Journey to Narayama: Cultural Complexities, Psychedelics and Dementia
R. Ozeki-hayashi, D. Wilkinson
AJOB Neuroscience April 3, 2023 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1080/21507740.2023.2188309 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
Cultural factors in Japan create both challenges and opportunities for using psychedelics to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Japanese views on personhood, family decision-making, and spiritual traditions differ from Western bioethics, complicating informed consent and risk assessment. However, some cultural elements may reduce ethical concerns raised by Peterson et al., such as those around autonomy and stigma. A culturally sensitive ethics agenda is needed for future research.
Study at a glance
| Design | commentary |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Cultural differences, particularly those in Japan, affect the ethical landscape for psychedelic research in Alzheimer’s disease and may both heighten and defuse certain ethical issues. |
Abstract
In their target article, Peterson et al. discuss the intriguing prospect of using psychedelics as a treatment for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) (Peterson et al. 2023). They provide a helpful analysis of ethical issues that may arise in research or clinical use. However, while they mention the use of psychedelics in indigenous spiritual practices, Peterson et al.’s analysis largely draws on a Western bioethical lens. In this commentary, drawing on Japanese experience, we highlight some important cultural complexities that an ethics research agenda will need to attend to. Some cultural factors will make this sort of research much more challenging. Other factors may be more hospitable, and may even defuse some of the ethical problems that Peterson and colleagues identify.