Psychedelics for treating psychiatric disorders: Are they safe?
Current Psychiatry – December 01, 2022
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psychedelics are rapidly gaining prominence in Medicine, with some compounds designated "breakthrough therapies" by the FDA, expediting their development. Growing evidence from Drug Studies highlights their potential for treating psychiatric disorders like depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, often alongside psychotherapy. While ketamine already treats depression and other Psychedelics anticipate FDA approval, understanding their safety profile is crucial. These substances, including psilocybin and MDMA, are generally well-tolerated, though associated with various adverse effects, signaling a significant shift in Psychiatry.
Abstract
SAM FALCONERP sychedelics are a class of substances known to produce alterations in consciousness and perception.In the last 2 decades, psychedelic research has garnered increasing attention from scientists, therapists, entrepreneurs, and the public.While many of these compounds remain illegal in the United States and in many parts of the world (Box, 1 page 16), a recent resurrection of psychedelic research has motivated the FDA to designate multiple psychedelic compounds as "breakthrough therapies," thereby expediting the investigation, development, and review of psychedelic treatments.There is growing evidence that psychedelics may be efficacious for treating a range of psychiatric disorders.Potential clinical indications for psychedelics include some forms of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders (Table 1, 2,3 page 17).In most instances, the clinical use of psychedelics is being investigated and offered in the context of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, though ketamine is a prominent exception.Ketamine and esketamine are already being used to treat depression, and FDA approval is anticipated for other psychedelics.An examination of the safety considerations of psychedelics for the treatment of psychiatric disorders is therefore highly relevant and timely.This article examines the adverse effect profile of classical (psilocybin ["mushrooms"], lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], and N,N-dimethyltryptamine [DMT]/ayahuasca) and nonclassical (the entactogen 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA, known as "ecstasy"] and the dissociative anesthetic ketamine) psychedelics.Psychedelics for treating psychiatric disorders: Are they safe?Though generally well-tolerated, these agents have been associated with a range of adverse effects