Mission and Vision
The UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) is an academic center focused on psychedelic research, training, and public education. Founded in September of 2020, the center is overseen by a multidisciplinary group of UC Berkeley faculty and entirely funded through the generosity of donors. We are honored to acknowledge the support of:
- The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
- David Fialkow
- Tim Ferriss
- MUD\WTR
- Christiana and Kimbal Musk
- Blake Mycoskie/The Say Something That Matters Foundation
- Joe and Sandy Samberg
- Dick Simon
- Evolve Ventures and Foundation
We are administratively housed within the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute and our faculty brings together researchers from across UC Berkeley.
Together, BCSP works to improve health and well-being for all through culturally informed psychedelic research; psychedelic facilitation training for religious, spiritual-care, and health-care professionals; and accessible, accurate, and reliable public education.
Focus Areas
Our work spans five main focus areas:
Our public education and journalism program produces evidence-based, objective journalism, discussions, and courses about psychedelics through reporting fellowships, online classes, and publicly accessible resources.
Our research program employs psychedelics to better understand fundamental properties of the mind, brain, and body.
The training program offers a certificate in psychedelic facilitation that prepares professionals working in a variety of fields to include psychedelics in their work.
BCSP is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across all of our programs. We will engage with a diverse array of leaders to help us understand the many perspectives on psychedelics and to help foster access and opportunity in our work.
BCSP also strives to honor the Indigenous principle of reciprocity. We recognize our interconnectedness with multiple social and cultural communities. We aim to give back to the long-standing communities that have served as stewards of plant and fungal medicines.
A Growing Community
BCSP is one of many academic institutions that offer training in the science, history, and use of psychedelics. We are lucky to benefit from the work of scholars around the world and are proud to be part of this growing research and facilitator-training community that includes:
- Duke University Center for Integrated Psychedelic Science
- Imperial College London PhD in Brain Sciences
- Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
- Mass General Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics
- Mt. Sinai Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research
- Naropa University Center For Psychedelic Studies
- Neuroscape at UCSF
- NYU Psychedelic Medicine Research Training Program
- UCLA Psychedelics Studies Initiative
- UCSD Psychedelics and Health Initiative
- UCSF Translational Psychedelic Research Program
- University of Ottawa Master’s Psychedelics and Consciousness
- University of Washington Center for Novel Therapeutics in Addiction Psychiatry
- University of Wisconsin Madison Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances Master’s and Certificate Programs
- Washington University in St. Louis’s Program in Psychedelic Research
Disclaimer
As more people become interested in the potential benefits of psychedelics, many are asking questions about how to minimize risks while using these substances. Most well-known psychedelics remain illegal in the majority of jurisdictions around the world, including the United States. It is a criminal offense in the United States, punishable by imprisonment and/or fines, to manufacture, possess, dispense, or supply most psychedelics, with few exceptions (one of which is academic research if regulatory approval has been obtained in advance in writing from relevant government agencies).
BCSP does not recommend or encourage use of psychedelics, or offer instructions in the use of psychedelics. As part of a commitment to risk reduction, BCSP has assembled resources including a group of experts to answer frequently asked questions about psychedelics, including physical and psychological safety considerations. However, these answers are being provided for informational purposes only.
BCSP does not provide medical or psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information on this website does not constitute medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or psychological condition. Never disregard professional medical or psychological advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site.
BCSP does not provide legal advice. The information on this website does not constitute legal advice. Seek the advice of an attorney with any questions you may have regarding the legality of psychedelics.
Neither BCSP, the Regents of the University of California, nor their officers, agents, or employees assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process described on this website. BCSP and the Regents of the University of California disclaim any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, that is incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of information contained on this site.