This book provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of psychedelic science, grounded in the latest advances in basic, translational, and clinical research. Written by leading experts in the field, it explores the complex interplay between pharmacology, cellular neuroscience, and systems and circuit neuroscience underlying the effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics.
The volume offers an in-depth examination of the pharmacological mechanisms through which psychedelics interact with the brain, from receptor signaling and intracellular pathways to broader neurobiological processes. It then extends beyond the molecular level to explore how these compounds influence the function of neurons and glial cells, highlighting emerging insights into cellular plasticity and brain remodeling.
Building on these foundations, the book examines how psychedelics reshape neural circuits and large-scale brain networks through a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates findings from neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and behavioral neuroscience. Finally, it reviews the rapidly evolving clinical literature, highlighting the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for a wide range of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance use disorders, as well as their role in enhancing psychotherapeutic interventions.
Bridging fundamental neuroscience with clinical application, this volume serves as an essential resource for researchers, clinicians, and students seeking a rigorous and up-to-date understanding of one of the most rapidly advancing fields in neuroscience and psychiatry.

Argel Aguilar-Valles, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where he leads a research program investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. His work focuses on understanding how neural plasticity is regulated in health and disease, with particular emphasis on rapid-acting antidepressants, psychoplastogens, and classic serotonergic psychedelics. His laboratory integrates molecular biology, genetics, neuropharmacology, behavioral neuroscience, and systems-level approaches to elucidate the mechanisms through which these compounds induce long-lasting changes in brain function and behavior. Dr. Aguilar-Valles has published extensively in leading neuroscience and psychiatry journals and has received competitive funding from national and international agencies to support his research. His work has contributed to advancing the understanding of translational control, synaptic plasticity, and the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie novel therapeutic approaches for psychiatric disorders.

Leah Mayo, PhD, is the Parker Psychedelics Research Chair, Lead of Novel Therapeutics, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Calgary, as well as a member of the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. Her research investigates the neurobiological mechanisms underlying stress-related psychiatric disorders and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and other novel interventions. Dr. Mayo's interdisciplinary research program combines behavioral pharmacology, neuroimaging, and translational approaches to identify the neural circuits that mediate resilience and recovery from mental illness. As a leader in the rapidly evolving field of psychedelic neuroscience, she strives to develop safer and more effective treatments for mood and stress-related disorders. Through her research, mentorship, and leadership, Dr. Mayo continues to advance the translation of basic neuroscience discoveries into innovative therapeutic strategies for psychiatric illness.