He is noted for brain imaging studies of psychedelic and psychoactive drugs such as LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and DMT, and research into their therapeutic use in treating psychiatric disorders such as depression.[2][3][4] In 2020, The Times named him one of the world's top 31 medical scientists.[5] The following year, he was included in TIME magazine's "100 Next" list of 100 notable people "poised to make history".[6]
Early life and career
Carhart-Harris was born in Durham, grew up in Bournemouth,[7] and took a BSc in Applied Psychology and Computing at Bournemouth University from 2001 to 2004.[8] The following year, he moved to Brunel University and earned an MSc in Psychoanalysis and Contemporary Society.[9] Between 2005 and 2009, he took his doctorate, focused on the psychopharmacology of the serotonin system, supervised by Sue Wilson and Marcus Munafo at the University of Bristol.[1][10][11] Carhart-Harris joined David Nutt at Imperial College London in 2008,[12] and they have been regular collaborators on the use of psychoactive drugs in treating a variety of psychiatric disorders.[7][13]
In 2014, while at Imperial, Carhart-Harris became the first scientist in 40 years to test the effects of LSD legally on human volunteers.[7] In 2016, his team published promising findings from "the world's first modern research trial investigating the impact of psilocybin" on 19 patients with treatment-resistant depression.[14][15] The study showed a decrease in symptoms of depression for at least three weeks.[16] Three years later, he founded the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College, the first of its kind in the world, and remained its head for the next two years.[9][17] In 2021, Carhart-Harris relocated to the United States when he was appointed Ralph Metzner Distinguished Professor and Director of the Neuroscape Psychedelics Division in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco.[1][18]
Research interests
Scientific study of psychedelic drugs was effectively halted in the early 1970s when the 1970 US Controlled Substances Act and 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances made substances such as LSD illegal across much of the world.[19] Along with other academic researchers such as Roland R. Griffiths and Matthew W. Johnson of Johns Hopkins University, Robin Carhart-Harris is one of a growing number of scientists credited with rekindling interest in the field.[20][21]
Robin Carhart-Harris (standing) prepares an fMRI brain scan of writer Michael Pollan at Imperial College London in 2019
Carhart-Harris is noted for brain imaging studies and clinical trials of drugs such as LSD, psilocybin (the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms), MDMA (ecstasy), and DMT (the psychoactive substance in ayahuasca) for treating psychiatric disorders,[1][7] particularly treatment-resistant depression.[22][23][24] His research has also compared the effectiveness of psychedelic drugs against conventional SSRI drug treatments for depression.[25][26] Carhart-Harris believes psychedelics could be useful in treating other mental disorders, such as addiction and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD),[27] as well as potentially enhancing creative thinking.[28]
He has predicted that this type of research will "cross over into the mental health mainstream... as support for the use of psychedelics in medicine continues to gain momentum".[29][30]
Carhart-Harris believes psychedelics work by "breaking down habits of mind and brain and behavior",[31] causing "a cascade of neurobiological changes that manifest at multiple scales and ultimately culminate in the relaxation of high-level beliefs".[32] These changes include heightened neuroplasticity and disruption of the default mode network (responsible for background brain activities such as mind wandering and daydreaming).[32] However, the issue remains controversial and there is no firm scientific consensus on how psychedelics achieve their effects.[31]
Controversy and Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of Interest in Psychedelic Research
Robin Carhart-Harris, a prominent neuroscientist and researcher in the field of psychedelic therapy, has faced scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest and ethical concerns regarding his research. As the head of the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, Carhart-Harris has been a leading advocate for the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, in treating mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. However, his involvement in both the scientific and advocacy aspects of psychedelic research has led to concerns about objectivity, transparency, and the commercialization of psychedelic medicine.
Carhart-Harris has been affiliated with several commercial entities in the psychedelic space, raising concerns about conflicts of interest. These affiliations have led critics to question whether his work, particularly his advocacy for psilocybin, may be influenced by financial interests. In particular, his involvement with companies like *COMPASS Pathways*, a biotech firm focused on psilocybin therapy, has been a point of contention. As a consultant and collaborator with *COMPASS Pathways*, Carhart-Harris has faced allegations that his research on psilocybin's efficacy could be biased due to his financial ties with a company that stands to profit from the approval and commercialization of the therapy.[33]
Critics have also pointed out that Carhart-Harris' significant role in shaping the narrative around psychedelic-assisted therapy, alongside his commercial interests, could undermine the scientific credibility of his findings. These concerns are compounded by the increasing commercial interests surrounding psychedelic research, with numerous companies vying for regulatory approval and market share in what is projected to be a multi-billion-dollar industry. Critics argue that the blending of research and advocacy roles may blur the line between science and commercialization, leading to biased research outcomes that prioritize profit over public health.[34]
Ethical Concerns in Clinical Trials
Beyond conflicts of interest, Carhart-Harris has also faced ethical scrutiny regarding the clinical trials in which he has been involved. As the principal investigator in several high-profile studies on psilocybin, he has been criticized for the methodologies used in some of these trials. Critics have raised concerns about the generalizability of the results, as many of the trials have involved small, homogenous participant groups, with limited diversity in terms of race, gender, and socioeconomic status. This lack of diversity raises questions about the applicability of the findings to broader, more diverse populations.
In addition, concerns have been raised about the psychological risks associated with psilocybin therapy. While Carhart-Harris and his collaborators have highlighted the positive effects of psychedelics in treating mental health conditions, some mental health professionals argue that the long-term risks of psychedelic therapy, particularly in vulnerable populations, have not been adequately addressed. In a controversial statement, Carhart-Harris suggested that the therapeutic use of psychedelics could become “mainstream” in the future, raising alarms among critics who believe that such remarks could lead to the premature promotion of psychedelic therapies without fully understanding their long-term effects.[35]
Allegations of “Cult-like” Behavior
Further adding to the controversy surrounding Carhart-Harris is the alleged "cult-like" atmosphere in some of the research environments where psychedelics are used for therapeutic purposes. Critics have raised concerns about the intense emotional experiences that participants undergo during psychedelic sessions, coupled with the sometimes charismatic leadership of researchers like Carhart-Harris. These allegations mirror broader concerns within the psychedelic research community about the potential for undue influence over vulnerable participants, particularly in environments that blur the lines between therapy and spiritual exploration.
During the 2024 FDA advisory panel meeting, critics like Brian Pace, a professor at Ohio State University, expressed concerns about the power dynamics in psychedelic therapy, noting that researchers with close financial ties to psychedelic companies might be creating environments that prioritize commercialization over patient welfare. This has fueled ongoing debate about the ethical implications of blending therapeutic interventions with corporate interests.[36]
Calls for Increased Transparency and Oversight
As the field of psychedelic therapy continues to grow, Carhart-Harris and others in the psychedelic research community have been called upon to address these ethical concerns and conflicts of interest more transparently. Advocates for more rigorous ethical oversight have called for clearer separation between research and commercialization, more inclusive trial participant recruitment, and stronger regulatory frameworks to ensure that psychedelic therapies are developed with patient safety and scientific integrity at the forefront.
Carhart-Harris, in response to these criticisms, has acknowledged the importance of transparency in psychedelic research and has expressed his commitment to the responsible advancement of psychedelic therapies. However, critics argue that the rapid commercialization of psychedelic medicine risks undermining public trust and the long-term efficacy of psychedelic-assisted treatments.
Awards
In 2008, Carhart-Harris earned the Bristol-Cardiff Young Neuroscientist Award.[8] In 2015, he gained the British Association for Psychopharmacology Award.[37] He won the 2018 Association for Behavior Analysis International B F Skinner award.[8] In 2020, The Times named him one of the world's top 31 medical scientists.[5]TIME magazine included him in its "100 Next" list of 100 people likely to make history in 2021.[6] In 2023, the Vox news and opinion website named him one of its "Future Perfect 50", a list of "visionaries who have made an impact in their fields to improve lives now and in the future".[38]
Other activities
Carhart-Harris has been a scientific adviser to some biomedical companies.[39][40][41]
Personal life
Carhart-Harris is married with two children.[8][42]
↑ Buchman, Daniel (2024). "Psychedelics in PERIL: The Commercial Determinants of Health, Financial Entanglements and Population Health Ethics". Public Health Ethics. doi:10.1093/phe/phad005.
↑ Nutt, David; Erritzoe, David; Carhart-Harris, Robin (April 2020). "Psychedelic Psychiatry's Brave New World". Cell. 181 (1): 24–28. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2020.03.020. ISSN0092-8674. PMID32243793. Robin Carhart-Harris is a scientific advisor to COMPASS Pathways, Usona Institute, Synthesis Institute, and Entheon Biomedical.
↑ Carhart-Harris, Robin (6 September 2023). ""And there completes one of the most intense..."". X.com. Retrieved 11 January 2024. but turning 43 as of last week and having 2 young children of an almost identical age
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