Psychedelics for Therapeutics and Well-Being
Published August 19, 2021
Research demonstrates the exciting potential for psychedelics in the areas of therapeutics and
wellness. As the field progresses, the New York Academy of Sciences is committed to convening
leading researchers for important conversations among scientists, industry leaders, investors, and others to encourage and promote the study of psychedelics for health improvement.
- Melanie Brickman Borchard, PhD, MSc
Director, Life Sciences;
New York Academy of Sciences
Psychedelics for Therapeutics and Well-Being
Modern research is making the “turn-on, tune-in, and drop-out” reputation of psychedelics a thing of the past. Clinical trials are showing these chemicals can be effective in therapeutic environments for the treatment of depression, anxiety, addiction, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. This exploration is also furthering our understanding the applications of psychedelics to improve overall well-being in patients and in healthy individuals.
The New York Academy of Sciences is committed to helping advance research on psychedelics by convening experts to share findings of their therapeutic value.
It is an exciting time for research in psychedelics. Our symposia, articles, and other resources help answer important questions including:
- What drugs are effective in treating which psychological conditions including:
- Psilocybin, the chemical found in many fungi, including those often called “magic mushrooms”
- MDMA, or Ecstasy
- Ketamine
- LSD
- DMT
- Mescaline.
- How can these drugs be administered safely and effectively in clinical trials?
- What is the immediate impact of these drugs on brain chemistry?
- How do short-term changes in neurological signaling lead to long-term and often beneficial rewiring of pathways in the brain?
- How do psychedelics promote synaptic plasticity?
- How can research with psychedelics shed light on “consciousness”?
- Whether mystical-type and insightful-type experiences associated with these substances improve overall well-being in patients and in healthy individuals?
- What is next for the 21st century renaissance of psychedelic medicine as it becomes an established treatment and wellness aid?
To learn more, read our eBriefing and articles from the 2021 webinar: Psychedelics for the Treatment of Depression and Psychiatric Disorders.
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Treating PTSD with Ecstasy; Inside a Therapy Session with MDMA
Researchers have shown MDMA, the drug commonly known as Ecstasy, can help therapists treat psychological disorders. The experience is not quick or easy. It takes good preparation, a full day of drug therapy, and hard work during follow-up sessions. Hear Rachel Yehuda, PhD, describe the inside of a therapy session with MDMA. Dr. Yehuda is a professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai and Director of the Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research.
Want to Learn More About Psychedelics for Therapeutics and Well-Being?
Psilocybin Therapy; Inside a Clinical Trial with Magic Mushrooms
The chemical found in many fungi, including those known as “magic mushrooms”, has been shown in clinical trials to be effective in treating patients experiencing depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health conditions. But what is it like to undergo a therapeutic session with psilocybin? Watch and listen as Roland Griffiths, PhD, describes what a volunteer experiences in a clinical trial. Dr. Griffiths is a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Director of the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research.
How Psychedelics Work in the Brain
Scientists understand some of the short-term changes in the brain brought about by psychedelics. Many mysteries remain, however, about how the chemicals can bring about persistent effects that may help treat psychological disorders such as PTSD. Learn from David E. Nichols, PhD, and Roland Griffiths, PhD, what studies suggest maybe the changes in neural pathways brought about by treatment with psychedelics. Dr. Griffiths is a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Director of the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. Dr. Nichols is President and Co-founder of the Heffter Research Institute.
Meeting Report: Psychedelics to Treat Depression and Psychiatric Disorders
Despite the FDA categorizing psychedelics as Schedule I drugs, a resurgence of research has demonstrated therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This eBriefing presents a recording of a conversation among four world-renowned experts in the study of psychedelics.