Alert: NIDA Director Endorses Psychedelics Research at APA Meeting

Nora Volkow, Director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) since 2003, delivered a highly anticipated presentation titled ‘Psychedelics in Psychiatry’ at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting. Volkow, who admits her views on psychedelics have substantially evolved, is now a proponent of further research, citing promising data for substance use disorders and mental health conditions. The overwhelming attendance at her session underscored the growing scientific and psychiatric intrigue around psychedelics, further solidifying NIDA's increasing openness to the class. Key topics discussed included mechanisms of action, the state of evidence for psilocybin, NIMH funding opportunities, the importance of psychotherapy, and data from state programs.