Curiosity Weekly Medicinal Psychedelics: Hype or Health?
Mar 25, 2026
Dr. Ishrat Husain, psychiatrist and researcher specializing in psychedelic-assisted therapies, discusses clinical trials and how classic psychedelics act on serotonin receptors. Short segments cover psilocybin for depression, MDMA for PTSD, dosing and safety in medical settings. Conversation also touches on regulatory challenges, Indigenous knowledge, and separating hype from careful science.
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Plan For Repeat Psychedelic Treatments Not OneOff Cures
- Expect that many patients will need follow-up psychedelic sessions rather than a one-time cure.
- Small studies suggest ~1/3 remain well for a year while ~2/3 may require additional treatments; large follow-ups are ongoing.
Treat Psychedelic Sessions As FullDay Supervised Visits
- Schedule psychedelic-assisted sessions as full-day, supervised clinical visits.
- Doses produce powerful psychoactive effects requiring monitored environments and therapist support during the entire experience.
Microdosing Lacks Robust Clinical Evidence
- Microdosing lacks strong clinical evidence and may perform no better than placebo in recreational studies.
- Well-designed clinical trials on microdosing in clinical populations are still absent.