Psychedelic Therapeutics for Adolescents: Ethics, Safety, Opportunities, and Equipoise.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – December 19, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
As mental health challenges surge among young people, medical experts are carefully examining the potential of psychedelic therapy for adolescents. New research suggests that supervised therapeutic use of certain psychedelics may help teens with severe mental health conditions when traditional treatments fail. The focus is on establishing strict safety protocols and ethical guidelines while recognizing that some teens already seek out these substances. Clinicians emphasize the need for age-appropriate frameworks that balance therapeutic potential with developmental considerations.
Abstract
We read with great interest the commentary by Jeffrey et al. entitled "Clinical Research Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Adolescents Aged 16 to 17 Years: Rationale Balanced With Caution."1 We appreciate the efforts of the authors, the scholarship of this commentary, and the advocacy for research initiatives with psychedelic therapeutics such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. We agree that there is a compelling rationale for timely, rigorous studies with adolescents as it is likely that these compounds have been and will be used in adolescents with therapeutic intent. We are writing to catalyze further collegial dialogue and advocacy in our field. We do have some considerations for the authors.