Psychedelics: Science sabotaged by Social Media

Summary

Micro-dosing psychedelics like psilocybin presents a promising pathway for mental health medicine, sidestepping significant regulatory hurdles faced by high-dose regimens. This approach in pharmacology could offer a cost-effective, widely available treatment model for psychiatry, unlike intensive high-dose psychotherapy. While drug development faces public relations challenges regarding misleading claims, low-dose strategies simplify business and regulatory approval for outpatient use. Both high and low dosing strategies likely hold distinct therapeutic value, influencing behavior through different mechanisms. This perspective is vital for future psychedelic drug studies and chemical synthesis efforts.

Abstract

The substantial challenges facing high and low dose psychedelic drug development to achieve regulatory approval have been documented in the scientific literature. These limitations have not deterred drug developers and social media from repeatedly misleading patients, the public and health professionals. Developing "micro doses" of psychedelics overcomes many of the scientific and regulatory challenges of high dose psychedelics. If micro-dosing could be shown to be efficacious and safe for long term use, it could be administered in the typical model for treatment of mental disorders. Such a model would be more cost effective than the high dose/intense psychotherapy model currently described and could be readily available to all individuals who need another medication option. Outpatient psychotherapeutic agents have a clear route for approval and would be unlikely to be burdened by the extensive Risks Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy needed for high dose use. There may be a different therapeutic role for both high and low dose psychedelic agents. This article is part of the Special Issue on "National Institutes of Health Psilocybin Research Speaker Series".

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