A particular strength of the proposed UCLA PSI is the vast array of scientists and scientist-clinicians working at UCLA and its affiliated institutions in areas relevant to the initiative. This breadth and depth will allow for the multidisciplinary synergy needed to foster innovative and productive research that will significantly drive the field forward.
A second unique part of the PSI lies in its opportune geographic location; Los Angeles is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse cities in the world. As such, the clinical studies launched by the PSI will be offered to a wide range of individuals across age, race, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds, which can help determine how these treatments may benefit patients in differing communities. Philanthropic support will enable UCLA to establish the PSI to investigate these compounds using state-of-the art methods and techniques.
| Drug of Interest | Area of Inquiry | Status of Effort | UCLA Investigator names |
| Psilocybin | Impact on demoralization and QOL | Preparing for IRB submission; seeking additional funding | Grob, Cooper, Strouse, Morberg |
| Psilocybin | Testing and optimizing psychosocial treatments (cognitive behavioral therapy) as adjunct to psilocybin for patients with depression | FDA Approval (Jan. 2022), IRB approval pending; Seeking additional funding | Weintraub, Miklowitz, Cooper, Grob, Jeffrey, Morberg |
| Psilocybin | Cocaine use disorder | IRB approval pending; seeking additional funding – pilot for K99/R00 | Murray, Cooper, Morberg |
| Psilocybin | Fadiman microdosing protocol: individuals with substance use disorders and/or depression | Preparing for IRB submission | Murray, Fadiman, Morberg |
| Psilocybin | Psychological insight and neuroplasticity in the context of cocaine use disorder – EEG/fMRI | K99/R00 submitted 2/14/22 | Murray, primary mentor Cooper and co-mentors Grob, London, Cohen |
| MDMA | Effects of MDMA on social motivation | Preparing IRB submission | Bershad, Marder, Green |
| MDMA | MDMA assisted therapy for PTSD in veterans | Approved by donor; IRB approved; pending RAP-C approval | Marder, Taylor |
| MDMA | Transcriptional effects on specific subsets of neurons in model systems | Preparing for IRB submission | Krantz, Flint, Andrews |
| Psilocybin | Transcriptional effects on specific subsets of neurons in model systems | Preparing for IRB submission | Krantz, Flint, Andrews |
