José Carlos Bouso
José-Carlos Bouso Saiz is a Spanish psychologist and doctor in clinical pharmacology known for his work on psychedelic therapy, particularly ayahuasca, MDMA, iboga, as well as cannabis.
Early life and education
Born in Madrid, Spain, José Carlos Bouso graduated in psychology at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, subsequently obtaining a Ph.D in pharmacology at the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona.Career and research
Clinical trials
Bouso was involved as early as the year 2000 as scientific director of one of the first clinical trials involving MDMA for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. Bouso criticized ret tape in his early work on MDMA‑assisted psychotherapy, noting that the halting of his clinical investigations into MDMA for PTSD in the early 2000s delayed the field's development in Spain.Between 2020 and 2025, he was principal investigator, working with Tre Borràs Cabacés, in coordinating the Phase-II clinical trial on the use of ibogaine to "reverse methadone tolerance" held in a hospital in Reus, Catalonia.
Research
The relation between psychological and mental health, psycho-social wellbeing, lifestyle, and the social and ritualized ceremonies associated with the use of potent psychedelic medicines, and their interactions with the final effect, has long been a topic of interest of Bouso's research. This led him to engage with the interactions between Western medicine and traditional epistemologies and systems of alternative therapy, in particular maintained by indigenous peoples.During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Bouso focused on the effects of the use of psychedelics in mitigating mental health risks associated with the pandemic's social and psychological effects. His interventions often seek to balance the perceived benefits of treatments such as ayahuasca therapy, with the need for set and setting and attention given to the context, environment, and practices. Bouso has claimed that the findings from his work helps "emphasize the importance of a responsible and well-prepared setting for those seeking healing through ayahuasca."
Selected publications
Some of Bouso's publications are available in English:Bouso has published a number of other books and journal articles in Spanish, in particular on topics related to psilocybin and psilocybin mushroom, medical cannabis, as well as coca leaf.
Advocacy and public involvement
In the 2010s, Bouso has been involved with medical cannabis research and public advocacy as well as with the World Ayahuasca Conference. Bouso has been involved in public discussions related to his fields of research, e.g. delivering talks like "Ayahuasca from the point of view of psychology: from phenomenology to therapeutic effects." in Barcelona.In recent years, the publication of his book brought him to the arena of public debate on psychedelics, in Spain and Latin America, getting to be dubbed "the wiseman of psychedelic therapy" by Spanish national television.
Following the approval of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in a number of countries, Bouso has focused on the potential of MDMA therapies in Spain.