Lynette A. Averill, Ph.D

Dr. Lynnette A. Averill is a leading expert in the psychoneurobiology of chronic stress pathology – namely posttraumatic stress, suicidality and rapid-acting interventions. Her research focuses on the fine-grained understanding of mechanisms underlying psychedelic medicines, the effects of chronic stress and trauma, and treatment response. She co-authored a recent manuscript reporting very positive outcomes of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT treatment among Special Operations Forces Veterans. She has received honors and funding for her work from premier organizations including the American College for Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), International Society for Clinical Trials and Methodology (ISCTM), Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Brain and Behavior Foundation (BBRF) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Dr. Averill is an Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine’s Menninger Department of Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Research Psychologist at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, maintains a faculty appointment at Yale School of Medicine and the National Center for PTSD and is a clinician and innovation expert advisor at NPSYT, PLLC. She is a founding board member for Source Research Foundation and Reason for Hope ~ Hope for Reason, two psychedelic-focused non-profit organizations. She served as subject matter expert for TX House Bill 1802 that passed with near unanimous bipartisan support and funds a clinical trial of psilocybin for Veterans with PTSD, which Dr. Averill will lead. She has served as a subject matter expert for Connecticut’s Psilocybin Work Group as well as testifying in special briefings in other states on matters relating to thoughtful legislation around psychedelic medicine and assisted therapies.