Psychedelics… the Trip Continues

The psychedelics industry has evolved from a stigmatized counterculture to a scientifically robust industry projected to be worth billions. There is increasing acceptance of psychedelic drugs as a promising new avenue for the development of treatments for a range of mental health conditions with high unmet need including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use addictions.

Clinical development programs are now underway, with many companies pursuing standard regulatory routes. But the nature of the psychedelic experience, which traditionally involves taking patients on a ”trip” under the guidance of specifically trained therapists, still poses many complexity and safety challenges for drug developers and regulators alike. Panelists will discuss the need to eliminate the hallucinogenic element and still ensure efficacy and the safety to take these medications at home, and perhaps even broaden the range of psychiatric disorders that can be treated.