Gul Dolen, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at UC Berkeley, discusses the common mechanism that psychedelics use to affect the brain, potentially helping those with mental illness and neurological issues like strokes. The podcast explores the intersection of psychedelics and critical periods in brain development, the benefits of combining psychedelics with therapy for stroke recovery, and speculative theories on psychedelics and allergies.
Psychedelics like ketamine and MDMA may share a common neurobiological mechanism for therapeutic effects beyond mental illness treatment.
Research suggests that psychedelics could induce critical period reopening, impacting social learning and potentially aiding in stroke recovery.
Deep dives
Psychedelics Potential Beyond Mental Illness
Psychedelics like ketamine and MDMA are being studied for therapeutic use beyond mental illness treatment. The shared therapeutic effects of psychedelics pose a question about their common neurobiological mechanism, potentially offering benefits in areas like stroke recovery.
Exploring Critical Periods in Neural Function
Neurobiological critical periods, known since 1935, impact learning and development in mice and humans. Research suggests that psychedelics may induce critical period reopening, affecting social learning and potentially other neural functions like motor skills and language acquisition.
Psychedelics Mechanism and Synapse Modification
Psychedelics are speculated to induce critical period reopening by modifying synapses and brain circuits selectively, preventing widespread brain damage. This selective mechanism may explain why psychedelics don't cause adverse effects associated with breaking critical periods.
Testing Psychedelic Therapy for Stroke Patients
Studies consider using psychedelics in conjunction with physical therapy to treat stroke patients by potentially reopening critical periods for motor learning. Preliminary mouse studies indicate promise, with plans for human trials pending adequate funding and safety precautions.
Psychedelics are going mainstream. The FDA has approved ketamine for certain patients with depression, and may soon approve MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But a fundamental question remains unclear: How do psychedelics work?
Gul Dolen is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at UC Berkeley. In a series of experiments, Gul has found evidence of a common mechanism that a wide range of psychedelics use to affect the brain. If Gul is correct, these drugs may be useful not only for people suffering from mental illness, but also for people dealing with neurological problems like strokes.