Psychedelics in Psychiatry

Salus aegroti suprema lex - Das Wohl des Kranken sei höchstes Gesetz (Foto: Rüdiger Labahn / Universität zu Lübeck)

For centuries, psychedelics have been intertwined with human culture—used in spiritual rituals, later embraced by countercultures, and now re-emerging in modern medicine. Once dismissed as lacking clinical value or even as dangerous, these substances are now at the center of a scientific renaissance, offering new hope for psychiatric disorders that have long resisted conventional treatments.

In this lecture, we will explore their journey from ancient traditions to cutting-edge research, emphasizing both their therapeutic promise and potential risks, as well as their effects on the brain and mind. Ultimately, we will ask: Are we witnessing a true paradigm shift in psychiatry, and if so, where does this path lead?

• Dr. rer. biol. hum. Mihai Avram schließt mit der Antrittsvorlesung seine Habilitation an der Universität zu Lübeck im Fachgebiet Psychologie ab.