Up to 50% of patients with mental disorders do not respond to the available psychiatric treatments. Despite rising rates of anxiety and depression in the population, there have been no major innovations in mental health since the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. However, psychedelic compounds — which alter states of consciousness and can induce hallucinations — have long been known to possess therapeutic potential for the treatment of depression, anxiety, addiction and even some neurodegenerative diseases.
Beyond their stigma as hallucinogenic recreational drugs, ketamine, psilocybin, LSD and ecstasy are being studied by the scientific community, which is exploring their potential to open up new avenues in the treatment of various mental disorders. But what are the main challenges and limitations in the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs? What is the current state of preclinical and clinical research?
Exploring new psychedelic molecules to treat diseases
The aim of the I Jornada d’Investigació Psicodèlica: Del Laboratori a la Transformació Terapèutica (first conference on psychedelic research: from the laboratory to therapeutic transformation) is to address the most outstanding advances and future challenges in psychedelic science, from preclinical discoveries to therapeutic applications. It will take place next Friday, 24 October in the Aula Magna of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences of the University of Barcelona, starting at 9.00 a.m.
The conference — coordinated by experts Raúl López-Arnau, from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Elisabeth Domínguez-Clavé, from the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau — aims to be a space for meeting and exchanging knowledge on the current psychedelic research in Catalonia, as well as a space for debate on the main therapeutic opportunities in this emerging field of pharmacology.
The presentation of the conference will be given by the dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Jordi Camarasa, who will introduce the talk “Advances in preclinical psychedelic research”, by UB doctoral student Clara Riera.
Professor Núria Nadal-Gratacós, from the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, will speak on the therapeutic potential of phenethylamines and dimethyltryptamine derivatives in treating depression. The researcher Rosa María Dueñas, from the Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, will give the talk “5-MeO-DMT and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression”.
After a short break, Genís Oña, from the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute (IRSJD), will give the talk “Ibogaine for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: From Mechanisms to Clinical Efficacy”. Finally, Santiago Madero, from Hospital Clínic and IDIBAPS, will give the lecture “Promises and Challenges of Psilocybin in the Treatment of Depression”.
At 12.30 p.m., experts from pre-clinical and clinical research will exchange information in a panel discussion, and the European citizens’ initiative PsychedeliCare, an ongoing proposal to promote equitable, safe and legal access to innovative psychedelic-assisted therapies in the European framework, will be presented at 1.15 p.m. to conclude the day.
An outstanding track record in psychostimulant drug research
Since 1998, the UB’s research group on Neuropsychopharmacology of amphetamine derivatives and other new psychoactive substances (NextGeNPS) has focused its research on the behavioural, pharmacological and toxicological aspects of amphetamine derivatives used as drugs of abuse. Among the most known examples of these drugs are MDMA (ecstasy), amphetamine (speed) and methamphetamine.
On these psychostimulant drugs, the group — led by professors Jordi Camarasa and Elena Escubedo — has achieved a high scientific productivity with studies, scientific articles and research projects. In 2010, the group was among the first in Spain to study cathinones (mephedrone, methylone, MDPV or ecstasy).