RIP to the incomparable woman entrepreneur Amanda Feilding—visionary of the modern psychedelic movement and fearless advocate for cognitive liberty.
A Rebel Spirit from the Start
Amanda Feilding was born into British aristocracy in 1943, carrying the title of Countess of Wemyss and March. But her destiny was never shaped by privilege—it was forged through curiosity, independence, and a relentless pursuit of truth.
At just 16, Amanda left England alone with plans to visit her godfather in Sri Lanka. The journey didn’t go as planned. Stopped at the Syrian border, she instead spent time living among Bedouins in the desert—a formative experience that would set the tone for a life led far beyond conventional paths.
Returning home, Amanda carried with her not just stories but a sense of purpose: to “water the desert”—to bring nourishment not just to the land, but to minds, hearts, and systems starved of deeper understanding.
Scholar, Seeker, Scientist
Back in the UK, Amanda attended Oxford, where she studied comparative religion, classical Arabic, and mysticism. But it was her interest in altered states of consciousness that would define her life’s work.
At 22, Amanda tried LSD for the first time. The experience was transformative, not just personally but intellectually. Convinced that altered states could unlock new understandings of the mind, Amanda undertook one of the most radical acts of self-inquiry imaginable: she performed trepanation—drilling a small hole in her own skull—to investigate its effects on cerebral circulation and consciousness.
Many called it madness. She called it science.
Founding a Movement
In 1998, Amanda founded the Beckley Foundation, an organization dedicated to legitimizing and advancing psychedelic research at a time when the field was still heavily stigmatized.
What followed was nothing short of historic.
Amanda and the Beckley Foundation:
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Funded the first modern brain scans of LSD, revealing how the compound affects neural connectivity.
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Co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed studies exploring the effects of psychoactive substances like psilocybin, ayahuasca, MDMA, and DMT.
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Pioneered research on psychedelics as treatments for depression, anxiety, addiction, and end-of-life distress.
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Advised governments and policy-makers on more compassionate and evidence-based drug laws.
Amanda wasn’t just a patron of science—she was its engine. She helped transform psychedelics from taboo to therapeutic, from countercultural curiosity to clinical frontier.
A Bridge Between Worlds
Amanda’s genius wasn’t only scientific—it was diplomatic. She moved seamlessly between academic labs and the House of Lords, between neuroscientists and shamans, between data and intuition.
She used her platform, connections, and insight to bridge ancient plant wisdom with cutting-edge brain science. She opened salons in her ancestral home and welcomed collaborations across disciplines and cultures.
Her work helped catalyze a global movement toward understanding—and respecting—consciousness in all its forms.
A WEDO Pioneer
In 2022, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO) proudly honored Amanda Feilding with the Science Pioneer Award at the United Nations. She stood as a model of intellectual courage and feminine vision—unafraid to explore the unknown, even when it meant standing alone.
Amanda didn’t just embody the spirit of innovation—she lived it. Her legacy is felt in every clinical trial, every policy debate, and every life changed by the healing power of expanded awareness.
A Lasting Legacy
Amanda Feilding passed away on May 22, 2025, at her beloved Beckley Park, surrounded by the nature and ideas she cherished.
She leaves behind a global network of researchers, activists, and visionaries who continue the work she began. But more than that, she leaves behind a new way of seeing the world—and ourselves.
Rest in power, Amanda. You didn’t just change minds. You opened them.
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