Psychedelic compounds—long stigmatized—have re-emerged in the last decade as the most promising new mental health treatments in a generation. An ever-growing outpouring of studies demonstrate that various psychedelics benefit a range of psychiatric conditions, including major depression, substance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Among the classic psychedelics, the evidence of benefit is strongest for psilocybin—the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms—as a novel treatment for depression. For this reason, this talk will focus on psilocybin and depression, using what we’ve learned thus far to explore key questions that must be answered for psilocybin and other psychedelics to be optimally deployed either through FDA approval or via state-level legalization. These questions include: 1) Are certain conditions more responsive to psychedelics than others and conversely are some psychedelics better for one condition than another?; 2) How can a drug that’s only in the body for a few hours produce therapeutic benefits that last for weeks to months (or longer); 3) Do the therapeutic effects of psychedelics result primarily from the psychological impact of the psychedelic “trip” or from the drugs’ direct neurobiological effects; 4) If the psychological effects of the psychedelic experience do contribute to long-term benefit, can the impact of the experience be heightened in ways that will extend the benefits of each dosing session; and 5) do psychedelics pose risks that mental health clinicians may not be prepared to recognize and resolve? Given the intense clinical need, public interest and likely clinical availability of psilocybin in the next half decade (either via FDA approval or state level legalization), gaining an understanding of these questions will be essential for anyone working in the mental health space.

Elements of Competence

This educational activity is designed to change learner competence and focuses on the following competency areas:

• The American Board of Medical Specialties: Patient care and procedural skills, Medical knowledge
• Nursing: Employ evidence-based practice
• Center for the Advancement or Pharmacy Education: Health and wellness, Interprofessional collaboration, Learner, Patient-centered care
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board: Pharmacology
• Interprofessional Education Collaborative: Interprofessional Communication
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Engage in self-reflection, Value diversity in the clinical encounter