---
title: "World’s First Center for Psychedelics Research Opens in UK"
description: "A UK college has launched the Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research — the world's first formal center for research into psychedelics."
date: "2019-04-26"
modified: "2019-04-26"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin Houser"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/kristin.md"
url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/worlds-first-center-psychedelics-research"
categories:
  - "Health & Medicine"
tags:
  - "consciousness"
  - "mental health"
  - "psychedelics"
  - "the digest"
---

# World’s First Center for Psychedelics Research Opens in UK

![A UK college has launched the Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research — the world's first formal center for research into psychedelics.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/worlds-first-center-psychedelics-research.png>)
*\<em\>Image: Mae Mu via Unsplash/Tag Hartman-Simkins\</em\>*

## Fringe No More

On Friday, Imperial College London launched the Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research — the world's first formal center for research into mind-altering substances, like LSD and mescaline, that have been relegated to the realm of fringe science for [nearly 80 years](<https://beckleyfoundation.org/psychedelic-research-timeline-2/>).

"This new Centre represents a watershed moment for psychedelic science; symbolic of its now mainstream recognition," Robin Carhart-Harris, who will lead the center, said in a [news release](<https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/190994/imperial-launches-worlds-first-centre-psychedelics/>). "Psychedelics are set to have a major impact on neuroscience and psychiatry in the coming years. It’s such a privilege to be at the forefront of one of the most exciting areas in medical science."

## Trippy Treatments

Five founding donors dedicated more than £3 million ($3.8 million) to open the center, which will primarily focus on the potential uses for psychedelics in [mental health care](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/study-microdosing-fights-depression-improves-focus.md>) and as a tool to help scientists unravel the mysteries of [consciousness](<https://futurism.com/brain-activity-creates-consciousness.md>).

"It may take a few years for psychedelic therapy to be available for patients, but research so far has been very encouraging," Carhart-Harris said in the release, adding that "when delivered safely and professionally, psychedelic therapy holds a great deal of promise for treating some very serious mental health conditions, and may one day offer new hope to vulnerable people with limited treatment options."

**READ MORE:** [Imperial launches world’s first Centre for Psychedelics Research](<https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/190994/imperial-launches-worlds-first-centre-psychedelics/>) \[Imperial College London\]

**More on psychedelics:** *[First Rigorous Study: Microdosing Fights Depression, Improves Focus](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/study-microdosing-fights-depression-improves-focus.md>)*

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinjhouser>)

## More

- [New Study: Psychedelic Mushrooms Are as Effective as Antidepressants](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/psychedelic-mushrooms-effective-antidepressants.md>)
- [Professor: “Magic Mushrooms” Could Replace Antidepressants](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/magic-mushrooms-replace-antidepressants.md>)
- [Research: DMT’s Effects on Brainwaves Could Explain Consciousness](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/research-dmt-effects-brainwaves-consciousness.md>)
- [Meet the Woman Who Wants to Sell Psychedelic Drugs to Scientists](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/woman-sell-psychedelic-drugs-scientists.md>)
- [The Field of Psychedelic Medicine Is in the Midst of a Resurgence](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/the-field-of-psychedelic-medicine-is-in-the-midst-of-a-resurgence.md>)
- [Moms Are Microdosing Magic Mushrooms, Just Like Tech Execs](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/moms-tech-microdosing-magic-mushrooms.md>)
- [Doctors Are Giving Alzheimer’s Patients LSD](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/doctors-giving-alzheimers-patients-lsd.md>)
- [Veterans Are Taking a Psychedelic Plant to Fight PTSD](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/veterans-psychedelic-plant-fight-ptsd.md>)