Date of Award

Spring 2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Department

Biological Sciences

Director of Thesis

Dr. Neil Levens

Second Reader

Dr. Charles Schumpert

Abstract

The global mental health crisis continues to expose the limitations of traditional psychiatric treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As conventional antidepressants offer modest remission rates and delayed efficacy, interest has grown in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds. This thesis explores psychedelic psychotherapy through both a historical and scientific lens, tracing its roots from ancient ceremonial practices to modern clinical trials. It also provides context behind the neurobiological mechanisms by which psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, ketamine, MDMA, and DMT affect mood and cognition. These compounds appear to reduce default mode network (DMN) connectivity, increase global brain network communication, and promote neuroplasticity via 5-HT2A receptor signaling and glutamatergic pathways. When paired with structured psychotherapy, these substances have shown promise in producing rapid and lasting symptom relief for patients with treatment-resistant conditions. Despite their Schedule I classification in the U.S., mounting evidence from contemporary clinical trials and neuroimaging studies suggests psychedelics may offer a safe and effective approach to treating complex mental health disorders. With continued research and responsible regulation, psychedelic psychotherapy could provide relief for patients unresponsive to current treatment methods.

First Page

1

Last Page

60

Rights

© 2025, Dylan Kunkel, Neil Levens, & Charles Schumpert

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