Course Description
Summary
Psychedelic substances can induce remarkably profound altered states of consciousness. Derived from plants, fungi, and even animals or synthesized in the laboratory; these mind-altering substances have played important roles in medicine, religious practices, and social movements across cultures and time. Today, we are experiencing a “psychedelic renaissance”, as interest among scientists, private industry, and the public is at a ground swell. Are psychedelics psychiatric wonder drugs? Will they help neuroscientists elucidate the mysteries of the human brain? In this course, we will explore these questions and more. Students can expect to learn basic concepts and mechanisms in Neuroscience, such as the molecular dynamics of action potentials and neurotransmitter release. We will explore what we know about the pharmacology of drugs like LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, DMT, and Mescaline. Further, we will apply our scientific knowledge to explore recent primary literature on the use of psychedelics in basic and clinical research.
