When Harriet de Wit began her doctoral research on cocaine self-administration in rats, psychedelics were still considered a fringe concept in mainstream science. In an interview with Genomic Press, de Wit highlights how translating animal research to human studies has shaped our understanding of addiction, consciousness, and the core traits that unite us. Her work aims to explore how animal research can contribute to our understanding of human behavior. Even as her work inspires new understanding of empathy, awe, and human connection, the greater opportunity lies in preserving the institutions that nurture such research. After decades in the field, de Wit emphasizes that scientific progress deepens our sense of connection and that ongoing research is key to future discovery.