Italy

Italy has a rich history in psychedelic research, with current developments suggesting a potential shift towards more accepting attitudes regarding psychedelic research and potential medical applications despite restrictive laws.

Authors: This page has been made possible with the collaboration of Chiara Corpetti, PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Eugenio Rossi, MD, Secretary General of SIMEPSI.

Psychedelics Research in Italy: A Brief History

Italy emerged as a pioneer in psychedelic studies during the 20th century [1]. In 1950, Umberto De Giacomo conducted the country’s first clinical trial using LSD on psychotic patients, administering a huge 500 μg oral dose (100-200 μg is what is being used in current-day research). Between 1956 and 1957, Callieri and Ravetta at the University of Rome conducted the first study combining LSD and LSA (lysergic acid amide), noting sedative qualities in LSA and hallucinatory effects in LSD.

In 1960, Italy advanced its research into psilocybin when Balestrieri conducted the country’s first study on psilocybin. This research, involving both oral and intramuscular administration, was particularly noteworthy for its exploration of cross-tolerance between psilocybin and LSD, contributing to a deeper understanding of the interplay between these two psychedelics.

Concurrently, between 1957 and 1966, Federico Sicuteri at the University of Florence investigated the anti-migraine effects of LSD at non-hallucinogenic doses, revealing prophylactic effects in reducing or preventing migraine episodes.

Overall, Italy has played an early and pioneering role in advancing psychedelic research. Its contributions have aligned with broader European scientific efforts while also pioneering key areas of study, particularly in psychiatric research and clinical applications of these substances.

Current Legal Status

Psychedelics are illegal in Italy and classified as substances with no recognised medical use, high abuse potential (per definition), and psychotropic effects [2]. Italy currently does not levy criminal penalties against those caught possessing illicit drugs. However, administrative penalties may occur [3]. The courts have stymied attempts at further reform in 2022.

Esketamine nasal spray (Spravato®) is the only approved compound for medical use, specifically for treatment-resistant depression. While compassionate use protocols theoretically allow access to psychedelic therapies under strict oversight, they have yet to be implemented as of 2024. The Santo Daime church has also contributed to discussions about religious freedom and drug regulations while navigating legal challenges around the ceremonial use of ayahuasca [4].

Recent Developments

In October 2021, activists gathered over 630,000 signatures for a referendum to decriminalise personal cultivation of cannabis and certain psychoactive plants [7]. However, the Constitutional Court blocked this initiative in February 2022, citing violations of Italy’s obligations under international treaties.

Subsequently, in March 2022, the Italian Ministry of Health classified both Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis – the two plants from which ayahuasca and the psychoactive DMT are derived – as highly controlled substances.

On January 14, 2025, the PsychedeliCare Initiative launched as a European Citizens’ Initiative to collect one million signatures urging the European Commission to integrate psychedelic-assisted therapies into EU healthcare systems [5]. Italy plays a leading role in this movement, with the Associazione Luca Coscioni advocating for psychedelics as treatment options for conditions such as PTSD and depression [6].

Psychedelics Research in Italy: Current Research

• Danilo De Gregorio (San Raffaele University): Investigates LSD’s effects on social behaviour and stress-induced anxiety in rodent models to explore therapeutic applications. 
• Ornella Corazza (University of Trento): Directs the Addiction Science Lab and leads research on emerging drug trends and clinical implications of addiction.
• Tania Re (University of Genoa): Specialises in Health Anthropology and Ethnomedicine. Founding partner of the UNESCO Chair “Health Anthropology, Biosphere and Care Systems.”
• Viviana Trezza (Roma Tre University): Conducts preclinical studies on psilocybin’s potential for treating autism spectrum disorder and examines its effects on social behaviour. 
• Roberto Ciccocioppo (University of Camerino): Studies the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction and evaluates psilocybin’s efficacy for alcohol use disorder.

Additionally, a recent review provides an overview of molecular mechanisms underlying psychedelics’ effects and their clinical applications for conditions like PTSD and treatment-resistant depression [8].

Key Events in Italy

• “Stati Generali della Psichedelia”: A multidisciplinary event that initiated national discussions on psychedelic research [9].
• Panel dedicated to the topic of psychedelic research during the 150th conference of the Italian Psychiatric Society [10].
• “5HT2A – La Sottile Linea Rossa” Conference: Focused on clinical advancements in psychedelic therapy.
• “Emerging Therapies in Psychedelic Science”: The first Italian conference dedicated to clinical applications of psychedelics held in November 2024 [11].
• “Il futuro alle porte”: a public conference aimed at fostering discussions on the emerging field of psychedelic therapies [12].

Key Organisations

• SIMEPSI (Italian Society for Psychedelic Medicine): Scientific society advancing research and clinical applications
• MAPS Italy: Promotes awareness and research into psychedelic-assisted therapies
• SISSC (Società Italiana per lo Studio degli Stati di Coscienza): Studies altered states of consciousness
• SIP-SSoP: Scientific organisation affiliated with the Italian Psychiatry Society
• Psycore: The Italian Multidisciplinary Network for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research Società Psichedelica Italiana: Promotes scientific research and harm reduction practices
• UNePSI: University Network for Psychedelic Students of Italy
• Illumismo Psichedelico: A podcast that raises public awareness about psychedelics’ therapeutic potential
• Studio Aegle: promotes evidence-based information for professionals and the public

References

1. D’Arienzo, A., & Samorini, G. (2023). Italian psychedelic therapies of the past century: An historical overview. Drug Science, Policy and Law, 9, 20503245231179687. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20503245231179687

2. Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 9 ottobre 1990, n. 309 – Testo unico in materia di disciplina degli stupefacenti. (n.d.). Wikisource. https://it.wikisource.org/wiki/D.P.R._9_ottobre_1990,_n._309_-_Testo_unico_in_materia_di_disciplina_degli_stupefacenti

3. Psychedelic Alpha. (2024). Worldwide psychedelic laws tracker. https://psychedelicalpha.com/data/worldwide-psychedelic-laws

4. International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service. (2022, January 25). Italy: Legal situation of ayahuasca. https://www.iceers.org/italy/

5. PsychedeliCare Initiative. (2025). PsychedeliCare Initiative. https://www.psychedelicare.eu/

6. Associazione Luca Coscioni. (2025). L’Italia apra alle terapie psichedeliche [Italy should open up to psychedelic therapies]. https://www.associazionelucacoscioni.it/landing/litalia-apra-alle-terapie-psichedeliche

7. Rai News. (2021, October 28). Referendum sulla cannabis legale, 630mila firme in Cassazione [Referendum on legal cannabis, 630,000 signatures submitted to Supreme Court]. https://www.rainews.it/archivio-rainews/articoli/Referendum-cannabis-630mila-firme-in-Cassazione-117a7250-83ab-4014-8e03-83e3413aad88.html

8. Melani, A., Bonaso, M., Biso, L., Zucchini, B., Conversano, C., & Scarselli, M. (2025). Uncovering psychedelics: From neural circuits to therapeutic applications. Pharmaceuticals, 18(1), 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18010130

9. Redazione. (2022, October 24). Stati Generali della Psichedelia in Italia 2022 (SGPI22). PsyCoRe. https://www.psycore.it/stati-generali-della-psichedelia-in-italia-2022-sgpi22/

10. 30Science.com. (2024, May 30). SIP: ritornano gli “psichedelici” per le cure mentali [SIP: psychedelics return for mental health treatment]. https://30science.com/2024/05/news/sip-ritornano-gli-psichedelici-per-le-cure-mentali/

11. MAPS Italia. (2025). MAPS Italia YouTube Channel [YouTube channel]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@MAPS-Italia

12. MAPS Italia. (2024, December 27). Terapia assistita con Psichedelici a Bologna: il futuro alle porte [Psychedelic-assisted therapy in Bologna: the future at our doorstep] [Video playlist]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1E5Wy-zLvrADjWDoUelHtAfIGALEB-Gj