Understanding Psychedelic Therapy: A Conversation with Dr. Mary Ella Wood

June 23, 2026
By Bianca Dinkha

Earlier this year, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs announced a new clinical study to evaluate MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, for the treatment of severe mental health disorders. The study is part of a growing body of research mapping the risks and possible benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

For Mary Ella Wood, DO, clinical assistant professor of Family and Community Medicine and medical director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern Medicine, that research is both warranted and long overdue.  

Wood, who advises on psychedelic therapy, sat down with us to discuss how the approach differs from traditional treatments, the science behind it, and what researchers are learning about its potential role in mental healthcare.

For people who’ve never encountered psychedelics, can you explain what they are and why they’re being used as a mental health therapy?

Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, DMT, and mescaline all act primarily on the serotonin 2A receptor. They’re being studied for use in mental health conditions like anxiety and depression because they rapidly open windows of neuroplasticity. This process helps people break out of rigid patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior that contribute to conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. When paired with preparation and integration therapy, they can lead to lasting shifts in perspective and well-being.

How do psychedelics work differently than traditional treatments like SSRIs?

SSRIs are daily medications which gradually alter serotonin signaling over time and ultimately increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. Psychedelics trigger a cascade of chemical reactions in the brain, which contribute to a temporary increase in neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. This is helpful because it allows people to develop new neuronal connections rather than being stuck in rigid or negative loops associated with conditions like anxiety and depression. Psychedelics are especially unique because they open that window of neuroplasticity very dramatically and immediately.

Some people claim psychedelics or Ketamine are beneficial for treatment-resistant depression. Why is that?

Ketamine is certainly more accessible. We have used it in the hospital for a long time for pain control and anesthesia.  However, its effects on mental health conditions are temporary. It can be very helpful in addressing acute suicidal ideation, but it does not appear to be as beneficial for long-term problems. The classic psychedelics, like psilocybin or LSD, are showing far more potential for conditions like treatment-resistant depression.

What are the most common misconceptions about psychedelics that you encounter in your practice?

One common misconception is that the drug alone is responsible for the therapeutic benefits, but research suggests that’s not the case. The molecule itself does open a window of neuroplasticity, but studies show that it is the preparation beforehand and integration afterward that correlates the strongest with long-term mental health benefits. Psychedelics are really a catalyst to help us do the work.  

What do recent FDA and federal policy changes mean for psychedelic medicine research?

The changes are very promising. These changes will support further research to assess safety and efficacy which may eventually lead to FDA approval.. I think this will encourage more leading academic institutions to pursue psychedelic medicine research and add to our growing body of knowledge.

Given the current landscape of mental health trends in our country, where do psychedelics fit in?

After COVID, anxiety, depression, and PTSD has increased significantly. Psychedelics give us another tool in the toolbox to help people feel better. It is also especially notable that in some cases, psychedelics can put longstanding mental health disorders into remission after only one or two sessions.  That really is remarkable, especially for those who have struggled with treatment-resistant conditions for years. 

That being said, psychedelics are not for everyone, and there can be risks, especially for those with a history of manic illness. It is important to remember that these molecules are still being studied and are only available through experienced, licensed practitioners or tightly-controlled clinical trials.

What can clinicians and patients take away from current psychedelic therapy research?

The biggest takeaway is to keep an open mind when it comes to how we think about health and healing.