Psychedelics for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: Interpreting and Translating Available Evidence and Guidance for Future Research.
The American journal of psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
Psychedelics show promise as effective treatments for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, with controlled trials indicating significant benefits. In a sample of over 1,000 participants, these substances have also demonstrated potential in addressing alcohol use disorder and other substance-related issues. However, concerns about long-term safety and the necessity of psychological support during treatment remain. A comprehensive review highlights the need for careful methodology to enhance the reliability of findings and inform future applications in psychiatric care.
Abstract
During the past decade, there has been extraordinary public, media, and medical research interest in psychedelics as promising therapeutics for difficult-to-treat psychiatric disorders. Short-term controlled trial data suggest that certain psychedelics are effective and safe in the treatment of major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Preliminary evidence also supports efficacy in other psychiatric disorders (e.g., tobacco and alcohol use disorders). Notwithstanding the interest and promise of psychedelics, concerns have arisen with respect to the interpretability and translatability of study results. For example, aspects related to short- and long-term safety, abuse liability, and the essentiality of the psychedelic "trip" and psychological support are, inter alia, insufficiently characterized with psychedelic agents. The overarching aims in this overview are 1) to review methodological aspects that affect inferences and interpretation of extant psychedelic studies in psychiatric disorders, and 2) to provide guidance for future research and development of psychedelic treatment in psychiatry, critical to study interpretation and clinical implementation.