How science is taking tripping mainstream

How science is taking tripping mainstream

From Short Wave by NPR

May 6, 2026 · 13 min

About this episode

This episode explores the shift in psychedelic drug policy and research, highlighting insights from NPR's brain correspondent Jon Hamilton.

President Trump recently signed an order to speed up the evaluation of psychedelics to treat the brain. That’s coming after decades of strict prohibition on psychedelic drug use dating back to President Nixon. So how did we go from that to a psychedelic renaissance? A look into a key institution in the world of psychedelic research may give us some clues. This episode, NPR’s brain correspondent Jon Hamilton shares insight from a recent trip. (No pun intended.) Want more psychedelic content? Catch our episode on ketamine therapy here , or learn why some scientists want to take the trip out of psychedelics here . Have other questions about psychedelics and the brain? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org ! See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

People in this episode

Host: Jon Hamilton

Topics covered

  • psychedelics
  • brain research
  • drug policy
  • mental health
  • psychedelic renaissance

Keywords

  • psychedelics
  • brain
  • Trump
  • Nixon
  • research
  • therapy
  • ketamine
  • drug use

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NPR

Places: President Trump, President Nixon

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