Trailblazing psychiatrist Dr. Nicolas Garel unveils new frontiers in psychedelic-assisted therapy
University of Montreal researcher pushes boundaries in treating mood and substance use disorders, reveals insights in exclusive genomic press interview
image: Nicolas Garel, MD, MSc, FRCPC, University of Montreal, Canada
Credit: Nicolas Garel, MD
Montreal, Canada - The "Innovators & Ideas: Rising Star" section of Psychedelics features an enlightening Genomic Press Interview with Dr. Nicolas Garel, an emerging leader in psychiatry and addiction research at the University of Montreal. The interview delves into Dr. Garel's innovative work on psychedelic-assisted therapy, offering valuable insights into cutting-edge treatments for mood disorders and substance use disorders (SUDs).
Dr. Garel, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Addictology at the University of Montreal and a junior investigator at the Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, shares his journey from medical school to the forefront of psychedelic research. His work combines ketamine-assisted psychotherapy with advanced neurobiological research to address the complex needs of patients with comorbid mood disorders and SUDs.
"The co-occurrence of mood disorders and substance use disorders significantly compounds the burden on individuals, their families, and society," explains Dr. Garel. "By developing and studying novel interventions targeting this specific population, we can bridge the treatment gap and provide much-needed support to clinicians and patients often overlooked."
The Genomic Press Interview highlights Dr. Garel's current research program, which focuses on integrating psychoactive molecules, initially ketamine, with psychotherapy as a unique treatment approach for patients with comorbid mood and alcohol/sedative use disorders. His team aims to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy on key clinical outcomes, examine changes in functional outcomes and quality of life, and explore the underlying neurobiological mechanisms involved in this treatment approach.
Dr. Garel's work represents a significant advancement in the field of psychiatry and addiction medicine. By combining psychoactive substances with psychotherapy, his research opens new avenues for treating complex, treatment-resistant conditions that have long challenged mental health professionals.
The interview also touches on Dr. Garel's personal journey, including his postdoctoral fellowship in addiction medicine at Stanford University, which shaped his current research direction and highlighted the importance of integrating clinical perspectives with basic science in addiction psychiatry.
"Dr. Garel's work exemplifies the innovative research being conducted at the intersection of psychedelic science and psychiatry," says Dr. Julio Licinio, Editor-in-Chief of Psychedelics. "His insights into novel treatment approaches for comorbid mood and substance use disorders are not only advancing our understanding of these complex conditions but also paving the way for more effective, personalized interventions."
The Genomic Press Interview with Dr. Nicolas Garel offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of a rising star in psychiatry and addiction research. It underscores the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy to revolutionize our approach to treating mood disorders and SUDs, particularly in patients with comorbid conditions.
The full Genomic Press Interview "Nicolas Garel: Combining psychoactive molecules and psychotherapy for patients suffering from mood and substance use disorders: a new therapeutic paradigm" was published on 14 June 2024 and is available online in the Innovators & Ideas: Rising Star section of Psychedelics: https://pp.genomicpress.com/aop/.
About Psychedelics – Psychedelics: The Journal of Psychedelic Pharmacology (ISSN: 2997-2671) is a peer-reviewed journal published by Genomic Press, New York. The journal is exclusively dedicated to the latest advancements in the realm of psychedelic substances and their potential therapeutic uses. Psychedelics embraces the full spectrum of research, from fundamental investigations to cutting-edge clinical studies and welcomes diverse perspectives and contributions, advancing the understanding of psychedelic compounds.