Psychedelic Medicine: The Therapeutic Potential of Mind-Altering Substances

Psychedelic Medicine: The Therapeutic Potential of Mind-Altering Substances is a course offered by the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience at Maastricht University that embarks students on a journey exploring the transformative potential of psychedelics in the therapeutic landscape.

Spanning from their long-standing traditional use by ancient cultures to their modern application in psychiatric treatment, the course provides a comprehensive overview of the development and current status of psychedelic research. Students delve into the historical context, understanding how Western societal trends in the mid-20th century led to the stigmatization and prohibition of these substances, consequently stunting scientific exploration into their effects for decades.

This class also addresses the surge of interest in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, spotlighting emerging research labs across the globe that are now unfolding the largely untapped therapeutic potential of psychedelics.

The course is not just a historic exploration but a forward-looking endeavour, preparing future practitioners for an evolving field of study. It equips students with the ability to define psychedelics and explain their neurobiological mechanisms, imparting knowledge about the varied effects of these substances on cognition, mood, and social behaviour.

Students will also learn to articulate the potential therapeutic applications of psychedelics and reflect upon psychiatric conditions that might benefit from such treatments. Amidst this newfound interest and increasing demand for effective, alternative treatments, the course instils a sense of responsibility among students, teaching them to communicate objectively about these substances’ benefits and risks to lay audiences and patients.