Frederick S. Barrett

Frederick S. Barrett is a Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology of Consciousness at Johns Hopkins University, holding dual appointments in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (School of Medicine) and the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences. As Director of the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, his work focuses on understanding the psychological and neurological mechanisms of psychedelic drugs, particularly psilocybin and LSD. His research explores therapeutic applications for mood disorders, substance use disorders, and the enduring effects of psychedelics on brain function.

Key achievements include leading the first federally funded NIH R03 grant since the 1970s investigating psilocybin's biological mechanisms, developing the Challenging Experience Questionnaire, and pioneering studies on psilocybin’s effects on brain structures like the claustrum. His clinical trials assess psilocybin for major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder.

Research interests span psychedelic neurobiology, neuroimaging, and therapeutic alliance dynamics in psychedelic-assisted therapies. He emphasizes rigorous methodologies in psychedelic science and cross-cultural assessment tool development.

• Grants: NIH R03 (2017)
• Labs/Teams: Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
• Key Projects: Psilocybin-brain connectivity studies, LSD-music interaction analyses, and psychedelic clinical trial methodology