Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Late-stage clinical trials suggest psychedelic-based therapies to treat anxiety and depression will soon be available by prescription. Pharmaceutical companies are investing heavily in research and the White House has directed the FDA to put them on a fast track for review. But the road from clinical testing to marketing to broad use will be bumpy as we learn more about how psychedelics affect the brain, regulators develop a framework for assessing their safety and effectiveness, insurers consider whether to cover them, and healthcare providers seek out specialized training to ensure their proper use.
Moderated by
William Brangham
Host, “Horizons from PBS News”
Correspondent, “PBS NewsHour”
Speakers
Rachel Yehuda, PhD
Professor of Trauma and Resilience
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Matthew Zorn
Deputy General Counsel
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Late-stage clinical trials suggest psychedelic-based therapies to treat anxiety and depression will soon be available by prescription. Pharmaceutical companies are investing heavily in research and the White House has directed the FDA to put them on a fast track for review. But the road from clinical testing to marketing to broad use will be bumpy as we learn more about how psychedelics affect the brain, regulators develop a framework for assessing their safety and effectiveness, insurers consider whether to cover them, and healthcare providers seek out specialized training to ensure their proper use.
Moderated by
William Brangham
Host, “Horizons from PBS News”
Correspondent, “PBS NewsHour”
Speakers
Rachel Yehuda, PhD
Professor of Trauma and Resilience
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Matthew Zorn
Deputy General Counsel
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
