Psychedelic Medicine in the 21st Century

Psychedelics have been enjoying a prominence in science, media, and public discourse not seen in decades, leading some to describe our current moment as a "psychedelic renaissance". This talk will provide a grounded overview of the (re-)emerging field of psychedelic medicine, delving into its origins, the basics of psychedelics and their therapeutic potential, and common approaches in psychedelic therapy. It will critically examine the hype surrounding psychedelics, separating fact from fiction, and exploring key challenges and ethics issues. Finally, it will look ahead to future directions, discussing potential advancements and ongoing research in the evolving landscape of psychedelic medicine.

Dan Grossman, M.A. is a third year Medical/Clinical Psychology PhD student at UAB in the lab of Dr. Peter Hendricks, where he works on clinical trials of psychedelic therapy for a wide range of indications. Prior to doctoral training, Dan worked at Yale School of Medicine, the National Center for PTSD, and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), and took a gap year in 2017 to pursue Buddhist monastic training in northern Vermont. His clinical and research interests center on the nuances of trauma treatment with psychedelics.