Psychedelic-assisted therapy is rapidly transitioning from experimental research into mainstream clinical discussion, making it increasingly important for mental health professionals to understand the science behind these compounds. In this episode of Psychopharmacology Today, Dr. Judi Steinman explores the pharmacology of classic psychedelics (including LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, MDMA, ketamine, and related compounds) and explains how these substances interact with serotonin receptors, glutamate signaling, and broader neural networks involved in perception, cognition, and emotional processing.

Drawing on her background as a pharmacologist and educator, Dr. Steinman examines the biochemical similarities and differences among psychedelic compounds, emerging research into their therapeutic potential for conditions such as depression and PTSD, and the mechanisms that may underlie their profound psychological effects. She also discusses CYP450 metabolism, clinically significant drug interactions, the risk of serotonin syndrome, evolving FDA research guidance, and why prescribing clinicians must understand both the opportunities and limitations of these therapies as the field continues to evolve.

Medical cannabis returns to Psychopharmacology Today, reflecting the rapidly evolving legal, scientific, and clinical landscape surrounding cannabis use. Drawing on a newly revised version of his popular webinar, Dr. Randall Tackett examines what clinicians need to know in 2026 as more patients use cannabis-derived products and more states expand medical cannabis access.

Separating evidence from misinformation, Dr. Tackett reviews the pharmacology of cannabinoids, including THC, CBD, and newer hemp-derived compounds such as Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC. He explains the therapeutic evidence supporting approved cannabinoid medications, discusses where research remains limited, and highlights emerging concerns involving product labeling, drug testing, driving impairment, employment, and the unintended consequences of hemp-derived cannabinoid products following the 2018 Farm Bill. Throughout the episode, listeners gain a practical, evidence-based framework for evaluating the benefits, risks, and limitations of medical cannabis in ever-evolving contemporary clinical practice.

Jim Phelps returns for another episode of Psychopharmacology Today, exploring three major shifts reshaping modern psychiatry: 1) the move from categorical to dimensional diagnosis, 2) emerging biological mechanisms underlying bipolar disorder, and 3) the evolving role of lithium in brain health and dementia prevention.

Drawing on epidemiologic research, clinical experience, and recent neuroscience findings, Dr. Phelps explains how mood disorders often exist along a spectrum rather than within rigid DSM categories, emphasizing the importance of diagnostic humility when assessing depression, anxiety, trauma, and bipolarity. He also reviews practical treatment implications, including social rhythm therapy, circadian stabilization, blue-light reduction strategies, and the potential therapeutic value of low-dose lithium. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Phelps highlights how advances in chronotherapy, metabolism, inflammation research, and dimensional assessment may fundamentally change how clinicians understand and treat mood disorders in the years ahead.