In a landmark moment for the field of psychedelic therapy, the Parsons Research Center for Psychedelic Healing celebrated the opening of their new location on the third floor of a Mount Sinai extension building in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by scientists, veterans, and U.S. politicians, the center, formerly known as the Center for Psychedelic Therapy Research, was renamed in honor of Bob and Renee Parsons, who generously donated $5 million towards its establishment. The center will explore the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs such as ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA for a variety of treatment uses, including PTSD, eating disorders, depression, addiction, and couples therapy.
The inauguration of the center comes after a recent setback in the field, as the FDA denied the first-ever application for MDMA therapy, citing concerns about omitted information and integrity related to the trials for review. Despite this regulatory hurdle, the Parsons remain committed to supporting the research and development of psychedelic therapy. Rachel Yehuda, PhD, the center’s director, expressed gratitude for the Parsons’ continued support and emphasized the transformative power of psychedelics in the stories of healing they have witnessed.
Bob Parsons, a veteran who suffered from debilitating PTSD for almost 50 years after returning from Vietnam, discovered the potential of psychedelic therapy in 2018 after participating in sessions involving psilocybin and DMT. Following his experiences, Parsons found profound healing and transformation, leading him to donate to initiatives supporting the research and therapeutic use of psychedelics. With a net worth of $3.9 billion, Parsons has dedicated significant resources toward psychedelic training for clinicians and the establishment of the new Parsons Research Center for Psychedelic Healing.
The Manhattan center features six treatment rooms and one group therapy room, each designed with calming color schemes, comfortable furnishings, and video recording capabilities for observation and data collection. Dr. Tamar Glatman Zaretsky, a study therapist at the center, reports a high level of interest from individuals seeking to participate in psychedelic therapy research. Bob Parsons, along with the team at Mount Sinai and support from influential figures like Senator Kyrsten Sinema and Kimbal Musk, envisions a future where psychedelic therapy becomes a mainstream form of medicine.
Despite facing personal struggles and challenges, Bob Parsons has found success in various business ventures, including Parsons Technology and PXG, a high-performance golf equipment company. He and his wife Renee have also been active philanthropists, donating over $300 million to charities since 2012. Parsons’ journey with psychedelic therapy has inspired his support for research and development in the field, with the hope that the Parsons Research Center for Psychedelic Healing will contribute to a new wave of therapeutic approaches in mainstream medicine.
As the field of psychedelic therapy continues to evolve and gain recognition, the Parsons Research Center for Psychedelic Healing stands as a pioneering institution at the forefront of research and innovation in the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs. With a commitment to advancing knowledge and treatments for conditions such as PTSD, depression, and addiction, the center aims to revolutionize mental health care and provide hope for individuals seeking alternative healing modalities.
