Transformative discoveries are foundationally reshaping international approaches to mental health treatment with psychedelic-assisted therapy. Professor Gregor Hasler, chair of Psychiatry at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, has unveiled his latest progress leading a “scientific revolution” promising to alleviate suffering for millions globally who struggle with treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions.
As director of the university’s Molecular Psychiatry Lab, Hasler is investigating how LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA reshape brain function to treat depression, PTSD, and addiction.
He details his discoveries in a new report by the medical research journal platform Genomic Press, exploring how psychedelics rapidly enhance neuroplasticity and offer enduring therapeutic benefits that conventional treatments cannot match.
“Through clinical studies combined with neuroimaging, I investigate how psychedelics influence brain function, neuroplasticity, and consciousness to translate these insights into safe and effective treatments,” says Hasler.
Professor Hasler’s research has uncovered mechanisms through which psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA fundamentally reorganize brain function.
Unlike traditional antidepressants that require weeks to show effects and often provide only temporary relief, these therapies can produce profound improvements lasting months or even years after just a few carefully supervised sessions.
“I feel fortunate that the psychedelic renaissance coincides with the peak of my academic career. It offers a rare opportunity to be part of a transformative moment in psychiatry, one that redefines how we understand and treat mental illness,” Hasler continues.
“What I enjoy most is the chance to contribute to this innovation, to help shape its direction, and to witness the enthusiasm it sparks in students, colleagues, and the wider community. Being able to combine rigorous science with such a sense of possibility brings me both joy and profound fulfillment.”
Breaking free of patterns
In one significant breakthrough, Hasler discovered mGluR5, a biomarker for neuroplasticity and, in particular, for nicotine dependence.
His work on glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter systems is another significant achievement, altering the scientific understanding of mood disorders by opening entirely new therapeutic avenues for conditions previously considered untreatable.
In psychedelics, Hasler is investigating how psychedelics influence consciousness, neuroplasticity, and brain function through advanced neuroimaging techniques. His work explores how psychedelic therapies can be safely integrated into mainstream medicine.
His current research primarily focuses on clinical applications for depression, trauma-related disorders, and even post-stroke neurorehabilitation.
Hasler’s interdisciplinary team has demonstrated that these substances work by rapidly enhancing neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to rewire itself and break free from the rigid patterns that characterize depression, PTSD, and addiction.
Combining molecular psychiatry with clinical observation, his teams are decoding the mechanisms that make psychedelic therapy uniquely effective for conditions that have resisted conventional treatment approaches.
“I hope that novel, safe, and widely accepted psychedelic treatments will emerge, offering powerful ways to enhance the effectiveness of psychotherapy and neurorehabilitation,” comments Hasler.
“Such advances could make psychiatry a more appealing field for young doctors, researchers, and funding agencies, while also improving its public image. Most importantly, these treatments would not simply suppress symptoms but would open new pathways for personal growth, recovery, and development.”
Switzerland as a pioneering hub
His intellectual journey began with early psychoanalytic training and moved through rigorous neuroscience at the National Institute of Mental Health. This unique combination of depth psychology and cutting-edge neuroscience positions him to bridge different therapeutic traditions in ways that benefit the entire international psychiatric community.
Switzerland has long been recognized as a crucible of psychiatric innovation, having been the scientific hub that produced antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and the original discovery of LSD.
“Switzerland also proved to be an excellent environment for psychiatry, given its historical contributions to the field. This includes the discovery of antidepressants, stimulants, benzodiazepines, clozapine, and even psychedelics,” says Hasler.
However, he notes Swiss contributions extend beyond biological psychiatry — in clinical psychology, figures such as Carl Jung and Jean Piaget have left a lasting mark.
He asks: “Why did Switzerland develop this particular interest in psychiatry? One reason may be that in a society characterized by prosperity and security, it becomes especially evident that mental illness is not merely the result of social problems or traumatic experiences, but in many cases, true brain disorders in their own right.”
“Another reason is that Switzerland has always maintained a very high standard of liberalism when it comes to the research of psychoactive substances.”
Hasler’s research extends beyond national borders. As president of the Swiss Society for Drug Safety in Psychiatry and a member of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, he works to ensure that emerging psychedelic therapies meet the highest safety standards for global implementation.
He emphasizes the critical distinction between scientific research and wholesale legalization, advocating for careful, evidence-based approaches that maximize therapeutic benefit while minimizing potential harm.
Hasler’s book, “Higher Self: Psychedelics in Psychotherapy,” consolidates years of clinical experience and research, proposing bold visions for the future of mental healthcare that resonate with practitioners globally.
Last April, research from the University of Michigan, US, found one single dose of a psychedelic compound can enhance cognitive flexibility for weeks after administration. The study’s authors believe their findings contribute to the movement revolutionizing treatments for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and neurodegenerative diseases.
