What is EndeavorRx and its significance for ADHD treatment?

EndeavorRx is an FDA-cleared digital therapeutic video game, evolved from NeuroRacer. It is the first FDA-cleared digital treatment for inattention in children aged 8-12 with ADHD, and the first video game approved for any clinical condition. It proved effective in multi-site, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

What is Neuroscape and its new focus?

Neuroscape is Dr. Adam Gazzaley's translational neuroscience center at UCSF, developing technology for brain assessment and optimization. It is launching a new psychedelic research division, led by Robin Carhart-Harris, to study how context and technology can enhance psychedelic-assisted therapies.

How do psychedelics act as 'experiential medicines'?

Psychedelics are viewed not just as molecular treatments, but as 'experiential medicines.' The molecule initiates brain events leading to an experience, and it is this experience, combined with the individual's 'set and setting' (intentions, context, environment), that profoundly influences the therapeutic outcome. This is a key area of research for Neuroscape.

What role will technology play in Neuroscape's psychedelic research?

Neuroscape will use advanced technology, including multimodal biosensing (EEG, facial expressions, heart rate) to monitor a participant's real-time state during treatment. They will also manipulate multi-sensory elements (light, sound, smell, vibration) to optimize the therapeutic environment, creating 'closed-loop' personalized experiences.

How can researchers 'guide' psychedelic experiences rather than 'control' them?

The aim is to develop data-driven tools that allow therapists to 'guide' rather than 'control' the experience. By understanding a participant's real-time state through biosensing, a therapist can introduce specific environmental stimuli (like a calming forest scene) to gently steer a challenging experience toward a more positive outcome, without imposing content.

What are the common threads uniting Dr. Gazzaley's work on video games and psychedelics?

The common thread is 'experience-dependent plasticity' – the brain's ability to change in response to experiences. Both video games like EndeavorRx and psychedelics induce profound experiences that 'shuffle the deck' of rigid neural frameworks, especially involving the default mode network, leading to neuroplasticity and the potential for enduring positive transformation.

Why is it important to learn from real-world psychedelic practitioners?

While scientific literature is crucial, Dr. Gazzaley emphasizes learning from the 'true life wisdom and expertise' of therapists and indigenous shamans who have guided psychedelic experiences for decades or centuries. Their insights into recognizing suffering cues and intervening with environmental tuning are vital for designing robust, data-driven research studies.

How can people support Neuroscape's psychedelic research?

Neuroscape needs financial support, with a target of $20 million to build cutting-edge facilities and expand research. Philanthropic contributions are welcome at any level. Additionally, they seek to be educated by individuals with personal, practitioner, or scientific experience in psychedelics to inform their research perspectives. UCSF can now accept cryptocurrency donations; email neuroscape@ucsf.edu for instructions.

Key Moments

Dr. Adam Gazzaley - Brain Optimization and The Future of Psychedelic Medicine | The Tim Ferriss Show

Q: Why is EndeavorRx effective across various neurological and psychiatric conditions?

EndeavorRx's broad efficacy stems from targeting common underlying neural networks responsible for attention that are vulnerable across many neurological and psychiatric conditions. By challenging cognitive control at a high, personalized level, it optimizes these fundamental attention abilities, leading to improvements regardless of the specific diagnosis.

Tim Ferriss

Howto & Style3 min read105 min video

Apr 7, 2021|19,480 views|273|27

tim ferriss 4 hour workweek 4 hour body 4 hour chef timothy ferriss entrepreneur author writer angel investor ferriss tim ferriss blog timothy ferriss speaker

Save to Pod

Key Moments

TL;DR

Dr. Adam Gazzaley discusses brain optimization, AI, and the future of psychedelic medicine.

Key Insights

Video games, like VR, can be powerful tools for cognitive enhancement and are being developed into FDA-cleared medical devices.

Psychedelic medicine's potential lies not just in the compounds but in the experiential and contextual elements of treatment.

Integrating technology like multimodal biosensing and VR is key to optimizing psychedelic experiences and understanding their mechanisms.

Neuroscape is launching a new division dedicated to psychedelic research, led by Robin Carhart-Harris, to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical trials.

The future of psychedelic therapy involves sophisticated, data-driven tools to assist therapists, not replace them, enhancing personalized treatment.

The potential for psychedelic compounds to create enduring positive change is linked to their ability to induce neuroplasticity and 'shuffle the deck' of rigid cognitive patterns.

FROM NEURO-GAMING TO THERAPEUTIC DEVICES

Dr. Adam Gazzaley, a distinguished professor at UCSF, has pioneered the use of technology for brain optimization. His work with neuroracer, a video game designed to target cognitive functions like attention and working memory, led to significant findings, including improvements in older adults that persisted for years. This research culminated in the development of EndeavorRx, the first FDA-cleared digital therapeutic for children with ADHD, demonstrating the potential of experiential medicine delivered through technology.

THE PROMISE OF PSYCHEDELIC MEDICINE

Gazzaley reveals his deep dive into psychedelic medicine, spurred by conversations and reading works like Michael Pollan's 'How to Change Your Mind.' He emphasizes that psychedelics are not traditional molecular treatments but experiential medicines, akin to his work with VR and video games. The transformative power lies in the experience itself, influenced by set (mindset) and setting (environment), which can induce profound changes and neuroplasticity.

LAUNCHING THE NEUROSCAPE PSYCHEDELIC RESEARCH DIVISION

Driven by the potential of these compounds and the need for rigorous scientific investigation, Gazzaley is launching a new division within Neuroscape dedicated to psychedelic research. This initiative will be led by Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, a leading figure in psychedelic science, who will join UCSF. This launch signifies a significant step in bringing structured, technologically advanced research to a field ripe with potential.

BRIDGING THE GAP IN PSYCHEDELIC RESEARCH

Gazzaley identifies a critical gap in psychedelic research between basic science insights (cellular mechanisms, receptor binding) and advanced clinical trials (PTSD, depression, addiction). His new division aims to fill this 'middle ground' by optimizing treatment delivery, personalization, and understanding the nuances of set and setting through technology, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes.

TECHNOLOGY'S ROLE IN OPTIMIZING EXPERIENCES

The core of Gazzaley's approach involves leveraging technology to enhance and understand psychedelic experiences. This includes multimodal biosensing to track physiological and behavioral states in real-time, and sophisticated environmental controls (visuals, sounds, smells) to shape the therapeutic setting. The ultimate goal is to create closed-loop systems where data informs personalized interventions, guided by either AI or human facilitators.

THE SYNERGY OF EXPERIENCE AND SCIENCE

Gazzaley stresses that this technologically-driven approach is not about replacing therapists but about providing them with advanced tools to understand and guide patient experiences more effectively. He engages with practitioners and indigenous wisdom, seeking to integrate real-world expertise with scientific rigor. This philosophy aims to democratize access to psychedelic therapies by making them more scalable, effective, and accessible.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●Drugs & Medications

●People Referenced

Common Questions

NeuroRacer is a video game developed by Dr. Adam Gazzaley's team, featured on the cover of Nature. It was shown to improve sustained attention, working memory, and multitasking abilities in healthy adults aged 60+, restoring their cognitive function to the level of 20-year-olds with effects lasting up to six years without continued training.

Topics

Neuroscience & the Brain Mental Health & Psychology Technology & Innovation Cognitive Enhancement Psychedelic Medicine ADHD Treatment Brain Optimization Digital Therapeutics Experiential Medicine Multimodal Biosensing

Mentioned in this video

Companies

Akili Interactive

A company co-founded by Dr. Gazzaley to translate NeuroRacer technology into a medical device, which led to the FDA-cleared video game EndeavorRx.

Nielsen

A global measurement and data analytics company for which Dr. Gazzaley has served as a scientific advisor.

Apple

A technology company for which Dr. Gazzaley has served as a scientific advisor.

Deloitte

A multinational professional services network for which Dr. Gazzaley has served as a scientific advisor.

Allform

A new company launched by Helix Sleep, making premium, customizable sofas and chairs delivered directly to your door at a fraction of traditional store costs, with easy assembly.

Wealthfront

An automated investment service (robo-advising) that helps clients diversify portfolios, minimize fees, lower taxes, and offers a service called Autopilot to manage excess cash.

ExpressVPN

A virtual private network (VPN) app that secures internet connections, hides IP addresses, and bypasses regional content restrictions, consistently rated as one of the fastest.

A multinational conglomerate for which Dr. Gazzaley has served as a scientific advisor.

People

Jenny Mitchell

A key person leading a site for the MAPS trial at Neuroscape, contributing to the early momentum of the psychedelic research division.

Michael Pollan

Author of 'How to Change Your Mind', whose book served as an inspiration for Dr. Gazzaley's entry into psychedelic research, especially in understanding these compounds as 'experiential treatments'.

Tim Ferriss

Host of The Tim Ferriss Show, interviewing world-class performers and a close friend of Dr. Adam Gazzaley, supporting his research.

Rick Doblin

Author and founder of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), introduced to Dr. Gazzaley by Tim Ferriss, and known for accepting cryptocurrency donations.

Adam Gazzaley

David Dolby Distinguished Professor of Neurology, Physiology, and Psychiatry at UCSF, founder and executive director of Neuroscape, and co-founder of Akili Interactive. He is a pioneer in brain optimization and digital medicine, and is now launching a psychedelic research division.

Scott Kollins

A clinician scientist at Duke who conducted the pivotal phase three trial for EndeavorRx in children with ADHD, independently validating the game's efficacy.

University of Oxford

A university in the UK, visited by Dr. Gazzaley as part of his research into the psychedelic field.

Robin Carhart-Harris

A leader in psychedelic research, the most cited researcher in the field, who will be joining Neuroscape as faculty and the founding director of its new psychedelic research division, bringing expertise on 'set and setting'.

Organizations

Neuroscape

A translational neuroscience center founded and executive directed by Dr. Adam Gazzaley at UCSF, focused on technology development and scientific research for brain assessments and optimization. It's now launching a new psychedelic research division.

FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which cleared Dr. Gazzaley's video game, EndeavorRx, as the first ever FDA-cleared digital treatment for ADHD in children.

MAPS

An organization conducting trials related to psychedelic therapies, with a site led by Jenny Mitchell at Neuroscape, also known for accepting cryptocurrency donations.

University of California, San Francisco

A world-renowned medical and health center, especially prominent in neuroscience, neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. It is the institution hosting Dr. Gazzaley's Neuroscape center and the new psychedelic research division.

Nature

A leading scientific journal that featured Dr. Gazzaley's NeuroRacer paper on its cover in 2013.

Imperial College London

A university in the UK where Robin Carhart-Harris conducted significant psychedelic research, and where Dr. Gazzaley gave a talk during his exploration of the field.

Drugs & Medications

Ketamine

A dissociative anesthetic that can induce deep psychedelic experiences at sufficient doses, discussed by Tim Ferriss from personal experience during a five-session series of intravenous infusions.

psilocybin

A psychedelic compound mentioned as an example of a substance used in therapeutic treatments, leading to strong experiences. Its effects are being studied in relation to neuroplasticity and altering perception of self and environment.

Software & Apps

EndeavorRx

A commercially developed, F.D.A.-cleared video game derived from NeuroRacer, used as a medical device to treat inattention in children with ADHD, and shown to be effective across various neurological and psychiatric conditions.

NeuroRacer

The first video game invented by Dr. Gazzaley cleared by the FDA, designed to improve cognitive control abilities in older adults, showing improvements comparable to 20-year-olds with sustained effects.

finance

Bitcoin

A decentralized digital currency, mentioned as a medium through which some of MAPS' largest donations have been received.

Books

How to Change Your Mind

A book by Michael Pollan that explores the science and history of psychedelics, which significantly influenced Dr. Gazzaley's perspective on these substances as experiential medicines.