Psychedelics for Treatment-Resistant Disorders

Michael Bogenschutz, MD, explains how psychedelic-assisted treatments may offer new options for patients with severe, treatment-refractory psychiatric conditions. He discusses why standard approaches often fall short for complex cases, how psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA differ from conventional medications, and what careful screening and clinical structure make these treatments safe and effective.

Drawing on randomized clinical trials and years of clinical experience, Dr. Bogenschutz describes how psychedelic treatments can produce durable symptom improvement in disorders such as alcohol use disorder and trauma-related conditions. He also explores unresolved scientific questions, including whether the psychedelic experience itself is necessary for therapeutic benefit.

Michael Bogenschutz, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Psychedelic Medicine at NYU Langone Health.

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00:00 A Remarkable Case: Sustained Sobriety After Psilocybin Treatment
00:39 Introducing Dr. Michael Bogenschutz
01:04 Why Psychiatry Is Re-Examining Psychedelics
02:50 Safety, Screening, and Managing the Psychedelic Experience
03:45 Landmark Trial: Psilocybin for Alcohol Use Disorder
06:16 How Psychedelics Work: Neuroplasticity vs. Subjective Experience
08:53 Can Non-Psychedelic Analogs Deliver the Same Benefits?
11:47 MDMA, Fear Reduction, and Emotional Processing
13:44 Who Benefits Most? A Composite of Treatment-Refractory Patients
15:45 The Future of Psychedelic Psychiatry at NYU

This episode is intended for psychiatrists, mental health clinicians, and others interested in complex and treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions.

This discussion is for educational purposes and does not substitute for individual clinical judgment or patient care.

Senior Producer: Jon Earle