About

Cody Wenthur, PharmD/PhD, is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the School of Pharmacy, where he serves as Co-Director of the Wisconsin Opioid Overdose Response Center and Director of Graduate Studies for Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation Programs. His research focuses on elucidating how monoaminergic and glutamatergic signaling systems interact to support maladaptive learning and synaptic plasticity in the context of substance use disorders and major depressive disorders. He is involved in the development of novel bioconjugates and antibodies to probe the effects of psychoactive substances, including synthetic cannabinoids, opioids, ketamine, and classical psychedelics, as well as identifying immunologic biomarkers of ongoing drug use and vaccine response. Additionally, his work assesses barriers to implementing new addiction treatment paradigms, such as vaccine-based approaches and medication-assisted psychotherapy. Wenthur's background includes a Doctor of Pharmacy from Purdue University, a PhD in Pharmacology from Vanderbilt University, a postdoctoral fellowship at The Scripps Research Institute, and ongoing academic appointments since August 2018.

Research topics

• Biology
• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Chemistry
• Endocrinology
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Psychology

Selected publications

• Generation of enantiospecific monoclonal antibodies against (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine

  Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry · 2026-01-18

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Electrophysiological effects of psilocybin co-administered with midazolam

  Translational Psychiatry · 2026-02-14 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  The serotonergic psychedelic psilocybin induces neural plasticity and profoundly alters consciousness. The benzodiazepine midazolam blunts neural plasticity and induces conscious sedation and amnesia at low doses. In our recent open label pilot study, we administered oral psilocybin (25 mg) along with intravenous midazolam at doses allowing a full psychedelic experience while blunting memory for the experience. We previously reported preliminary results from high density scalp electroencephalography (EEG) recorded during the dosing session. Here, we examined changes in EEG band power, normalized Lempel Ziv complexity (LZCn), and spectral exponent. We used linear mixed effects models that incorporated time and the subjective effects of midazolam and psilocybin, measured with the Observer's Assessment of Arousal and Sedation (OAA/S) and selected items from the Altered States of Consciousness (ASC) questionnaire, respectively. At 15-30 min, when midazolam but not psilocybin was at its targeted effect site concentration, we observed increased beta power and decreased spectral exponent. As the subjective effects of psilocybin commenced and over the next six hours, we observed increased LZCn and spectral exponent and decreased broadband power, with the most prominent power reductions in the delta, theta, and alpha frequency bands. OAA/S improved model fits for alpha power while ASC improved model fits for LZCn and spectral exponent. While recognizing limitations inherent to the small sample size and variability in dosages of midazolam, these data are further evidence that the effects of psilocybin are maintained in the presence of midazolam, supporting its utility in mechanistic studies of psilocybin's therapeutic activity.

  PublisherDOI

• Assessing logistical and ethical barriers for psychedelic-assisted therapy implementation: A cross-sectional pharmacist survey

  Psychedelics · 2026-04-20

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Despite the existence of current treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD), depression symptoms and burdens often persist, prompting the need for novel therapies, including psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), with promising potential for early and durable antidepressant responses. Objectives: This research aims to compare pharmacist opinions regarding logistical and ethical considerations surrounding current MDD treatments with those anticipated for PAT, as well as support for prescription use versus self-medication with psychedelics in specific scenarios and populations. Methods: Pharmacists were surveyed via cross-sectional convenience sampling to capture perceptions regarding current and future depression treatments. Survey responses were assessed with one- and two-way parametric and non-parametric analyses where appropriate. Results: Treatment costs and legal barriers were perceived as significantly greater logistical barriers for PAT compared to current treatments (P ≤ 0.01 and P ≤ 0.0001, respectively), whereas no significant differences were captured regarding ethical barriers. Prescription use of psychedelics in adult patients garnered significantly greater support than self-medication for depression in situations of post-suicide attempt, suicide prophylaxis, and after failing two or more antidepressants (P ≤ 0.0001, P ≤ 0.0001, and P ≤ 0.001, respectively). Prescription psychedelic use garnered significantly greater support than self-medication for use in elderly, incarcerated, active-duty military personnel, and veteran patients (P ≤ 0.01, P ≤ 0.01, P ≤ 0.0001, and P ≤ 0.05, respectively). Conclusion : Pharmacist perceptions of ethical barriers associated with PAT generally aligned with those perceived for current treatments, while logistical barriers regarding cots and legal barriers were perceived to be greater for PAT. Pharmacists generally expressed greater support for prescription psychedelic use compared to self-medication, with prescription use supported in many protected populations. PAT was perceived as an overall helpful addition to current depression treatments. • Psychedelics and current treatments pose similar ethical considerations • Logistical considerations differ for psychedelics and current treatments • Pharmacists support the prescription use of psychedelics • Pharmacists perceive psychedelics as helpful for depression

  PublisherDOI

• CCDC 2455959: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

  Open MIND · 2026-02-19

  datasetOpen accessSenior author

  An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.

  OA PDFDOI

• Generation of Enantiospecific Monoclonal Antibodies Against (2R,6R)-Hydroxynorketamine

  ChemRxiv · 2025-09-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Antibodies against small psychoactive molecules have been developed for applications ranging from substance detection and overdose protection to mechanistic understanding of the actions of complex substance mixtures. In this study, we describe the design, synthesis, formulation, and animal testing of an initial immunogenic bioconjugate, as well as subsequent isolation of enantiospecific monoclonal antibodies against (2R,6R)- hydroxynorketamine, a putatively active metabolite of the dissociative-anesthetic and rapidly-acting antidepressant ketamine. Following pharmacophore synthesis, hapten generation was achieved through installation of 6- aminohexanoic acid linkers using reductive amination, and bioconjugation to the carrier protein, cross-reactive material 197 (CRM), via amide coupling was performed. Upon administration to mice in combination with alum and CpG oligodeoxynucleotide 1826, (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine-CRM generated equivalent antibody titers to comparator racemic 6-hydroxynorketamine-CRM. Following creation of hybridomas arising from B-cells responsive to (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine-CRM exposure and subsequent screening, subcloning, sequencing, and production, we were able to identify a monoclonal antibody, 6F11-HC1-LC2, which yielded antibodies strongly responsive to (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine, but no such responsiveness to (2S,6S)-hydroxynorketamine in a competitive binding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay format. Surface plasmon resonance analysis of this monoclonal species demonstrated sub-nanomolar (0.4 nM) antibody affinity for (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine-BSA bioconjugates and >150-fold selectivity in comparison to ketamine-BSA bioconjugates. Overall, these results demonstrate successful production of monoclonal antibodies capable of robustly distinguishing between hydroxynorketamine enantiomers, enabling their use in future in vivo studies to better understand their relative contributions to the rapidly-acting antidepressant properties of ketamine.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Gestational LSD exposure in mouse rapidly reaches embryonic CSF and is associated with altered choroid plexus signaling, cerebral cortical development, and offspring behavior

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-10-01

  preprintOpen access

  Abstract Classic serotonergic psychedelics engage 5-HT receptors throughout the nervous system, but how maternal exposure intersects with embryonic brain interfaces is poorly defined. Here we tested in mice whether maternally administered lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) accesses embryonic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and whether embryonic choroid plexus (ChP) – a CSF-secreting epithelium enriched for Htr2c – mounts an acute response. Following a single maternal injection (0.3 mg kg⁻¹, subcutaneous), LSD was detectable in embryonic CSF within 5–15 minutes at E12.5 and E16.5. Thirty minutes after maternal dosing, LSD induced Fos in embryonic ChP across ventricles and was accompanied by rapid apical remodeling and increased embryonic CSF protein. In parallel cohorts, psilocybin, 5-MeO-DMT, and the 5-HT₂C agonist WAY-161503 elicited a similar Fos response in ChP. Prenatal LSD exposure during mid-gestation was associated with altered S1 cortical cellularity and projection-neuron subtype marker composition at P8; regimen-dependent effects included male-biased changes in SATB2⁺ and CTIP2⁺ populations after repeated exposure. In adulthood, offspring exhibited modest, male-predominant reductions in prepulse inhibition and increased rotational stereotypy. Together, these data identify embryonic CSF as a rapidly accessible compartment for maternal LSD and support a model in which serotonergic agonists can acutely engage ChP epithelium during cerebral cortical development. Significance Psychedelic use during pregnancy is increasing, but the speed and extent to which these drugs access the embryonic CNS remain unknown. We show that a single maternal dose of LSD appears in mouse embryonic cerebrospinal fluid within five minutes and provokes an immediate response in the choroid plexus, a serotonin receptor-rich epithelium that regulates CSF composition. Psilocybin, 5-MeO-DMT, and a selective 5-HT₂C agonist trigger a similar response. Mid-gestational exposure alters cortical neuron composition in neonates and produces persistent behavioral abnormalities in adult offspring, including stereotypies evident from weaning. These data reveal that maternal serotonergic agonists rapidly access embryonic CSF, acutely activate choroid plexus epithelium, and are associated with lasting changes in cortical composition and offspring behavior.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Role of Pharmacists in Mitigating Patient Harms and Drug Misinformation Risks Arising From Synthetic Smoke Shop Products

  JACCP JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PHARMACY · 2025-10-10 · 1 citations

  article

  The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

  PublisherDOI

• 58. Acute Behavioral Effects of Psilocybin and Its Pharmacokinetics in Nonhuman Primates

  Biological Psychiatry · 2025-04-09

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Quantitative and qualitative influences of spiritual connection and natural imagery on perception of art in clinical psychedelic dosing settings

  Scientific Reports · 2025-07-21 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Psychedelic clinical study environments are frequently visually manipulated, such as art; however, there has been little study of how the art selected for display impacts individual responses to the overall setting. To examine how individual self-identities shape perceptions of art used in a clinical psychedelic dosing environment, this study used a community-engaged mixed-methods approach. Psychedelic society members were recruited to complete an online survey that measured overall reactions and perceived connections of age, gender, racial/ethnic, and religious/spiritual self-identities to 15 art objects. A multivariate-linear regression model of these responses identified religious/spiritual identity as the dominant connectivity factor influencing art reaction among these participants. Selected survey participants then completed focus groups, from which nine qualitative themes related to art preferences were identified, including preference for natural elements and images. Finally, members of a non-psychedelically oriented community interest group completed the survey and provided preference scores for an expanded art library to assess generalizability of qualitative and quantitative findings. Spiritual/religious connectivity was found to be less associated with art preferences for the non-psychedelically affiliated group members, while the presence of natural elements still corresponded with positive responses to art. These results suggest that while religious/spiritual self-identity has a strong impact in predicting variance in dosing environment reactions among individuals with prior psychedelic interests, the inclusion of art focused on natural themes may be a meaningful future approach to facilitate positive receptions among broader populations.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Electrophysiological effects of psilocybin co-administered with midazolam

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-07-29

  preprintOpen access

  Abstract The serotonergic psychedelic psilocybin induces neural plasticity and profoundly alters consciousness. The benzodiazepine midazolam blunts neural plasticity and induces conscious sedation and amnesia at low doses. In our recent open label pilot study, we administered oral psilocybin (25 mg) along with intravenous midazolam at doses allowing a full psychedelic experience while blunting memory for the experience. We previously reported preliminary results from high density scalp electroencephalography (EEG) recorded during the dosing session. Here, we examined changes in EEG band power, normalized Lempel Ziv complexity (LZCn), and spectral exponent. We used linear mixed effects models that incorporated time and the subjective effects of midazolam and psilocybin, measured with the Observer’s Assessment of Arousal and Sedation (OAA/S) and selected items from the Altered States of Consciousness (ASC) questionnaire, respectively. At 15-30 mins, when midazolam (but likely not psilocybin) was at its targeted effect site concentration, we observed increased beta power and decreased spectral exponent. As the subjective effects of psilocybin commenced and over the next six hours, we observed increased LZCn and spectral exponent and decreased broadband power. OAA/S improved model fits for alpha power while ASC improved model fits for LZCn and spectral exponent. These data are further evidence that the effects of psilocybin are maintained in the presence of midazolam, supporting its utility in mechanistic studies of psilocybin’s therapeutic activity.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Evaluation of Liposomal Nicotine Vaccines for Repeated Pulmonary Administration

  NIH · $80k · 2017–2019

Frequent coauthors

• Craig W. Lindsley

  Vanderbilt University

  24 shared

• P. Jeffrey Conn

  Vanderbilt University

  17 shared

• Colleen M. Niswender

  Vanderbilt Health

  15 shared

• J. Scott Daniels

  University of Geneva

  15 shared

• Julie L. Engers

  Vanderbilt University

  14 shared

• Ryan D. Morrison

  11 shared

• Kim D. Janda

  10 shared

• Zhen Zheng

  Tianjin Medical University

  8 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Pharmacology

  Vanderbilt University

  2015

• Other

  Purdue University

  2011

• Other, Chemistry

  The Scripps Research Institute

  2018

• Other, Pharmacy Practice Division and Pharmaceutical Sciences Division

  University of Wisconsin–Madison

  2018