**ZOOM ONLY**
In this Grand Rounds, we will explore the rapidly evolving field of psychedelic medicine through an integrative, evidence-based lens. We will examine what psychedelic-assisted therapy involves and how these treatments pair carefully structured clinical support with the therapeutic potential of altered states of consciousness. The session will review proposed mechanisms of action, from receptor pharmacology and neuroplasticity to large-scale brain network changes and shifts in emotional learning, while distinguishing established evidence from emerging hypotheses.
We will explore the current clinical research involving ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA, and review the major conditions under investigation, including depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and existential distress. The focus will be on understanding where the evidence is strongest, where it remains preliminary, and how this body of research is reshaping conversations about treatment-resistant illness and mental health care.
We will also discuss current access pathways and the practical realities of navigating psychedelic therapies in the United States, highlighting key considerations for both clinicians and individuals seeking care as this landscape continues to evolve.
Finally, we will look ahead to emerging areas of investigation, including prospective studies examining hormonal influences on psychedelic response and early research exploring applications in neurodegenerative disease. We will close by reflecting on what psychedelic science may teach modern medicine about meaning, behavior change, and the conditions that allow healing to occur. The goal is not only to understand the data, but to situate psychedelic medicine within a broader conversation about the future of evidence-based, person-centered care.
Featuring:
Mary Ella Wood, DO
Medical Director, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Northwestern
Clinical Assistant Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine
Cost: Free