Purpose:
This study will investigate neurobiological and psychological effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy in people with major depressive disorder. The primary hypothesis is that psilocybin administered in a therapeutic context will result in neuroplastic changes that parallel improvement in symptoms of depression.
2018 is bringing new opportunities for Heffter's research mission. As the FDA Phase 3 work on psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression proceeds at the Usona Institute, Heffter is moving forward with its agenda to support research to test psilocybin's healing potential for other conditions, such as addictions, eating disorders, and Alzheimer's disease.
The work ahead is only possible because of the decades of work by scientists and supporters alike who are dedicated to psychedelic research and have been working together to bring a dream into reality.
We note that along with MAPS, the Beckley Foundation, and others, the Heffter Institute endorses the statement on open science initiated by Bob Jesse. You can read the statement here: Statement on Open Science and Open Praxis. The statement affirms a continuing commitment to our nonprofit status.
Recently there has been increased interest in microdosing LSD, that is, using doses of LSD that are not psychoactive (typically 10 micrograms). A standard recommendation is microdosing every three days. The basic idea derives from earlier studies of psychoactive doses of LSD or other psychedelics...
The 100th scientific publication with Heffter support has just been published, marking a milestone achievement for Heffter! The first one, in 1998, was about the safety of hallucinogens. Most of the earlier papers were about the effects of MDMA and psilocybin in normal subjects, to...
Heffter scientist Dennis McKenna is heading the upcoming 50th-anniversary conference on the Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs. Website: https://espd50.com/ Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/273968006376051/...
"JUDY WOODRUFF: Now: why some psychiatrists and researchers are giving psychedelic drugs a second look as a possible way of treating depression and some mental illnesses. The idea had been shunned for years, but now some say a time for larger trials with the drugs is...
With Phase 2 studies on cancer-related depression and anxiety now complete, Heffter is excited to investigate other conditions that might be successfully treated with psilocybin.
Drawing on the scientific expertise and longstanding partnership of the world’s leading investigators of psychedelics, Heffter mentors the next generation of psilocybin researchers and therapists, vets new approaches, supports proof-of-concept studies, and gathers the evidence base for therapeutic treatments that, pending FDA approval, will be available to patients in need.
2016 has been a watershed year for the Heffter Research Institute and its programs! We believe that our work is contributing to what we hope will be a paradigm shift in the way that many psychiatric and addictive disorders are treated. We hope you enjoy...
Heffter Research Institute is proud to have supported new psilocybin studies published December 1 in The Journal of Psychopharmacology reporting the effectiveness of using psilocybin to reduce depression, anxiety and existential distress in cancer patients. Below is a round-up of articles discussing the recent findings...