Neuroethics Today

In the fifth episode of Season 5 on the Neuroethics of Psychedelics, we speak with Dr. Logan Neitzke-Spruill about psychedelic transformative experiences.

Dr. Neitzke-Spruill is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine, in the United States. His research specifically addresses topics including the construction of scientific and medical knowledge about drugs, bioethical issues associated with drugs, how social-psychological and cultural phenomena shape drug, as well as how the study of drugs can advance a more holistic understanding of the relationship between culture, cognition, and the brain.

In this episode, Dr. Neitzke-Spruill discusses the ethical considerations of psychedelic-associated transformative experiences. Drawing on his recent work questioning whether psychedelic experiences are considered transformative experiences, he shares findings from his research with participants of psychedelic retreats.

Episode contributors:

Host: Dr. Lavinia Uscatescu

Audio editor: Sarah Schultz

In the fourth episode of Season 5 on the Neuroethics of Psychedelics, we speak with Dr. Edward Jacobs about post-trial access to psychedelics among certain patients.

Dr. Jacobs is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins’ Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research and the Associate Director of HOPE – The Hub at Oxford for Psychedelic Ethics. He is also a contributing writer to ‘The Ethics Corner’ at The Psychedelic Practitioner.

In this episode, Dr. Jacobs discusses the challenges that can arise when participants who benefit from psychedelic treatments during clinical trials lose access to them once a study ends. Drawing on his work on post-trial access to psychedelics, he explores the ethical case for continued access, as well as the clinical, regulatory, and institutional infrastructure that would be needed to provide it safely and responsibly.

Episode contributors:

Host: Dr. Lavinia Uscatescu

Audio editor: Sarah Schultz

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!