The promise of psychedelics
How does it feel to take a dose of magic mushroom psychedelic to see if it could help with the most severe types of depression - and what’s the evidence it works?
With moves to fast-track research into psychedelics to treat serious mental health conditions in the US and a flurry of new scientific studies, we look at the issue here.
How convincing is the evidence that drugs like psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can help with treatment-resistant depression - and after decades of research, are we on the cusp of seeing these treatments in the UK?
Claudia discusses the science with Dr James Rucker, consultant psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital and senior clinical lecturer at King’s College London, and she chats with Raya, who took part in a trial to find out what she experienced.
And why do we often miss what’s right in front of us?
We hear about inattentional blindness and what we miss from the world around us with mathematician Kit Yates.
Dr Peter Olusoga, senior lecturer in psychology from Sheffield Hallam University, joins us in the studio with a surprise test for Claudia and our listeners - and he brings an intriguing new study about why you think your phone is vibrating…
...When it isn’t.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Gerry Holt
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Sound engineer: Emma Harth
Details of organisations offering support with mental health, or feelings of despair are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
On radio
Broadcasts
- Tuesday09:30BBC Radio 4
- Wednesday21:30BBC Radio 4
How to Manage Your Worries
A quick and easy guide on how to cope with the things you worry about.
Podcast
![]()
All in the Mind
The show with the latest evidence on psychology, mental health and neuroscience.
