Psychedelics have a fascinating history, dating back over 16,500 years. Early humans consumed psychoactive mushrooms, setting the stage for their cultural and medicinal uses. Now, the pharmaceutical world is exploring how to harness these compounds for modern treatments.
Currently, the biggest focus is on mental health. Recent studies show that psychedelics could aid in treating conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Major pharmaceutical companies are taking notice. For instance, AbbVie invested $1.2 billion in Giglamesh Pharmaceuticals for rights to bretisilocin, a psychedelic medicine aimed at depression.
Moreover, Johnson & Johnson made headlines by commercializing Spravato (esketamine) in early 2025. This marked a significant step toward accepting psychedelics as serious therapeutic options.
A growing body of research is also revealing the potential of psychedelics to treat neurological and inflammatory disorders. Nicholas Barnes, CEO of Celentyx, believes these drugs could help with conditions like asthma. He points out that psychedelics act on immune cells without inducing hallucinogenic effects. This opens the door for new treatments that avoid the mind-altering aspects often associated with these substances.
Barnes suggests that we might see a new class of drugs—what he calls PIPIs (psychedelic-drug informed but psychedelic-experience inactive)—that could treat neuroinflammatory conditions linked to diseases like depression and schizophrenia.
In a similar vein, Emmanuelle Schindler from Yale School of Medicine highlights that many psychedelics share chemical structures with approved headache medications. For example, patients have been using low doses of psilocybin to manage cluster headaches since the 1990s, providing a grassroots exploration of its efficacy. Although initial studies show promise, larger trials are necessary to draw firm conclusions.
Chris Witowski, CEO of biotech firm Psilera, has also noted benefits in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and dementia. Early research indicates that psilocybin can improve psychiatric symptoms and even motor function in Parkinson’s patients.
Interestingly, there’s a push towards “no trip” psychedelics. Schindler notes that lower doses can yield therapeutic benefits without causing hallucinations. This could simplify the clinical use of psychedelics, making it easier for physicians to prescribe them. Witowski argues that drugs without hallucinogenic effects will be more amenable to standard clinical trials, paving the way for easier commercialization.
Despite their potential, hurdles remain. Albert Garcia Romeu from Johns Hopkins highlights the stigma surrounding psychedelics and the healthcare infrastructure needed to support their use. Regulations surrounding these medications are evolving, but there’s still uncertainty.
Overall, the landscape around psychedelics is shifting. As research continues and potential therapies emerge, the medical community is beginning to see these ancient substances in a new light.
For more details on the evolving landscape of psychedelics, you can check Pharmaceutical Technology and other pieces of work by leading research institutions.
