Summary
Dr. Adam Gazzaley, founder of UCSF's Neuroscape center and co-founder of Akili Interactive, discusses brain optimization through technology and the future of psychedelic medicine. A scientific advisor to Apple and other tech companies, he shares insights on novel brain assessment tools, cognitive enhancement, and the intersection of neuroscience and technology.
Key Points
- Technology-based approaches to brain optimization
- The future of psychedelic-assisted therapy
- Video games designed to improve cognitive function
- Novel brain assessment tools from Neuroscape
- Combining psychedelics with technology for therapy
- Translational neuroscience: from lab to application
Key Moments
How Gazzaley builds security into high-risk psychedelic research at UCSF
Gazzaley's lab moved from video game-based cognitive interventions to psychedelic research remarkably fast. He builds systematic security around risky protocols so the science can proceed. Psychedelics were never once presented during his full neurology residency at UCSF.
"How come never during all of that training was psychedelics ever presented in an academic manner as being a potential tool? Not once, never."
Psychedelic therapy protocol: eye mask, curated music, internal focus
The standard clinical psychedelic protocol involves ingesting the substance, wearing an eye mask for internal experience, and listening to curated music that shifts across the session. The research raises challenging questions about how to measure and optimize these subjective experiences.
"You would ingest this and have usually a blindfold on, an eye mask, so it was more internal, and you'd be listening to music."
