Psilocybin, MDMA or Ecstasy and even LSD are being tested as treatments for a variety of mental health ills, at top universities like Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Texas. Some are on the cusp of FDA approval. There's even a study using psilocybin (from mushrooms) to help doctors and nurses suffering from burnout! So why the excitement, and what's the downside? Alok and Sheena recap key studies, explain how these drugs affect the brain, and see what skeptics say are the biggest risks.

Vitals is a series that’s taking a new approach to health and medicine. Hosts Alok Patel, MD, and Sheena Williams RN are going beyond the headlines to answer your questions on the latest health topics. No judgment, no taboos. Just 100% sciencebased information.

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Find our experts and hosts:
:: Dr. Alok Patel ::
Website: http://alokpatelmd.com/
Twitter: @AlokPatelMD
Instagram: @alokpatelmd

:: Sheena William, RN ::
Twitter: @Keepingitkinky1
Instagram: @keepingitkinky


Fascinating reads if you want to learn more:
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
https://maps.org/

Clinical Studies with psilocybin:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/re...

Clinical studies with MDMA:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/re...

Dr. Anthony Back profile:
https://www.capc.org/about/facultyad...

Dr. Back writes about his personal experience:
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10...

Frederick Barrett, Ph.D research page:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/profi...

COMPASS Phase 2B Study of Psilocybin to treat depression:
https://compasspathways.com/positive...

https://www.statnews.com/2021/11/09/l...

MAPS Phase 3 Study of MDMAAssisted Psychotherapy
https://www.nature.com/articles/s4159...

Study participants complain of ethical abuses
https://www.psymposia.com/powertrip/

Psilocybin to treat depression with alcohol use disorder:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/sh...

Psilocybin for firstline medical providers suffering burnout?
https://newsroom.uw.edu/news/psilocyb...

Treating Anxiety in patients with terminal cancer:
https://www.google.com/url?q=http://j...

LSD: Side effects and complications:
https://cdn0.voxcdn.com/uploads/chor...

Psilocybin and mystical experience
https://maps.org/researcharchive/w3p...

Psilocybin compared to SSRI
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056...

Historic Psychedelic Research
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16086...

https://www.frontiersin.org/files/Art...

Metaanalysis supports effectiveness of antidepressant medication:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

Effectiveness of specific antidepressants varies widely :
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ec...

Legal Status of psilocybin around the world:
https://wayofleaf.com/psychedelics/wh...

Legal Status in Oregon:
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PREVENT...

Cost of luxury retreats:
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/24/heres...