In the third episode of Season 5 on the Neuroethics of Psychedelics, we speak with Dr. Daniel Villiger about consenting to psychedelic research.

Dr. Villiger is a philosopher and postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Philosophy at the University of Zurich in Switzerland and the author of the article "Giving Consent to the Ineffable" in the Neuroethics Journal on informed consent and psychedelics research.

In this episode, Dr. Villiger highlights the challenges with informed consent during psychedelic research trials, and its role in this unique transformational experience on patients.

Episode contributors

Host: Dr. Lavinia Uscatescu 

Audio editor: Sarah Schultz

In the second episode of Season 5 on the Neuroethics of Psychedelics, we speak with Eiko Fried about psychedelic research, the facts, the myths, and the hype.

Professor Fried is a professor of Mental Health & Data Science at Leiden University. He is the co-Founder of the local Open Science Community, and a previous member of the Young Academy Leiden.

In this episode, we discuss the limitations of existing psychedelics research, the implications of exaggerated claims, and the role of hype in moving this research forward, at a risk.

Relevant references:

• Checklist to vet psychedelic science - Eiko Fried Blog

Episode contributors

Host: Dr. Lavinia Uscatescu

Audio editor: Sarah Schultz

In the first episode of Season 5 on the Neuroethics of Psychedelics⁠, we speak with Godfrey Pearlson⁠ about the science of psychedelics, what these substances are, and why they have become an important focus of research and clinical interest.

Professor Pearlson is a Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Yale University and the founding director of the Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center at the Institute of Living in Connecticut. He is also the author of The Science of Weed, a widely read book exploring the neuroscience and cultural history of cannabis.

In this episode, we discuss what psychedelics are, their effects on the brain, the therapeutic potential of psychedelic-assisted treatments, and ethical questions surrounding their growing role in medicine and society.

A special thanks to our host Dr. Lavinia Uscatescu and audio editor Sarah Schultz.

In the first episode of Season 5 on the Neuroethics of Psychedelics, we speak with Godfrey Pearlson about the science of psychedelics, what these substances are, and why they have become an important focus of research and clinical interest.

Professor Pearlson is a Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Yale University and the founding director of the Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center at the Institute of Living in Connecticut. He is also the author of The Science of Weed, a widely read book exploring the neuroscience and cultural history of cannabis.

In this episode, we discuss what psychedelics are, their effects on the brain, the therapeutic potential of psychedelic-assisted treatments, and ethical questions surrounding their growing role in medicine and society.

A special thanks to our host Dr. Lavinia Uscatescu and audio editor Sarah Schultz.

Season 5 of Neuroethics Today dives into the psychedelic frontier, where brain science, medicine, ethics, and society meet in transformative ways. Hosted by Dr. Lavinia Carmen Uscatescu, this powerful new season brings together leading voices to unpack the breakthroughs, controversies, promises, and ethical dilemmas shaping the future of psychedelic research and therapy. Get ready for bold conversations at the edge of neuroscience, ethics, and society.

Coming June 1st, 2026.

Do we need to protect ourselves from brain tracking and hacking? Do we need a right for cognitive liberty?

In her groundbreaking new book, Professor Nita Farahany explores the profound ethical and legal challenges posed by emerging neurotechnologies. These innovations have the potential to reshape how we understand, influence, and define ourselves—but they also come with significant risks. In this episode, we discuss the promise and peril of neurotechnology, the urgent need for a right to cognitive liberty, and what these developments mean for our personal freedoms. Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation on the future of the mind.

Season 4 of Neuroethics Today, hosted by Dr. Katherine Bassil, explores the ethical dimensions of neuroscience and neurotechnology through interviews with authors of prominent neuroethics books. Tune in!

His new book covers a wide range of ethical discussions in the fields of neuroscience and neuroethics including questions such as ""Is free will an illusion?" and "Is addiction a brain disease?". Joshua May writes in a lively and accessible manner, a book dedicated for students, teachers, and scholars alike across both the sciences and humanities.

Season 4 of , hosted by Dr. Katherine Bassil, explores the ethical dimensions of neuroscience and neurotechnology through interviews with authors of prominent neuroethics books. Tune in!

Can neuroscience research measure violence in the brain?

His new book highlights some ethical dilemmas of neuroscience research on violence. As a Black man, Dr. Oliver Rollins warns that such research could potentially lead to (racial) profiling, escalating inequities in society. In his recent book, he warns against a dystopian future where behavior is reduced to our biology.

Season 4 of Neuroethics Today, hosted by Dr. Katherine Bassil, explores the ethical dimensions of neuroscience and neurotechnology through interviews with authors of prominent neuroethics books. Tune in!

During Episode 6 of our special season highlighting last year’s International Neuroethics Society meeting, we focused on important take-home messages. Our guest host was Dr. Tim Brown, assistant professor in the Department of Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Washington. Our speakers were Dr. Jasmine Kwasa, postdoc at Carnegie Mellon’s Neuroscience Institute; Juhi Farooqui, PhD student in neural computation at Carnegie Mellon University; Dr. Kate Webb, postdoc at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Erin Morrow, PhD student in cognitive psychology at UCLA; and Katherine Bassil,  founder and host of Neuroethics Today and PhD candidate in neuroscience at Maastricht University. Our speakers discussed several questions, including: What were your favorite moments of the meeting? Who should answer the meeting’s many calls-to-action? How can we make sure social justice becomes more than just an afterthought in neuroethics?

A special thanks to Rudi Louis Taylor-Bragge - Iowendjeri Boonwurrung Kulin from Birraranga, Naarm (Australia) - for the music especially dedicated to this season of Neuroethics Today.

The views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Neuroethics Society (INS) or the INS Board.

Useful Links:

International Neuroethics Society (INS) website

Neuroethics Today website

During Episode 5 of our special season highlighting last year’s International Neuroethics Society meeting, we focused on the emerging field of environmental neuroethics. Our co-guest hosts were Dr. Laura Cabrera, J. Lloyd Huck Career Chair in Neuroethics at Pennsylvania State University; and Erin Morrow, PhD student in cognitive psychology at UCLA. Our speakers were Rudi Louis Taylor-Bragge - Iowendjeri Boonwurrung Kulin from Birraranga, Naarm (Australia), PhD candidate in psychology at Monash University; Dr. Judy Illes, Distinguished Professor in Neuroethics at the University of British Columbia; and Louise Harding, who recently completed her master’s degree at the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia. Our speakers consider several questions, including: What is environmental neuroethics? How can it learn from Indigenous communities and become more inclusive? How can story-telling and different forms of knowledge enrich neuroethics? What can environmental neuroethics add to existing climate advocacy efforts? Curious for more? TUNE in NOW!

A special thanks to Rudi Louis Taylor-Bragge - Iowendjeri Boonwurrung Kulin from Birraranga, Naarm (Australia) - for the music especially dedicated to this season of Neuroethics Today.

The views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Neuroethics Society (INS) or the INS Board.

Useful Links:

International Neuroethics Society (INS) website

Neuroethics Today website