Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 7, 2025

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
A pilot psychedelic psychopharmacology elective
1Pharmacy Practice, Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy, Health Professions Building, 1775 N. Sector Ct., Winchester, VA 22601, United States.
Background And Purpose:
There is renewed research attention on the use of psychedelic drugs to treat psychiatric illnesses. If psychedelic drugs are approved for medical use in the United States, patients, professionals, and policy makers will look to pharmacists as medication experts for advice on the safe, effective, and ethical use of these substances. To help prepare a future generation of pharmacists in this therapeutic area, a psychedelic psychopharmacology elective was developed and piloted.
Educational Activity And Setting:
Broadly, the objectives of the course were to train students to (1) analyze scientific literature, (2) engage in ethical discussions, and (3) make evidence-based clinical recommendations about the use of psychedelics. The pilot elective course was delivered synchronously online to 12 second- and third-year pharmacy students during spring 2021. Activities included journal clubs, textbook reading assignments, reflective structured dialogues, a monograph, and a term paper.
Findings:
The course was feasible for a single instructor and well-received by students. A mix of instructor-directed and self-directed learning approaches were utilized.
Summary:
The pilot psychedelic psychopharmacology elective was a success, providing a framework for future courses.
Related Concept Videos
CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents
Hallucinogens and Psychedelics
Marijuana, derived from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, contains...
Altered States of Awareness
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain...
An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine enhance brain activity, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy. These drugs typically raise heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. While they can induce feelings of euphoria, their misuse can result in severe health...
Psychosurgery
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

