Benjamin Lightburn: Are Natural Psychedelics the Future of Healing?

What if the key to addressing the substance use disorder crisis lies not in a lab, but in nature itself? In a recent podcast episode, Benjamin Lightburn, CEO and co-founder of Filament Health, shares his journey of pioneering natural psychedelic drug development. With a career rooted in botanical extraction, Lightburn offers a compelling case for why naturally derived psychedelics—like psilocybin from magic mushrooms—could transform mental health treatment. His story weaves together innovation, personal resilience, and a mission to tackle one of society’s most pressing challenges: substance use disorders. At Filament Health, founded in 2020, Lightburn and his team are breaking new ground by creating pharmaceutical-grade natural psychedelics, now used globally by researchers and early-access physicians.

From Plants to Purpose: A New Approach to Psychedelics

Lightburn’s fascination with plant-based solutions isn’t new—it’s a thread that runs through his entire career. Having launched two prior botanical extraction startups, he’s no stranger to the complexities of turning nature’s offerings into viable products. But Filament Health, started with colleagues from a previously exited venture, marks a bold shift. “At the time, there were no naturally focused psychedelics companies,” Lightburn recalls. “All research into psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and DMT had been done with synthesized chemicals made artificially in a lab.” This struck him as a disconnect from humanity’s long history with psychedelics, which spans countless cultures using fungi and plants for healing and ceremony.

Picture this: for millennia, shamans in South America brewed ayahuasca, while indigenous groups in West Africa turned to iboga roots for spiritual rites. These natural substances weren’t synthesized in sterile environments—they were gifts from the earth, refined by tradition. Lightburn saw an opportunity to bridge this ancient wisdom with modern science. At Filament, his team cultivates psilocybe cubensis mushrooms in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) lab, extracting psilocybin and its secondary compounds to create standardized, pharmaceutical-grade drugs. The result? A product that’s now setting a new standard in psychedelic research worldwide.

Why Natural Psychedelics Matter

So, what’s the big deal about natural versus synthetic psychedelics? Lightburn breaks it down with a relatable analogy: “A good analogy is like a cup of coffee, right? Coffee has caffeine, but it also has many other compounds that give it its flavor, its aroma, its color… People obviously prefer coffee rather than pure isolated caffeine.” Similarly, natural psychedelics contain a spectrum of compounds that synthetic versions lack. While a lab-made psilocybin pill offers a single, isolated molecule, Filament’s botanical drugs preserve the mushroom’s full profile—potentially enhancing therapeutic effects through what’s known as the “entourage effect.”

This distinction isn’t just theoretical. Filament’s natural psychedelics are gaining traction globally. Researchers from institutions like Johns Hopkins and NYU use them to study conditions ranging from depression to substance use disorders. Early-access programs, like Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP), rely on Filament as their largest psilocybin supplier, providing free doses to hundreds of patients with serious conditions. This dual role—supporting cutting-edge research and compassionate care—underscores the practical impact of Lightburn’s vision.

Tackling Substance Use Disorders with Nature’s Help

The heart of Filament’s mission lies in addressing substance use disorders (SUDs), a crisis Lightburn describes as causing “untold amounts of human suffering and tragedy.” The statistics are staggering: in the U.S. alone, over 100,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2022, according to the CDC. Traditional treatments often fall short, leaving a gap that psychedelics might fill. Historical and modern studies back this up. Research from NYU showed two doses of psilocybin slashed heavy drinking days by 83% in alcohol use disorder patients. At Johns Hopkins, 67% of smokers remained abstinent a year after a psychedelic session.

Filament is building on this foundation. The company sponsors its own clinical trials, including a Phase 2b study for stimulant use disorder and a Phase 2a study for opioid use disorder. Beyond its internal efforts, Filament supplies natural psychedelics for 30 to 40 global studies exploring everything from anxiety to addiction. This collaborative approach not only fuels scientific discovery but also generates critical safety data—vital for future drug approvals.

The Human Side of Innovation

Behind the science, Lightburn’s story carries a deeply personal thread. As a serial entrepreneur, he knows the toll of startup life. “I’ve never had a profit-making company, and because of that, it’s always extremely stressful,” he admits. He’s witnessed the mental health struggles of colleagues, including a tragic loss within Filament’s founding team. This experience shapes his perspective: “No company is worth the pain… It’s just not worth the risk.” His advice? Self-compassion. A walk around the block isn’t laziness—it’s survival.

This vulnerability adds depth to his mission. By developing natural psychedelics, Lightburn isn’t just chasing a business goal—he’s offering tools to ease suffering, both for patients and, perhaps, for those in high-pressure fields like his own.

Sustainability and Cultural Respect

Filament’s work extends beyond the lab to ethical sourcing. Take ibogaine, a psychedelic from the iboga plant in West Africa. Used by the Bwiti people for centuries, it’s now at risk from overharvesting. Filament adheres to the Nagoya Protocol, a UN treaty ensuring sustainable supply and equitable benefits for local communities. “We can help preserve the long-term supply rather than just go in and… contribute to piracy and extinction,” Lightburn explains. This commitment reflects a broader ethos: honoring the cultural roots of psychedelics while meeting modern needs.

What’s Next for Natural Psychedelics?

As of March 17, 2025, Filament Health stands at a pivotal moment. Its natural psychedelics are reshaping research and treatment landscapes, with Phase 2 trials underway and global partnerships expanding. Today’s announcement of positive Phase 2 data for alcohol use disorder—showing a 50% reduction in heavy drinking days—further fuels optimism (Filament Health, X post, March 17, 2025). Yet, psychedelics remain largely illegal, accessible mainly through underground networks or limited programs like SAP.

Lightburn sees a future where natural psychedelics become mainstream, supported by science and policy shifts. For now, his advice to those curious about psychedelic healing is cautious but practical: seek trusted sources and prioritize mental health support, especially in a crisis.

Key Takeaways and a Call to Action

Benjamin Lightburn’s journey with Filament Health reveals a powerful truth: nature might hold answers to some of our toughest challenges. Natural psychedelics offer a promising path for treating substance use disorders, blending ancient wisdom with modern rigor. They differ from synthetic counterparts by preserving a full spectrum of compounds, potentially boosting efficacy. And behind the innovation lies a human story of resilience and purpose.

Want to learn more? Explore Filament Health’s work at filament.health or check out ongoing psychedelic research at Johns Hopkins.

What do you think—could natural psychedelics be the future of healing?