Perspectives on Psychedelic Research, Clinical Trials, and Continuing To Connect From The Heart

Living Medicine

Manish Agrawal, MD, is the Co-founder and CEO of Sunstone Therapies, the leader in the delivery of psychedelic-assisted therapies in the medical setting. Dr. Agrawal brings an extensive academic, clinical, and research background and depth of experience to Sunstone that spans medicine, engineering, philosophy, and ethics. Driven by a deep interest in healing, Dr. Agrawal is particularly passionate about whole-person healing and the transformative potential of psychedelic therapies. Manish previously held the position of Co-director of Clinical Research at Maryland Oncology Hematology, where he dedicated 18 years to the care of cancer patients.

Dr. Agrawal completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center, where he was also a Fellow in Health Care Research and Policy and Bioethics. He earned his MA in philosophy from Georgetown University and an MSc in clinical research from Duke University. He earned a Fellowship where he was appointed Chief Fellow at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, and Hematology and Medical Oncology. He also completed a Fellowship in Bioethics at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center and was the first fellow accepted into both fellowships.

In this episode…

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is revolutionizing the treatment of mental health conditions, but its integration into medical practice raises significant methodological and operational challenges. How can researchers develop rigorous protocols while addressing the unique demands of this innovative therapy?

Oncology specialist and researcher Dr. Manish Agrawal, MD, pioneers psychedelic-assisted therapy in clinical settings. Conventional clinical trials, focused on standard medical interventions, struggle to accommodate the multidimensional nature of therapy-assisted psychedelics. To navigate these challenges, Dr. Agrawal refined methodologies to integrate therapeutic preparation, ongoing support, and post-session integration into their protocols. Clinical approaches must emphasize patient safety and trust, which are critical for the profound emotional states induced by substances like psilocybin and ketamine. Additionally, trials should incorporate validated scales alongside qualitative insights to bridge the gap between scientific rigor and therapeutic nuance.

On today’s episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes hosts Dr. Manish Agrawal, MD, the Co-founder and CEO of Sunstone Therapies, to discuss clinical trials in psychedelic therapy research. Dr. Agrawal talks about balancing the risks and benefits of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, his transition from oncology to psychedelic therapy, and the limitations of this groundbreaking research.