Everyone’s curious about the use of psychedelics for managing mental health –– but what does science say about it? Psychedelics aren’t for everyone, but early research suggests they may have the potential to make a meaningful difference in mental health and suicide prevention.

In this episode of Ask Dr. Jill, we’re joined by Dr. Lynnette A. Averill, a researcher specializing in psychedelics and their potential applications in mental health. Dr. Averill is an Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Director of Research at the Menninger Clinic. She also co-founded the nonprofit Reason for Hope.

Dr. Averill and Dr. Jill explain how drugs such as Ibogaine, Psilicybin, and Ketamine work. We also share what treatment sessions can look like with these drugs and cover the safety factors patients must be aware of.

Dr. Averill shares what she’s learning through her own research, how AFSP-funded research is helping us better understand psychedelics and suicide prevention, and what questions researchers still need to explore.

For more about research funding from AFSP https://afsp.org/suicide-prevention-research/

If you have a question you’d like to hear discussed on the show, please submit it here: https://forms.gle/qXfHeq7VyzHD4sNA6

To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org

The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.