Medicinal psychedelics for mental health and addiction: Advancing research of an emerging paradigm
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry – March 21, 2021
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psilocybin and other psychedelics show immense promise for mental health, potentially revolutionizing psychiatry. Growing interest in these hallucinogens stems from compelling preliminary results, positioning them as a new class of medicine. Psychotherapist-guided treatments, focusing on neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, are key. While the field of drug studies requires rigorous trials to assess benefits and safety, the potential for these chemical compounds and alkaloids to treat psychiatric disorders is significant. Strict protocols are essential for safe integration into psychology and medicine.
Abstract
The medical use of psychedelic substances (e.g. psilocybin, ayahuasca, lysergic acid diethylamide and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is attracting renewed interest, driven by a pressing need for research and development of novel therapies for psychiatric disorders, as well as promising results of contemporary studies. In this Viewpoint, we reflect upon the ‘Clinical Memorandum on Psychedelics’ recently released by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and note subsequent developments including the application for down-scheduling of psilocybin and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine presently being considered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and approvals for access via the Special Access Scheme. We suggest that this field is worthy of rigorous research to assess potential benefits, address safety parameters and clarify therapeutic mechanisms. To this end, we outline recent research findings, provide an overview of current knowledge relating to mechanisms of action and discuss salient aspects of the psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy treatment model. The sum of this research points towards medicinal psychedelics as a potential new class of psychiatric treatments when used within a medically supervised framework with integrated psychotherapeutic support. However, before widespread translation into clinical use can occur, appropriately designed and sufficiently powered trials are required to detect both potential positive and negative outcomes. Unique safety and regulatory challenges also need to be addressed. As for any new medical therapy, psychedelic research needs to be conducted in a rigorous manner, through the dispassionate lens of scientific enquiry. Carte blanche availability to practitioners, without specific protocols and appropriate training, would be potentially harmful to individuals and detrimental to the field.