Psychedelic Science and Medicine

Labor Day starts with $70+ in savings on Coursera Plus. Save 40% for 3 months.

Psychedelic Science and Medicine

Instructors: David Yaden

5,022 already enrolled

Included with Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

32 reviews

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

32 reviews

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 4 modules in this course

Explore the science and therapeutic potential of psychedelics in this course led by experts from the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. You'll learn about the history of psychedelic use, the neuroscience underlying their effects, and the latest clinical trials evaluating their therapeutic potential. Gain insights into their risks and benefits, ethical considerations like informed consent, and ongoing challenges in the field.

This course equips learners to critically assess scientific findings, moving beyond hype to understand the evidence. Whether you're interested in the neurobiological mechanisms of psychedelics, their role in mental health treatment, or broader societal impacts, this course provides a comprehensive and evidence-based foundation. Perfect for students, professionals, or anyone curious about this emerging area of science, the course offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research and practical implications for medicine and beyond.

In this module, we will get oriented. What is a psychedelic anyway? How have they been used historically? When did research begin and what is happening now? To address these questions and more, we will discuss psychedelic history, contexts, and definitions.

What's included

11 videos1 reading2 assignments

11 videosTotal 99 minutes

Introduction to the Course3 minutes
Psychedelic Risks, Side Effects, and Potential Harms4 minutes
Introduction to Week 10 minutes
Meet Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu7 minutes
Introduction to Psychedelic Medicine6 minutes
Pharmacology and Chemistry27 minutes
History of Psychedelic Use5 minutes
Psychedelic Therapy19 minutes
Potential Risks and Future Directions10 minutes
Week 1 Q&A14 minutes
Meet the Team: Research Psychologist Dr. Jonathan Schettino4 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Week 1 Conclusion10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Week 1: Quiz30 minutes
Week 1: Challenge the Misconception30 minutes

In this module, we will focus on the clinical trial research that is currently happening around the world. Clinical trials focus on people with a diagnosed disease or disorder. Most psychedelic research in medicine has been in psychiatry, which focuses on mental disorders like depression, substance use disorder, OCD, PTSD, and others.

What's included

9 videos1 reading2 assignments

9 videosTotal 64 minutes

Introduction to Week 23 minutes
Meet Dr. Sandeep Nayak7 minutes
Clinical Trials on Psychedelics: Treatment of Depression11 minutes
Treatment of Substance Use Disorders14 minutes
Treatment of PTSD using MDMA9 minutes
Tour the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic & Conscientiousness Research 3 minutes
Week 2 Q&A7 minutes
Meet the Team: Sr. Compliance Monitoring Specialist Jess Dyal3 minutes
Meet the Team: Clinical Psychologist and Research Associate Dr. Brandon Weiss7 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Week 2 Conclusion and Recommended Resources10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Week 2: Quiz30 minutes
Week 2: Challenge the Misconception30 minutes

We have now heard about the historic use of psychedelics among indigenous peoples, the start, pause, and re-start of scientific research on psychedelics, the clinical trial process and some preliminary findings on risks and benefits. But how do these molecules create these experiences that we’ve heard so much about? In this module, we will discuss the effects of psychedelics on the brain.

What's included

13 videos1 reading2 assignments

13 videosTotal 78 minutes

Introduction to Week 31 minute
Meet Dr. Fred Barrett3 minutes
Use of Electroencephalography (EEG) in Psychedelic Research5 minutes
The Effects of Psychedelics on Cognition17 minutes
The Effects of Psychedelics on Emotions4 minutes
The Acute Effects of Psychedelics on Brain Function6 minutes
Preclinical Animal Models12 minutes
Psychedelics and the Conductor of Consciousness4 minutes
Use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in Psychedelic Research4 minutes
Use of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in Psychedelic Research3 minutes
Week 3 Q&A14 minutes
Meet the Team: Cognitive Neuroscience Dr. Ceyda Sayalı 1 minute
Meet the Team: Dr. Praachi Tiwari5 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Week 3 Conclusion and Recommended Resources10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Week 3: Quiz30 minutes
Week 3: Challenge the Misconception30 minutes

We have heard about histories of indigenous use of and scientific research on psychedelics, clinical trial results on risks and benefits, and some of how psychedelics impact the brain. In this module, we will tie these threads together and make some summarizing statements about risks of psychedelics in recreational and research settings. We will also discuss on-going bioethical issues such as informed consent, integration, and psychedelic exceptionalism. Lastly, what’s next for the field of psychedelics?

What's included

12 videos1 reading2 assignments

12 videosTotal 103 minutes

Introduction to Week 46 minutes
Meet. Dr. David Yaden8 minutes
History and Terminology Review6 minutes
Research Methods Review17 minutes
Neuroscience Review3 minutes
Psychometric Self Report19 minutes
Emerging Ethical Issues in Psychedelic Research15 minutes
A Review of Bioethics7 minutes
Psychedelics’ Impact on Society7 minutes
The Future of Psychedelic Research3 minutes
Week 4 Q&A5 minutes
Meet the Team: Research Coordinator Modesola Olaniyi6 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Week 4 Conclusion and Recommended Resources10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Week 4: Quiz30 minutes
Week 4: Challenge the Misconception30 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(9 ratings)

David Yaden

Johns Hopkins University

1 Course5,022 learners

Offered by

Johns Hopkins University

Explore more from Research

University of Minnesota
The Neurotransmitters of the Mind – Part 2
Course
Status: Free trial
Wesleyan University
Schizophrenia
Course
Category: Preview
University of Minnesota
The Neurotransmitters of the Mind – Part 1
Course
Status: Free trial
University of Colorado Boulder
History of Medical Cannabis
Course
Status: Free trial

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
96.87%
4 stars
3.12%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

Showing 3 of 32

Reviewed on Dec 4, 2025

Amazing course for someone who's interested in getting into the field.

Reviewed on Dec 9, 2025

This course enlightened me to the psychopharmacology of psychedelics, their risk and benefit profiles, as well as some methods of integrating psychedelics in a therapeutic setting.

Reviewed on Nov 27, 2025

Very comprehensive for a condensed module. Deep dives in to neuroscience and clinical settings. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the field.

View more reviews

Break down barriers to learning with big savings
Get Coursera Plus
Start with easy savings for hard-working teams
Save 30% today

Frequently asked questions

To access course materials, assignments, and earn a Certificate, you'll need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. Eligible learners may also have the option to start with a Free Trial. Some courses may also offer a Full Course, No Certificate option. This lets you access course materials, submit required assessments, and receive a final grade, but you won't be able to earn or purchase a Certificate.

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.