HoldsUp

Robin Carhart-Harris

Robin Carhart-Harris is a neuroscientist specializing in psychedelic research and psychedelic psychiatry. His research investigates the neurobiological mechanisms and clinical applications of substances such as psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, DMT, and ketamine. His published work focuses on their therapeutic potential for conditions like major depressive disorder, as well as their effects on brain connectivity, neuroplasticity, and subjective experience.

25 claims checked on air: 1 contradicted 2 overstated 18 supported 4 unverified

What they said on air - overstated

2 citing their own research

1:05:16overstatedmoderateWhy Your Brain is Stuck: The Truth About Psychedelics and Pl

Peripheral BDNF levels can be detected in blood and are observed to increase after psychedelic use.

"The BDNF, yeah, you can pick it up peripherally in the blood and and see it go up." (said at 1:05:16)

BDNF is readily measurable in peripheral blood (serum and plasma), and some early, small clinical trials reported increases in circulating BDNF following administration of low-dose LSD or ayahuasca. However, a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis encompassing 29 human studies on psychoplastogens and classic psychedelics found no statistically significant evidence of peripheral BDNF elevation overall (SMD = 0.024, p = 0.64), noting that higher-quality, well-controlled studies generally showed smaller or null effects.

1:13:08overstatedmoderateWhy Your Brain is Stuck: The Truth About Psychedelics and Pl

Close to 10,000 or more people have participated in regulated adult-assisted magic mushroom experiences in states like Oregon.

"At the moment, we have in Oregon, and also Colorado is opening up, yeah, adult-assisted, uh, magic mushroom experiences essentially. And, uh, I think it's close to 10,000 people, if not more, have gone through that" (said at 1:13:08)

Statewide administrative data from the Oregon Psilocybin Services (OPS) Public Dashboard shows that during its inaugural full year of regulated operations, 5,935 clients participated across 5,375 sessions. While participation has been substantial, the claim of 'close to 10,000 people, if not more' overstates the documented number of participants in the state-regulated program.

Fact-checked episodes

Publications