Psychedelics in Psychiatry, the Nursing Influence, and the Future of Psychedelic Therapies
Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association January 29, 2024 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1177/10783903231222930 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapies are approaching medical approval and decriminalization in the United States, which will require many trained facilitators. Nurses are well-suited to fill these roles, having been involved with such therapies historically. This article reviews the history, modern uses, and future of these treatments, concluding that psychiatric-mental health nurses can perform various functions in this emerging field.
Study at a glance
| Design | review |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Nurses are fully capable of providing a wide range of roles in psychedelic-assisted therapies upon anticipated approval. |
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs) are on the cusp of becoming medicalized treatment modalities within the United States, both as potential U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment and therapeutic options outside the medical model, through decriminalization efforts within individual states. Bringing with it a paradigm shift in the delivery of health care for both physical and mental health treatment. A workforce of highly trained facilitators will be needed to meet the anticipated demand for this type of treatment and nurses can play a key role in meeting this demand. This article serves to introduce psychedelic-assisted therapies to psychiatric-mental health nurses as we start to see this new field emerge. METHOD: Review of published literature and other media. RESULTS: Results based on historical data, modern applications, and future considerations. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses have been involved with psychedelic-assisted therapies in the past and are fully capable of providing a wide range of roles upon the anticipated approval as a treatment modality.