Psychedelics and the Placebo Effect with Dr. Boris Heifets

Can psychedelics under anesthesia heal trauma? What is the latest research around ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin? That’s part of what we explore this week on Science of Perception Box. Stanford anesthesiologist Dr. Boris Heifets joins Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch to discuss the latest research on the first double-blind study on Ketamine, the placebo effect, and the therapeutic value of anesthesia-induced dreams.

Dr. Boris Heifets, MD, PhD, is a board certified anesthesiologist who specializes in providing anesthesia for neurological surgery. He has practiced at Stanford since 2010. After completing residency training at Stanford, Dr. Heifets completed fellowship training in neuroanesthesiology, also at Stanford. In addition to treating patients, Dr. Heifets directs both clinical research and basic neuroscience. His research group studies how new rapid-acting psychiatric therapies like ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin produce lasting changes in nervous system function, behavior, and therapeutic outcomes.

Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. 

Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and the current Meritorious Investigator and former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science.

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:34) - Exploring Psychedelics and Anesthesiology

(02:53) - Dr. Boris Heifetz's Background

(04:32) - Understanding Anesthesia and Consciousness

(07:56) - The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelics

(10:48) - Challenges in Psychedelic Research

(18:00) - Innovative Approaches in Psychedelic Medicine

(24:35) - Introduction to the Study and Consent Process

(24:50) - Patient Interviews and Priming for Ketamine

(25:33) - Surgical Anesthesia and Placebo Effect

(26:28) - Unexpected Placebo Findings

(26:45) - Implications for Psychedelic Studies

(27:32) - Harnessing the Placebo Effect

(31:47) - Dream States and Anesthesia

(38:22) - Transformative Experiences in Clinical Care

(42:53) - Personal Reflections and Gratitude

(47:07) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts