University recruits human behavioural pharmacologist to lead new research program

The Hotchkiss Brain Institute and The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education at the University of Calgary are pleased to announce the recruitment of Dr. Leah Mayo, PhD, to the position of Parker Psychedelic Research Chair. Mayo will conduct research on the potential use of psychedelics to improve mental health.

"There's growing excitement around the potential use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for psychiatric disorders, but we still have a lot to learn,” says Mayo. “We need a better understanding of what these drugs are doing, which clinical populations stand to benefit the most from their use, and how to best implement them into clinical treatment."

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, MDMA (also known as ecstasy), and ketamine have potential to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUDs).

“Dr. Mayo’s experience and body of research make her a perfect fit to lead our research into psychedelics,” says Dr. Valerie Taylor, MD, PhD, head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Cumming School of Medicine. “We’re very excited to have her join us. We need sound science and evidence-based decisions to help ensure novel therapies can be translated into clinical options.”

Research with psychedelic compounds is complicated, notes Mayo, but is worth the effort. Psychedelics present a unique challenge for research trials because it is difficult to conceal the substance people are being given.

“In many clinical drug trials study participants receive either the active medication or a placebo. However, it’s very obvious with psychedelics,” says Mayo, “Any research participant would know in short order whether they have a placebo, based on the subjective experience that psychedelics induce.”

Beyond clinical trials, Mayo will also explore how psychedelics affect stress-related behaviours in people who are otherwise healthy. Studying the affects of drugs in a general population helps researchers understand how these drugs may affect behaviours relevant to various psychiatric conditions, highlighting the potential for new clinical treatments.

In June 2021, the chair was announced at the Mathison Centre, thanks to a generous $3-million donation from UCalgary alumnus, Jim Parker.

"The research that Dr. Mayo will be leading is key to realizing the enormous potential of psychedelics to alleviate suffering," says Parker.

The Parker Psychedelic Research Chair is a first of its kind in Canada, and will allow the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and UCalgary to be trailblazers of new and impactful research in brain and mental health. Mayo will commence her role as chair starting Oct. 1, 2022.