Cambridge officially launches research group to advance psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health
- Anya Ragnhildstveit
- Apr 30
- 6 min read
By Anya Ragnhildstveit
Research Scientist; Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Principal Investigator of the Center for Psychedelic Research at Pneuma Science; Doctoral Candidate in Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge; and Member of the Cambridge Psychedelic Research Group.
After several years in development, the Cambridge Psychedelic Research Group (CPRG) has officially launched to accelerate research into psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health, both locally and nationally.
The CPRG is a groundbreaking, multi-institutional partnership between the University of Cambridge (UoC), Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT), and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), creating the first licensed pathway for patients to access psychedelic-based treatments in the East of England. This strategic collaboration is designed to foster cross-functional collaboration and academic–industry partnerships; improve recruitment, participation, and diversity in high-quality clinical trials; and establish Cambridge as a hub for investment and innovation in psychedelic medicine.
Most trials will take place at CPFT’s Windsor Research Unit (WRU), one of the UK’s top NHS trusts for mental health research, and at the NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility (CRF), one of 28 NIHR-funded clinical research facilities networked across the UK, based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and hosted by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This robust, equitable, and adaptive research infrastructure enables the group to conduct early-phase and complex late-phase trials in diverse clinical populations and age groups, supported by world-renowned academic laboratories, state-of-the-art imaging technologies, and purpose-built research facilities.
Dr Liliana Galindo, MD, PhD, Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Leader in Psychosis at CPFT and Affiliated Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, leads the new research group. It comprises highly skilled and experienced scientists, clinicians, and dedicated trial support teams with expertise in psychiatry, behavioral health, neuroscience, and clinical research, among other allied fields.
“We’re excited to embark on this next chapter of psychedelic research,” said Dr Galindo. “Our partnerships with the University, NHS Trusts, and other national and international academic institutions represent the first step of a broader initiative to develop new interventions, care models, and service pathways for neuropsychiatric disorders that are urgently needed, now more than ever.”
The CPRG focuses on the safety and therapeutic potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy in treating serious mental health conditions, including major depression, generalised anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and eating disorders. This integrated model combines psychedelics with formal psychotherapy (talk therapy) or informal psychological support (emotional presence), administered under the guidance and supervision of licensed mental health professionals. Beyond clinical outcomes, the group investigates the phenomenology, immunomodulatory effects, and underlying mechanisms of psychedelics to better understand how these compounds facilitate psychological transformation, emotional and spiritual healing, and positive behavioural change. The CPRG also supports the integration and delivery of psychedelic-assisted therapy within local NHS services, as part of its mission to translate scientific discoveries into real-world applications.
“Our mission is to conduct rigorous, multidisciplinary psychedelic research that improves mental health and well-being, restores social functioning, and promotes long-term recovery through safe, inclusive, and evidence-based practices,” explained Dr Galindo. “We believe Cambridge has the scientific depth, clinical leadership, and collaborative spirit to rise to this challenge.”
After securing its first Home Office licence in 2024, which permits the experimental use of controlled drugs in research settings, the CPRG launched its first two trials on psychedelic-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This year, the group will initiate two additional trials investigating the therapeutic potential of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) for adults with treatment-resistant depression and generalised anxiety disorder. Longitudinal observational studies utilising real-world data are also underway.
The First Cambridge Psychedelic Research Day
The CPRG officially marked its launch by hosting the 1st Cambridge Psychedelic Research Day on March 12, 2025 at Clare College, the University of Cambridge’s second-oldest college, founded in 1326.
To download a copy of the conference programme, click here.
The inaugural event brought together over 150 scientists, clinicians, students, and advocates to explore the rapidly evolving field of psychedelic medicine. Leading experts from across the UK were featured, including: Professor Guy Goodwin, Chief Medical Officer of COMPASS Pathways and Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford; Professor Celia Morgan, Senior Lecturer and Professor of Psychopharmacology at the University of Exeter; Dr David Erritzoe, Consultant Psychiatrist and Founding Clinical Director of the CNWL-Imperial Psychopharmacology and Psychedelic Research (CIPPRes) Clinic at the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL), and Clinical Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry and Deputy Head of the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London; Dr Anne Katrin Schlag, Chartered Psychologist, Interim Chief Executive Officer, and Head of Research at Drug Science; Dr Hubertus Himmerich, Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) and Reader in Eating Disorders at King’s College London; Dr Liam (Nadav) Modlin, Psychological Therapist, Researcher, and Lecturer at King’s College London, and Founder of the Maudsley Psychedelic Society Harm Reduction ‘Integration’ Group; and Dr Henry Fisher, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Clerkenwell Health.
Keynote presentations showcased a range of cutting-edge developments in psychedelic research, clinical practice, and drug policy, spanning historical perspectives, emerging indications for major depression, substance use disorders, and anorexia nervosa, as well as real-world challenges and opportunities. Panel discussions were moderated by Dr Liliana Galindo, Dr Benjamin Illingworth, Professor Tristan Bekinschtein, and Dr Alex Harvey, and addressed pathways forward in psychedelic science, alongside practical strategies for integrating psychedelic-assisted therapy into NHS services.
The conference was preceded by a formal dinner at St John’s College, one of the largest and oldest colleges at the University of Cambridge, founded by Lady Margaret Beaufort in 1511. Academic leads from the Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Cambridge, clinical leads from CPFT, and invited keynote speakers gathered with members of the CPRG for the occasion.
“One of our primary goals is to foster meaningful conversations and collaborations among scientists, clinicians, and local stakeholders, in an effort to build the infrastructure needed to support psychedelic-assisted therapy research within our local NHS clinical services in an inclusive and safe manner,” added Dr Galindo.
Launching the CPRG represents a major step forward in integrating cutting-edge psychedelic research into mainstream mental healthcare. Through well-designed and rigorous trials, multidisciplinary collaboration, and active public involvement, the group aims to advance the science and clinical practice of psychedelic-assisted therapy; address significant unmet mental health needs across large catchment areas in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, and the East of England; develop new research initiatives locally and nationally; and attract external investment to expand its collaborative network. In doing so, the CPRG seeks to establish Cambridge as a centre of excellence for psychedelic science and care delivery, while contributing to national and global conversations on psychedelic-assisted therapy.
“There is growing recognition that new paradigms in psychiatry are desperately needed,” Dr Galindo concluded. “Our hope is that Cambridge can become a beacon of innovation, compassion, and scientific integrity in the field.”
To learn more or get involved with the Cambridge Psychedelic Research Group, please contact them here.
