Ph.D. Professor of Psychiatry at NYU
Psychedelics and Psychology:
How Modern Medicine is Rushing to Embrace the Healing Power of Ancient Medicines
Anthony P. Bossis, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine conducting FDA-approved psychedelic research investigating the effects of psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound found in specific species of mushrooms. Subjective features of a psilocybin-generated mystical experience include unity, sacredness, transcendence, and a greater connection to deeply felt positive emotions including that of love. Implications for the scientific study of psilocybin and mystical experience include the alleviation of end-of-life emotional distress, enhanced psychological well-being, treatment of myriad mental health disorders and a deeper understanding for the study of meaning and spirituality. It also provides implications for the enhanced understanding of religious and consciousness studies. Dr. Bossis was director of palliative care research, co-principal investigator, and a session guide for a landmark clinical trial that demonstrated a significant reduction in depression and anxiety from a single psilocybin-generated mystical experience in persons with cancer. He is also the lead investigator for the Psilocybin Religious Leaders Study, a clinical trial evaluating psilocybin-generated mystical experience upon religious leaders. Dr. Bossis is a clinical supervisor of psychotherapy training and the co-founder and former co-director of the Palliative Care Service at Bellevue Hospital. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in NYC.
