In this episode I discuss medical research on psychedelic compounds with Dr. Matthew Johnson, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. We explore the biology and medical clinical trial uses of psilocybin, MDMA, ayahuasca, DMT and LSD. Dr. Johnson shares what the clinical trials in his lab reveal about the potential these compounds hold for treating depression, addiction, trauma, eating disorders, ADHD and other disorders of the mind. He describes a typical psychedelic experiment in his laboratory from start to finish, including the conditions that support optimal clinical outcomes. He also outlines potential hazards along with common misconceptions and pitfalls related to psychedelic medicine. Dr. Johnson explains flashbacks, the heightened risks certain people and age groups face when using psychedelics, and the ever-evolving legal and pharmaceutical landscape surrounding these substances. He discusses how the scientific study of psychedelics is likely to shape the future trajectory of psychiatric medicine. As one of a small handful of researchers who have pioneered the clinical study of these powerful compounds, Dr. Johnson offers unprecedented insight into how they can be woven into other psychiatric treatments, changing one’s sense of self and reality. For an up-to-date list of our current sponsors, please visit our website: https://www.hubermanlab.com/sponsors. Previous sponsors mentioned in this podcast episode may no longer be affiliated with us. Dr. Matthew Johnson Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drug_Researcher Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drug_researcher Social: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Twitter - https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab Website - https://hubermanlab.com Newsletter - https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network Links: Dr. Johnson’s Website at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine - https://hopkinspsychedelic.org/johnson Chris Letheby’s forthcoming book - https://amzn.to/3nMTaAs Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introducing Dr. Matthew Johnson 00:02:10 Supporting Sponsors 00:06:40 ‘Psychedelics’ Defined 00:14:09 Hallucinations, Synesthesia, Altered Space-Time Perception 00:19:56 Serotonin & Dopamine 00:23:50 Ketamine & Glutamate 00:28:00 An Example Psychedelic Experiment 00:37:30 ‘Letting Go’ with Psychedelics 00:44:10 Our Mind’s Eye 00:48:00 Redefining Your Sense of Self 00:58:56 Exporting Psychedelic Learnings to Daily Life 01:04:36 Flashbacks 01:12:10 Ayahuasca, & ASMR, Kundalini Breathing 01:15:54 MDMA, DMT 01:26:00 Dangers of Psychedelics, Bad Trips, Long-Lasting Psychosis 01:38:15 Micro-Dosing 01:56:45 Risks for Kids, Adolescents & Teenagers; Future Clinical Trials 02:03:40 Legal Status: Decriminalization vs. Legalization vs. Regulation 02:18:35 Psychedelics for Treating Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury 02:27:45 Shifting Trends in Psychedelic Research, Academic Culture 02:44:23 Participating in a Clinical Trial, Online Survey Studies, Breathwork 02:50:38 Conclusions, Subscribing & Supporting the HLP, Supplements Please note that The Huberman Lab Podcast is distinct from Dr. Huberman's teaching and research roles at Stanford University School of Medicine. The information provided in this show is not medical advice, nor should it be taken or applied as a replacement for medical advice. The Huberman Lab Podcast, its employees, guests and affiliates assume no liability for the application of the information discussed.