Rachel Carlson

Yeah, exactly. Most studies have some kind of therapeutic support involved. And for Lori, on that day that she got her first round of psilocybin, she walked into the room. It was very tranquil.

Yeah, exactly. Most studies have some kind of therapeutic support involved. And for Lori, on that day that she got her first round of psilocybin, she walked into the room. It was very tranquil.

Yeah, exactly. Most studies have some kind of therapeutic support involved. And for Lori, on that day that she got her first round of psilocybin, she walked into the room. It was very tranquil.

And the light was dim. She said she felt like she was preparing herself for this big, important moment.

And the light was dim. She said she felt like she was preparing herself for this big, important moment.

And the light was dim. She said she felt like she was preparing herself for this big, important moment.

Exactly. And this doesn't take away from the study or what Lori experienced and the fact that she told me she felt so much better after. But it does mean when patients and studies do feel better, it's harder to say what helped them feel better. And then that can make it hard to know how to give other people that same experience. Here's Boris again.

Exactly. And this doesn't take away from the study or what Lori experienced and the fact that she told me she felt so much better after. But it does mean when patients and studies do feel better, it's harder to say what helped them feel better. And then that can make it hard to know how to give other people that same experience. Here's Boris again.

Exactly. And this doesn't take away from the study or what Lori experienced and the fact that she told me she felt so much better after. But it does mean when patients and studies do feel better, it's harder to say what helped them feel better. And then that can make it hard to know how to give other people that same experience. Here's Boris again.

Yeah. So when I asked David this question, like, why does it matter? He reminded me that not everyone wants to trip or should trip depending on their medical history. For example, most professionals say that if a person has a family history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, they probably shouldn't use psychedelics or ketamine.

Yeah. So when I asked David this question, like, why does it matter? He reminded me that not everyone wants to trip or should trip depending on their medical history. For example, most professionals say that if a person has a family history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, they probably shouldn't use psychedelics or ketamine.

Yeah. So when I asked David this question, like, why does it matter? He reminded me that not everyone wants to trip or should trip depending on their medical history. For example, most professionals say that if a person has a family history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, they probably shouldn't use psychedelics or ketamine.

So if researchers can figure out what matters, like if you don't actually need to trip to get these potentially positive effects, scientists could get more effective treatments for more people. So how are they going to try to settle that debate? Some researchers, like Boris and David, are asking, what happens if you remove the trip altogether? Whoa.

So if researchers can figure out what matters, like if you don't actually need to trip to get these potentially positive effects, scientists could get more effective treatments for more people. So how are they going to try to settle that debate? Some researchers, like Boris and David, are asking, what happens if you remove the trip altogether? Whoa.

So if researchers can figure out what matters, like if you don't actually need to trip to get these potentially positive effects, scientists could get more effective treatments for more people. So how are they going to try to settle that debate? Some researchers, like Boris and David, are asking, what happens if you remove the trip altogether? Whoa.

They're doing this in really different ways, but they both hope it's going to bring us closer to answering the question. That'll be next time on the show.

They're doing this in really different ways, but they both hope it's going to bring us closer to answering the question. That'll be next time on the show.

They're doing this in really different ways, but they both hope it's going to bring us closer to answering the question. That'll be next time on the show.

You're listening to Shortwave from NPR. Hey, Short Wavers, Regina Barber here. And Rachel Carlson. With our biweekly science news roundup featuring Juana Summers of All Things Considered.

You're listening to Shortwave from NPR. Hey, Short Wavers, Regina Barber here. And Rachel Carlson. With our biweekly science news roundup featuring Juana Summers of All Things Considered.