Media

A collection of lectures, news articles, documentaries and other interviews about my research.

For new media requests, please reach out to [email protected].

November 2023

Marijuana Moment Article 

Minnesota’s New Psychedelics Task Force Holds Its First Meeting As Lawmakers Plan Reform Legislation

Dr. Nielson was mentioned in this article covering the first meeting of the Minnesota Psychedelic Medicine Task Force where she was elected to serve as Chairperson by the other appointed members. 

 

September 2023

Grand Rounds presentation for the Minnesota Regional SCI Model System (MN SCIMS

Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Psychedelic Therapy for SCI

Dr. Nielson presented preliminary findings from survey studies aiming to understand the unique responses of individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) who have tried psychedelics after their injury.

 

August 2023

Big Psychedelic Symposium

Demystifying Psychedelic Clinical Trials

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.

 

July 2023

New York Times (NYT) Interview

Minneapolis Mayor Loosens Enforcement of Psychedelics

Dr. Nielson worked with members of the local psychedelic community in Minneapolis to advocate to legislators at City Hall, including members of City Council and Mayor Frey, to implement an Executive Order to deprioritize entheogenic/psychedelic plants and fungi in the city of Minneapolis. 

 

June 2023

Psychedelic Science 2023

Mechanisms and time-course of psilocybin-induced neuroplasticity in healthy human volunteers

Dr. Nielson presented findings from a pilot study with psilocybin to investigate context dependent changes in visual perception and brain-based biomarkers of neuroplasticity at the Psychedelic Science 2023 conference in Denver, Colorado.

 

 

December 2022

CURECAST - The Podcast Feeding the Movement to Cure Paralysis

Taking a Trip with SCI

The research of psychedelics as a therapeutic for anxiety, depression, and PTSD has gained a lot of traction over the last decade. Given their potent effects on the nervous system, what are the unique benefits and possible side effects of psychedelics for the SCI population? And further, what is their potential to elicit functional recovery? If you ask the community, it doesn’t take long to find anecdotal evidence that the benefits go beyond just the psychological realm. Read Jim Harris’ account in Outside Magazine, as an example.  

In this episode, Matthew and Jason speak with Jessica Nielson to explore the potential psychedelics may hold for the SCI community.  Jessica is an SCI and Bioinformatics researcher at the University of Minnesota. She is also the Executive Director of Psychedelic Society of Minnesota. They discuss psychedelic research and where it could cross paths with spinal cord injury. They also discuss the hypothesized mechanism of psychedelics and whether they might or might not bring about some of the range of changes that SCI self-experimenters have reported.  

 

August 2022

MPR "All Things Considered" Interview

Could psychedelics be the future of mental health?

Dr. Nielson was interviewed about psychedelics and trauma for Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) on their popular show, "All Things Considered."

 

March 2022

Kare11 Interview

Shroom boom: Studies show 'magic mushrooms' can relieve severe depression

Dr. Nielson interviewed for a news segment for Kare11 about the growing interest and evidence for psychedelics to help with mental health disorders, as well as current research happening at the University of Minnesota to investigate mechanisms of action for psilocybin, the active compound in "magic mushrooms."

 

January 2020

Psychedelic Neuroscience Lecture Series at University of Minnesota

Therapeutic Potential of Entheogenic Plants and Fungi

This was a public lecture at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus for the Psychedelic Neuroscience and Psychedelic Society of Minneapolis communities. The January installment of this seminar series focused on the current state of the literature for entheogenic plants and fungi, such as ayahuasca and magic mushrooms to treat a variety of health conditions.

 

December 2019

Psychedelic Neuroscience Lecture Series at University of Minnesota

The Neuroscience of Microdosing

This was a public lecture at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus for the Psychedelic Neuroscience and Psychedelic Society of Minneapolis communities. The topic for this months lecture was focused on microdosing and was presented by Christopher Gunlock from the Psychedelic Society of Minneapolis. This presentation covers all the peer-reviewed microdosing experiments/surveys on cognition, intelligence, creativity, and mental health up until December of 2019. This talk dives into how controlled studies with microdosing match up with the vast subjective reports coming out of modern microdosing culture and how popular spokespeople for microdosing are portraying their effects. Microdosing is a unique phenomenon in that there is very little science yet millions of psychonauts and regular people are practicing it. Science is trying to catch up to the hype while resources for education and personal use are exploding on the internet. This presentation is intended to spark a discussion of whether or not the limited scientific data confirms the sudden rise of microdosing popularity.

 

September 2019

Psychedelic Neuroscience Lecture Series at University of Minnesota

Pharmacology of Psychedelics

This was a public lecture at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus for the Psychedelic Neuroscience and Psychedelic Society of Minneapolis communities. The topic for this months lecture included some basic pharmacology for the major classes of psychedelics, including LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, DMT as well as other mind-altering substances currently being investigated for therapeutic potential, including MDMA and ketamine.

 

August 2019

Psychedelic Neuroscience Lecture Series at University of Minnesota

Ayahuasca for PTSD

This was a public lecture at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus for the Psychedelic Neuroscience and Psychedelic Society of Minneapolis communities. The topic is the rising popularity of ayahuasca to treat PTSD. Professor Nielson will present data from her ongoing anonymous online survey study of ayahuasca use in naturalistic settings, with special focus on participants seeking out treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

 

July 2018

Sleeping Octopus Assembly on Psychedelics (SOAP)

Development of a Data-Driven Psychedelic Therapy Network

The Sleeping Octopus Assembly on Psychedelics (SOAP) is an intimate conference that explored the role of psychedelics in science, medicine, policy, and culture, which took place at a historic mansion in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from July 13-15, 2018. This conference featured presentations from key figures in the psychedelic research and policy community, a psychedelic-themed comedy show, live musical performances, and a benefit dinner for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). 

 

June 2018

Beyond Psychedelics 2018

A Qualitative Assessment of Risks and Benefits of Ayahuasca for Trauma Survivors

"The use of ayahuasca for healing trauma and resolving associated symptoms has gained increasing attention recently, along with reports of the potential for harm. The current study reports on qualitative analyses of data from an anonymous online survey of ayahuasca users (N=520) from multiple settings to treat symptoms of trauma. Respondents were asked to describe their ayahuasca experience and what they perceived as risks and/or benefits. Those with a self-reported past or current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were 10% more likely to disclose a dangerous experience associated with taking ayahuasca. Qualitative assessments of open-ended responses found themes of risks related to not being mentally or physically prepared, not having support or supervision by an experienced shaman and/or facilitator, inadequate facilities for purging, overcrowding in ceremonies, lack of follow-up care, and insufficient screening of participants for group settings. While the consensus of respondents found ayahuasca therapy helpful and healing, people with PTSD do report unfavorable responses and further investigation is warranted if this is to be a therapy for trauma."

 

January 2018

Lab Animal

Dark data see the light

"Dredging up old studies yields new insights with the help of big data analytics, but is it enough to spark more data sharing for current research?"

 

August 2017

Bitch Media

This is Your Brain on Drugs: Women Lead the Field in Psychedelic Psychotherapy

“Modern psychedelics research is scrambling to catch up with thousands of years of human experience and anecdotal evidence. And, like most things science, it is largely male-dominated. While men far outnumber women in the psychedelics world—both as lead study researchers and at conference podiums—the women who are involved are at the forefront of the field.”

 

June 2017

Nature Communications Collections

Complexity ResearchNetwork Medicine

“Here we showcase the potential of interdisciplinary complexity research by bringing together a selection of articles investigating complex systems. Complexity research aims to characterize and understand the behaviour and nature of systems made up of many interacting elements. Such efforts often require interdisciplinary collaboration and expertise from diverse schools of thought. Nature Communications publishes papers across a broad range of topics that span the physical and life sciences, making the journal an ideal home for such interdisciplinary studies.”

 

June 2017

ALTERNET

Ayahuasca: coming to a clinic near you?

“The psychedelic South American concoction is exciting the interest of medical researchers, even as debate over set and setting continues.”

 

April 2017

Quartz

The ayahuasca ceremony is going under the scientific-method microscope

“The ayahuasca brew—traditionally made from the bark of a vine which grows in the Amazon called Banisteriopsis caapi and leaves of a shrub called Psychotria viridis—puts people in a state of deep introspection for about four hours. When they emerge, they often report newfound insights into their unhealthy behaviors. Yet, there’s limited empirical data backing the extraordinary stories about the therapeutic effects of this drug. Scientists, many of whom changed their research focus after their own astounding experiences on ayahuasca, are seeking to change that.”

 

April 2017

Psychedelic Science 2017

Ayahuasca for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Assessing Risks and Benefits through Anonymous Community Feedback

“Ayahuasca-assisted healing is gaining notoriety in the Western world as an alternative therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Ayahuasca has been used in traditional and legal contexts in South America for centuries, and evidence from the scientific literature over the past 40 years has shown promise for its healing potential for a variety of disorders. Although ayahuasca is legal in several countries, because a major ingredient in ayahuasca is dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a current Schedule I substance in the United States (US), people who wish to take ayahuasca must either do so illegally, or within approved religious contexts. Prior studies have shown ayahuasca to be safe under the appropriate conditions, however a handful of deaths and controversies have been associated with the use of ayahuasca, and appropriate therapeutic applications are being explored to maximize healing and reduce harm. This presentation will report on the results of an anonymous online survey whose participants have tried ayahuasca in various contexts, many of whom were trying ayahuasca to treat their PTSD. Although many people describe the transformational and healing experiences they have had with ayahuasca, some people do report adverse experiences that may suggest it to be traumatizing if not administered in the appropriate setting with experienced facilitators and community-oriented after-care. These risks and benefits will be described in the context of the development of treatment protocols designed for FDA-approved studies into the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca for PTSD.”

 

April 2017

Changing Our Minds: Psychedelic Sacraments and the New Psychotherapy

A section of this book features Dr. Nielson's experience with ayahuasca in the Peruvian amazon.

"CHANGING OUR MINDS is an experiential tour through a social, spiritual and scientific revolution that is redefining our culture’s often-confusing relationship with psychoactive substances. Veteran journalist Don Lattin chronicles the inspiring stories of pioneering neuroscientists, psychotherapists, spiritual guides and ordinary people seeking to live healthier lives by combining psychedelic drugs, psychotherapy, and the wise use of ancient plant medicines. In ground-breaking clinical trials, specially trained therapists employ Ecstasy (MDMA) to help U.S. veterans struggling with the psychological aftermath of war. Other psychiatrists in government-approved research offer psilocybin, to alcoholics trying to get sober and cancer patients struggling with the existential distress of a life-threatening illness. Meanwhile, new imaging technology has enabled neuroscientists to map the psychedelic brain in real time, deepening our understanding of human consciousness. The essential primer for understanding and navigating this new consciousness-raising territory."

 

March 2017

UCSF

Artificial Intelligence Aids Scientists in Uncovering Hallmarks of Mystery Concussion

“Scientists have used a unique computational technique that sifts through big data to identify a subset of concussion patients with normal brain scans, who may deteriorate months after diagnosis and develop confusion, personality changes and differences in vision and hearing, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. This finding, which is corroborated by the identification of molecular biomarkers, is paving the way to a precision medicine approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with traumatic brain injury.”

 

December 2016

Outside Magazine

Are psychedelics the new Prozac?

“Instead of being a middle finger to an orderly society, as they were in the sixties, psychedelics have become this generation’s silver bullet of mental health and mindfulness.”

 

December 2016

Yahoo! Lifestyle

Hallucinogenic plant ayahuasca gains foothold in US

Ayahuasca's proponents, who include celebrities such as Sting, Paul Simon, Tori Amos and Lindsey Lohan, say the plant offers a spiritual experience like no other. Many also say it has allowed them to overcome traumas that no other conventional therapy can tackle.”

 

October 2016

Horizons: Perspective on Psychedelics 2016

Ayahuasca for PTSD: Assessing Benefits and Risks Through Multiple Perspectives

“With the increased notoriety of Ayahuasca in the western world to treat a variety of disorders, including addiction, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it is important to gather evidence regarding potential risks and benefits that this powerful traditional medicine may offer for such conditions. Although the majority of the scientific literature on Ayahuasca suggests it to be safe and potentially therapeutic, a handful of deaths and controversies at healing centers in both North and South America have been associated with the use of ayahuasca. This presentation will discuss the current state of the scientific literature on ayahuasca, the rationale for its therapeutic application to treat PTSD, and preliminary results from an anonymous online survey from participants (N=152) who have previously taken ayahuasca in various contexts for healing and transformation.”

 

April 2016

The Wall Street Journal

Is Peru’s Psychedelic Potion a Cure or a Curse?

“American veterans coping with PTSD are traveling to lodges in the Amazon that offer ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew. Some say it has helped them manage emotional trauma from war, but others say it’s not worth the journey.”

 

February 2016

Nerd Nite San Francisco 2016

Psychedelic Data Science: Mapping the Drug Experience

"Can you imagine what psychedelic experiences look like? Ever wondered if illegal drugs are actually better for you than legal ones? (Some of you may have even performed copious independent studies!) With the increase in data about the harmful effects of prescription drugs and the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, big-data machine learning technologies are helping us answer those questions. Come trip balls—ahem!—observe a psychedelic data visualization journey through various drug experiences."

 

December 2015

Public Radio International (PRI)

For me, ayahuasca was as good as therapy. Here's what the science says.

“Its legal status is ambiguous. Active ingredient DMT was banned — along with other hallucinogens LSD, mescaline and psilocybin — in 1971 under the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. But DMT occurs naturally in plants, animals and, not least, the human brain. So, rather than outlaw the substance outright, governments banned anything containing DMT at a higher rate than it occurs in nature. Scientists don’t know why we have DMT in our brains.”

 

October 2015

Hopes and Fears

Is the world real, or is it just an illusion or hallucination?

“We asked renowned neuroscientists, physicists, psychologists, technology theorists and hallucinogen researchers if we can ever tell whether the "reality" we are experiencing is "real" or not. Don't worry. You're going to be ok.”

 

October 2015

Fast Company

The Latest Medical Breakthrough In Spinal Cord Injuries Was Made By A Computer Program

“New software sifts through the information gathered in long forgotten studies and finds new avenues for researchers to pursue–like a new advance in treating spinal injuries.”

 

January 2014

Reality Sandwich

Consideration of Ayahuasca for the Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

“There is a growing amount of research on the development of PTSD and its various treatments. The fact that many people who suffer from PTSD struggle with the currently approved therapeutic options that are available to them suggests that we need to start exploring alternative strategies to treat this disorder. With the large number of veterans returning home from war who may have or will develop PTSD, we must have a diverse framework of therapy and integration in place for them.”

 

April 2013

Psychedelic Science 2013

Ayahuasca for PTSD: Integrating Psychedelic Therapeutic Strategies for Neurotrauma into a Bioinformatics Framework

Co-presented with Julie Megler

"This presentation is part of our work developed at the University of California, San Francisco using a bioinformatics framework and multivariate statistics to fully characterize the syndrome of spinal cord injury (SCI). This approach can be applied to other forms of neurotrauma, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies about MDMA-assisted psychotherapy have demonstrated safety and remarkable, long-lasting beneficial effects for treatment-resistant PTSD. We hypothesize that by incorporating the data from these clinical trials into our bioinformatics framework, along with additional studies from previous and future PTSD trials, we will be able to identify syndromic risk factors for treatment-resistant PTSD and its appropriate treatment. We will present a pilot study currently being developed in collaboration with the Paititi Institute in Peru to collect data from individuals suffering from ailments including PTSD who have voluntarily traveled to participate in shamanic ayahuasca ceremonies in order to heal themselves. Our study will use outcome measures similar to those that are currently being used for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD (e.g. CAPS) to assess the effects of ayahuasca on PTSD, including pre-treatment and post-treatment follow-up interviews. The goal of this project is to identify the potential risk factors for treatment-resistant PTSD, and to determine whether substances such as MDMA and ayahuasca will prove to be additional therapeutic options for veterans suffering from PTSD."

 

March 2013

Women's Entheogenic Symposium 2013

Hosted by Entheogenic Research, Integration, and Education (ERIE)

The Fractal Nature of Life: Patterns of Disease Models

"Our ability to understand and treat diseases in their full complexity has been a difficult challenge in the field of medicine. Typical research studies are designed to assess only a few measures that may change as a result of treatment, and this methodology may not accurately represent the systemic changes seen following such a treatment. Although multiple measures may be collected in a particular study, it is often difficult to visualize how they all move together as a dynamic pattern in response to various manipulations. I propose that by applying pattern detection algorithms to these measures, that we can detect conserved patterns that will facilitate more efficient design and testing of treatments for their targeted disorders. Similar to conserved patterns that are seen in nature at various hierarchical levels of organization, I hypothesize that conserved patterns exist in different paradigms of disease models, which may help guide our understanding of translational disease models and the pathways that will help us overcome them. This includes applying a more integrative and holistic approach to what we consider to be “data” when considering all the variables in such analyses. This involves assessing alternative variables such as spiritual beliefs and lifestyle choices, in addition to commonly accepted clinical measures, all of which may influence the overall health of the patient. When taken together, a more accurate picture of the state of the individual may come to light that will provide a better understanding of how to best treat the patient to maximize their overall health and well-being."

 

January 2012

National Geographic

Drugs, Inc. – Hallucinogens (Season 2:Episode 4)

Full documentary

“Once hailed as a magic bullet cure-all, psychedelic drugs are center stage of a new medical frontier. Deep in the Amazon, Rob - a former Wall Street broker turned healer - has created a free clinic of sorts, administering the highly potent narcotic ayahuasca to trauma patients. But he spirals dangerously out of control on his own trip. Dimitri, a former heroin addict, helps drug users overcome addiction using a controversial hallucinogen called ibogaine, and encounters dangerous side effects.”