PROZ - Psychedelics and Prosocial Behavior - Insights from a randomized controlled trial

Lydia Belinger will present preliminary results from the study “Does serotonin system stimulation increase pro-social behavior? - A comparative pharmacological neuroscientific study in healthy humans”. This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigates whether stimulation of the serotonin system via psilocybin and MDMA, compared to the non-serotonergic substance methylphenidate, produces lasting changes in social behavior in healthy adults. A total of 120 participants were assessed using a comprehensive battery of questionnaires and behavioral tasks measuring different aspects of prosocial behavior, including empathy, compassion, pro-social voting behaviour, utilitarianism, altruism, and social-network quality. In addition to presenting preliminary findings, the talk will provide a general introduction to social cognition as a potential mechanism of action underlying the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. Subjective substance effects and challenges related to maintaining blinding in psychedelic research will also be discussed.

For more information visit the Website: https://www.psychedelicresearchzurich.ch/#events