A once-barren rooftop at UCLA’s Semel Institute is set to become a cutting-edge living laboratory, blending nature and science in the pursuit of innovative mental health treatments. This unique space will host studies on Ecological Medicine and psychedelic therapies, marking a significant shift in biomedical research approaches.
Reimagining Mental Health Research
The top deck of UCLA Health’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior will soon transform from an empty green asphalt expanse into a lush, plant-filled environment. This living laboratory will be the first of its kind in a biomedical setting, designed to explore the intersection of nature and mental health.
Dr. Helena Hansen, director of the Semel Institute and co-founder of Project ReConnect, explains the vision: “Rather than focusing further inward, at the exclusively molecular or neuronal level, we want to actually turn outward. We aim to foster connections with each other, with the natural world, and where necessary, bring the natural world of plants and animals into the biomedical clinic.”
The rooftop will feature native plants, attract local wildlife, and include both group seating areas and private treatment rooms. This design allows researchers to study how interacting with nature affects traditional therapy sessions and psychedelic medicine treatments.
Combining Ecological Medicine and Psychedelic Research
The project uniquely pairs Ecological Medicine research with psychedelic studies. Ecological Medicine explores the relationships between people and Earth’s ecosystems, seeking to promote health by supporting these connections.
Dr. Hansen’s interest in this field stems from her experience at Bellevue Hospital in New York, where a hospital garden project demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of nature contact for patients.
Simultaneously, UCLA has been at the forefront of psychedelic research. Dr. Charles Grob, director of child and adolescent psychiatry at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, has been studying therapeutic applications of substances like psilocybin and MDMA for over 30 years.
“Many of these investigations exploring the clinical utility of psychedelics have reported very encouraging outcomes,” Dr. Grob states. “The progress made thus far has generated a notable positive momentum within psychiatry.”
The living laboratory will allow researchers to explore potential synergies between these two approaches. “If we take these two modalities that share a lot in common and put them together, does that enhance their impact?” Dr. Hansen asks. “That’s an open question, and that’s what we’re gearing up to study.”
Why it matters: This innovative approach could lead to more effective mental health treatments by combining the benefits of nature connection with emerging psychedelic therapies. The research conducted in this living laboratory has the potential to reshape our understanding of mental health and well-being.
As funding efforts continue for both the rooftop living laboratory and a separate community garden space, UCLA is positioning itself at the forefront of integrative mental health research. The upcoming public symposium in November 2024 will offer more insights into these groundbreaking research areas at UCLA Health.
