“By showing that one can responsibly conduct clinical research with psychedelic drugs and by confirming the mystical influences of these agents, Griffiths et al. may help resurrect psychedelic drugs as major tools in probing the molecular bases of consciousness.” — Solomon H. Synder, M.D., Ph.D., Former President of the Society for Neuroscience and having the highest scientific citation index of any living biologist. 
“The article by Griffiths et al. … should make all scientists interested in human psychopharmacology sit up and take notice. It is the first well-designed, placebo-controlled, clinical study in more than four decades to examine the psychological consequences of the effects of the hallucinogenic (psychedelic) agent known as psilocybin. In fact, one would be hard- pressed to find a single study of psychedelics from any earlier era that was as well-done or as meaningful.” — David E. Nichols, Ph.D., founder and President of the Heffter Research Institute 
“I hope that this paper by Griffiths et al. renews interest in a fascinating and potentially useful class of psychotropic agents. The misuse of these substances that led to their control in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act cannot be allowed to continue to curtail their use as tools for understanding the neurobiology of human consciousness, self-awareness, and their potential as therapeutic agents.” – C.R. Schuster, Ph.D., former Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse 
“The overwhelming morbidity and mortality of treatment-refractory psychiatric conditions, ranging from mood disorders to addiction, suggest an ethical and public health imperative to use every avenue possible to pursue novel therapeutic agents. The work presented in this issue by Griffiths et al. and Ross et al., beyond its obvious implications for patients with comorbid advanced cancer and depression and anxiety, serves as a model for revisiting criminalized compounds of interest in a safe, ethical way. Should more members of the biomedical community follow their lead, there is much potential for new scientific insights and clinical applications. – J.A. Lieberman, M.D. former President of the American Psychiatric Association, 2016 
“In 2008 Johnson and colleagues authored a paper entitled ‘Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety’, which outlined how to responsibly conduct medical trials with psilocybin and other hallucinogens … The paper signaled a change in attitude towards researching these compounds, reflected by the fact that more than 460 psilocybin sessions have now been conducted at Johns Hopkins alone, ranging from investigating its use by cancer patients through to its effects on meditation.” -Tim Maughan, BBC, 2015 
“And these results don’t seem to be limited to people with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. Participants in a handful of other studies of psychedelics consistently ranked their trips as one of their most meaningful life experiences— not only because of the trip itself, but because of the changes they appear to produce in their lives in the months and years afterward.” – Erin Brodin, Business Insider, 2017
Notable Achievements So Far!
Paving the way for Moving Psilocybin Out of Schedule I (2018)
Anticipating the potential that Phase 3 research may confirm the efficacy and safety of psilocybin for one or more medical disorders, the Hopkins team critically reviewed available evidence on the abuse liability of psilocybin, from chemistry to animal models to large scale government surveys, according the structure of the Controlled Substances Act. They concluded that if psilocybin is approved as medicine, placement in Schedule IV may be appropriate with additional FDA mandated risk management provisions.
Psilocybin Effects in Special Groups – Beginning and Long-Term Meditators and Religious Clergy (2018 and Ongoing)
First studies demonstrating sustained positive effects of psilocybin in several special populations of individuals with interest in spirituality and religious practices.
Interactions Between Music and Psychedelic Drug Effects (2017-2018)
The first study to describe features of music that may support peak psychedelic experiences, and the first study to demonstrate how LSD alters the neural basis of music perception.
MDMA Harm Reduction (2017)
First study showing that pill testing services reduce harm by decreasing intended consumption of unintended or unknown substances. This research provides the first evidence regarding harm-reduction claims for such services for use in legislation and judicial cases.
Palliative Effects of Psilocybin Treatment in Cancer Patients (2016)
Largest and most rigorous study demonstrating that a single administration of psilocybin produces large and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with a life-threatening cancer diagnosis. The results of this landmark study is providing the basis for the initiation of registration trials in the United States and Europe seeking approval of psilocybin for medical treatment.
Measuring Adverse Effects and Challenging Experiences after Psilocybin (2016, 2017)
First validated psychological scale specifically designed for assessing psychologically challenging experiences with psychedelics (what are often called “bad trips” outside of clinical research). Also, first large scale survey study documenting both acute and enduring adverse experiences after taking psilocybin mushrooms in uncontrolled settings. Also in addition, the first study suggesting a relationship between challenging experiences and the personality domain of neuroticism.
Psychedelic Assisted Smoking Cessation (2014, 2017)
First research since the 1970s using a classic psychedelic (psilocybin) to treat addiction, and the first ever study to examine a psychedelic to treat tobacco/nicotine addiction. The pilot study showed that 80% of participants were biologically verified as smoke free 6 months after psilocybin treatment. These are drastically higher than typical success rates, with the most effective medications showing success rates less than 35%.
Measuring Mystical Experience (2012, 2015)
First validated psychological scale specifically designed for assessing spiritual (mystical) subjective aspects of psychedelic experiences. Measuring mystical experience is important because research with addicted cigarette smokers, distressed cancer patients, and healthy volunteers in non-therapeutic studies have all shown that mystical experience during psilocybin sessions predicts positive behavior change at least 6 months after sessions. Investigating mystical experiences may therefore be critical to further optimizing psychedelic interventions, and understanding how psilocybin affects consciousness.
Assessment of the Novel Psychedelic Salvinorin A (2011, 2015, 2016)
First research determining the psychoactive effects of salvinorin A in humans under blind conditions and first human research showing these effects are mediated at opioid but not serotonin-2A receptors. Salvinorin A is the psychoactive constituent of the Salvia divinorum plant from Oaxaca Mexico. This non-classic psychedelic compound is the subject of intense scientific interest as a novel, non-addictive opioid that might hold promise in the treatment of pain and in the treatment of addiction.
Psilocybin Increases the Personality Domain of Openness (2011)
First study to show that a single administration of psilocybin produced enduring change in personality, which was considered to be a fixed characteristic of individuals that does not change across the lifetime. The personality domain of openness is associated with creativity in the arts and sciences.
Guidelines for Human Psychedelic Research (2008)
First framework for safely shaping the new era of research. This highly cited analysis has provided guidance to researchers and Institutional Review Boards at a growing number of universities which initiated research with psychedelics. This manuscript has helped safely shepherd the growing field of psychedelic research regarding the risks of psychedelic administration and the safeguards which are critical in addressing these risks.
Psilocybin Produces Enduring Positive Effects (2006,2008)
First research since the 1970s to administer a classic psychedelic (psilocybin) to drug naïve participants. Psilocybin led to profound experiences that 67% of participants rated as among the top 5 most meaningful experiences of their lifetime. The single psilocybin session led to positive changes in moods, attitudes, and behavior for 14 months (and possibly longer), with 64% indicating the experience increased well-being or life-satisfaction. The study also established the safety of high dose psilocybin administration.
Multiple Studies Upcoming & Ongoing That YOU Can Participate In Yourself!
Depression
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University are seeking individuals with depression to participate in a research study looking at the effects of psilocybin, a psychoactive substance found in naturally occurring mushrooms. The study will investigate psychological effects of psilocybin, including whether or not it can help with depression. Brain imaging will be conducted to investigate changes in the brain that might relate to psychological effects of psilocybin.
Volunteers must be between the ages of 21 and 75, have unipolar depression, and no recent history of alcoholism or drug abuse.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please apply and complete the contact form. We will be in contact with you soon.https://hopkinspsychedelic.org/depressionstudy
Spirituality
Hopkins Scientists Seek Religious Leaders to take part in a research study of psilocybin and mystical experience
Can psilocybin help deepen spiritual lives?
Psilocybin, a substance found in certain “sacred mushrooms,” has
been reported to occasion unitive and mystical experiences.
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University are studying the effects
of psilocybin and wish to do so with the expertise of religious leaders
or teachers of congregations and spiritual communities.
Leaders from all traditions are invited to volunteer. Participants will
receive psilocybin in day-long contemplative sessions conducted by
trained, supportive staff in a comfortable, living-room-like setting.
Volunteers must be between 25 and 80, have no personal or family
history of severe psychiatric illness, and have no recent history of
alcoholism or other drug addictions. Johns Hopkins maintains
confidentiality for all human research. To inquire about the possibility of participating Please Call
(410) 550–0037 or Email: religiousleaderstudy@jhmi.edu
The Hopkins team foresees many possible applications for psilocybin to relieve suffering and enhance the human experience. Traditionally, the National Institute of Health (NIH) have played key roles in funding new medical therapies. However, federal agencies have been reluctant to provide funding because of lingering public misperceptions of risk. Philanthropic funding therefore appears critical for moving this research forward in the most promising directions. The following unfunded studies are poised to make breakthrough advances in psychedelic science.
Psychedelics… A New Hope?
OPIOID DEPENDENCE
The United States is experiencing an opioid epidemic. The best current treatments involve chronic medication-assisted therapy using methadone or buprenorphine, but these treatments are costly, time-intensive, and, while effective for some, leave much room for improvement in terms of success rate. We propose a study of psilocybin-assisted treatment of opiate use disorder in individuals who are seeking treatment for dependence upon prescription opiates. Outcomes will include biologically verified opiate abstinence and measures of well-being and life-functioning.
EATING DISORDERS –
CHRONIC ANOREXIA NERVOSA
Eating disorders, which have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, are notoriously resistant to treatment and often develop into a life-long condition associated with substantial health risk, including suicide, and severely decreased quality of life. This study, which builds on our previous research of psilocybin as a facilitator of treatment of addicted cigarette smokers and psychologically distressed cancer patients, will assess the safety and potential efficacy of psilocybin for treatment of chronic anorexia nervosa in adults with chronic (>3 years) anorexia nervosa who have failed at least one mode of treatment and been unable to maintain a normal body mass index (BMI).
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease display a high prevalence of comorbid neuropsychiatric symptoms, with more than 40% exhibiting clinically significant symptoms of depression. Beyond the challenges posed by Alzheimer’s Disease, depression adversely impacts both patient and caregiver quality of life. Typical antidepressant medications have not shown clear evidence of efficacy in patients with dementia, indicating a need for novel treatments. Building on our previous research showing psilocybin to produced rapid and large antidepressant and anxiolytic effects and improved quality of life in cancer patients, we propose rigorous research testing the safety and efficacy of psilocybin on mood, quality of life, and cognitive outcomes in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s Disease.
EFFECTS OF PSILOCYBIN ON
CREATIVITY AND COGNTION
Evidence suggests that psilocybin affects cognitive processes such as attention that may underlie creativity, and that psilocybin increases personality openness, which may also enhance creativity. Moreover basic research suggests a role for the serotonin 2A receptor, which psilocybin activates, in creativity. This study will assess the effects of psilocybin on creativity, personality, mood, and learning in healthy volunteers.
LSD TREATMENT OF
ALCOHOL USE DISORDER
Contemporary human research with LSD remains limited to small clinical pilot studies in patients with end-of-life distress, and laboratory research on physiological effects of the drug. However research from the 1950s and 60s suggested LSD held significant promise for treating alcohol use disorders. Our proposed research will rigorously test the safety and efficacy of LSD in treating alcohol use disorder, using biological confirmation of alcohol abstinence.
All Words In This Article are Those Of Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Research Unit. They Said it already…You Don’t Need To Hear From Me.
I Just Put It To-Get-Her In A Snazzy Little Blog Post!
Keep Your 3rd Eye Focused
-Grand Schemes-
3rd Eye Focused 
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