Psychedelics have been a part–often a central and sacred part–of most societies throughout history, and for half a century psychedelics have rumbled through the Western world, seeding a subculture, titillating the media, fascinating youth, terrifying parents, enraging politicians, and intriguing researchers. Not surprisingly, these curious chemicals fascinated some of the foremost thinkers of the twentieth century, fourteen of whom were interviewed for this book. Because no further human research can be done, these researchers constitute an irreplaceable resource. This book offers their fascinating anecdotes, invaluable knowledge, and hard-won wisdom–the culmination of fifty years of research and reflection on one of the most intriguing and challenging topics of our time.
Research
Dirty Pictures
Alexander ‘Sasha’ Shulgin is the scientist behind more than 200 psychedelic compounds including MDMA, more commonly known as Ecstasy. Considered to be one of the the greatest chemists of the twentieth century, Sasha’s vast array of discoveries has had a profound impact in the field of psychedelic research. ‘Dirty Pictures’ delves into the lifework of Dr. Shulgin and scientists alike, explores the world of these scientists; their findings and motivations, their ideas, and their beliefs as to how research in this particular field can aid in unlocking the complexities of the mind.
Psychedelic Medicine: A Review of Clinical Research for a Class of Rapidly-Emerging Behavioral Health Interventions
BrainFutures reviewed the research and selected rele- vant studies to summarize in our report—the majority of which not only had valid study designs and meth- odologies, but also worked with human subjects and investigated the use of these compounds as effective or efficacious treatments in participants with ongoing and hard-to-treat MH/SUDs. In total, BrainFutures outlines and summarizes more than 200 peer-reviewed publications involving psychedelics, including 46 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 47 open-label studies with more than 4,000 participants, in addition to eight meta-analyses and 84 reviews.
An Expert-Informed Introduction to the Elements of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
An Expert-Informed Introduction to the Elements of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy provides an overview of the psychedelic-assisted therapy model that is usually employed in clinical research trials of psychedelic med- ications. BrainFutures presents the emerging consensus around best practices for psychedelic-assisted therapy in a clinical context as of fall 2022. These conclusions are informed primarily by interviews and input from 22 experts, including academic researchers, clinical trial investigators, and practitioners. We begin by providing a brief overview of treatment designs that have shown efficacy in academic research including studies associat- ed with FDA-approved clinical trials. In the following chapters, we explore the core elements of psychedelic-as- sisted therapy: screening and assessment, preparation, set and setting, the medication session, and integration. The paper concludes by addressing safety considerations. Each chapter includes a section entitled “The Future of the Field,” which raises questions about how the current model of psychedelic-assisted therapy might be adapted to increase access and/or improve patient outcomes.
The Psychedelic Science Review
Psychedelic Science Review (PSR) was founded in 2018 by a small group of scientists committed to improving the quality of and access to scientific information about psychedelics. Concerned about the dearth of accessible and reliable scientific information about psychedelics, widespread misinformation, and poor analysis and conclusions drawn from otherwise high-quality research, our team set out on a mission to address these concerns. In 2019, we launched PsychedelicReview.com, a website free for all to access. At PsychedelicReview.com, we discuss scientific research and knowledge about psychedelics, from chemistry to psychology. Our science writers break down complex topics, offering context and connecting important concepts in the literature to familiar examples. PsychedelicReview.com also offers background information about psychedelic compounds, an ever-changing history of events surrounding psychedelics, and the organizations and people involved in progressing this resurgent field. Psychedelic Science Review provides an exclusively scientific perspective on psychedelics. We are not proponents or opponents of political or social change, nor do we offer moral commentary. While there is a place for those voices, our goal is to offer factual information on the basis of scientific relevance.
The Microdose
There has never been a more exciting – or bewildering – time in the world of psychedelics. What just a few years ago was an obscure corner of clinical and neuroscientific research has blossomed into a vibrant scientific field, yielding promising new treatments and important insights about the mind and brain. That research has already spawned an entirely new industry, with hundreds of startups, all with different ideas of how best to commercialize psychedelics. (A handful of these companies have already gone public, with billion-dollar valuations.) FDA approval of MDMA and psilocybin may be only a few short years away. Since 2018, upwards of a dozen universities – including Johns Hopkins, NYU, Berkeley, Yale, and Harvard – have launched research centers dedicated to studying psychedelics, all funded by private philanthropy. But then in October 2021, the National Institute of Health (NIH) made its first substantial grant for a psychedelic drug trial in more than fifty years to John Hopkins, for a study of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for tobacco addiction. If proof of the promise and legitimacy of psychedelic research were still needed, it has arrived. Things are moving so quickly on so many different fronts — research, business, policy and culture — that keeping up with developments in the field has become challenging. Which is precisely why, on behalf of the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, we’re delighted to welcome you to our twice-weekly newsletter, The Microdose.