Looking Forward:
Psychedelics in 2025
As we step into 2025, with a new administration in the United States, we’re shifting our focus from the whirlwinds of news in 2024 to the stories and developments that will shape the future of psychedelics. In this newsletter, you’ll hear insights from our Executive Director on the state of the field and learn about the key priorities Unlimited Sciences is tackling this year to promote psychedelics as viable medicines.
But before you dive in, we want to hear from you. Engaging with our community is central to our mission at Unlimited Sciences. What are your predictions for psychedelics in 2025? Click the button below to share your thoughts—you might even see your prediction featured in an upcoming newsletter or post!
— Unlimited Sciences Team —
Matt’s Predictions
In 2025, I believe we will see increased medicalization of psychedelics, expanded clinical trials, and legislative reform in the United States. As research broadens our understanding of the therapeutic impact of substances such as psilocybin, we will see more countries approve the therapeutic use of psychedelics such as psilocybin to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. During this time, clinical trial research will likely expand to lesser known conditions, such as chronic pain, OCD, and eating disorders. In the US, with mainstream integration of psychedelics with therapeutic programs in states such as Oregon and Colorado, we will also likely see psychedelic-assisted therapy move further into the mainstream zeitgeist with more training programs emerging for mental health professionals. Finally, as demand for legislative reform and psychedelic use increases, we will see a strong need for naturalistic, or observational, research aimed to understand real-world psychedelic use in the broader population and outside of the controlled settings observed in clinical research.
Matthew X. Lowe, PhD
Executive Director
Unlimited Sciences in 2025
Unlimited Sciences is incredibly excited to announce its 2025 priorities. We remain committed to our mission of providing people with evidence-based knowledge that allows them to harness the power of psychedelics by taking control of their health.
- Continued commitment to our research on under-represented communities, with planned research publications on communities including LGBTQIA+, People of Color, and children
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Further analysis of our large-scale psilocybin dataset which enrolled over 8,000 individuals to examine how psilocybin can impact conditions such as substance use disorders and personality disorders
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Expansion of our Psychedelic Info Line so that our cost-free services are accessible to those who need it the most
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Resources in the form of blogs, FAQs, and media which will further our commitment to psychedelic awareness and education
Listen to Matt on the Drug Science Podcast
Our executive director recently featured on the Drug Science Podcast. He talked with Professor David Nutt about naturalistic research, a fundamental part of Unlimited Sciences. Click the button below to listen to the episode.
Psychedelic Vocab
Chromesthesia: A form of synesthesia where sounds involuntarily evoke the perception of colors, which can be naturally occurring or induced by psychoactive substances such as LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin.
Can psilocybin treat addiction?
— Asked on the Info Line —
Recent research suggests that psilocybin shows promise in treating addiction. Studies have demonstrated its potential efficacy in treating tobacco and alcohol dependence, with high abstinence rates reported at follow-up (Garcia-Romeu et al., 2015; Johnson et al., 2014; Bogenschutz et al., 2015). Psilocybin-occasioned mystical experiences appear to play a crucial role in the treatment process, correlating with positive outcomes (Garcia-Romeu et al., 2015; Bogenschutz et al., 2018). The substance has a low risk of toxicity and dependence, making it potentially safe for clinical use under controlled conditions (de Veen et al., 2017; Ziff et al., 2022). Psilocybin’s mechanism of action involves 5-HT2A receptor agonism, which may contribute to its therapeutic effects (Johnson, 2022). While results are promising, researchers emphasize the need for larger, well-designed placebo-controlled trials to confirm efficacy (de Veen et al., 2017; Miranda et al., 2021). Overall, psilocybin shows potential as a novel treatment option for substance use disorders, warranting further investigation.
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