World's first "Psychedelic Research Center" opens at Imperial College London

The first academic institution in the world dedicated to exploring the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic drugs opened at Imperial College London.

It will focus on two areas: the use of psychedelic substances in mental health care and as "tools for probing the basis of brain consciousness".

The university says that more drugs badociated with hippies than hospitals "are very promising for the treatment of very serious mental health problems and may one day give new hope to vulnerable people with limited treatment options."

Imperial researchers have already studied the effects of LSD using modern brain imaging and have discovered that magic mushrooms might help to overcome depression.

We hope that the center "will become a prototype for licensed psychedelic care facilities of the future".

Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, head of the Imperial Center for Psychedelic Research, said, "This new center represents a decisive moment for psychedelic science; symbolic of his now dominant recognition.

"Psychedelics will have a major impact on neuroscience and psychiatry in the years to come. It's such a privilege to be at the forefront of one of the most exciting areas of medical science. I am immensely grateful to the donors who made all this possible. "

"It may be a few years before psychedelic treatment is available to patients, but research so far has been very encouraging. Early clinical studies have shown that when given safely and professionally, psychedelic therapy is very promising for the treatment of very serious mental health problems and may one day give new hope to those vulnerable to treatment options. limited.