Molecules of the Mind: Digital Design
Schedule
Sat Feb 28 2026 at 03:00 pm to 04:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
Willoughby Wallace Mem Library | Branford, CT
Learn how 3D brain models and simulations help design safe, psychedelic-inspired drugs for depression and the future of mental health.About this Event
Molecules of the Mind: Designing Psychedelic-Inspired Medicines on a Computer
Abstract shared by Professor Brandt:
Psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA are showing promise for treating depression and PTSD, but they also raise big questions about safety, access, and how they work in the brain. In this talk, I’ll share how we use 3D models of brain receptors and computer simulations to design new molecules inspired by psychedelics, with the goal of keeping their therapeutic benefits while reducing some of their risks. I’ll walk through one project from my lab, from modeling a receptor structure to screening millions of virtual compounds and narrowing them down to a few promising candidates that chemists can actually make. Along the way, I’ll talk about what these tools can and can’t do—and how they might change the future of mental health treatment.
Where is it happening?
Willoughby Wallace Mem Library, 146 Thimble Island Road, Branford, United StatesUSD 0.00








