Ethical Issues and Recommendations in Psychedelic Research and Practice: A Scoping Review

Summary

Psychedelic research is expanding rapidly, presenting new ethical challenges in both research and therapy. A scoping review of fifty-one articles identified five main concerns: standards of practice, equity, integrity, cultural appropriation, and epistemic justice. Additionally, a workshop revealed overlooked issues such as post-trial care and the need for consensus on care models. Recommendations include developing competency frameworks and improving engagement with Indigenous and underserved populations.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The rapid growth in psychedelic research raises novel ethical challenges for both research and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Despite these challenges, there is no consensus among researchers, clinicians, patients, and regulators on how these ethical issues may be avoided or managed. This study aimed to identify key ethical issues in psychedelic research and practice in the literature. A scoping review was performed, identifying fifty-one relevant articles. Content analysis revealed five main ethical concerns in the literature: 1) standards of practice, 2) equity, 3) integrity, 4) cultural appropriation, and 5) epistemic justice. A consultation workshop highlighted several key concerns that were neglected in the literature: 1) post-trial care, 2) lack of consensus on models of care and psychedelic practitioner competencies, and 3) how current research and its associated ethical issues will be translated into practice. Based on these findings the following future directions are recommended: designing clear competency frameworks, increased consultation with Indigenous and priority populations (e.g. ethnic and cultural minorities, under-served groups), guidelines for Indigenous recognition, management of post-trial care in clinical trials, and adequate governance of psychedelic prescribing practices.

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