A paradigm shift is occurring in mental health care regarding how psychoactive substances might be better used as treatment options. Whereas the current paradigm for prescribed psychiatric medications centers on symptom management to suppress unwanted thoughts and feelings, a new emerging paradigm uses psychoactive substances (e.g., psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA, ibogaine, and ketamine) as tools to move through painful distress to achieve meaningful healing and transformation.
Our Lab partners with community clinics and nonprofits for consultation and research on emerging models of mental health care using nonpsychoactive CBD(cannabidiol) and psychedelic-assisted therapies. Alternatives Lab Director, Dr. Shannon Hughes, sits on the Board or Advisory Panel for several current collaborators, including the nonprofit Psychedelic Research and Training Institute in Fort Collins, The Nowak Society 501c3 nonprofit, and Unlimited Sciences 501c3 nonprofit. Dr. Hughes also participates in legislative reform and policy advocacy for creating access to psychedelic-assisted therapy options for persons with serious and life-threatening conditions, such as treatment-resistant depression, suicidality, and addictions.