Scientist examines how non-hallucinogenic drugs could be used to treat depression, addiction and anxiety

The United States is facing a real mental health crisis. In the last few years, one possible treatment has gotten a lot of press: psychedelic drugs. But what is actually happening in a person’s brain when they take a psychedelic? Could understanding the biology and the chemistry allow us to make better and safer versions of these drugs—and maybe even create psychedelics without the hallucinations?

In this episode, we speak with Assoc. Prof. David E. Olson, founding director of the UC Davis Institute of Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics. Olson and his lab have been researching the therapeutic effects of psychedelic drugs and how they could be used to treat neuropsychiatric diseases, including depression, anxiety disorders and even addiction. His lab’s is researching how to develop non-hallucinogenic psychedelics, also called next-generation neurotherapeutics.

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00:06 Introduction to the Resurgence of Psychedelic Drugs
00:28 The Potential of Psychedelics in Treating Mental Illnesses
01:07 The Role of Neuroscience in Understanding Psychedelics
01:39 The Quest for Psychedelic Drugs Without Hallucinations
03:00 The Global Mental Health Crisis and the Need for New Solutions
03:25 The Promise of Psychedelics in Treating Mental Health Conditions
03:55 The History and Current Resurgence of Psychedelics
05:22 The Challenges and Potential of Psychedelic Research
06:10 The Role of Ketamine in Psychedelic Research
07:47 The Mechanism of Psychedelics in the Brain
09:36 The Risks and Challenges of Psychedelic Use
10:23 The Development of Non-Hallucinogenic Psychedelics
10:37 The Role of the Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics
21:03 The Potential of TBG: A Non-Hallucinogenic Psychedelic
26:28 The Controversy and Risks of Microdosing Psychedelics
29:39 Advice for Those Interested in Psychedelic Therapies
31:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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