enter for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) to Conduct Study on the Effects of Psilocybin on Human Perception
UC Berkeley to Study the Impact of Magic Mushrooms on Human Perception
The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) is embarking on a groundbreaking study to explore the effects of psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, on human perception. This marks the first time that UC Berkeley will be conducting a study involving human subjects with a Schedule I substance, which are drugs deemed to have no currently accepted medical value.
The study, led by Michael Silver, director of the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP), aims to uncover the mechanisms behind how psychedelics shape human perception. Participants will ingest psilocybin, a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, and researchers will observe how their brains respond using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI).
Silver explains, “We have this incredible opportunity to observe the psychedelic experience in real time, using modern neuroimaging methods. This will not only provide insights into how psychedelics can be used as medicines, but also shed light on the mysteries of the human brain, mind, and consciousness.”
Before this study, UC Berkeley researchers had to rely on animal subjects, typically mice, to study psilocybin as a Schedule I substance. However, the BCSP team has worked tirelessly for years to obtain the necessary approvals from federal, state, and campus-level regulatory bodies to use psilocybin in their study.
Silver elaborates on the significance of this study, stating, “Our area of interest is the visual system in the brain. Psychedelics are a wonderful tool for understanding this. They have the ability to change the way our brain interprets visual information and push us out of our normal state of mind.”
The study has the potential to not only advance our understanding of psychedelics, but also provide valuable insights into the human brain and its relationship with consciousness. Stay tuned for updates on this groundbreaking study by UC Berkeley’s Center for the Science of Psychedelics.
