Why it’s hard to study the neuroscience of psychedelics

Enlarge this image Psilocybe mexicana mushrooms grown by a resident of Washington, DC. Researchers are studying psychedelics like psilocybin to treat depression, PTSD and other disorders. But researchers still don’t know exactly why they work. Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images Psilocybe mexicana mushrooms grown by a resident of Washington, DC. Researchers are studying psychedelics like psilocybin to treat depression, PTSD and other disorders. But researchers still don’t know exactly why they work. Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images Researchers are studying psychedelics as a possible treatment for conditions like depression, PTSD and substance use disorders. But they don’t know exactly how these drugs work. Getting the answer to this question is especially difficult when people often take psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin for their trademark “trips.” Some researchers think these psychoactive, spiritual effects are a big part of why patients could benefit from psychedelic drugs. Other researchers think these drugs’ power may lie in the ways they alter brain chemistry or structure. This week on Short Wave, we’re talking to researchers about how they’re trying to untangle these trippy factors of psychedelic medicine … and why the answer could help direct the future of the industry. Sponsor Message Catch the rest of this series on psychedelics and related drugs this week by following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Have other questions about psychedelics and the brain? Let us know by emailing [email protected]! Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave. This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn. It was edited by Geoff Brumfiel and Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. Kwesi Lee was the audio engineer.