Spectrum News: Therapies make psychedelics more accessible
UC researcher says decriminalization is a good step
Spectrum News turned to a University of Cincinnati researcher to explain the potential therapeutic benefits psychedelics could offer some people.
UC College of Arts and Sciences postdoctoral researcher Neşe Devenot told Spectrum News that people have had meaningful, transformative experiences using psychedelics such as psilocybin, the compound in magic mushrooms.
UC postdoctoral researcher Neşe Devenot. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Devenot works in UC's Institute for Research in Sensing, which explores sensing and sensor technology from both scientific and artistic perspectives.
Federal lawmakers have proposed legislation to expand access to psychedelic substances for medical purposes.
Devenot said psychedelics are getting more research attention.
“Some researchers look at this specifically as an experiential medicine, that there’s something about the experience that is therapeutic. That’s debated,” she told Spectrum News.
The Drug Enforcement Agency categorizes some psychedelics as Schedule I drugs, which criminalizes their use. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies are pursuing new medical treatments based on psychedelics.
Devenot said decriminalization would be a good step. Some studies have shown positive benefits to psychedelics for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder or depression.
“Pyschedelics might help you get outside of those ruminative, fixated thought patterns to free you up to see yourself and your problems and relationship to the world in a different way,” Devenot said. “I think there's some truth to that.”
Watch the Spectrum News story.
Learn more about Devenot's work.
Featured image at top: UC postdoctoral researcher Neşe Devenot talked to Spectrum News about new legislation that could open up medical uses of psychedelics. Photo/Andrew Higley/
UC Marketing + Brand
Related Stories
CityBeat tackles indie horror game based on Crosley Tower
May 28, 2026
CityBeat highlighted an indie horror video game set in Crosley Tower, a 16-story classroom and lab building under demolition at the University of Cincinnati.
Not your grandma's hobby: Young adults take part in needlepoint meet-ups
May 28, 2026
Needlepoint is no longer just your grandmother’s hobby. As WKRC-TV Local 12 recently reported, Gen Z and millennials are picking up needles and thread instead of their phones.
New Imaging Research & Development Center opens on UC’s medical campus
May 28, 2026
The University of Cincinnati’s new Imaging Research & Development Center on its Cincinnati medical campus brings UC, UC Health, Cincinnati Children’s, GE HealthCare and JobsOhio together to advance MRI research and accelerate imaging innovation.