Psychedelics in Psychiatry

A body of empirical research has emerged over the last couple of decades suggesting that the 5-HT2A receptor agonist classic psychedelic compound psilocybin results in positive long term outcomes in both healthy participants and in individuals with psychiatric disorders. This research has been conducted under conditions of substantial preparation, and interpersonal support. Findings have suggested that under such conditions psilocybin leads to increased personality openness in healthy participants, decreased depression and anxiety in cancer patients, and increased biologically-confirmed quit rates in treatment-resistant tobacco cigarette smokers. These findings are consistent with the notion that psychedelic therapy is best thought of as medication-assisted behavioral or psychological therapy, wherein the drug increases behavioral plasticity, providing an experience that can influence future behavior. A vision will be presented suggesting that psychedelics may be leveraged in the treatment of a variety of nominally distinct psychiatric disorders.

During this webinar we will discuss:

• Research suggesting psilocybin results in positive long term outcomes in both healthy participants and in individuals with psychiatric disorders.
• How psychedelics may be leveraged in the treatment of a variety of nominally distinct psychiatric disorders.

Speaker information: