Psychopharmacology
January 1, 2025
Brian S Barnett, M Frances Vest, Marcus S Delatte et al.
20 citations
Establishing psychedelic research programs at academic medical centers in the United States faces unique obstacles because psychedelics are intensely psychoactive, carry sociopolitical baggage, and most are Schedule I drugs. This article reviews academic literature and draws on the authors' experiences with regulatory agencies and conducting basic science, investigator-initiated, and industry-sponsored psychedelic trials. It recommends that investigators cultivate broad institutional support early and anticipate challenges in securing funding, obtaining FDA Investigational New Drug approval, sourcing clinical-grade drug, getting DEA Schedule I researcher registration and any required state license, preparing treatment and storage spaces, managing controlled substance inventory, and engaging the local community. With planning, persistence, and expert assistance, these hurdles are likely surmountable.
Journal of immigrant and minority health
June 9, 2025
Juliana Zambrano, Fernando Espi Forcen, Jose Hidalgo et al.
Psychedelic-assisted therapies show promise for depression and PTSD, but their application has largely excluded marginalized groups such as Latinx immigrants, who face mental health challenges at rates similar to white populations yet have lower treatment engagement due to cultural stigma, language barriers, and limited access to culturally competent care. This paper argues for group-based, culturally adapted models of psychedelic-assisted therapy tailored to Latinx immigrants, emphasizing community healing, collective therapeutic processes, and the incorporation of cultural traditions. Group psychedelic therapy may enhance social connections, reduce isolation, and increase accessibility while addressing unique immigrant stressors. Rigorous research and culturally competent care models are needed to reduce mental health disparities.
Psychedelic Intersections
January 17, 2025
Franklin King Iv
Psychedelics are not just molecules but also a concept onto which people project biases, agendas, and beliefs, leading to polarized and often poorly defined debates. The author, a psychiatrist studying psychedelics, argues that exploring these hidden meanings—the idealistic and unacknowledged aspirations projected onto these substances—can clarify charged discussions in media, academia, and public discourse. By bringing these projections to light, the field can be better navigated and potentially rescued from internal conflicts.