Strides in Psychedelic ScienceWe recently announced, in collaboration with colleagues at NYU and Yale, the development of a curriculum for graduate and post-graduate training in psychedelic psychiatry. As psychedelic-assisted treatment becomes more prevalent, the need for well-trained psychiatrists and medical professionals becomes necessary. Completion of this advanced curriculum would equip trainees with the knowledge, skills, and practice experience necessary to be leaders at the intersection of mainstream medicine and psychedelic-assisted treatment. Do psychedelics provide unique insights into the nature of consciousness? Drs. Sandeep Nayak and Roland Griffiths published their findings from an online survey looking at the effect psychedelic use had on the attribution of consciousness to living and non-living entities. The survey found that following a psychedelic experience, there were large increases in attribution of consciousness to various entities including non-human primates (63–83%), quadrupeds (59–79%), insects (33–57%), fungi (21–56%), plants (26–61%), inanimate natural objects (8–26%), and inanimate manmade objects (3–15%). Additionally, the increased attributions of consciousness did not decrease in those who completed the survey years after the psychedelic experience. |
Psychedelic Research UpdatesNEW STUDIES
A few months ago, we launched a new online survey study. We are interested in hearing from healthcare professionals to learn more about their knowledge and attitudes towards the use of psychedelics for medical applications. Additionally, we have two online surveys that are looking for those who have used breathwork or psychedelics to help with anxiety, depression, trauma, or PTSD symptoms. We hope you’ll consider participating! ONGOING STUDIES
We are still seeking study participants for ongoing studies of psilocybin in anorexia nervosa, smoking cessation, Alzheimer’s Disease, and co-occurring alcohol use and depression. Those who are unable to participate in an in-person trial, may consider one of our online surveys, including a survey for those who intend to take psilocybin and are interested in contributing to our scientific understanding. Learn more about our most recent findings in the publications section below. |
Participate in Our ResearchWe are currently recruiting for multiple studies and surveys involving psychedelics. Click on a link below to find out more regarding the application process. |
 | The Next Big Addiction Treatment
The New York Times examines psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as treatment for substance abuse. This potential stems from psilocybin’s seeming ability to address both chemical and psychological dependencies. Dr. Matthew Johnson adds that “greater mental flexibility” after psilocybin therapy could be driving relief from addiction. |
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| |  | The Pied Piper of Psychedelic Toads
The New Yorker takes readers through the story of Octavio Rettig, a doctor who administers the toad-derived psychedelic substance, 5-MeO-DMT, to those seeking treatment from conditions, such as addiction. Dr. Alan Davis, who published a survey study on 5-MeO-DMT use, speaks to the massive increase in popularity of the substance. Dr. Davis also discusses ego-dissolution and its potential long-term effects |
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 | Funders at John Hopkins Shape The Future of Psychedelic Research
Lucid News analyzes the complexities and considerations of funding for psychedelic research. Dr. Matthew Johnson recounts the early financial struggles of the field but is hopeful for increased government funding in the future. Until then, psychedelic research will be molded by the interests of donors and investors, comments Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu. |
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| |  | ‘Magic Mushrooms’ Provide Fast, Long-lasting Depression Relief: Study
WebMD highlights the CPCR’s 1-year follow-up study for the effects of psilocybin on major depressive disorder. Dr. Roland Griffiths comments on the novelty of psilocybin given the long-lasting effects. However, Dr. Natalie Gukasyan then stresses the importance of extensive screening, preparation, and support from medical professionals to ensure the safest outcomes. |
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| |  | The Insights Psychedelics Give You Aren’t Always True
Vice explores the profound insights that accompany psychedelic experiences. Dr. Manoj Doss cautions to not accept all insights as absolute truth. Instead, Dr. David Yaden emphasizes these psychedelic insights should always be considered with “epistemic humility,” acknowledging the limits to one’s knowledge. |
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| |  | Drug Companies Are Investing Big in Psychedelics, but Can They Engineer Out the Trip?
Chemical & Engineering News examines the possibility for scientists to modify psychedelic compounds and remove hallucinatory effects. Some see this reformulation as a necessary step to insert promising psychedelic therapies into the mainstream while others are skeptical. Amidst these debates, Dr. Frederick Barrett still suggests a “tempering of enthusiasm” and to not regard psychedelics as potential universal treatments. |
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| |  | Microdosing LSD: Can It Help or Harm Mental Health?
U.S. News discusses a recent study for the effects of microdosing LSD on mood and cognition. Dr. Matthew Johnson suggests that any improvements may be due to a placebo effect but still encourages the continuation of its research, suspecting potential benefits for depression. |
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| |  | How Setting Can Affect Psychedelic Journeys with Frederick Barrett, PhD
Dr. Frederick Barrett joins the Psychedelic Medicine Podcast to discuss the effects of set and setting, music, and expectancy in psychedelic studies. Dr. Barrett also advocates for the standardization of research outcomes across institutions and encourages the replication of study results as the first steps toward determining predictors of beneficial effects from psychedelic therapy. |
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Recent PublicationsBradberry MM, Gukasyan N, Raison CL. Toward Risk-Benefit Assessments in Psychedelic- and MDMA-Assisted Therapies. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online April 27, 2022. Nayak, S.M., & Griffiths, R.R. (2022). A single belief-changing psychedelic experience is associated with increased attribution of consciousness to living and non-living entities. Frontiers in Psychology. Published Online. March 28, 2022. Mathai, D.S., Mora, V., & Garcia-Romeu, A. (2022). Toward synergies of ketamine and psychotherapy. Frontiers in Psychology. Published Online. March 25, 2022. Gukasyan, N., Davis, A.K., Barrett, F.S., Cosimano, M.P., Sepeda, N.D., Johnson, M.W., & Griffiths, R.R. (2022). Efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted treatment for major depressive disorder: Prospective 12-month follow-up. Journal of Psychopharmacology. Published Online. February 15, 2022. Golden, T.L., Magsamen, M., Sandu, C.C., Roebuck, G.M., Shi, K.M., & Barrett, F.S. (2022). Effects of setting on psychedelic experiences, therapies, and outcomes: A rapid scoping review of the literature. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences. Published Online. February 10, 2022. Barrett FS, Zhou Y, Carbonaro TM, Roberts JM, Smith GS, Griffiths RR and Wong DF (2022) Human Cortical Serotonin 2A Receptor Occupancy by Psilocybin Measured Using [11C]MDL 100,907 Dynamic PET and a Resting-State fMRI-Based Brain Parcellation. Front. Neuroergon. January 20, 2022. Zeifman, R. J., Yu, D., Singhal, N., Wang, G., Nayak, S. M., & Weissman, C. R. (2022). Decreases in suicidality following psychedelic therapy: a meta-analysis of individual patient data across clinical trials. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 83(2), 39235. January 18, 2022
Yaden, D.B., Nayak, S.M., Gukasyan, N., Anderson, B.T., & Griffiths, R.R. (2022). The potential of psychedelics for end of life and palliative care. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences. Published Online. January 5, 2022. Doss, M.K., Madden, M.B., Gaddis, A., Nebel, M., Griffiths, R.R., Mathur, B.N., & Barrett, F.S. (2021). Models of psychedelic drug action: modulation of cortical-subcortical circuits. Brain. Published Online. December 13, 2021. Agin-Liebes, G., & Davis, A.K. (2021). Psilocybin for Treatment of Depression: A Promising New Pharmacotherapy Approach. In: . Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. Published Online. November 23, 2021. Mangini, P., Averill, L.A., & Davis, A.K. (2021). Psychedelic treatment for co-occurring alcohol misuse and post-traumatic stress symptoms among United States Special Operations Forces Veterans. Journal of Psychedelic Studies. Published Online. November 16, 2021. Doss, M.K., Považan, M., Rosenberg, M.D., Sepeda, N.D., Davis, A.K., Finan, P.H., Smith, G.S., Pekar, J.J., Barker, P.B., Griffiths, R.R., & Barrett, F.S. (2021). Psilocybin therapy increases cognitive and neural flexibility in patients with major depressive disorder. Translational Psychiatry, 11, 574. Garcia-Romeu A., Darcy S., Jackson H., White T., Rosenberg P. (2021) Psychedelics as Novel Therapeutics in Alzheimer’s Disease: Rationale and Potential Mechanisms. In: . Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. Published Online. November 04, 2021.
Click here for a full list of our publications
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Get Involved in Psychedelic ScienceThe CPCR team is growing! We are currently hiring a Psychiatric Therapist and three Research Program Coordinators. Our priority is to hire for a study on the effects of psilocybin in individuals with co-occurring major depression and alcohol use disorder, as well as a study exploring the effects of psilocybin in obsessive compulsive disorder. This is subject to change as our study needs shift and new studies are created. Click below to learn more: |
The Source Research Foundation (SRF) is a non-profit organization that aims to connect, inspire, and support students who study psychedelics. SRF is now accepting pre-applications for their student grants and will award up to $30,000. |
Support Psychedelic ResearchBe a part of the psychedelic renaissance! Help support the faculty and staff at the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. Individual donations are always appreciated, and make the work we do possible. |
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