Psychedelic research Network
Mission statement/Aims
A strict, widely agreed-upon definition describing which drugs are truly “psychedelics” remains elusive. Wikipedia defines psychedelics as such: “The primary effect of psychedelics is triggering of non-ordinary states of consciousness (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips")”. This causes specific cognitive, affective, and perceptual changes, and often a substantially altered state of consciousness.
The psychedelics with the largest scientific and cultural influence, are mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine), lysergic acid diethylamide, psilocybin (O-phosphoryl-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine), and N,N-dimethyltryptamine. These, and almost all novel psychedelics, each fall into one of three families of chemical compounds respectively: phenethylamines, lysergamides, and tryptamines. Current evidence suggests that all psychedelics produce their acute effects via serotonin 2A receptor agonism which modulates the activity of key circuits in the brain involved with sensory perception and cognition. The exact nature of how psychedelic-induced changes in neural function are linked to changes in perception, emotion, and cognition is still unknown. Functional brain imaging suggests that psychedelic-induced disruption of network connectivity, and increased functional connectivity between functional networks are likely the most relevant mechanisms underpinning the psychedelic experience.
Psychedelics are intriguing pharmacological agents for two primary reasons. Firstly, their profound acute effects on perception, affect and cognition enable researchers to develop a closer understanding of these processes in the un-altered state and to develop our understanding of the role of monoamine neurotransmitters, primarily serotonin, in modulating these processes. Secondly, psychedelics, in combination with psychological support and therapy, have shown rapid and large treatment effects in a range of psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder, substance use disorders including smoking and alcohol, and existential distress associated with end-of-life. Additionally, persisting positive effects on self-reported wellbeing and personality have been reported in healthy volunteers lasting at least several months.
Many questions about the acute and lasting effects of psychedelics remain unanswered, including their impact on brain activity, differences between compounds, and the connection between acute and lasting effects. This network aims to share findings that are transforming our understanding of psychedelics, setting the stage for the identification of modes of action and potential benefits for new treatments of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Psilocybin has now entered phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression and depression, and several other phase 2 studies are underway for the treatment of other disorders and using other related compounds. Psilocybin has already been rescheduled in Australia for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression. The forthcoming wave of psychedelic medicine represents a paradigm shift in psychiatry and necessitates international collaborative research to further understand the risk factors associated with its implementation.
The present network in Psychedelic research comprises internationally recognised European centres with a track-record within psychedelics. These sites are comprised of both preclinical and clinical scientists who work jointly to perform high-level translational research projects enabling to substantially improve mechanistic and functional knowledge about the exact modes of action of psychedelics.
Overall, this ECNP network:
- Represents the methodological and technical skills and scientific expertise required for the development of relevant human and animal studies in order to set up collaborative projects.
- Examines the exact mechanisms and related pathways of psychedelics.
- Shares collected data among the constitutive centres of the present network to carry out pilot or ancillary studies testing new hypotheses or replicating previous findings.
- Invests in shared stocks of GMP-produced psychedelics
- Identifies laboratories within the network capable of measuring serum drug levels
- Supports policy-making vis-à-vis politicians and regulators
- Develops educational material to provide evidence-based information to professionals and society
- Supports the careers of early-career scientists performing psychedelic research
