Can AI Foster Research And Psychedelics Therapy Without Replacing Human Connection?

Two markets that have so far not been as extensively interconnected, but could soon be. Each goes at its own pace and touches on very distinct areas of human activity — or not as much?

Psychedelics research shows robust evidence on the potential benefits for numerous health conditions, especially when it comes to hard-to-treat cases. 

It also intersects with artificial intelligence, or AI. ChatGPT creator Sam Altman is currently chairman of psychedelics startup Journey Colab, one of the many private companies focused on advancing psychedelic-assisted treatments for addiction. 

The startup also partnered with rehab clinic All Points North to conduct advanced MDMA and psilocybin clinical trials and designing an administration model that.

The goal, according to CEO Jeeshan Chowdhury, is to demonstrate that rehab centers are “the safest places” to provide this kind of therapy.

Meanwhile, adjoining experiments include a new book bringing together psychedelic-induced visions through IA.

Meanwhile, MAPS-associated researcher David Jay Brown partnered with artist Sara Phinn on publishing “a new field guide” for the 27 "entities" they encounter while tripping on the short-acting psychedelic DMT. The illustrations were put together using AI tools like Midjourney.

Surprisingly, many of these "strange characters" appear on a regular basis, they told Vice.

As demand for psychotherapy is expected to spike following the approval of therapies with psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA, several companies in the space have announced the development of complementary digital therapeutics.

Many questions get asked. For instance, around empathy — precisely a state that is usually said to be provoked by the psychedelic experience.

Complex and ethical matters such as whether one-on-one therapy among humans can be somehow replaced by conversations with a technological entity definitely call for a continuous discussion, more so in the face of a rapidly-evolving technology we are currently witnessing nowadays.

Photo: Benzinga edit with photo by Geralt on Pixabay.