Should Adolescents be Included in Emerging Psychedelic Research?
Canadian Journal of Bioethics – January 01, 2022
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psychedelic substances like psilocybin show significant promise for adult mental health, yet adolescent inclusion in psychological intervention trials is currently 0%. A compelling argument highlights the urgent need for novel medical interventions to address growing youth mental health burdens. Psychedelics pose low risk compared to existing psychiatric medications. While developmental risks and informed consent complexities exist, including adolescents in clinical psychology and drug studies is crucial. This would improve their quality of life, offering innovative treatments and advancing diverse academic research themes in medicine and psychology.
Abstract
Recent evidence shows significant potential for therapies involving psychedelic substances such as psilocybin and MDMA to improve clinical outcomes for patients experiencing various mental disorders. However, research to date focuses almost exclusively on adults. I argue that adolescents should be included in research into psychedelic therapies. First, I demonstrate the pressing need for novel interventions to address the growing mental health burden of adolescents, and I draw on empirical evidence to show that research into psychedelic therapies presents an opportunity to address this shortfall. Secondly, I argue that psychedelics pose low risk to young patients, particularly relative to existing psychiatric medications. I then address two major concerns specific to adolescent contexts. First, I address the risks of using psychedelic substances at earlier stages of physiological and cognitive development. I note that the lack of understanding of the risks underscores the need for including adolescents in research. I then address the added complexity of consent in the adolescent context. I highlight some additional concerns that should be addressed in an “enhanced” informed consent process for adolescents and defend the view that capable adolescents should be able to consent to psychedelic interventions. I ultimately hold that including adolescents in emerging psychedelic research has the potential to substantiate innovative treatments that could improve their clinical outcomes, long-term mental health and quality of life.