A new research centre, which will be focusing on psychedelics exclusively, has been launched at the prestigious John Hopkins University.
The centre will focus on identifying therapies derived from psychedelics for diseases like PTSD, addiction and Alzheimer’s.
A group of private investors - from Silicon Valley - has given $17 million to start the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at the university, which is believed to be the first such research center in the U.S. and the largest research center of its kind in the world.
The studies will also determine psychedelics’ effectiveness as possible therapies for opoid addiction, chronic Lyme disease and anorexia nervosa.
In addition to studies on new therapeutics, we plan to investigate creativity and well-being in healthy volunteers that we hope will open up new ways to support human thriving.Roland Griffiths, center’s director and professor of behavioral biology in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
In addition, The Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research will also focus on understanding how psychedelics affect the brain function, memory, brain's biology, and mood.
Our scientists have shown that psychedelics have real potential as medicine, and this new center will help us explore that potential.Paul B. Rothman, Dean, Medical faculty at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine
The center's faculty will also train students who want to explore a career in psychedelic science.
A team of six faculty neuroscientists, clinicians with expertise in psychedelic science, and experimental psychologists, along with five postdoctoral scientists will be working in the Centre, it says.
Since there is complete lack of federal funding for therapeutic psychedelic research, the new center will be relying entirely on gifts from private donors.
For the first five years, the center's operational expenses will be borne entirely by private funding from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and four technology philanthropists: Tim Ferriss, author and technology investor; Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress; Blake Mycoskie, founder of the shoe and accessory brand TOMS; and investor Craig Nerenberg.
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