Psilocybin legislation is helping psychedelic drugs make a comeback – a drug researcher explains the challenges they face

Pharmaceutical giants like Johnson & Johnson as well as smaller startups are investing in psychedelic drug development, and both are pursuing FDA approval for their patented psilocybin formulations.

Benjamin Y. Fong, Drug Researcher and Honors Faculty Fellow, Arizona State University • conversation
Aug. 2, 2024 ~9 min

Calls to US poison centers spiked after ‘magic mushrooms’ were decriminalized

Researchers found a sharp rise in calls to US poison centers about magic mushrooms coincided with their decriminalization in several US cities and states.

Rita Farah, Researcher of Epidemiology, University of Virginia • conversation
June 14, 2024 ~4 min


How cannabis and psilocybin might help some of the 50 million Americans who are experiencing chronic pain

Cannabis and psilocybin – used under supervision – have the potential to work better than current pain treatments, but the research into both has long been hindered by federal legislation.

Kevin F. Boehnke, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan • conversation
May 10, 2024 ~13 min

Psychedelics plus psychotherapy can trigger rapid changes in the brain − new research at the level of neurons is untangling how

Change in the brain usually comes with plenty of effort over time. Neuroscientists are working to understand how psychedelic drugs provide a shortcut that seems to rely on existing brain systems.

Edmund S. Higgins, Affiliate Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina • conversation
Oct. 2, 2023 ~8 min

Use of psychedelics to treat PTSD, OCD, depression and chronic pain – a researcher discusses recent trials, possible risks

The early research suggests the drugs might be effective for some conditions. But scientists have safety concerns.

Jennifer Mitchell, Professor of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco • conversation
Feb. 10, 2023 ~6 min

Psychedelics researchers balance trippyness with scientific rigor after history of legal and cultural controversy – podcast

Today’s psychedelics researchers still have to deal with the fallout of the decadeslong freeze on research. Listen to ‘The Conversation Weekly’ podcast.

Gemma Ware, Editor and Co-Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation • conversation
Sept. 29, 2022 ~6 min

Latest trials confirm the benefits of MDMA – the drug in ecstasy – for treating PTSD

Some psychedelic drugs – paired with therapy – hold great potential for helping sufferers of PTSD, depression and other mental health disorders.

Adrian V. Hernandez, Associate Professor of Comparative Effectiveness and Outcomes Research, University of Connecticut • conversation
Dec. 16, 2021 ~10 min

'Morality pills' may be the US's best shot at ending the coronavirus pandemic, according to one ethicist

Rather than a vaccine to beef up your immune system, a psychoactive substance could boost your cooperative, pro-social behavior – curtailing the selfish actions that spur on coronavirus's spread.

Parker Crutchfield, Associate Professor of Medical Ethics, Humanities and Law, Western Michigan University • conversation
Aug. 10, 2020 ~9 min


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