For millions struggling with depression, PTSD, or addiction, the current menu of treatments can feel… well, a little stale. Medications often take weeks to kick in, and even then, relief can be fleeting. For those with treatment-resistant symptoms, it’s like knocking on a locked door over and over again.

But — what if there’s a way to pick that dusty old lock?

That’s where Swiss psychiatrist Gregor Hasler comes in. In a recent chat with Genomic Press, Hasler shared how psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA might do something far more radical than conventional meds: they may actually reorganize brain function. And in doing so, they could offer deeper, longer-lasting healing.

Meet the Man Bridging Neuroscience and Psychedelics

Hasler wears a lot of hats. He’s Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Fribourg, directs its Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, and has a background that fuses psychoanalysis with hardcore neuroscience. He cut his teeth at the U.S. Institut national de la santé mentale, where mentors encouraged him to focus on substances that don’t just mask symptoms, but create rapid, robust shifts dans le cerveau.

Et psychédéliques fit that bill.

Hasler doesn’t see them as “happy pills” or temporary band-aids. Instead, he describes them as catalysts for neuroplasticity, that beautiful brain process where neurons form new connections and break out of old, rigid patterns. In other words, psychedelics might help the brain stop playing the same depressing song on repeat and learn some fresh tunes.

via Unsplash

Switzerland: Where Mental Health Meets Innovation

It’s no accident this research is happening in Switzerland. The country has a rich history of psychiatric breakthroughs. From early antidepressants and benzos to, of course, Albert Hofmann’s serendipitous découverte du LSD.

Hasler’s own work builds on that legacy. By studying glutamate et GABA neurotransmitter systems, he’s helped reshape how scientists think about mood disorders. He even identified mGluR5 as a biomarker tied to neuroplasticity and nicotine dependence — a neat bridge between lab science and real-world treatment.

The Science of Rapid Rewiring

Here’s the kicker: while antidepressants usually take weeks (or months) to make a dent, psychedelic therapy often sparks noticeable change after a hand-full of sessions — often, even just un.

Some participants in studies report improvements that last not just for months, but in some cases, years. That’s because, according to Hasler, psychedelics don’t just reduce the symptoms. They can actually reshape the architecture of the brain.

Think of it this way: traditional meds tidy up the living room while leaving the locked attic untouched. Psychedelics, on the other hand, might just hand you the key to the attic, and a chance to reorganize the whole house.

This is why researchers are eyeing psychedelic therapy not only for depression and PTSD, but also for addiction recovery et même post-stroke rehabilitation.

Photo by Nathan Cima on Unsplash

Caution: Handle With Care

Of course, Hasler is careful to separate rigorous clinical research from the hype around legalization. As President of the Swiss Society for Drug Safety in Psychiatry (say that five times fast) and a member of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, he’s a big advocate for balance: maximum benefit, minimum risk.

Translation? Safety, proper training, and ethical guidelines are non-negotiable. His lab is working to build the protocols needed so psychedelic therapy can one day slot responsibly into mainstream healthcare systems —without cutting corners.

Why This Work Matters

For Hasler, this isn’t just professional, it’s personal. Inspired by his father, a mathematician and economist, he’s always seen depression as both a human and economic burden. Improving mental health, he believes, is one of the most impactful contributions science can make to society.

And psychedelics, with their potential to spark faster, deeper, longer-lasting healing, might just be a cornerstone of that contribution.

Final Thoughts

Dr. Gregor Hasler isn’t claiming psychedelics are magic bullets — but his research suggests they might just be the rewiring tools we’ve been waiting for. With careful protocols, safety nets, and respect for their power, psychedelics could shift from fringe curiosity to frontline treatment for some of the toughest mental health challenges.

From Hofmann’s lab in Basel to cutting-edge clinics today, Switzerland’s psychedelic journey comes full circle. And if Hasler’s work is any sign, the future of psychiatry could be looking a lot more… neuroplastic.