Attending physician; Clinical director Northwell Health Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra New York, New York
As psychedelic therapies continue to gain traction in research and clinical practice, the conversation is rapidly evolving from theory to real-world application. This introductory session explores the nuanced landscape of synthetic psychedelics—their mechanisms, emerging clinical uses, and how they compare to their naturally derived counterparts such as psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, and mescaline.
Participants will examine how both natural and synthetic psychedelics are being used today in mental health and pain settings, including off-label or community-based use. While natural compounds often come with cultural and historical context, synthetics offer potential advantages in consistency, dosing, and scalability for future medical use. Through case examples and a practical lens, we’ll discuss their current roles in managing chronic pain, treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders.
Though research is still in its early stages, this field is growing rapidly. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of what is currently known, what remains unclear, and why psychedelics—both natural and synthetic—could become vital tools in addressing the ongoing mental health, addiction, and pain crises. This course is designed for clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals seeking a forward-thinking, balanced introduction to the real-world implications of psychedelic medicine.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the emerging real-world uses of synthetic psychedelics in treating conditions such as chronic pain, PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders.
Identify the benefits and limitations of synthetic compounds compared to naturally occurring psychedelics in clinical and non-clinical settings.
Assess the current state of research and regulation, and recognize the gaps in evidence that highlight the need for continued exploration in psychedelic medicine.
Discuss the potential future role of psychedelics as adjunct tools in addressing the mental health, addiction, and chronic pain crises, within a harm reduction and patient-centered framework.
