: Lori McMahon, neuroscientist and Vice President for Research, on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

• November 9: Madhur Behl, School of Engineering, on artificial intelligence and self-driving cars.

All are welcome to attend.