Essentials: Psychedelics for Treating Mental Disorders | Dr. Matthew Johnson

Andrew Huberman

Jul 24, 2025

Episode description

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is ⁠Dr. Matthew Johnson, PhD⁠, a senior researcher for the Center of Excellence for Psilocybin Research and Treatment at Sheppard Pratt’s Institute for Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics.

We explore the science and therapeutic potential of psychedelic medicine, including psilocybin, MDMA and LSD. We discuss how these substances can profoundly alter perception and self-identity, providing long-lasting relief from depression, addiction and trauma when used in controlled clinical settings. We also discuss microdosing and emerging research on psychedelics’ potential to support recovery from neurological injuries.

Episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/yjsDPfV

Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch the full-length episode: https://youtu.be/GzvzWO0NU50

Watch more Huberman Lab Essentials episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPNW_gerXa4OGNy1yE-W9IX-tPu-tJa7S

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*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Matthew Johnson; Psychedelics
00:01:44 Different Classes of Psychedelics
00:04:33 Psychedelics & Altering Models
00:06:18 LSD, Psylocibin & Serotonin
00:08:44 Psychedelic Clinical Trials
00:12:28 Therapy, Trust, Psychedelics
00:15:36 Letting Go & Psychedelic Experience, Self-Representation, Lasting Changes
00:21:19 MDMA, Dopamine & Serotonin; Bad Trips & Transcendental Experience
00:24:43 Dangers of Psychedelics
00:27:04 Microdosing Psychedelics, Antidepressant
00:31:20 Head Injuries, Psychedelics, Depression

Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Experience dis-habituation to perceive the miraculous in the ordinary

A key effect of classic psychedelics is 'dis-habituation,' which breaks down the brain's automatic filtering and allows you to perceive ordinary things as miraculous.

#cognition

#psychedelics

Reject microdosing claims lacking credible evidence

There is no credible peer-reviewed evidence that microdosing enhances cognition or mood, and some studies suggest it may cause minor impairments.

#cognition

#microdosing

Prepare for potential bad trips during high-dose psilocybin sessions

Even in a controlled clinical setting with expert guidance, about one-third of people on a high dose of psilocybin will experience a 'bad trip' at some point.

#psychedelics

Surrender to transform bad trips into mystical experiences

A 'bad trip' and a mystical experience may stem from the same reality-shattering event, with the outcome depending on whether you surrender or resist.

#psychedelics

#spirituality

Choose MDMA over psilocybin for trauma treatment

MDMA may be more suitable for treating trauma than psilocybin because it has a much lower chance of inducing a terrifying, reality-shattering 'bad trip'.

#psychedelics

#trauma

Transform your self-story through therapy

The common denominator for therapeutic success seems to be a lasting change in self-representation, altering the fundamental story of who you believe you are.

#personal-growth

#therapy

Investigate psychedelics for brain repair after injuries

Emerging research is exploring whether psychedelics can help repair the brain from neurological injuries like strokes or repetitive head impacts in athletes.