Charles Grob

Charles S. Grob, MD, is a psychiatrist and clinical researcher based at the University of California, Los Angeles, whose work has helped re-establish rigorous clinical investigation of classic psychedelics in contemporary psychiatry. His research spans early-phase human studies and translational work examining the pharmacology, safety and therapeutic potential of serotonergic compounds. Grob has been principal investigator on clinical and pharmacokinetic studies of ayahuasca (Hoasca), supervised neuroimaging and pharmacology research into MDMA and related compounds, and led pilot clinical trials exploring psilocybin-assisted interventions for anxiety and existential distress in medically ill populations.

Beyond clinical trials, Grob has contributed to the field through scholarly synthesis and training: he has authored and edited influential reviews and chapters on medical hallucinogens, helped articulate safety and ethical considerations for clinical psychedelic research, and investigated psychosocial and developmental issues such as the psychiatric and neuropsychological effects of adolescent ayahuasca exposure. His work is characterised by careful attention to clinical safety, pharmacokinetics, and integration of psychotherapeutic context in psychedelic-assisted treatment protocols.