Psychedelic science is most often tied to the field of medicine. Classical psychedelics have yet to be approved for treatment, however, preliminary data suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapies may be effective for some of our most prevalent and debilitating conditions such as treatment resistant depression and drug addiction. If ongoing research continues to show efficacy, there may be a public health imperative to advance our understanding and application of these treatments. 

However, psychedelic science is not limited to mental health. Psychedelic substances produce unusual and compelling changes in conscious experience that have prompted some to propose that psychedelics may provide unique insights explaining the nature of consciousness which involve relations between subjectivity, brain function, and behavior. 

Within neuroscience there are studies looking into the mechanisms of psychedelics in the brain using brain mapping technologies such as PET and MRI. Studies suggest that psychedelics may facilitate neuroplasticity at the cellular and network levels allowing the brain to form and reorganize connections. Within immunology scientists are looking into the potential of psychedelics to modulate immune functions which might lead to treatments of inflammatory and immune-related diseases.

Social science has studied indigenous use of psychedelics for a long time because psilocybin, DMT, mescaline, as well as Ibogaine, can be found naturally occurring in nature. Communities all over the world have been documented using psychedelic plants and mushrooms as a religious sacrament or plant medicine. In recent years there has also been a growing number of social scientists looking into the recreational use of psychedelics in modern societies, shedding light on the cultural significance of these substances.