Outcomes and Learnings from Imperial College London's Psychedelic Research
This webinar by Dr. Rayyan Zafar PhD MRSB shares findings from Imperial College London’s research into psychedelic-assisted treatment for addiction and depression.
Rayyan will cover the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms behind psychedelics, the role of set and setting in shaping trial outcomes, how the practitioner-patient relationship affects therapeutic efficacy and safety, and what distinguishes positive breakthroughs from negative or non-responder outcomes — while also flagging the open questions that remain.
Meet the host
Dr. Rayyan Zafar PhD MRSB
Dr. Rayyan Zafar PhD MRSB is a neuropsychopharmacologist and UKRI Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Psychedelic Research and Neuropsychopharmacology, Imperial College London, and a Senior Researcher at Drug Science. Working alongside Professor David Nutt, his research focuses on the neurobiology of addiction and mental health disorders, with a particular interest in how psychedelic compounds (including psilocybin, DMT and LSD), ketamine, MDMA and cannabis affect the brain and may be used as treatments for addiction.
He is currently leading the world’s first clinical and neuroimaging study of psilocybin therapy for gambling disorder. Alongside his academic work, Dr Zafar serves as Senior Scientific Officer at Drug Science, Venture Partner at ITER Investments, and advises organisations developing innovative treatments and wellness interventions across the psychedelic, cannabis and brain-health sectors.
What you'll learn
In this webinar, we'll explore:
Mechanisms of Action: Explore the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms underlying psychedelics in the treatment of addiction and depression.
Set and Setting: Understand the pivotal role environmental and mindset variables play in shaping trial experiences and results.
Therapeutic Rapport: Examine how the quality of the practitioner-patient alliance influences therapeutic efficacy and safety.
Outcome Determinants: Explore factors that may distinguish positive therapeutic breakthroughs from negative or non-responder outcomes, whilst also highlighting the remaining open questions.
Who this is for
This webinar is especially relevant for:
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Clinicians & Prescribers seeking a deeper understanding of trial outcomes, mechanisms, and protocol design
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Researchers & Scientists interested in the latest clinical and experimental data from Imperial College London
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Practitioners involved in psychedelic-assisted therapy and patient support
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Professionals working in drug policy, regulatory affairs, and psychedelic pharmaceutical drug development
Why this conversation matters now
The psychedelic industry is undergoing its second phase of accelerating capital inflows and healthcare roll-out. However, critical questions remain: Do we fully understand how these compounds work, and are we designing clinical protocols optimized for the best possible outcomes? As commercialization and research scale rapidly, it is essential to distinguish between what we know and what we don’t know to build safe, effective, and evidence-based standards of care.