Psychedelics to Fight Addiction

The use of psychedelic substances such as psilocybin has been recently shown to have positive outcome on the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and addiction. However, we still lack a thorough understanding of how these compounds affect the reward circuitry and hence pharmacological development is hindered. In this talk, I will go over the current state of this topic and provide future avenues of research to unravel how psychedelics act in the brain to treat compulsion in substance use.

Discovering new treatments for mental health conditions is a journey filled with hope and promise. Despite being illicit for fun, psychedelic drugs are unlocking incredible potential in battling severe depression, anxiety, and alcohol addiction. Imagine a therapy where the journey itself, complete with vivid experiences, leads to lasting relief. Scientists are also exploring a fascinating possibility: retaining the therapeutic benefits while bidding farewell to the mind-bending trip. Recent breakthroughs have pinpointed compounds that mimic psychedelic effects without the hallucinations, offering immediate and long-lasting relief from depression, much like traditional antidepressants but faster-acting. This could revolutionize mental health treatment, providing a path to healing without the psychedelic rollercoaster.