Overview

For years, the conversation around psychedelics and addiction recovery has been polarized—either dismissed entirely or hailed as a cure-all. But the reality is far more nuanced. As emerging evidence reveals promising outcomes for substance use disorders, we’re also learning that these aren’t magic bullets, and they’re certainly not without risk. 

In this webinar, Dr. David Wiss explores the intersection of psychedelic-assisted therapy and addiction treatment by holding both the genuine therapeutic potential and the legitimate concerns in the same space. We’ll examine the historical context that shaped our fears, review what recent research actually suggests, address the tension between psychedelic innovation and abstinence-based recovery frameworks, honestly confront the controversial substances entering clinical settings, and ground it all in both scientific evidence and clinical wisdom. If you’re trying to make sense of this evolving landscape, this session invites you to move beyond ideology and toward integration.

After this presentation, attendees will be able to:

  1. Critically evaluate the evidence base for psychedelic-assisted therapy in addiction treatment.
  2. Navigate the tension between psychedelic innovation and existing recovery frameworks.
  3. Identify safety considerations and contraindications specific to psychedelic-assisted therapy.


Whether you’re curious about Functional Psychiatry or ready to expand your treatment toolkit, this webinar will provide essential insights to help you deliver more personalized, effective care—and open the door to new possibilities for your patients.

Instructor

David Wiss, PhD, RDN, IFMCP

Dr. David Wiss, PhD, RDN, IFMCP, is a mental health scientist, registered dietitian nutritionist, and Institute of Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. He specializes in biopsychosocial approaches to mental health treatment, with particular emphasis on the integration of nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and emerging therapeutic modalities. With over 13 years of clinical experience, Dr. Wiss has pioneered innovative approaches to substance use disorder and eating disorder treatment that address root-cause mechanisms often overlooked by conventional treatment models. His work has been featured in National Geographic, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. He has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications and serves as a thought leader on the complex relationships between trauma, neuropsychology, and recovery. His approach to this emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapy is characterized by scientific rigor, clinical humility, and dialectical thinking—holding both the genuine therapeutic promise and the legitimate risks in the same space. He brings both skepticism and openness, having evolved from initial caution to thoughtful integration based on emerging evidence and from witnessing miracles. Dr. Wiss’s clinical philosophy emphasizes patient autonomy and the primacy of the therapeutic relationship. Currently, his ongoing work with clinicians across mental health, addiction medicine, and trauma treatment focuses on holding challenging ideas and conversations with nuance. His long-held passion is blending ancient wisdom with modern science.