Psychedelic Science 101: Dr. Huberman Calls On Academics To Have 'The Guts To Take On Something Risky'

This year’s psychedelics gathering in Denver, hosted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), brought together some of the most knowledgeable folks in the fields of science, business, and psychedelic culture.

Podcast host neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman shared thoughts about his own experience and journey with psychedelics, as well as his vision for the present and future of the field.

Huberman kicked off with what he calls a “healthy anxiety,” having recently returned to psychedelics and “re-exploring psilocybin, MDMA journeys... with proper support” due to the “marvelous work MAPS has done.” He also credited the contributions of other main researchers in the space, including Roland Griffiths, Stanislav Grof, Robin Carhart Harris and Matthew Johnson (who were all in attendance).

“I needed some understanding of what these compounds did and do for people,” Huberman said. “And it is obvious now that there is tremendous therapeutic potential [in them].” 

He specifically mentioned MDMA’s neuroplasticity-inducing effects while working together “synergistically” with therapy. “That’s my current stance, as a scientist and as a public health educator,” Huberman stated.

These leaders, Huberman says, have called attention to psychedelic studies as a field and the need of students and postdocs’ work — often underpaid regarding their efforts — in “legitimizing” the entire enterprise.  

“Money, interest, and scientific papers are necessary but not sufficient. You need a field that’s born of the prodigy of academics who have the guts of taking on something risky and potentially transformative,” and then people to continue developing that work.

And, luckily, “all these things converged in the field.”

Chemical Structure Mimics Biology

Chemicals in psychedelics are foreign to our bodies while consuming them, but actually mimic natural biology closely, Huberman explained.

“It’s a hell of a lot of dopamine release, and even more serotonin release,” but these neurotransmitters already exist in ourselves, he added.

“I think people don’t realize that, yes, they are drugs, but they are selected amplifiers of transition systems that exist in us already,” he said. “It’s important to understand that these are states of mind that are accessible. The systems that psychedelics leverage allow you to tap into other states of consciousness. Mystical experience, with psychedelics, gets amplified. It’s just an amplification.”

Huberman also referred to the legalization movements, and the need to be “aware of the cautionary nodes.” 

And yet, he is “at awe about what’s happened” with the psychedelic movement, and that he has, finally, “converted.”