Exploring the potential
of psychedelics for
the betterment of all.
Featured
Learn about the latest research, announcements, and initiatives at BCSP.
BCSP Launches Mycoskie-UC Berkeley Social Media Fellowship
The BCSP is offering three $5,000 grants to support innovative, compelling stories for social platforms that spark conversation and provide deeper understanding of the science, policy, business, and culture of psychedelics.
Listen to “Altered States” Podcast from BCSP and PRX
The podcast, hosted by Arielle Duhaime-Ross, explores what science can tell us about psychedelics and what psychedelics can tell us about ourselves.
Andrea Venezia Named Executive Director of the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics
Andrea Venezia, an established leader in equity-focused research, education, and public policy, has been appointed as the new executive director of the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP).
Psychedelics 101
New to psychedelics?
Have a look at one of our many primers.
What Are Psychedelics?
Our primer on classic and non-classic psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, LSD, ketamine, and more.
What Are the Risks? Ask Experts.
How should you choose a psychedelic therapist? What do “set and setting” mean? How should a trip sitter prepare for the experience? Experts answer these questions and more.
Microdosing—Does It Work?
Interest in psychedelics is growing fast, but legal use—either through a clinical trial or psychedelic therapy—can be complicated.
Psychedelics and Spirituality
People have used psychedelics to commune with the divine and create bonds among the living and the dead, the spiritual and the natural worlds for centuries and possibly millennia.
About BCSP
BCSP is an academic center focused on psychedelic research, training, and public education. Explore our areas of focus.
Psychedelic Research
We bring together researchers from across disciplines, including neuroscience, molecular biology, psychology, chemistry, and genetics, and experts in public policy, law, health economics, and religion.
Psychedelic Facilitation Certificate Program
BCSP is training the next generation of psychedelic guides in a new program focused on interdisciplinary training for religious, spiritual-care, and health-care professionals.
Journalism and Public Education
BCSP’s public education program produces evidence-based, objective journalism, conversations, and courses about psychedelics.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Reciprocity
In our work, BCSP prioritizes the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We also strive to honor the Indigenous principle of reciprocity.
News
Keep current on the latest news about our public education, training and research programs, plus the latest news from the field of psychedelics.
Cohort Conversations: Q&A with Mai Shimada
Mai Shimada MD, the founder and CEO of Isha Health, is dedicated to providing holistic mental healthcare, bridging Eastern and Western approaches to healing. Read about her experiences at BCSP.
MDMA-Assisted Therapy and PTSD
New research led by Professor Jenny Mitchell, a BCSP-affiliated researcher, has shown that MDMA-assisted therapy can lead to a significant and dramatic reduction in symptoms for people who have PTSD.
Cohort Conversations:
Q&A with Jesse Whittle-Utter
Welcome to Cohort Conversations, where BCSP speaks with current and former members of our training program about their experiences. In this installment, learn from Jesse Whittle-Utter, ketamine-assisted therapist.
Subscribe to news from BCSP
Learn more about our public education, training and research programs, plus events and other opportunities to engage with the Center.
Subscribe to The Microdose
The Microdose delivers twice-weekly newsletters, featuring Q&As with newsmakers and the latest developments in the field of psychedelics, covering everything from scientific research and policy to business and culture.
Tools and Resources
Tools and resources to help you navigate the psychedelic renaissance.
Patent Tracker
BCSP has created a patent tracker that uses publicly available data gathered by Psychedelic Alpha, an independent community working in the psychedelic space.
Resources Database
We’ve combed through scientific papers, books, websites, popular articles and more to amass some of the top resources about therapy, neuroscience, risk reduction, microdosing, spirituality, and individual substances like psilocybin and MDMA.
Clinical Trials Map
Figuring out how to participate in psychedelic-assisted therapy as either a therapist or a patient can be complicated. BCSP’s clinical trials map, featuring data from ClinicalTrials.gov, provides a way to navigate past, ongoing and future trials.
UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey
The inaugural survey found that more than six in ten (61%) American registered voters support legalizing regulated therapeutic access to psychedelics, including 35% who report “strong” support.