Can drugs like LSD beat depression? (Photo: Imperial College)

The world’s first academic establishment dedicated to exploring the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic drugs has opened at Imperial College London.

It will focus on two areas: the use of psychedelics in mental health care and as ‘tools to probe the brain’s basis of consciousness’.

The university said drugs more associated with hippies than hospitals ‘great deal of promise for treating some very serious mental health conditions and may one day offer new hope to vulnerable people with limited treatment options’.

Researchers at Imperial have already investigated the effects of LSD using modern brain imaging and discovered that magic mushrooms could help beat depression.




It’s hoped the centre will ‘become a prototype for the licensed psychedelic care facilities of the future’.

Dr Robin Carhart-Harris, head of the Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research, said: “This new Centre represents a watershed moment for psychedelic science; symbolic of its now mainstream recognition.

‘Psychedelics are set to have a major impact on neuroscience and psychiatry in the coming years. It’s such a privilege to be at the forefront of one of the most exciting areas in medical science. I am immensely grateful to the donors who have made all of this possible.’

‘It may take a few years for psychedelic therapy to be available for patients, but research so far has been very encouraging. Early stage clinical research has shown that when delivered safely and professionally, psychedelic therapy holds a great deal of promise for treating some very serious mental health conditions and may one day offer new hope to vulnerable people with limited treatment options.’