Naropa University’s Center for Psychedelic Studies has become an independent entity, the Memoru Center for Visionary Healing Arts, in collaboration with therapists and researchers Marcela Ot’alora, Bruce Poulter, and Sara Gael Beauregard. This new center will focus on clinical care, training, and research related to psychedelic therapies, with plans to open clinics and expand training programs. The separation allows Memoru to operate outside the regulatory constraints of a university setting, which is crucial for working with federally regulated substances like psilocybin.
This transition represents a significant advancement for the field of psychedelic therapy. By operating independently, Memoru has greater freedom to pursue clinical research and provide treatment using promising substances like psilocybin, which are currently restricted at the university level due to federal regulations. This move allows for more rapid translation of research into practice, potentially leading to faster development and wider availability of effective treatments for mental health conditions. Furthermore, the focus on integrative medicine offers a holistic approach to care that could address unmet needs in mental health services.
Memoru inherits Naropa’s existing psilocybin training certifications in Colorado and is working to transfer its Oregon certification. It will continue existing training programs, with plans to expand online offerings. The center will focus on three core areas: clinical care using integrative medicine and psychedelic-assisted therapies; training facilitators for these therapies; and research to develop innovative care models. This structure allows for a synergistic approach, where research findings directly inform clinical practice and training programs evolve with the latest advancements.
The launch of Memoru signals a maturing field of psychedelic therapy, moving from academic exploration to real-world application. This shift could accelerate the development and acceptance of psychedelic-assisted treatments within mainstream healthcare. Memoru’s emphasis on accessibility and community outreach also suggests a commitment to bringing these potentially transformative therapies to a broader population, particularly those underserved by traditional mental health services. This model may pave the way for other similar centers to emerge, further expanding access to and accelerating the development of psychedelic therapies.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.