The Science of Psychedelics for Mental Health | Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris

About this video

Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, a leading psychedelics researcher at UC San Francisco, discusses how psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, and DMT change neural circuitry. Huberman notes Dr. Carhart-Harris’s laboratory has carried out clinical trials in which he says appropriate dosages of psilocybin alleviated major depression in more than 67 percent of people, while emphasizing not everybody should take it and that treatments work in some cases and not others. The conversation covers the history of psychedelic research, evolving laws in the United States and elsewhere, the short-term psychedelic journey and its relation to therapeutic outcomes, and long-term rewiring. In the excerpted segment, Dr. Carhart-Harris describes typical trial structures of one to three dosing sessions spaced weeks apart, reports promising early results in an ongoing, not yet published psilocybin trial for anorexia, and discusses the integration phase after dosing, when insights are consolidated.

Key takeaways

• Dr. Carhart-Harris explains how psilocybin, LSD, and DMT change neural circuitry, Huberman notes.
• Huberman cites trials in which psilocybin alleviated major depression in more than 67 percent of participants.
• Dr. Carhart-Harris describes trials typically using a small number of dosing sessions spaced weeks apart.
• Dr. Carhart-Harris reports promising early results in an ongoing psilocybin trial for anorexia.
• Dr. Carhart-Harris discusses integration after the session as when insights are consolidated.

Episode details: published May 22, 2023 · 795K views · 2:37:09 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The science and protocols described are Andrew Huberman’s, presented for education — not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before changing your own health practices.

← Previous: How to Use Cold & Heat Exposure to Improve Your Health | Dr. Susanna Søberg · Next: Adderall, Stimulants & Modafinil for ADHD: Short- & Long-Term Effects →

All Andrew Huberman videos · Andrew Huberman profile · Huberman Lab (official site)