Jessica is a neuroscientist and psychedelic researcher that has been exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for the past 10 years. She is leading several psychedelic research studies at the University of Minnesota aiming to understand how psychedelics like ayahuasca and psilocybin may help with post-traumatic stress and depression, mechanisms for how psilocybin changes the human brain, and survey studies about the unique perspectives of BIPOC psychedelic users and people living with spinal cord injury on how they engage with and respond to psychedelic experiences. She is also a sub-investigator for a phase III clinical trial with psilocybin for treatment resistant depression, is the founder and Executive Director of the Psychedelic Society of Minnesota and member of the Global Psychedelic Society, and the Innovation Alchemist at Big Psych.

A lot of exciting new evidence is emerging from clinical trials with psychedelics. While the evidence from these trials is informing how drug policy will change for these types of drugs, many people struggling with mental health conditions are uncertain about how to access psychedelic therapy legally and safely. While clinical trials are a critical process towards this end, being involved in a clinical trial is more about the science of the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, and less about the equitable and accessible delivery of psychedelic therapy to people who are suffering. This talk aims to demystify the clinical trial process, provide educational resources for those looking to be involved in a clinical trial with psychedelics, and offer practical alternatives to gaining access to psychedelic therapy in this evolving landscape.