2019: A year of expansion in psychedelic research, industry, and deregulation
Drug Science Policy and Law January 1, 2020 Jacob S Aday, Emily K Bloesch, Christopher C Davoli 59 citations
Public and scientific interest in psychedelic drugs increased steadily over two decades and then grew exponentially in recent years, with 2019 bringing notable changes in science, industry, and deregulation. The article synthesizes these developments, including the establishment of psychedelic research centers, novel drug applications, and international expansion that solidified the field's place in science. Business and pharmaceutical industries stimulated considerable investment and innovation in psychedelics for the first time. In the US, successful decriminalization efforts and endorsements by political figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Andrew Yang, and heads of the NIH and FDA represented unprecedented regulatory changes. The article serves as a summary of emerging research themes, industrial innovations, and attitude shifts in 2019.