When Harriet de Wit began her doctoral research on cocaine self-administration in rats, psychedelics were still considered a fringe concept in mainstream science.
Forty-five years later, she is recognized as one of the world’s most respected voices on the effects of MDMA, LSD, and other psychoactive drugs on human consciousness.
In an interview with Genomic Press, de Wit highlights how translating animal research to human studies has shaped our understanding of addiction, consciousness, and the core traits that unite us.
Reframing Addiction
De Wit has led the Human Behavioral Pharmacology Lab at the University of Chicago for decades, sustained by an unprecedented 42 years of continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health. Her work aims to explore how animal research can contribute to our understanding of human behavior.
This translational approach led to discoveries that challenged conventional ideas. For example, her team showed that abstinence increases cravings in both human smokers and lab rats. This finding made scientists rethink addiction relapse and informed approaches to addiction treatment.
“The challenge of translating behavioral observations across species has continued to be a central theme in my research for the past 45 years,” de Wit explained.
The Science of Connection
In recent years, de Wit has turned her attention to psychedelic substances that bring about shifts in perception and emotion not easily studied in animals. Her work with MDMA has shown that the drug can boost feelings of empathy and help people connect with others, supporting its promise as a tool for therapy. In several controlled studies, MDMA reportedly heightened empathy in volunteers.
Those results provide an innovative path forward, offering hope for new clinical approaches to PTSD, trauma, and psychiatric care. In the United States, the FDA rejected an application for MDMA-assisted therapy in 2024 and requested another Phase 3 trial, so research continues. In Australia, authorized psychiatrists may prescribe MDMA under a 2023 rescheduling decision, although no MDMA products are formally approved on the national register.
Her team also explored the effects of low doses of LSD, with preliminary results suggesting increased feelings of empathy and unity. They investigated whether these experiences have a lasting impact or influence how people interact with one another. This work offers new insights into the nature of consciousness.
De Wit’s educational background in both England and North America informs her global perspective, connecting laboratory findings with larger questions of behavior.
Today, she leads her lab and serves as an editor for two major journals. Her impact is global as scientists from Tokyo to Berlin study microdosing and neuroplasticity using her methods.
Science-Life Balance
The interview also reveals de Wit’s personal side, as she shares that her curiosity drives both her scientific pursuits and her love of travel. She paints watercolors, showing the same persistence and dedication in her art as in her research.
Her greatest achievement, she says, is maintaining her NIH grant for 42 years, a rare feat. Her motto, “keep it simple,” is a guiding principle that helps scientists uncover core truths amid complexity.
Looking ahead, de Wit worries less about money or experiments and more about the climate for scholarship. She notes that a lack of respect for science and education can result in lost discoveries due to mistrust, particularly in the absence of strong public education.
Even as her work inspires new understanding of empathy, awe, and human connection, the greater opportunity lies in preserving the institutions that nurture such research.
Her research established that abstinence leads to heightened cravings in both people and animals, a discovery that refined how clinicians address addiction relapse and revealed the shared biology underlying addiction.
Research on psychedelics also points to universal experiences such as empathy, awe, and unity that cross cultural boundaries and speak to shared human qualities. After decades in the field, de Wit emphasizes that scientific progress deepens our sense of connection and that ongoing research is key to future discovery.
Austin Burgess is a writer and researcher with a background in sales, marketing, and data analytics. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, along with a certification in Data Analytics. His work combines analytical training with a focus on emerging science, aerospace, and astronomical research.