CU Denver Center for Psychedelic Research
A transdisciplinary team of leading experts in psychology, medicine, psychoneuroimmunology, behavioral neuroendocrinology, and public policy who study the use of psychedelics holistically.
The CU Denver Center for Psychedelic Research is dedicated to improving quality of life through research and education about the effects and therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelic drugs to help treat emotional, behavioral/psychiatric, and neurologic conditions, as well as its use in palliative care for late-stage cancer and chronic, debilitating diseases. Launched in June 2024, the work conducted here is also shared with the community to inform public policymakers about the evolving science and potential applications for use among patients facing an array of psychological and medical conditions.
The transdisciplinary team at the Center is comprised of leading experts in psychology, medicine, psychoneuroimmunology, behavioral neuroendocrinology, and public policy who study the use of psychedelics holistically. Our program is grounded in science and focused on the effects of these interventions on the quality of human life. The Center director is a co-principal investigator of a Colorado- and New York-based team leading the nation's largest study on the therapeutic use of psilocybin among patients facing the end of life.
Collaborations with other organizations and individuals are under discussion and welcomed.
In 2022, voters in Colorado approved Proposition 122, which decriminalized the use of psilocybin-containing "magic mushrooms" and other plant and fungal psychedelic substances. The law established a Division of Natural Medicine to create a framework for the use of these psychedelics in mental health and therapeutic settings. UCDCPR is preparing to be one of the state's authorized organizations that will train both licensed and unlicensed individuals to use natural psychedelics in controlled settings. Findings from all the Center's research will be shared with stakeholders, government agencies including the FDA, Medicare/Medicaid, and others to inform public policy regarding the responsible and equitable use of these drugs.
Brain, Emotional, and Physical Health
Preliminary research suggests that psychedelics may induce or enhance neural plasticity and neurogenesis in certain areas of the brain, and they appear to have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. These properties could make them useful in the treatment of neurologic conditions disorders including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and perhaps neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson and early Alzheimer disease. The center plans to conduct research in these areas as free-standing studies and in association with clinical trials. Among other potential areas of research are psychedelics' potential application for refugee mental health, autoimmunity, gender dysphoria, alcohol and substance use disorders, and the effects of abuse on dogs and other animals, among other conditions.
Public Health and Social Science Research
The Center is in discussions with the State of Colorado regarding studies of how Colorado's Prop 122 is implemented, and its sociological and economic impact in Colorado communities. Other research may focus on government structures and policies enacted to implement the new regulations.
Education
Development and implementation of training protocols and practices in clinical use of psychedelics is a major objective of the Center. We plan to serve as a resource for state agencies as they develop and roll out regulations and mechanisms for credentialing and licensure.
Clinical Studies
We currently have one open clinical study underway, a clinical trial of psilocybin for the treatment of existential distress among people with late-stage cancer. We invite you to check back later for updates. If you would like more information about our ongoing work, please join our mailing list on the right.
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Jim Grigsby - Founder, Chief Scientific Officer, and Executive Director
Jim Grigsby, PhD, is an internationally known scholar and a professor in the Department of Psychology at CU Denver, where he teaches cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology courses and supervises graduate students' research in the clinical health psychology doctoral program. Grigsby also has an appointment in the CU Denver/CU Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Medicine, Division of Health Care Policy and Research. Grigsby's lab conducts research in the general area of cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology, and the intersection of the brain and cognition with health psychology. He has obtained funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIA, NINDS, NCI, and NIDCD) and several other federal, state, and private agencies and organizations, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Defense (DOD), Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
He holds graduate degrees in psychology from the University of Regina (formerly University of Saskatchewan, Regina), and the University of Colorado Boulder. He has published over 125 peer-reviewed articles, four books, and over 150 other types of publications, including the 2021 textbook, Handbook of Medical Hallucinogens, with Charles Grob, M.D. of UCLA. A former Teamster, concrete mixer truck driver, firefighter, and emergency medical technician, he is board-certified in clinical psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.
Stacy Fischer - Medical Director and Director of Clinical Trials
Dr. Stacy Fischer is a Professor in General Internal Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a board-certified Geriatrician and Palliative Care clinician. She is also a Program Leader in Cancer Prevention and Control at the University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, co-directs the T32 Multi-disciplinary Palliative Care Research Post-Doctoral training program, and was recently appointed to the role of Scientific Advisor for American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Her overarching research vision is to improve palliative care outcomes for underserved and vulnerable populations through developing and testing innovative interventions. She is currently co-leading a multi-site clinical trial of psilocybin assisted psychotherapy for adults with serious cancers to improve anxiety, depression, and existential distress.
Vivian Shyu - Director of Psychedelic Training
Vivian Shyu is a teaching professor in CU Denver's Psychology Department, where she is recognized for her expertise in cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Her current research is centered on the patterns of psychedelic drug use and their intersection with legislative changes. Dr. Shyu brings experience as a trained psychedelic-assisted therapy facilitator, actively contributing to this evolving field. Driven by a passion for advancing the science and availability of psychedelic therapies, she is dedicated to developing comprehensive training programs tailored for different types of facilitators. Her goal is to ensure these programs provide robust professional preparation, equipping facilitators with the necessary skills and understanding. Through her work, Dr. Shyu aims to foster safe and accessible avenues for psychedelic therapies to benefit diverse communities.
Laury Argys - Professor of Economics and Associate Dean of Research and Creative Activities
Dr. Laura Argys is trained as a labor economist, and her research examines the impact of family, social, and education policies on child well-being. Her recent research projects range from an examination of the impact of child support policies on poverty and child well-being to the effect of foster care policies on the experience of children in the foster care system to the influence of peers on the risky behaviors of adolescents. She has published almost 100 articles about her research.
In her capacity as Dean of Research and Creative Activities, Argys seeks to expand and enhance research and creative activities by graduate and undergraduate students and scholarly collaboration between students and faculty.