When Jason Wallach started researching psychedelic compounds just over a decade ago, he expected he would spend his career laboring in obscurity.scientists studying these drugs, a sign that the federal government, and society at large, are paying closer attention to his rapidly-growing field of research. Wallach, a professor at Philadelphia’s St. Joseph’s University, develops psychedelic drugs to treat depression and other mental illnesses.
Wallach recalls how not long ago most researchers dismissed the possible therapeutic uses of hallucinogenic drugs like LCD and psilocybin, and more experienced colleagues told him to get out of the field entirely. Wallach isn’t involved in clinical studies, but for the last two years has partnered with Compass Pathways, a British biotech company, to develop psychedelic compounds to treat depression and other mental health issues. He partners with Compass researchers currently running trials, and the new guidelines won’t change their existing work.
They include recommendations on how to safely monitor study participants while they take the drugs, and note concerns around the potential for abuse of psychedelics.